New Anti-crime task force in creation

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A new anti-crime task force is being setup in Hampshire and Franklin Counties to help police work together on major crime investigations.

According to Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, resources from police departments across the region will be pooled together. The Franklin and Hampshire sheriff's departments--as well as police departments for Greenfield, Montague, Amherst, Athol and Northampton--will assign an officer or detective to the task force, each week for up to 25 hours.

This centralized group will help with search warrants, undercover operations, and obtaining audio and video surveillance required for successful prosecutions.

The task force will be funded by a $81,300 grant that was given to the Northwestern District Attorney's office, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and several other law enforcement partners