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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD The re-instatement of the Street Crime Unit and the preparation for a new group of cadets to go through the Police Academy were among the new developments shared by Police Commissioner William Fitchet at a meeting on Wednesday at the City Council's Public Health and Safety Committee. The representatives of a number of organizations that have programs to help youth at-risk of becoming involved with gangs told Fitchet that Springfield children and teens who are not in gangs are looking for help and that evidence of gang activity is on the increase. Fitchet acknowledged their concerns and said that while attending to the issue of gangs is important, other goals he has set for the department shouldn't be overlooked. The commissioner again stated his intention to do more to alleviate domestic violence in the city. He said "a tremendous amount of resources" are deployed by domestic violence cases. The problem is "almost an undercurrent you don't hear about," he added. He said the newly formed Quality of Life Flex Squad is addressing problems that affect "the bedrock of the community" and that motor vehicle violation stops frequently result in taking guns, drugs and wanted individuals off the street. "I'll be frank I'm very concerned about young people and guns," he said. The commissioner called for both patience and cooperation from the public. He said there is the potential for friction between officers and the public when saturation patrols in neighborhoods to break up gang activity take place. Walking and bicycle patrols have started in a number of areas in the city. "We're spending a lot of money to put them in the neighborhoods to show the flag," Fitchet said. Fitchet's aide, Sgt. John Delaney, said the Street Crime Unit is going to return to its former strategy of gathering intelligence on gang members that proved effective prior to two years ago when the unit's mission was changed. "Fear has been taken away over the past two years," he said. Delaney said the officers in that unit will be wearing black, rather than blue, uniforms as they did before. Fitchet is looking at ways to separate true emergency calls from non-emergency calls, as the city's 911 number is being over-used. This over-use slows down response times, he added. He also asked for area property owners to be part of the new shot detection technology by allowing, if asked, the department to install listening devices on their buildings. The department is looking at hiring 32 potential new officers with a new academy class in June as well as bringing back four officers who were laid off. |