Many people still feel unsafe in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Despite the successful gun buyback event Saturday, many Springfield residents say they still don't feel safe in the city.

22News found out why safety continues to be an issue.

Isaiah Weldon of Chicopee was shot in his neck in 2009.

He told 22News “I was slumped over in my car, bleeding to death. For about four to five minutes, I was paralyzed.”

He said he is lucky to be alive, but he believes many young people in Springfield aren't as lucky.

So even if Springfield Police collected 333 unwanted guns on Saturday , Weldon said that's only one small step toward reducing gun violence in the city.

“If 300 handguns got turned in, it would be a lot different.,” Weldon said. “But rifles, I guess, somebody's giving up their old ones up, or these are the ones sitting in their closet or something. Or they don't hunt anymore. Maybe just trying to figure a way to stop violence. Somebody might break into their house, taking the gun, using it.”

In 2011, 19 people were killed in Springfield. That number dropped to 12 in 2012, but Springfield Police admit there is still a lot more work to do. The guy buyback program was just one piece of the puzzle.

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• 2012 Springfield, Mass. Murders
• 2011 Springfield, Mass. Murders
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Many people who work and study in Springfield told 22News other pieces of that puzzle should include more patrols and outreach programs.

They said right now they still don't feel comfortable walking around alone in downtown.

Betty Welsh of Springfield said “Not very good people out there. Sometimes get nervous they'll try to take my bag or something.”

Jessie Theulen, student at Springfield College told 22News “You hear about all these things around there that happened like robbery, shootings, kidnappings, mugging. You just don't want to be caught alone there. It's just not a safe place to be.”

• Photos: February Mugshots