Holyoke P.D. set up mobile stations

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Holyoke police are targeting specific communities in an effort to fight crime.

This week they're focusing on South Holyoke.

Police on street corners - cruisers with lights on, police going door to door.

On the surface, it may have looked like police were investigating a crime in South Holyoke, instead they were getting ahead of it.

"Usually when we show up, they flee the area," said James Neiswanger, Holyoke Police Chief.

It's called the  Mobile Community Policing Unit.

Holyoke officers literally set up shop on corners like this one on South Bridge Street  to keep illegal activity from happening.

Building a police presence to deter crime is just part of this. Officers say they also want to talk to residents who live in the area so they can hear where the problems are.

Police have kept watch on this corner, as you can see from this surveillance video.

The cops suspect crime happens a lot here.

Those who frequent the the area say they picked the right place.

"I don't care to come at nighttime around here, there's a lot of people talking about, it's not safe for people to come over here at nighttime," said Springfield's Dilenia Belen.

Now, they want the community to get involved.

Stop by and talk to them when they're out there, tell them where you want them to take their mobile substation next.

"You know the chief and I could sit in a room and pick spots, but I think if the community is left out in the beginning. you lose them right out of the gate. so we really want their buy in right out of the gate and that's where we put the truck," said Capt. David Pratt.

The officers will back out on South Bridge Street again Saturday afternoon if you want to stop by and talk to them.