[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6197649,"mediaKeyId","3850671-f8a3fabfe9c3dda48ea76ff24528ec7b","parentId",3850671,"title","Police push ordinance to seize and destroy illegal dirt bikes as deployments rise","audioSeconds",290,"startMs",1995000,"endMs",2285000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850671-f8a3fabfe9c3dda48ea76ff24528ec7b&start=1995&end=2285","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850671-f8a3fabfe9c3dda48ea76ff24528ec7b/thumbnail_1995000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6197649/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Police-push-ordinance-to-seize-and-destroy-illegal-dirt-bikes-as-deployments-rise","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197649-74b369f8b92990e681655fcc27fe0758/orig.mp4?Expires=1773649294&Signature=ap6K3s~lHl2-qSsC0ktzFduV1qPl7rUGjO2ZEKi095qgjz83CZQqBHRE0sAhwbpj0pm7abpjKEca7SDFc5y2JzHbOewpVgrUfEwQ00AFjqMQQ6XJS8Y1CfdD7RZcCShG0wpDmVNqQSUuPIJ2pWmOy~5zlXHfV5ey5fWlmjEBMV--gsUioAObNYknSGn8h24C2OWgtNer8qTqxl-HBrc-~oNxoBsQ25IeQiCqAxIi5IQHze8q2AzOUhXNakvc~vV4oGQ6YaAUnlELO2hqoWyMt~94huoHzPxNKgSQ8FdggXFH02XNrSrn21LhGAjtaQdQgL8cDOO6xqurF4djWvcC4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Springfield City, MA","date","2025-06-17T16:09:39Z","article","Police officials told the Public Safety Committee on June 16 that the department is increasing deployments to address illegal dirt bikes and off‑highway vehicles (OHVs) and is pursuing a city ordinance to give enforcement additional tools, including seizure and destruction of vehicles.

The topic matters because residents report noise, safety risks and violent incidents linked to groups riding illegal dirt bikes on city streets; councilors said a strong ordinance would deter repeat offenders.

A police presenter said the department seized 53 OHVs in 2023 with 26 arrests, and 39 OHVs in 2024 with 14 arrests. So far this year, deployments have increased from one per week to two, and officers have made arrests and issued citations and criminal complaints. \"We started off with 1 deployment per week. We've recently picked that up to 2 deployments. We've made a couple arrests,\" the officer said. The presenter added that weather has affected street activity and that warmer, drier months could increase incidents.

Police also reported issuing violations to gas stations that sell to riders and described limits on posting signage on private property. The department said a legal‑department draft ordinance that would allow seizure and destruction of seized OHVs is under review; police said the ordinance, if passed, would help send a message and reduce recidivism.

Several councilors strongly supported the ordinance. Councilor Davila called the problem \"very scary\" and referenced a prior violent attack in his district connected to such riders. Councilor Davila told the committee: \"We'll be joining the mayor... with a big hammer. And we're gonna... destroy them because they don't belong in our city streets.\" Other council members voiced support and urged the law department to expedite review.

No ordinance vote occurred at the meeting; the chair said the draft remains in the legal department and police staff said they ask about it weekly. Department officials said they will continue deployments, issue citations and seek the law department's help to finalize an enforceable ordinance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Springfield City Council- Public Safety Meeting 06/16/25 5:30 pm","oneSentenceSummary","Police reported an increase in off‑highway vehicle deployments, cited seizure numbers for 2023–2025 and said a draft ordinance to allow seizure and destruction of illegal dirt bikes remains with the legal department.","taxTitle","Springfield City, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",3703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6197653,"Springfield police expand foot‑patrols citywide; plans driven by data and community input",397,1370000,1767000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850671-f8a3fabfe9c3dda48ea76ff24528ec7b&start=1370&end=1767","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850671-f8a3fabfe9c3dda48ea76ff24528ec7b/thumbnail_1370000.jpg","/articles/6197653/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Springfield-police-expand-footpatrols-citywide-plans-driven-by-data-and-community-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197653-e7aa2142b50a57008c1326bf9631871c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773649294&Signature=i4HSzchFSHyGrKYs~6xU4x2x4r-qgr5SbmwmzkE8NiJSJqgd8WkzGIwu~xGkGAWO0srsDKmoXB-wqXFlhqdlhGajJXBImE5j8mQl4mXP3ikiF21qEg9vn7~Dg3jf~5ZDtgn1p2atW3ijzJTCEA428xM2S7w-2rEqgNl1~J-AnnRJ4Dz9xaA5GX~TUetEWkPhxNg2Q7BSGScNMeY7g666MoOb4ZI6dlPwUnkLzRWU0ir2flUg4v1ySaiAwANAn~WJAWfXTj6RQKF9NHdxxstRA5e1LKp5w6TmsbZMYgMUgo1g2nNFyOEU4d-7OIpVZOPWXlQ5ZwHe-iSBvjDLsyGb4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy chiefs and patrol commanders told the Public Safety Committee on June 16 that walking patrols have been expanded from the metro area to other neighborhoods as part of a plan that balances crime data, community concerns and councilor requests.

The update matters to residents because foot patrols are intended as \"hospitality patrols\" to improve community policing, gather neighborhood intelligence and address quality‑of‑life concerns, officials said.

Deputy Chief (name not specified) said squad captains began deploying walking posts in mid‑May and that the program has been scaled based on staffing. \"Most of the walking posts as they're out there is depending upon the staffing because, obviously, we're 9 1 1 driven,\" the deputy chief said. The deputy chief described specific planned posts in Mason Square along State Street from J and J package store to the Indian Motorcycle building, and another from Indian Motorcycle to Saint James in Bay; other sectors (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Sector H and Sector I) have set posts based on local data.

