SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to mitigate gun violence and keep younger residents of Springfield out of trouble, ten organizations developed a universal city pass to allow free entry into their establishments.
The passes will be handed out by members of the Springfield Police Department and available at centers for older adults and barbershops, according to Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who added, “We’d rather be giving these universal passes to young people and families than having to put cuffs on ahead of time.”
The creation of the pass is a result of conversations that took place during two previous community stakeholder meetings over the summer, which focused on putting an end to gun violence in the city.
The pass allows residents to check into Families Against Violence; ROCA Inc.; the Springfield Boys and Girls Club; Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services; Boys and Girls Club Family Center; the Downtown Springfield YMCA; Square One; New North Citizens Council Youth Services Center; North End Youth Center; and the South End Community Center.
Residents who receive a pass will receive a QR Code, which they can use to admit themselves into one of the participating organizations upon entry.
Ward 5 City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce said if the streets of Springfield are not safe, nothing else really matters.
“With this universal pass, we’re going to get proactive in getting our young people off the streets,” he said. “This can lead to jobs, so I want to make sure we can hone in on that too.
Click-Bruce said the passes were free and there was no expiration date on the pass.
Sarno chimed in and said they won’t turn anybody away.
Wesley Jackson, executive director of the South End Community Center, said participating organizations are doing what they can to ensure the children of Springfield have a safe place to go and stay out of trouble.
“This is a part of the puzzle that we’re trying to do,” Jackson said.
