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SPRINGFIELD The fact that Sosa's Mini Market at 2881 Main St. is still open offends both community members of the North End and City Councilor Domenic Sarno. The market was the scene of a major raid on March 22 that resulted in the confiscation of large quality of drugs, including OxyContin, nearly $100,000 in cash and ammunition. The store was within a school zone, making the narcotic charges even more series. Although a number of people associated with the store were arrested, the business was still open earlier last week. On Friday, though, the store had a sign on its door that read "Closed for repairs." Sarno discussed the event and its effects at a Wednesday meeting of the City Council Public Health and Safety committee he chairs. He is investigating whether or not a new ordinance could give the Police Department the right to pull business licenses. Sarno believes that when a business is the scene of a major crime, the city should be allowed to pull the licenses it might have and then restore them after a hearing. The Police Department does not have the ability to do so. Currently, the Board of License Commissioners can withdraw an alcohol license or a common victual's license after a hearing. Sarno had not been supplied the information by the time of his meeting just what licenses the mini market had. "I didn't want a Kennedy Fried Chicken to occur again," Sarno said, referring to the troubled Main Street restaurant where a shooting occurred earlier this year. Deputy Chief Mark Anthony told Sarno and fellow City Councilor Bruce Stebbins the raid was the result of North End residents coming forth with information. "We received a lot of cooperation from citizens," Anthony said. Sergeant Neil Maloney said people in the neighborhood feared retribution if they cooperated with the police. Maloney said there had been many complaints about the business and noted the drug customers were residents of the neighborhood, but people from outside the city seeking a means to support their habit. Jose Claudio, director of media relations for the New North Citizens Council, applauded the police action and said that people in the North End "aren't going to tolerate business selling drugs." "Any information that comes to the [Citizen's] Council will got to he police," he added. Stebbins questioned whether or not the city could add conditions to licenses when they are granted that would allow for their rescinding in a case such as this one. A woman who was identified as the wife of the owner of the mini market was present at the meeting, but declined to speak. The subject of downtown security cameras was also brought up at the meeting when Sarno questioned Jennifer Flagg, the chief of staff to Police Commissioner Edward Flynn, on the status of the camera project. Sarno said he was concerned the Springfield system of eight cameras was taking much longer to install than the 19-camera system the Holyoke Police Department has. Flagg said six of the eight cameras in the downtown locations have been installed and winter delayed the installation of the remaining two. The Springfield Business Improvement District (BID) will be underwriting the eight cameras once all of them are installed at a cost of $50,000. Jeff Keck, the executive director of the BID, explained to Reminder Publications the downtown camera project has inspired local businesses to inquire about participating in the surveillance camera system. Keck said the Basketball Hall of Fame and F.L. Roberts would like to add cameras to the developed area of the river front and Kimball Towers is also interested about funding a camera to help protect the downtown condo project. Keck said the BID is currently working on raising $100,000 for additional cameras. | ||||||
