in Chicopee up for sale – and then the C3 policing unit arrived. “It is incredible. They are gaining everyone’s trust, particularly the homeless, the alcoholics, the drug addicts,” he said. “The people who used to run away from them now talk to them.” Sen.Eric Lesser, (D) Hampden & Hampshire District Ma., “The C3 community policing initiative has been a gold standard for communities around the state and I have been a steadfast supporter of the C3 policing efforts.” Sen. James Welch, D-West Springfield and state representatives Bud Williams, José Tosado, and Carlos González secured the funding as part of the fiscal year 2020 budget. “You look at a program that delivers results and has shown to be highly effective in several communities here in Springfield and you want to help it succeed,” Welch said. “We are very proud of the progress the C3 initiative is making in the North End and in other areas like the Forest Park neighborhood, and we hope this will be something that extends to all of the neighborhoods in Springfield that need it.” Welch said he is also impressed with the initiative’s reach, which now extends to the area of Chicopee that borders Springfield. “Not a lot of programs are willing to collaborate and share their expertise with surrounding communities,” he said. “This program works and this funding is a way to help it move forward.” Springfield Police "C3 anti-gang and community policing unit, currently operating in Mason Square, Forest Park, the South End and the North End, won compliments for communication with residents and attentiveness to community concerns. Citizen respondents praised the department's C3 police units - specially trained teams, working in tandem with state police, who both conduct community policing and target gangs and repeat offenders in high-crime neighborhoods. Orland Ramos [Springfield City Council President] suggested in an interview that the city should consider expanding the program.” Springfield Ma., Mayor Dominic Sarno (D), “The C-3 Policing Initiative is truly a grassroots partnership of mutual respect and accountability between our public safety officials, our residents, and our business community. My hat’s off to Commissioner Barbieri and our brave and dedicated men and women in blue and just as important, our community of Springfield coming together as one.” The level of engagement has been very effective to the point that there are days when a resident would have to arrive very early to secure