SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - If you’ve noticed more police around Springfield lately, that’s not your imagination. City leaders say it’s part of a coordinated public safety push now underway.

People all over Springfield have been seeing more cruisers and more patrols and officials tell us that extra visibility has been intentional. On Thursday afternoon, Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno, the Hampden D.A., Springfield Police, and State Police announced a joint public safety operation aimed at both crime and quality-of-life issues in neighborhoods across the city.

They said it started this past Wednesday and runs through Thursday night. Officials are zeroing in on complaints like drug activity, reckless driving, illegal dirt bikes, and gang-related activity — problems they say are directly affecting how safe residents feel day-to-day. As part of the effort, more than 80 state troopers have been deployed to help Springfield Police patrols, increasing the overall presence in the city.

Springfield Police Superintendent Larry Akers said the goal of this operation isn’t just enforcement; it’s also rebuilding trust and showing residents they’re being heard, “to the citizens of the city of Springfield, we know as a police department that we cannot arrest our way out of every challenge that happens in the city but I do want you to know that we stand with you we stand for you our office we be out there working very hard every single day to keep you safe supported and confident in your police department.”

Officials also emphasized that this operation is just the first of several coordinated enforcement initiatives planned throughout the summer.

Coming up on Western Mass News at 6, we’ll have more from both city and state leaders on why they decided to take part in this operation right now, and why it’s important for the city.

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