The Massachusetts State Legislature has approved funding for an anti-gang program in Springfield that has received national attention.
An amendment to the $34 billion dollar state budget approved earlier this week directs $200,000 to a unique policing program in Springfield’s North End neighborhood. It uses military counterinsurgency tactics to dismantle criminal gangs. State Rep. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera said the money will ensure the program continues and perhaps can expand to other high crime parts of the city.
The program, known as “C3 Policing”, which began five years ago, is credited with reducing crime in the neighborhood by 68 percent.
