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Date: 3/30/2022
HOLYOKE – Arthur Naatz understands what is facing landlords in Holyoke when it comes to illegal drug sales.
Naatz and his family bought an apartment building on Elm Street and faced dealers armed with automatic rifles in the hallway.
Naatz took necessary measures, such as installing security cameras, and cooperated with law enforcement to rid the building of the criminals. He attended the press conference on March 23 that marked the cleaning out of another two apartment blocks on Elm Street and a renewed call for cooperation from property owners and the public.
City officials and members of area law enforcement gathered in front of the two apartment buildings of 296 and 298 Elm St. to say that the drug dealers that have been operating there have been cleared out.
The work, though, continues to make safe apartment buildings in the city with both Mayor Joshua Garcia and Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt calling for cooperation from both landlords and the public.
Garcia said the city would not tolerate any amount of drug trafficking and that the city would hold property owners responsible.
Pratt noted the Holyoke police offer a variety of programs to address many of the issues of illegal drug sales. “We have complete wraparound services for citizens who need our help,” Pratt noted. These include those who are suffering from addiction, at-risk youth and support for people who have served their time in jail.
Pratt was firm, though, that his department would continue working with state and federal law enforcement in dealing with drug dealers.
“We are hoping to do what we have to do,” he said. Pratt added that property owners and managers facing issues should reach out to the Holyoke police.
The Elm Street corridor has been the scrutiny of the police, Capt. Matthew Moriarty explained. He noted the people in the two buildings were “living in constant fear.” The drug operation was operating 24 hours a day and depending upon the illicit drug customers would go to one or the other door.
There are now new secure doors and the hallways are being “constantly” checked, he added.
In a recent press release, Moriarty said, “Several arrests have been made in the past several days in the area of 291-298 Elm St. The Holyoke Police Department has increased narcotic intervention measures to prevent the sales and distribution of illegal narcotics. This area of Elm Street has been deluged with the sales of illegal narcotics, street level violence (assaults) and gun violence. The Holyoke Police Department’s Patrol and Narcotics/Vice divisions are focusing their efforts in this area of Elm Street.”
He noted that on March 10, “Holyoke narcotic detectives observed hand-to-hand illegal narcotics sales in the area of 291 Elm St. Detectives and officers responded to the area to further the surveillance and illegal narcotic sales initiative.”
Luis Medina and Israel Melendez were arrested on multiple drug charges.
On March 11, Moriarty wrote, “Holyoke Police narcotic detectives observed suspicious activities at 294 Elm St. Holyoke Police patrol officers and narcotic detectives conducted a property check of 294 Elm St. As detectives and officers entered 294 Elm they made their way to the top floor. Officers observed three male suspects huddled in a back corner of the hallway. One of the males (later identified as Julio Aviles) attempted to flee by running down the stairs while throwing bags of what was believed to be heroin into the air.”
Arrested were Mickie Barreto, Julio Aviles and Israel Bonilla Jr., all of Holyoke.
Moriarty said the actions at 296 and 298 Elm St. were the result of a collaboration between the Holyoke police, The Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, the State Police and the FBI.
Saying the police will continue this effort, Moriarty said the department will “bring everybody in and use every resource.”
Moriarty said there is an on-going investigation at 177 Elm St. but could not release details about it or any other on-going investigations.
Moriarty urged the public to either Criminal Investigation Bureau at 322-6900 or to use the anonymous Text-a-Tip by texting the word “Crimes” to 274637 and then type the word “Solve” followed by a message.
“The smallest piece of information can help an investigation,” he said.