Committee members noted the walking posts pair with ordinance sweeps and code enforcement. A police official said ordinance teams and code enforcement work with sergeant Catellier to issue violations and identify problems a cruiser cannot see. Councilors and community members praised the police department's presence at recent public events and youth programs and tied part of the city's decline in violent crime to increased community policing and the walking patrols.

Councilor Davila asked that Forest Park neighborhood groups be included when patrols are scheduled in that district. The deputy chief said walking posts are \"data driven\" but also consider community concerns and councilor input; he agreed to pass Forest Park requests to Deputy Steven Kent, who oversees that area.

No formal action was taken; officers said the schedule depends on staffing and seasonal factors such as vacations and sick time. Officials said the department aims to continue expanding walking posts as newly hired officers become available and to coordinate with neighborhood associations through C3 meetings and other community forums.","Police officers described a deployment plan for walking posts across Springfield, citing new officers on the force and a mix of data and community requests; councillors urged including neighborhood associations in planning.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6197658,"Councilors seek legal options after Garcia Market linked to large drug bust but remains open",1292,73000,1365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3850671-f8a3fabfe9c3dda48ea76ff24528ec7b&start=73&end=1365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3850671-f8a3fabfe9c3dda48ea76ff24528ec7b/thumbnail_73000.jpg","/articles/6197658/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Councilors-seek-legal-options-after-Garcia-Market-linked-to-large-drug-bust-but-remains-open","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197658-f0e02c8b25fc80e783c8fabeb34fc776/orig.mp4?Expires=1773649294&Signature=m6PEdiNruku8Fl-3gSI3CKoJiOZ-YsWq7fYHjKr3Gphl5-HQ5e5FtoiUWzFjVx16KHpD~wpciFIkNz5znSORtcjvj2AxTFN-1Ux0frVA0H9fNyuccX-41PXStB2pC3FW1FgCbEsqjJ2nRjlPs7iZp~RFzE~dU3nt8u-mDLNcLcGCe8GJZT~BJ1Kbt6~6l4zFeoYXrlCqC2Pasp26ozW-Hw5hh94Mijvb-IOP7vvSgPgqr4-jTGXDgoLRkYj9NCouZBdxFvoxnskCDgNZlus7p9PUA04TzRLQ7AQizTeCUbjvHLYs-oTTqHXB2xCVrSVInqGJthg8Ytvdr3Co0Rmpfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilor Davila opened a June 16 Public Safety Committee meeting saying the Garcia Market in Lower Forest Park was the focus of a multi‑month drug investigation that led to roughly 19 arrests and seizures including an estimated 12,000 grams of cocaine and quantities of fentanyl.

The matter matters to residents because the market sits in a neighborhood where children use nearby sidewalks and bus stops, and neighbors reported complaints for more than a year. Committee members pressed police and health officials on why the market remains open after the arrests and large seizures.

From the Department of Health and Human Services, Commissioner Helen Collins Harris said health inspectors visited the market on May 21 and returned June 4 and June 9. Harris said the department found and required fixes — removal of boxes from the floor, replacement of a cutting board and installation of a screen door — and that the only outstanding item was a food manager certificate. \"We cannot, as a Department of Health and Human Services counselors, pull a permit when the entity is doing a legal food business,\" Harris said. She added that, based on her office's inspections, the market currently is in compliance with the food‑safety portion of their authority.

Lieutenant Bruno of the Springfield Police Department told councillors the drug operation inside the Garcia Market and the adjacent appliance store was the subject of a long investigation that yielded arrests and the seizure of firearms. \"The individuals that have been involved in this drug operation have been arrested at this point,\" Bruno said, and he reported that the illegal activity the department had uncovered \"has ceased.\" Bruno said the department had forwarded residual complaints to the mayor's office and recommended consulting the law department for legal tools to prevent businesses from becoming venues for illegal activity.

Councilors pressed several specific points that remain unresolved in the meeting record: whether any owners were arrested (Bruno said owners were not arrested and investigators often find managers insulate owners), who would be responsible for shutting a compliant food business, and whether the same individuals would return if businesses remain open under new management. Councilor Whitfield asked where the market is located; Davila and Bruno identified it as in Lower Forest Park near Orange and White Street. Councilor Walsh asked whether the arrested individuals remain in custody; Bruno said the district attorney sought to keep those charged detained after a dangerousness hearing.

No formal motion or vote to close the market was taken during the committee meeting. Multiple councillors said they would request a formal legal opinion from the city law department on options to suspend or close businesses used for large‑scale drug distribution. Councilor Davila and others urged the law department to recommend tools that would give the city \"teeth\" to act. Police said they will continue to pursue enforcement avenues and that federal and local partners assisted in the case.

The committee did not adopt any ordinance or order during the meeting. City officials said next steps will include obtaining a written opinion from the law department and continued coordination between the Springfield Police Department, the district attorney's office and the Department of Health and Human Services. Stakeholders encouraged timely follow‑up so neighborhood residents can be informed of any enforcement or regulatory action.","After a multi‑month investigation and arrests linked to the Garcia Market in Lower Forest Park, city officials urged the law department to advise on ways to close or suspend businesses used for large‑scale drug distribution; public health inspectors say the market presently meets food‑safety requirements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Police push ordinance to seize and destroy illegal dirt bikes as deployments rise

Springfield police expand foot‑patrols citywide; plans driven by data and community input

Councilors seek legal options after Garcia Market linked to large drug bust but remains open