Nearly two dozen people arrested following 'high visibility' detail in Holyoke – Western Massachusetts News

HOLYOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Nearly two dozen people have been arrested following an operation in Holyoke that police said is aimed at addressing the needs of the city and its residents.
“The people who are pushing this type of poison upon the streets, these are gang members, these are just drug pushers and with those types of crimes, firearms and violence itself always follow,” said Holyoke Police Captain Matthew Moriarty.
Capt. Matthew Moriarty said that Holyoke Police, in conjunction with Mass. State Police, have been performing a “high visibility detail” over the past week, whereby they patrol known high crime areas because of illegal narcotics sales and violence. He noted that an essential part of the patrols are checking stairways and hallways of problem properties.
“The past week since we’ve started our high visibility detail has been very busy for us,” said Captain Moriarty.
Through the detail, several arrests were made on charges including trespass, illegal firearms, illegal narcotics sales, and several arrest warrants. According to police, the trespassing charges are typically for those who are at known locations that are selling illegal drugs and those people who don’t live at those buildings.
“The persons arrested are provided information on gaining resources to aid in their addiction to illegal narcotics. These types of arrests will be followed up upon by our Narcotics Intervention Team,” Captain Moriarty explained.
Those arrested include:
“The people who are pushing this type of poison upon the streets, these are gang members, these are just drug pushers and with those types of crimes, firearms and violence itself always follow,” said Captain Moriarty.
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia said in a statement:
“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.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Holyoke Police at (413) 322-6900 or ‘Text-a-Tip’ to CRIMES (274637) and in the message, type SOLVE, your tip, and indicate it is for Holyoke.
Copyright 2022. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.

source