SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Over three dozen citations were issued as Springfield Police worked to quell what they said is a quality-of-life issue in parts of the city.

Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh said the department launched extra details over the Fourth of July weekend “continue to curb the quality-of-life issue that late night car meets have become for our neighborhoods.”

Between Friday night and Saturday morning, police issued 18 citations worth more than $3,000 in fines. In addition, one vehicle towed and two arrests were made.

Around 1:15 a.m. Saturday, officers reportedly saw four females hanging out of the windows of a vehicle on Parker Street. They made a traffic stop, but the driver, 23-year-old Yadiel Montanez of Westfield, allegedly didn’t stop. Once pulled over, Montanez allegedly put the car in reverse before officers were able to get Montanez to turn off the car. Walsh added that officers saw several open containers of alcohol inside the car and Montanez was arrested on charges including failure to submit, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. The females were released and the vehicle was towed.

Police then saw several vehicles around 1:50 a.m. Saturday at a gas station on the 3000 block of Main Street. As officers dispersed the crowd, a traffic stop was made near Main and Chestnut Streets. The driver, 20-year-old Juan Oliva of Ludlow, allegedly failed to stop and continued driving with his music playing loudly. Oliva was eventually stopped and was arrested on a charge of failure to stop for police.

Then, between Saturday night and Sunday morning, another 20 citations were issued. One arrest was also made and one vehicle was towed after police dispersed another car-meet around 1:30 a.m. Sunday in the area of Union Street and West Columbus Avenue. The driver, identified as 25-year-old Ashley Santana of Springfield, allegedly refused to stop. She then turned down West Broad Street, which is a dead end, and police were able to arrest her on a charge of failure to stop for police.

Walsh explained that officers also responded to other locations throughout the city, some multiple times, to prevent crowds from forming. He added that Springfield Police will continue these details throughout the summer and “adapt as necessary to keep noise complaints down and provide an improved quality-of-life to all our residents.”

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