City Councillor John FitzGerald began a series of neighborhood walks throughout District 3 with a visit to Bowdoin Street on Tuesday, July 16. Although the extreme heat turned the visit into an indoor, round able chat, FitzGerald spent around 90 minutes speaking with residents and civic leaders who turned out to the St. Peter’s Teen Center.

Other walks will occur in Fields Corner on July 18, the South End on July 23, Savin Hill on July 25, Lower Mills on July 30, and Adams Village on August 1. Each of them will begin at 10 a.m.

“I appreciate the folks who are showing up to communicate and educate me,” FitzGerald said. “I’ll turn it over to you guys first to tell me the problems.”

The most common concern raised during the huddle was the loitering by groups of people outside of businesses in the Bowdoin-Geneva village.

Neighbors told FitzGerald that when these groups gather on the sidewalk, they take that same space away from pedestrians and deter them from entering the small businesses.

Since these gatherings often include loud music and alcohol, community members want more response from Boston Police. Specifically, those at the table suggested bringing back walking beats.

While FitzGerald agreed that a dedicated walking beat in this area would be great, he knows resources are already spread thin across the city.

“Even with the amount of money [BPD] gets, that does not mean there is enough manpower,” FitzGerald said. “Enough individuals to sit on the street and get people speeding and then go talk to the folks congregating outside of small businesses and then go respond to groups down at McConnell Field. There are just not enough individuals to respond to all of it.”

FitzGerald said that his office would advocate for walking beats, but he also plans to communicate with business owners to discover a long-term solution.

He added: “We’ve got to work with the business owners and ask why this is occurring and what they need.”

Meeting goers suggested creating spaces in the community where people can meet up away from the businesses and off the sidewalks. Some proposed dedicating park space while others think the answer is opening more restaurants in the area.

FitzGerald said: “If they need a place to congregate, how can we do that in a way that is safe for your surroundings and respectful for your surrounding community as well? A lot of this just goes back to common courtesy. Bikes on the sidewalk, chairs on the sidewalk, drinking and music, that’s not being courteous to your business neighbors, your residential neighbors, and to the community as a whole.”

FitzGerald said he hopes to see more constituents at one of several upcoming walks.

“I think what inspired [the talks] is the idea of knowing you have to be out in the community to really understand the issues that the constituents are facing,” said the councilor. “We have six scheduled and maybe 3 or 4 more coming. It’s a great way to reconnect with folks you talk to regularly but also a way to meet new people. Making new relationships and strengthening old ones.”