Crime-ridden, trash-strewn Roslindale strip mall no place for 24-hour burger drive-thru, city officials say

The Boston Licensing Board decides tomorrow on a request from the Burger King on Washington Street in Roslindale to operate its drive-thru 24 hours a day - which a restaurant manager said he still wants to do even though a regional manager told steamed residents he would have the request withdrawn.

The mayor's office and City Councilor Rob Consalvo both opposed the request, saying the small plaza, which also includes a Dunkin' Donuts, a CVS, a Domino's and some offices, has become a hangout for early-morning ne'er-do-wells and litterers and that residents across the street and behind the plaza have made it clear the last thing they want is more of the same. City councilors Felix Arroyo, Steve Murphy and Ayanna Pressley also opposed the idea.

District E-5 also opposes the idea. "There is a lot of illicit activity at night," in the parking lot, the mayor's liaison told the board. Officials said that while it might be unfair to blame the Burger King for that, 24-hour operations would make it more difficult for police to broom people from the lot, because they could get a burger, then claim to be eating it, while now they would have absolutely no reason to be there early in the morning.

A restaurant manager, however, said there's a need for round-the-clock burgers on the busy street and said some stores in Roslindale Square are open late. Roslindale Square is a mile away.

The Burger King currently shuts its dining room at 10, but keeps its drive-through open until 11 - 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.