Residents press Springfield oversight board over unregistered vehicles, noise and trash; board will forward complaints to superintendent

Several Springfield residents used the March 18 public comment period to raise quality‑of‑life concerns and asked the Board of Police Commissioners to press for stronger enforcement.

One resident said unregistered cars with expired plates “are riding the streets of Springfield and the whole state of Massachusetts,” and told the board she had called community policing, the mayor’s office and even the attorney general without getting a response. She urged ticketing and towing and said some vehicles had registration stickers from years earlier. The board asked for photographs and plate information so it could forward the complaint to Superintendent Akers for follow‑up.

John Milmick, a Mystic Street resident, said unregistered motorcycles once encircled his car and kicked it, and that officers told him they avoid making arrests in those situations because of the liability and danger of a high‑speed chase. “I don't care... If I was driving my car unregistered ... I would get arrested, or ticketed or something,” Milmick said, urging persistent enforcement or tactics to corral riders safely.

Other residents reported recurring problems with trash cans left in front of neighbors’ houses and steady noise late into the night. A Forest Park resident said she and neighbors had called police “at least 25 times over the summer” about loud music; she said fines escalate with repeat offenses but that she had not seen enforcement. The board repeatedly told speakers it does not directly run day‑to‑day enforcement and that operational matters should be taken to Superintendent Akers or to neighborhood ordinance officers; the board said it will pass specific complaints along.

Councilor Zeta Govan and other participants urged better public access to board information. Community representative Tracy Carpenter asked about complaint forms and body‑cam policy availability; the board said forms are available on the city website and at libraries and that it can supply the body‑worn camera policy on request. Commissioners encouraged residents to use neighborhood councils as an avenue for local issues and to file written complaints when seeking internal investigation and disciplinary review.

No operational enforcement actions were ordered at the meeting; the board repeatedly emphasized its oversight and disciplinary role rather than direct enforcement of traffic or noise ordinances. The board approved routine minutes and adjourned at the end of the session.