Scott J. Croteau scroteau masslive. By Scott J. Croteau MassLive. From people grabbing a bite outside Armsby Abbey or dining at Deadhorse Hill to concerts and festivals at the city's Common, the increase in activity, development and new businesses is obvious.
Bright signs advertising cell phone plans and steel bars cover some storefronts. This section of the city is known as Main South, an area plagued for decades with issues of prostitution and drug dealing. It's a reputation that's proved difficult to shake, even though those who know it best, say they've seen signs of progress. McGinn Jr. Dealing with gangs and drugs.
The residents of the neighborhood will tell you the cloud cast over Main South is still there, but some of it is perception and other parts are reality. Some will admit they are afraid to walk outside at night. Back in the s and earlier, people would avoid walking on the streets. Now, families walk to the nearby schools, the park and local stores. Going to the basketball courts at University Park β also known as Crystal Park β was something people used to avoid due to the gangs, but now pick-up games are a regular occurrence.
The women selling their bodies for cash to feed drug habits and the drug dealers selling out in the open are still there. Police and outreach workers try to get the women off the streets and into treatment. You can see all of the investment around Clark. The Worcester Police Department's Neighborhood Response Team works with city teams to address the crime, but it is not all about suppression. Worcester Police Chief Steven Sargent said officers work to get drug users into treatment and prostitutes into programs in order to end the cycle.
The Neighborhood Response Team has made arrests in the city from Jan. As of Sept. I am proud of the hard work and dedication of the men and women of Worcester Police Department who have made our strategies successful. Police command staff meet weekly to discuss ways to address emerging crime trends. Part of that assessment involves input from community watch groups. Despite the problems, those who live in Main South have pride in their neighborhood. A group of dedicated business owners, politicians, residents and groups work daily to bring life and a sense of community into an area often shunned by the rest of the city.
