SPRINGFIELD, MA. (WGGB/WSHM) – Springfield parks are about to get safer for kids as a new initiative will tackle drug problems at several spots around the city.
“I hope to see major improvements, but I’ll be down the street, so let’s see,” said Lateef Bilewu of Springfield.
The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office announced a new partnership with the Springfield Parks Department on Thursday whereby they will now have dedicated crews cleaning up drug paraphernalia at both Johnny Appleseed and Rebecca Johnson Park on a regular basis. “There’s a small number of parks that are, unfortunately, overtaken by drug use and alcohol bottles and those types of things, so our focus is on cleaning up those areas,” said Tom Ashe, Springfield’s director of parks, buildings, and recreation management.
Western Mass News has been following residents’ concerns about drug use in parks, like Johnny Appleseed, since July. Springfield City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce even called for stricter drug-free policies in recreational areas within the city. Now, the councilor said he’s excited to see the new initiative kick off. “I can’t wait to see this come to fruition where our parks are clean and this is a safe space for our residents,” he explained.
Neighborhood residents told us that, while they believe the announcement is a step in the right direction for the city, cleanup alone isn’t enough to keep children and parks, like Johnny Appleseed, safe. “I do think they need to take extra measure likes making sure ‘regulars’ that are coming over are not hanging around here because they’re definitely a bad influence on the community in general,” said Tanyon Sierra, while Richard Laplante added, “The Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, they do come, they do a good job but, as soon as they’re gone, it’s re-trashed what they do is just being stepped on.”
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi hammered home the message to residents that the city won’t give up on keeping our parks safe for all to enjoy. “We’re not going to tolerate the misbehavior anymore. We’re not going to tolerate the drug paraphernalia on the ground,” he said.
It was also announced that there will be a separate citywide initiative, launching soon, where residents will be able to call a hotline number if they see things like used needles in their area for crews to come cleanup.
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