Latest news with #SpringfieldPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Springfield Police SVU arrest man in connection with rape and kidnapping
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A man was arrested in Springfield on Tuesday for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teenage boy. The Springfield Police Department stated in a news release that on Friday, May 30, officers received a report of a sexual assault. A 17-year-old boy reported to police that at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Friday, he was walking on Hancock Street and was forcibly dragged to Jonny Appleseed Park by an unknown man. Springfield woman turns herself in for Old Navy merchandise theft in South Windsor The man allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, who was eventually able to escape. He reportedly ran about one mile home as the suspect chased him. Springfield Police Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives began investigating the incident by reviewing city cameras and speaking with the victim and witnesses. On Tuesday, SVU Detectives were granted a warrant for the arrest of the suspect, 53-year-od Ahmed Ahmed. At approximately 4:00 p.m., Ahmed was found on the 700 block of State Street and arrested. Ahmed Ahmed (Homeless) was charged with: Kidnapping Aggravated Rape during the Commission of a Felony Witness Intimidation Stalking Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon 'This type of assault by a stranger is extremely rare in our city, yet undoubtedly alarming,' said Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers. 'I'd like to thank our Special Victims Unit Detectives who worked tirelessly on this case with a thorough investigation that will hopefully bring some justice to this victim and his family. I'd also like to urge our residents to always be aware of their surroundings and walk in a group if possible. While I can't recall an incident similar to this, it is a painful reminder that these horrendous events can happen ever so quickly. By this victim courageously coming forward and allowing our Detectives to do their job and arrest Mr. Ahmed, hopefully this will prevent any future acts of violence.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sangamon, Menard Co. Crime Stoppers seeking tips on shooting
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Crime Stoppers of Sangamon and Menard counties are looking for more information on a shooting that happened earlier this week. On June 1 at around 3 a.m., the Springfield Police Department responded to a report of shots fired near the 1700 block of E Cook St. The female victim who was a passenger in a vehicle was shot and taken to a local hospital where she was treated for non life-threatening injuries. 'We knew he was fighting': Chatham community mourns fifth death in kids camp tragedy If photos relating to the incident become available, they will be posted to the Crime Stoppers' website. Anyone who can identify a suspect(s) or any vehicle that may be involved is asked to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 217-788-8427, submit a tip on their website or use the P3 app. Tips resulting in an arrest can receive cash rewards of up to $2,500. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield police officer remembered for heroic act
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Wednesday marks 13 years since Springfield Police Officer Kevin Ambrose was killed in the line of duty. Springfield crews put out fire caused by smoking materials on Birch Street On the morning of June 4, 2012, Ambrose was headed to a call about a domestic disturbance at an apartment on Lawton Street. He was shot while trying to protect a woman and her child from the woman's boyfriend. Ambrose saved the lives of both the mother and the child. He was a 36-year veteran of the Springfield Police Department. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, and grandchild. The soccer field at Greenleaf Park in Springfield was renamed the 'Kevin Ambrose Field' last year in his honor. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Life sciences sector growth slows in Mass.
BOSTON (WWLP) – After 13 straight years of increased employment in the Bay State's life sciences sector, 2024 data shows stagnancy. Massachusetts' economy relies on 'meds and eds,' meaning the medicine and education industries. Life sciences fall into that 'meds' category, and include pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, and more. Springfield Police Department marks fifth anniversary of body-worn camera program On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation published a report that analyzes last year's employment numbers. It shows that Massachusetts had 143,142 life sciences jobs in 2024, just 0.02% more than there were in 2023. Compared to 2022's growth rate of 6.85% and 2023's rate of 9.18%, the slowdown is significant. According to the foundation that published the report, this slowdown is not a cause for major panic and is consistent with prior ebbs and flows of the industry. '2024 was an uncertain year with a big election coming up in the fall, so I think the companies took a conservative approach ahead of that consequential election,' said MassBioEd Foundation's CEO, Sunny Schwartz. Despite last year's lack of growth, long-term trends continue to show an industry boom, as the industry continues to outperform the state economy as a whole. Over this same decade and a half period of industry growth, lawmakers have steered billions towards the industry, including last year's reauthorization of $500 million in borrowing for the industry over the next ten years. Although many life sciences jobs are based in Boston, the state of Massachusetts' taxpayers and economy have a ripple effect from Peabody to Palmer to Pittsfield. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Springfield Police Department marks fifth anniversary of body-worn camera program
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Springfield Police Department marked the fifth anniversary of its body-worn camera (BWC) program, celebrating a milestone in transparency, accountability, and public safety. Launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic on June 3, 2020, Springfield's program made the city the first major municipality in Massachusetts to implement a body-worn camera system fully. These federal arrest warrant letters deemed fake in Massachusetts All sworn officers and supervisors, just under 500, are equipped with cameras during duty, contributing to over 115,000 hours of recorded footage to date. Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers said the cameras have made a significant difference in community relations and policing outcomes. 'The body cameras help us in several different areas, from police-community relations to aiding prosecutions by the District Attorney's Office,' said Akers. 'The use of the cameras has increased our officers' accountability and decreased the amount of citizen complaints we receive. Body-worn cameras are an essential tool to continue to build trust within our community. There was a time I couldn't imagine having to wear body cameras, now, especially for our younger officers, I can't imagine a time they wouldn't want to wear them.' Mayor Domenic J. Sarno credited the program with strengthening public trust and modernizing law enforcement efforts in Springfield. 'I want to commend our Springfield Police Department, led by Superintendent Larry Akers, for their continued belief, support, and investment in our body-worn camera program,' Sarno said. 'All officers and supervisors, totaling just under 500, now wear the body-worn cameras, which have greatly enhanced our public safety aspects and brought increased transparency and accountability on police and public interactions, including hours of video footage of our brave and dedicated police officers saving lives.' The program began with 12 officers and supervisors who were first outfitted with Getac body-worn cameras in June 2020. By October of the same year, the entire department was equipped and trained. Now, the training is fully integrated into the Springfield Police Academy's curriculum, ensuring that recruits are ready to use the technology immediately upon graduation. In spring 2025, the department transitioned from Getac cameras to Axon body-worn cameras, continuing its commitment to using up-to-date technology. Uninformed officers are required to keep their cameras on throughout their shifts, with automatic activation triggered by the activation of emergency vehicle lights or manual activation by the officer. Each device captures footage beginning 30 seconds before activation, with audio recording starting at the time of activation. However, there are specific limitations in place to protect privacy. Officers do not use the cameras inside schools (except the Quebec Unit), during certain medical emergencies, in private residences without permission or a warrant, or when dealing with confidential informants. Additionally, the devices do not have facial recognition or night vision capabilities. As the department moves forward, the body-worn camera program will remain a core component of its strategy to foster trust and transparency between officers and the community. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
