2024-01-03 02:38:00
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – With the start of 2024, Springfield is coming off a year of record-breaking homicides. We’re hearing from community leaders regarding what needs to be done to block the violence from rising in the new year.
Relonda Ballard lost her beloved son David to gun violence in Springfield just over two years ago. She describes him as a fun kid and said she misses his laughter and his presence. David’s murder is still unsolved leaving his mother without closure and grieving the loss of her son every day.
“He had a lot of goals I really miss him like running up the stairs and just yelling why are you running up my stairs like that and he just pops on my bed, and we have those heart to hearts,” expressed Ballard.
Relonda Ballard talked regarding her son David who was shot and killed on Union Street in Springfield back on December 26, 2021.
As we leave behind the record breaking 31 homicides we saw in the city this year and start fresh Ballard reminds us that all the families of those victims will never forget the loss. Adding that every time she sees someone elses son or daughter lost to gun violence she feels the pain all over once more.
“You re- go into like your trauma you know exactly what the family is feeling you know exactly what the mother is feeling David had nine other siblings, so you get to see how your children are handling missing their brother there are just so many aspects you go through when losing a loved one to gun violence,” explained Ballard.
Ballard told Western Mass News that if we’re going to stop gun violence or at least make a difference. We need everyone, especially our local leaders to come together and spread awareness.
“We’re always looking to do more don’t get me wrong but I think we’re doing work taking record number of illegal guns most of them are ghost guns and I pump in millions and millions of dollars into preventative youth development programs youth development our schools but in these 1 or 2 percent of these repeat violent criminal offender they have to be locked up,” added Mayor Sarno.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno told us he’s pushing for bail reform legislation alongside State Representative Angelo Puppolo.
He added that in addition to youth development and policing once you get crime repressed the judges need to step up and keep repeat offenders off the streets.
Ballard told us there will be a dedication brunch for families of homicide victims on Saturday January 13 at Cedars Banquet Hall from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. where they will have guest speakers including a gun violence survivor.
2024. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.
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