SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) announced today that his amendment directing $50,000 to the cities of Springfield and Chicopee for use in operating their C3 (Counter Criminal Continuum) Policing Unit has been included in the final version of the budget being signed into law by the Governor.
Gomez had this to say on the amendment being included, “I am extremely grateful to our conference committee negotiators for ensuring that this amendment was included, maintaining funding for the C3 unit whose work has already made a marked improvement on policing and community engagement in my district. We must continue to develop new strategies combatting violence and developing trust between our agencies and the public they serve, and I am proud to keep searching for those tools that bring us closer together and make our communities a safer place to live.”
C3 policing or Counter Criminal Continuum Policing is a modification of counter-insurgency (“COIN”) methods used by U.S. Army Special Forces and adapted for use by civilian law enforcement agencies. The essential premise of C3 Policing is that instead of simply arresting criminals, police work with the community to build trust, strengthen the community’s will and ability to come together to address the challenges it faces.
The Hampden District C-3 initiative is a collaboration of community residents, area service providers and the local police departments that is designed to promote a positive interaction between residents and law enforcement. This program allows residents to learn of the many good works and services offered within the city as well as lifting up opportunities for positive interactions with our law enforcement officers.
The C3 Policing Unit’s mission is to facilitate unity of effort and criminal intelligence gathering through interagency, community, and private enterprise cooperation. The essential goals of C3 Policing include creating a safe environment, fostering community relationships, reducing gang activity and violence, and establishing effective youth and parental programs. These goals are achieved through community meetings, walking and bike patrols, and events like coffee with a cop, youth sports events, and community picnics.
For more information on the amendment, please contact Senator Gomez’s office by email at Adam.Gomez@MASenate.gov.
