As Suffolk County sheriff pushes 'Mass. and Cass' plan, Boston begins tent removal

Authorities in Boston are dismantling some of the tents in an encampment that has become a makeshift home for people experiencing homelessness, mental health issues and addiction.

It follows Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey's order that the tents at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass boulevard in the South End pose unacceptable risks to public health — and have to come down.

WBUR senior correspondent Deborah Becker joins us to discuss the latest, and dig into a plan Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Thompkins is putting forward that he says would get treatment to people in a now-vacant building at his jail.

We'll also hear from Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, and get some perspective from Dr. Sarah Wakeman, the medical director for substance use disorder at Mass General Brigham and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School.