Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Police Superintendent Larry Akers, and Chief Development Officer (CDO) Tim Sheehan joined with Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi to announce a joint public safety and hospitality initiative at Union Station. The Safe Travels Initiative (STI) will serve as an innovative collaboration between the Springfield Police Department and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department that will provide enhanced public safety and hospitality elements at Union Station.
The Safe Travels Initiative Task Force will comprise of a dedicated team of Springfield Police Officers and uniformed Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Deputies that will work closely with the Springfield Redevelopment Authority which owns the property, Appleton Corporation which manages the facility, along with Amtrak and the various tenants to help provide a safe and enjoyable environment for work, travel and commerce. This is in addition to the Springfield Police Officers who will continue to work extra details at Union Station.
Springfield Union Station not only provides amenities and retail such as Subway, Dunkin Donuts, a locally owned convenience store, PVTA, Peter Pan Bus, Amtrak, Dietz & Company, and the new Congressman Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence – just to name a few, but the facility also serves as the city’s, and region’s major transportation hub for rail and bus service. This state-of-the-art facility will also eventually serve as the major point of transit for the anticipated East-West Rail service connecting Springfield to the cities of Worcester and Boston. With over 200,000 visitors a month and almost 3 million visitors annual, Union Station is not only a major transportation and travel hub but also a significant point of commerce and economic development too.
Mayor Sarno states, “First off, I want to thank Sheriff Nick Cocchi for his continued support and partnership and for joining our Springfield Police Department on this initiative. My administration continues to work to enhance any and all public safety, hospitality and economic development opportunities throughout our city. This new Safe Travels Initiative, a multi-agency and collaborative partnership, will not only help to enhance Union Station and make it a welcoming and safe place for the tenants and their employees, but also for the thousands of visitors that go through the doors every day for either travel, work or to enjoy the various amenities for learning or commerce. Much like our joint partnership with the Sheriff’s patrols in our beloved Forest Park, which has been very well received and successful, this new initiative will help meet the needs of our growing Union Station.”
“I want to thank my Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan, and Police Superintendent Larry Akers along with his incredible command staff, including Deputy Chief David Martin, Captain Julio Toledo, Lt. Brian Elliott, and all of the brave and dedicated men and woman of our Springfield Police Department, as we continue to advance and support all of our economic development opportunities and provide them with the resources needed for them to be safe and successful,” added Mayor Sarno.
Superintendent Akers stated, “The Springfield Police Department is committed to the safety of all our residents and visitors who travel through Union Station. This new Safe Travels Initiative Task Force will provide an enhanced presence at the facility, both inside and out, and will work closely with the management and tenants of Union Station to deter crime and respond quickly to any incidents. I’d like to thank Sheriff Cocchi and his team for joining this effort, our partnership will provide a safer environment for everyone who relies on public transportation and travels through our city.”
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said, “Union Station is one of the crown jewels of Springfield, and ensuring that it remains safe and welcoming for everyone is a priority we proudly share with our partners at City Hall and the Springfield Police Department. This initiative builds upon the numerous partnerships we have forged with the city to improve quality of life and public safety across Springfield. Just as we have seen great success with our patrols in Forest Park, we look forward to bringing that same proactive, community-focused presence to Union Station so that residents, commuters, and visitors alike feel secure and supported every time they walk through these doors.”
“As the major transportation hub for the city and the region where over three million people pass through the doors every year, public safety and hospitality is paramount for the facility. Our tenants, travelers and visitors should not only have a clean and welcoming place of travel, but they should also have a positive experience as they utilize the various amenities and transportation and parking services available,” said CDO Tim Sheehan.
As part of the initiative and under the command of the Springfield Police Department, there will be a dedicated uniformed presence in and around Union Station, including throughout the main concourse, busway, parking lot and parking garage. The Springfield Metro and C3 Response divisions will continue to support this new Safe Travels Initiative Task Force. This full spectrum policing will employ a common-sense approach to a policing strategy that is unique to a transportation center which priorities passenger safety, tenant safety, visitor safety and employee safety.