Mayor Domenic Sarno is speaking out after Springfield police reportedly found multiple illegal firearms under a 15-year-old's bed.
The department said officers and members of the State Police gang unit found an AR style rifle and a large capacity ghost gun during a search of the teen's apartment on Dickinson Street early Thursday morning.
“I hope and pray that this young person, and the people around him, see that there’s a better way to go than being locked up and/or hurting someone or themselves, or worse, killing someone or getting killed themselves,” continued Mayor Sarno. “My administration has invested millions of dollars in youth development and our school system, offering many positive programs and avenues that young people can take part in – they don’t need to go down this negative route. But individuals like this need to be off our streets and out of our neighborhoods. Again, these types of repeat violent criminal behaviors show that these individuals have no respect for our court system, our police officers, themselves, or our community – regardless of creed color or background. They just laugh at the court system – and that is a shame. There are appropriate circumstances where a bracelet or monitor should be considered, but this is not one of them.”
“Again, our brave and dedicated Springfield Police Department have taken over 248 illegal weapons and ghost guns off the street. I deeply appreciate their efforts along with the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit West, Massachusetts State Police STOP Team and Hampden County Sheriff’s Office. The police continue to do their jobs in making good arrests, only to see the same individuals out committing crimes. Sometimes these repeat violent criminal offenders need to learn the hard way. Lock them up and keep them off our streets and out of our neighborhoods.”
“As I opened, I will close: Where are the parents? Where is the family? And where are the courts?”
Mayor Sarno said "This is what happens when you water down juvenile criminal laws, consequences, and repercussions." Authorities said the teen had removed a court-ordered ankle monitor for previous gun charges.
(Photo: Springfield Police Department)