Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Police Superintendent Larry Akers, Metro Unit Commander Lieutenant Brian Elliott, and Chief Development Officer (CDO) Tim Sheehan joined on Tuesday afternoon, with our brave and dedicated men and women in blue, to continue to address youth disturbances at Union Station and the ongoing public safety response by the Springfield Police Department.
There is a national negative trend of youth and young adults across the country engaging in dangerous and anti-social behavior. Recent disturbances at Springfield’s Union Station have been associated to youth – school aged individuals, both male and female. Springfield Police had made 8 arrests in the last forty-eight hours in the Union Station area at the time of the announcement yesterday afternoon.
Often times youth are hanging around outside of the property at Union Station – disrupting visitors workers and those traveling by bus or train. These youth are causing disturbances with profane language and rude behavior, including fighting. Mayor Sarno has consulted with Police Superintendent Larry Akers and Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sonia Dinnall to try to pinpoint what schools, in or out of Springfield, whether public/charter, or private, that they are matriculating from.
Mayor Sarno states, “Just after leaving a heart-warming and very positive graduation ceremony with my alma mater, the High School of Commerce, Monday night – with youth who are shining examples of our Springfield – I stopped to drop some letters in the mailbox at the Post Office. What I witness across the street with dozens of young people (SPD indicates up to 70), and a few individuals in the bunch who were particularly out of line and combative, was absolutely disgraceful. One young lady, as police were deescalating the overall situation, became very combative with our officers, even going as far as saying ‘if I had a gun would shoot all you cops!’ Union Station is a regional transportation hub and retail office space, it is not a place to loiter and harass other people. We are sending a stern message to those young people and their parents, that arrests will be made. Unlawful and dangerous behavior will not be tolerated. As Summer comes and schools get out, Superintendent Akers and I want to remind families to keep track of their children and encourage them to stay safe and take advantage of numerous positive summer activities. I commend and thank our officers, who’s time and attention is being pulled from other areas to respond to these massive and dangerous disturbances to assist the existing unit at Union Station. They responded immediately and quelled the situation right away, which I appreciate.”
An increase in youth disturbance has been noticed since the State implemented free busing. Mayor Sarno, along with other cities and towns in Massachusetts, like Boston and New Bedford, has called for unlimited free bussing to end, and to be replaced with a more controlled voucher program that allows for the privilege to be revoked for those who commit crimes and wreak havoc on people who use the service respectfully. Mayor Sarno said, “This is about keeping everyone safe, including the perpetrators too.”
Springfield Police will be enforcing a No Loitering Policy at Union Station. CDO Tim Sheehan is also reviewing a Parental Escort Policy for Union Station for youth under 18 years old, similar to the policy at the Holyoke Mall.
Public safety will remain a top priority and this unlawful and dangerous behavior will not be tolerated.
Mayor Sarno added, "I would like to thank our SPD, Shannon Community Safety Partners, and Union Station Team for regularly holding Shannon Partner Tabling and Pup-up Events at Union Station. These Shannon partners provide information to students as they got on and off buses, as well as to parents and grandparents to share the resources and programs that are available throughout Springfield."
