I have learned from traveling that, at least nowadays, a lot of things that go in in big cities in this country are the same. In post-Covid Prince Georges County in Maryland, a lot of folks avoid paying the fare on the bus. Same in Washington D.C. Same in Atlanta. Same in New York City. Same in Oakland. People violate the same quality of life laws all over. The homeless situation is similar. At transportation hubs in New York, you are likely to get approached by a homeless or mentally disturbed person. Same in D.C. I found out that it is the same in Boston.
I am on a weekend trip to Portland. I took AMTRAK, so I had to connect from the Northeast Corridor to the Downeaster in Boston. At the Boston North station, I had four hours to kill before my train boarded to Maine, so I decided to get something to eat. They fixed up that station from the last time I was there in 2020 or 2021 and they added an indoor eatery. Lots of nice looking places to eat, but my indecisive ass couldn't decide what I wanted. Plus, I had very little sleep the night before, so I was tired. I left the station and immediately caught the sun's rays and cool breeze. I noticed a CVS across the street and after a few minutes, observing how Boston natives jaywalk, I went shopping at CVS.
After getting my Claritan and Uber card, I went outside, basically at the spot in this photo, and sat down next to two ladies who were smoking cigarettes. They left and I sat for a few minutes, getting the direct sunlight while still enjoying the breeze you don't get except for this time of the year and early autumn. I am checking out my phone and while I am looking at some foolishness from Instagram, a cop rolled up on me.
He came up on a scooter, I think. He could have walked up, since I wasn't paying attention. He didn't look like a beat cop and he introduced himself as being a part of an outreach group. That means homeless and drugs, from my experience.
He was reasonably polite and professional. Not enough that I would trust him, but he also didn't press me for identification. He told me that he had gotten a report about a man in this area who didn't seem to be able to walk well and may be in need of assistance. I supposedly was the only one in the area.
I looked him straight in the eye and without being nasty or confrontational, I let him know I was en-route to Maine from New York. He could see I wasn't homeless. He could see I wasn't confused or doped out. Conversation lasted another 30 seconds and he left.
I wanted to get a little annoyed, but I didn't. According to the cop, someone reported something. Could be bullshit. I am reasonably certain that cameras are all over that part of the city, especially with Patriot's Day coming in three days. I would hate to think this was a "sitting while black" situation.
What balanced my thoughts were the fact that Boston is like other big cities, with homeless issues. Police have to do the same thing at Penn Station in New York. The officer only introduced himself to me. He wasn't threatening or bullying, so I guess I have no problem. I don't have a Bostonian vibe. He should have been able to tell that from the minute I opened my mouth if he couldn't by looking at me.
I was just starting to like Boston.
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