A man accused of stabbing another man in Boston’s Downtown Crossing Wednesday faced a judge. The incident prompted safety concerns in the area.
A spike in crime is causing concern about the safety of Boston's Downtown Crossing.
The latest incident was a stabbing Wednesday morning. The man arrested in that attack faced a judge Thursday.
City Councilor Ed Flynn is sounding the alarm and recommending that events that have already received permits in the Boston Common be canceled because he believes the area is just too unsafe.
His comments follow a stabbing on Winter Place near Washington Street, where a man suffered injuries to his arm and his back.
Calvin Spencer, 33, was arrested at the Andrew T stop in South Boston after he was caught on security cameras leaving a knife on the platform of the Downtown Crossing station.
There have been 149 non-domestic aggravated assaults in the Downtown Crossing neighborhood this year, already surpassing last year's total of 127, according to the Boston Regional Intelligence Center.
Robberies and attempted robberies are up, as well. There have been 80 so far this year, while there were 75 all of last year.
"Over the last six months, we have seen a dramatic increase in public safety challenges, quality of life issues, neighborhood concerns," said Flynn.
"It's very scary. I walked by like the caution tape on my way to work today. I really feel like Boston is overall a safe city but definitely very alarming," said Emily McLaughlin, works in Downtown Crossing.
Spencer has a criminal record that dates to 2004, including child rape and breaking and entering. He's currently facing larceny charges, for which he had his bail revoked during Thursday's arraignment.
His court-appointed attorney Robert Glotzer said his client is troubled, doesn't recall the stabbing and hasn't received the appropriate treatment from the state.
"The de-institutionalization of the mentally ill has left so many people like this to essentially fend for themselves, given some pills and a pat on the behind and told to go forth and explore. And I think it should be brought to our legislators that this is not working," said Glotzer.
Spencer was issued a $50,000 bond for the stabbing case and is due in court for a pre-trial hearing on Sept. 13.
