HOLYOKE — Nearly two dozen people have been arrested as part of a joint effort by Massachusetts State Police and the Holyoke Police Department to crack down on drug crime.
As described in a post on the police department’s Facebook page Friday, the high-visibility detail consisted of patrols of “known high crime areas due to the sale of illegal narcotics and violence.”
“The High Visibility detail has produced numerous arrests ranging from trespass, illegal firearms, the sale of illegal narcotics and several arrests for warrants,” reads part of the post.
Over a period of several days, nearly two dozen people were arrested as a result of this effort, many on trespassing charges, although a significant number of drug arrests were also made. One of those arrested, a 16-year-old from Springfield, was charged with possession of ammunition without an FID, carrying a loaded firearm without a license to carry, possession of a firearm without an FID and possession of a firearm during a felony in addition to several drug charges. These were the only weapons charges reported as part of the effort.
In the post, the police said that those arrested are provided resources on illegal drug addiction, and that programs are available for those interested in leaving gang life.
“Everyone deserves a second chance at making a better life for themselves and Holyoke can help,” reads part of the post.
Additionally, police said that these types of arrests would be followed up by the department’s narcotics intervention team.
A key part of the patrols that was described involves checks of hallways and stairways in “problem properties.”
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia expressed approval of the effort in the police post.
“I enthusiastically support and applaud this effort by our Holyoke Police and the State Police. High-visibility details are producing impressive results. And I greatly appreciate the continued commitment of law enforcement to help those struggling with addiction by directing them to intervention services,” Garcia said.
In the Friday post, police also said that they’d received numerous tips from the community.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.