In cities across the country gun violence has been on the rise since March. In Springfield, Officers and Detectives continue to seize more than three illegally possessed firearms each week. Over 135 firearms have been seized during arrests this year. Yet, there have been 24 more shooting victims this year than at the same point last year.
“We attribute that in part to the recklessness of the courts allowing violent repeat offender out on low or no bail prior to their trials, or outfitting these violent offenders with ineffective GPS Ankle Bracelets as a condition of release,” said Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood.
Mayor Sarno states, “First of all, I commend our brave and dedicated ‘men and women in blue’ for their unrelenting efforts – what the hell does it take to keep these repeat violent criminal offenders off our streets and out of our neighborhoods – ‘The world has been turned upside down!’ I again, urge our state Legislature to pass my bail bill and/or Governor Charlie Baker’s Dangerousness Bill ASAP.”
In the last two months Springfield Police Officers have arrested four individuals with firearms while wearing a GPS ankle bracelet. In addition, in that same time span, 12 individuals who were arrested on firearms charges were out on bail for previous firearm charges. This includes a suspect arrested Monday for a brazen mid-day homicide. The suspect was arrested in December for firearms charges and was out on bail pending his trial.
The roundtable discussion in Boston was to enlighten the public on the seriousness of these gun crimes in the Commonwealth and begin to discuss ways to ensure these individuals are held accountable for their actions and to keep our neighborhoods safe.
