Springfield officials and the police department are working to assure residents of the city's Forest Park neighborhood that they are safe in the wake of a recent crime wave.
Concerns have been voiced about two firearm-involved homicides in the neighborhood in the last two months and several other shootings, plus other criminal activity, especially in the area of Fort Pleasant Avenue.
Among the solutions that were touted at a meeting on Tuesday: increased surveillance and better community policing.
The Mayor says he needs help from the court system which allows criminals back on the streets with low or non existent bails.