****Attached are some crowd photos of visitors entering and exiting the Commencements and Graduations.
Springfield, Mass. --- Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers and Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno applaud the Springfield Police Department for continuing to keep downtown Springfield a safe place for residents and visitors.
In the months of May and June, the city of Springfield hosted twenty-two College and University Commencements and High School Graduations at the MassMutual Center and Symphony Hall without a single public safety issue reported. The Police Department estimates that between 75,000 – 100,000 visitors attended these events.
Superintendent Akers stated, “I’d like to thank our C3 Metro Unit, all the Springfield Police Officers and our Crime Analysts who worked these events to make them seamless for the thousands of visitors to the city. From traffic to parking to pedestrian safety our officers ensured that everyone attending these events would do so in a safe manner. When we have events in downtown whether its concerts, Thunderbirds games or graduations you can expect our officers to have a presence to both be able to assist anyone in need and enhance public safety. The Springfield Police Department has an excellent track record supporting large scale events and we look forward to having these colleges, universities and high school return next year.”
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “Our brave and dedicated men and women and blue work so diligently to ensure public safety each day, but especially during large scale events where their expertise and efforts make a huge difference and allow us to continue and also expand on our great events, attractions, festivals, and celebrations which mean so much to our community and also provide economic opportunity. I commend and thank Superintendent Larry Akers and all our officers for being out there in our community working to keep us safe. I also want to thank our residents and visitors who come peacefully and respectfully to enjoy all that Springfield has to offer.”
Public Safety Manager at MGM Springfield/MassMutual Center Christopher Dion stated, “I wanted to convey my appreciation for all of our SPD college graduation details. Without fail, I know to expect that your department is always responsive to the needs of the MMC (MassMutual Center) and to the public safety at-large. Special recognition to your Metro Division Command, (Lt. (Brian) Elliott, Sgt.’s (Jacob) Werbicki, & (Elizer) Vasquez) for the handling of the special security issues with the Westfield State commencement on 5/17/2024, and lastly to Sgt. Devon Williams for his special efforts during multiple graduations thus far, and Sgt. Evan Donermeyer for his execution of the commencement detail on 5/19/2024.
In March the city of Springfield also held the NCAA Division I Hockey Regionals at the MassMutual Center without a single public safety issue and in June held the 2nd annual Ironman 70.3 Western Massachusetts without a reported issue either.
The city of Springfield and its police department are looking forward to its next large downtown event; Star Spangled Springfield Thursday July 4th from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Riverfront Park and the Memorial Bridge.
