crime

Anti-Crime Task Force Launches In Western Massachusetts

Paul Tuthill — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:25:00 +0000

An anti-crime task force was launched on Friday to help almost 50 mostly small towns in western Massachusetts combat drugs, guns and gangs.

The members of the task force, most of whom will be working undercover, were sworn in Friday at the Northampton office of the Northwestern District Attorney. The top priority is to disrupt the distribution of drugs, which District Attorney David Sullivan said is at the root of most crime in Hampshire and Franklin Counties.

Springfield Police Expand Use Of Gunshot Detection Technology

Paul Tuthill — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:36:00 +0000

Police in Springfield Massachusetts are expanding the use of gunshot detection technology.

The area of Springfield now covered by the gun shot detection system has been roughly doubled. The expansion was paid for by $120,000 in private donations collected by the New North Citizens Council as part of the civic organization’s safe neighborhood initiative. Springfield Police Commissioner William Fitchet said the technology can put police on a crime scene in time to make an arrest and seize a gun

"Whitey Bulger: America's Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt That Brought Him to Justice"

Joe Donahue — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:45:00 +0000

James “Whitey” Bulger is to crime in the latter half of the twentieth century what Al Capone was to the first. Journalist, Kevin Cullen, is the co-author of a new portrait of Bulger, from his criminal beginnings as a neighborhood tough to his nine years in federal prison—including Alcatraz—for bank robbery.

Whitey Bulger: America's Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt That Brought Him to Justice is the story of how Bulger became the most wanted person in America and evaded capture for nearly two decades.

Lawyer for Berkshire suspect wants trial moved

Associated Press — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:20:32 +0000

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) — The lawyer for one of three men charged with a Berkshire County triple slaying has asked a judge to move his client's trial out of the county because "incessant" and "inflammatory" media coverage has "impaired" the ability to get a fair trial.

NY expects further drop in prison inmates

Associated Press — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:46:53 +0000

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York officials project the state's prisons will shed 1,000 more inmates over the next four years, partly because of relaxed drug laws.

That follows a 25 percent drop since 1999.

The inmate population is below 55,000 after peaking at more than 72,000 in 1999 under the harsh Rockefeller-era drug laws.

On-campus Rape At UMass Amherst Prompts Security Review

Paul Tuthill — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:10:00 +0000

Four teenagers have been arrested for the rape of an 18 year old UMass Amherst student in a campus residence hall. University officials say they’ll undertake a comprehensive review of security. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

Danielle Sanzone - The Record

Brian Shields — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:25:00 +0000

Concerned about a recent string of arsons, and violent crime in their streets, people who call the city of Troy’s north-central neighborhood home came together for a meeting last night at a church in Lansingburgh. The focus of the gathering was what people can do about these problems. Danielle Sanzone is a reporter for The Record newspaper, and was at the meeting that was organized after the fires and crimes. She spoke with WAMC’s Brian Shields.

Task Force Dedicated To Violence Prevention Observes 20th Anniversary

Paul Tuthill — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Massachusetts is going to have a so-called “ three strikes” crime law. Governor Deval Patrick says he will sign a controversial crime bill aimed at keeping repeat violent criminals off the streets. People working to prevent violence in one western Massachusetts city say the real solution to improved public safety is community partnerships. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

Mass. Legislature Rejects Governor's Amendment to Crime Bill

Lucas Willard — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 22:02:34 +0000

The Massachusetts Legislature has rejected Gov. Deval Patrick's proposed amendment to a bill barring parole for three-time violent felons, leaving the fate of the bill in doubt as the legislative session nears an end.

Patrick's so-called "safety valve" amendment would have given limited discretion to judges to grant parole to felons after serving two-thirds of their maximum prison sentence or after serving 25 years of a life sentence.

The House rejected the amendment on a 132-23 vote on Monday. The Senate defeated it on a voice vote.

Police Bonding With Community Credited For Crime Reduction

Paul Tuthill — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:25:00 +0000

To combat crime a number of police departments across the county are using a counterinsurgency strategy similar to what US troops used in Iraq. The tactics are different, but the idea is to build community support and trust and take away the safe havens for the gangs and drug dealers. Springfield Massachusetts is one city that has seen success with the strategy. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.