Crime in the City of Springfield, MA

I applaud Mayor Sarno putting a "stake in the ground" on crime in the City of Springfield. ( Mayor Domenic Sarno addresses multiple shootings over the weekend in Springfield, Springfield Republican July 29, 2013). Yet standing beside him should have been Hampden County District Attorney, Mark Mastroianni. Springfield has one of the highest rates of violent crime in the nation and action is long overdue. You get what you accept. The leadership of Springfield should not accept this level of crime.

The problem is that bringing a "fortified arsenal to attack this negative criminal element" is not enough; that is where Mastroianni comes in. It does only a half job to arrest violent criminals, they have to be put away. A review on the prosecution of criminals will clearly show that due to case load and other factors many serious criminals are plea bargained off easy or just let go back on the street. This is devastating to the City of Springfield and the serious crime problem is allowed to continue. There are MANY examples of this. In one case a young student was murdered in the city by a person who had 3 felony arrests against him, each carrying a prescribed sentencing of 15 years. In addition, he had a long history of other arrests. Yet he was out on the street! This never should have happened.

 Combined with Mayor Sarno's stand on crime there has to be a clear message sent by District Attorney, Mark Mastroianni that criminals will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. No more getting off easy. In addition to strengthening of the police in the city, there may be a need for additional prosecutors, assistant DA's.

Cleaning up crime will have a huge economic benefit to the city. HUGE! Most importantly, human life is at stake. Nothing is more precious.