The crackdown will include increased traffic stops, warrant sweeps and gang disruption.
Hampden County District Attorney Mark Mastroianni, left, said "We are in crisis mode," and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, right, said "... it is essential we hit back and we hit back hard," when discussing a crackdown on the spate of violence in Springfield.SPRINGFIELD – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, joined by local, state and federal law enforcement officials, pledged an immediate “zero tolerance” crackdown on violent crime Thursday, including increased traffic stops, targeted warrant sweeps and disruption of gang activity in response to a summer-long spate of violence.
The announcement of the crackdown occurred Thursday afternoon following numerous recent meetings of law enforcement officials and a closed-door, noontime summit at City Hall that included invited youth and neighborhood organizations, community activists and clergy.
“Right now, we have to bring relief to the good people (of Springfield),” Sarno said. “Right now it is essential we hit back and we hit back hard.”
Since July 3, the city has had five homicides. There have been 13 homicides this year.
There also have been numerous shootings and stabbings, often involving young people, and often being gang- or drug-related, officials said.
The crackdown will especially target some of the most troublesome areas including the Mason Square area and Lower Forest Park, officials said.
Others who spoke of the expanded enforcement included Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni, Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet, and representatives of the state police, FBI, the U.S. Marshal’s office, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Probation Office and Sheriff Michael Ashe.
"We are in crisis mode," Mastroianni said.
Mastroianni said he “authorizes and encourages” law enforcement to increase their efforts to break up gang activity, increase traffic stops, talk to people on the streets, and to become more aware of parties that might get out of hand.
City Council President Jose F. Tosado, a candidate for mayor, conducted his own press conference Thursday on the steps of City Hall, offering his own anti-crime ideas.
Tosado said the talk of “zero tolerance” in reaction to crime during an election year is a matter of “same old, same old.”
Tosado said his proposed initiatives include: proactive policing; getting guns off the street through measures including creation of a special unit or “gun squad” and establishing a gun court in Springfield; rebuilding trust including resurrection of a full Police Commission and Youth Commission; reducing recidivism with stronger inter-agency and community partnerships; and addressing root causes of crime including a fight against unemployment, failing schools and health disparities.
Mayoral candidate Antonette Pepe, a member of the School Committee, has previously called for a "zero tolerance" policy on violence and increased police visibility.