By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-957744.mp3
Springfield, MA – The new top law enforcement official in Hampden County Massachusetts says he is taking a new approach to crime fighting. It will start in the city of Springfield, where officials are alarmed about a spike in homicides.. WAMC"s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports .
Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni, who took office in January, says Massachusetts State Police detectives, assigned to his office will take the lead in homicide investigations in Springfield for the month of April. Springfield has seen six homicides so far this year..two occurred last weekend
Arrests were made in two of the earlier murders. Mastroianni said he is not un-happy with the work Springfield detectives are doing on the pending cases .
The top prosecutor said putting state police detectives on Springfield murder cases is an effective use of resources
Mastroianni joined Springfield Police Commissioner William Fitchet, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and and an official with the Hampden County Sherriff's Department at a news conference Tuesday..
Mayor Sarno declared it a team approach to youth violence
Sarno said the city would draw on available state resources, as Governor Deval Patrick has made ending youth violence a priority for his second term.
Citing the fatal shooting of 16 year old Kevin Gomez of Chicopee at birthday party in Springfield last weekend, Police Commissioner William Fitchet issued an appeal to parents, clergy and teachers to discourage late night gatherings, which are often publicized on social media such as Facebook..
Edward Caisse, who is in charge of the neighborhood watch program of the Hampden County Sherriff's Department, appealed for help for the public to help
Authorities say people who want to be anonymous can use their cell phones to text tips to the police .