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Holyoke resident urges action after fatal April 18 shooting, calls for turnout at public safety meeting
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Summary
Angelina Rivera, a 54-year Foy Oak resident, told the City Council she and neighbors are "tired" after the April 18 killing of Tony Abreu and urged the public to attend a May 11 public safety meeting to demand more resources and accountability.
Angelina Rivera, a Foy Oak resident of 54 years, used the councils public comment period to urge the city to respond more forcefully after a fatal shooting on April 18. Rivera described the scene and said neighbors had repeatedly complained about conditions at a nearby apartment building where the suspects lived.
"I'm here because on April 18 Tony Abreu was killed on our streets while kids watched and neighbors watched," Rivera said. She said residents had made repeated phone complaints about problematic behavior at the suspects' apartment and called for an end to "double standards" in enforcement. "We don't need rakes. We need more money to help keep the city safe," she said, urging attendance at the May 11 public safety meeting.
Council members observed a moment of silence for the victim and for Sarah Peterson, the wife of a Department of Public Works supervisor, after councilors raised both recent incidents at the start of the meeting. The acting president acknowledged the comments and said the council is aware of and vigilant about public safety concerns.
The council did not take direct action during the April 21 meeting in response to the comment, but councilors directed that the matter be raised at the public safety committee meeting on May 11 and encouraged community turnout.
