Allen, Fenton propose public safety resolutions

Date: 4/4/2012

April 4, 2012

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — In a series of new ordinances and resolutions, two City Councilors hope to put in place a holistic approach in solving some of city's public safety issues.

Councilors Michael Fenton and Timothy Allen have been working for the past three months on their plan, which they announced to the press last week and to the City Council at Monday's meeting.

Allen told Reminder Publications their goal was to "try to do something comprehensive and take hold of the situation."

While there has been improvement in some crime statistics, Allen said the improvements haven't changed some of the public's perceptions of the city.

Allen and Fenton were planning to meet with Police Commissioner William Fitchet on April 2, Mayor Domenic Sarno on April 3 and are arranging a meeting with Hampden County District Attorney Mark Mastroianni to explain their proposed legislation and to garner support for it.

Allen said that he and Fenton would like all of their proposals to go to committee in order for the rest of the council to examine them and ask questions.

One of the resolutions urges Sarno to "strongly consider reviving the dormant Youth Commission to allow the Springfield youth to exchange ideas and thoughts with city officials, public safety officials and community members."

Another resolution requests that Mastroianni consider establishing a gun court like other Massachusetts counties have done.

Fenton and Allen also have asked the Board of License Commissioners through a resolution to "examine the feasibility and need of certifying owners, managers and bouncers of establishments, which have more than 50 percent of gross sales in alcohol for completion of a safety training administered by the Springfield Police Department. The [Board] shall examine, sufficient guidelines for certification process, curriculum centered on safety, crowd control, proper restraint methods, de-escalation of potentially violent situations and communication with law enforcement, cost to administer program and fee for certification."

The councilors also called for support of Massachusetts Senate Bill #185 "An Act Preventing Students from Dropping Out of School," which would establish programs to address better communication between schools and parents, a graduation coaching initiative and seeking educational alternatives for at-risk students.

The final resolution "strongly supports" Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Mayors Against Illegal Guns petition demanding that every record of individuals who are prohibited by federal law from buying firearms be on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and requiring Congress to make a law requiring a background check on the sale of every gun.

Fenton and Allen also have proposed ordinances that would establish an "Entertainment and Nightlife Commission" that would augment the Business Improvement District and assist current city officials in "advising, informing and creating a forum for the development of a comprehensive citywide entertainment plan."

Another proposed ordinance would allow the police to seize a car when an illegal firearm has been discovered in it, while another ordinance would allow the sale of seized vehicles to fund several public safety initiatives including a Neighborhood Public Safety Fund, a Gun Squad within the Police Department and an illegal gun tip hotline.