Reps. demand $1M to fight city crime

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Local representatives are demanding Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Springfield City Council use $1 million of the city’s bailout money immediately to fight the crime problem plaguing the city.

Representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera and Representative Thomas Petrolati held a news conference in the South End on Friday morning, after a briefing on the crime situation from District Attorney William Bennett and Police Commissioner William Fitchet.

They want $1 million released from the $20 million sitting in a reserve account to tackle drug and gang activity in Springfield's crime hot spots. The money is part of the $52 million bail-out, which Springfield was loaned from the state in 2005.

Coakley-Rivera said Mayor Sarno is looking into their request.

Five shootings and four murders in the city in the past week have put residents on edge, and have local officials calling for a solution to the growing crime problem.