Springfield Mayor Sarno, city officials, and local law enforcement discuss combating gang violence

Sarno said he is planning a city-wide community summit to bring people together to discuss crime and what to do about it.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno

SPRINGFIELD - The recent outbreak of violence in the city that has left five dead in less than two weeks promoted a closed-door meeting in City Hall between city and county officials to think of ways to make the city safer.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno met in his office for an hour with Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet, Hampden Sheriff Michael J. Ashe, officials with the office of Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni, and representatives with the Springfield law and school departments.

The meeting was not open to the press.

According to Sarno Aide Thomas Walsh, the focus of the meeting was to discuss ways to be more effective combating youth and gang violence.

Sarno in a prepared statement said “The city can and must do more to stop these acts of violence, and murders that are affecting so many of our city’s youths has got to stop.”

Violent crime fuels the perception that Springfield is unsafe, and that causes the city to be “on the defensive” instead of moving forward, he said.

“The gang-against-gang and drug-related killings are senseless,” he said. “We must continue to strive to eliminate this violence.”

Sarno said the police department have already begun additional uniformed patrols and
narcotics bureau operations in high-crime neighborhoods. Springfield police are also working with the state police and FBI in anti-gang sweeps.

Officials also spoke of additional warrant apprehension sweeps to arrest people who are wanted for crimes.

Sarno indicated he has plans for a community summit to discuss gangs and violence in the streets, but a date and time have not yet been set. Details are to be released in the next few days.

There have been 13 homicides in Springfield this year, three fewer than for all of last year.

Five of those homicides have occurred over an 11-day period from July 3 through July 13, and three of those were termed gang related.
Youth and Gang Violence Media Release (07.15.20111)