In the News

SPRINGFIELD - Mayor Domenic Sarno, discussing public safety plans Wednesday as MGM Springfield prepares to open next week, said the city is "ready to rock 'n' roll."

Included in those plans is an extensively trained Gaming Enforcement Unit composed of Massachusetts State Police troopers and Springfield Police officers.

The mayor's comments came during a press conference as he, city and state police and a number of others, including Lt. Gov. Karen Polito, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, and Michael Mathis, president and chief operations officer of MGM Springfield, touched on the extensive groundwork and collaborative efforts that will culminate in the entertainment resort's grand opening on Aug. 24.

"The red carpet is out," Sarno said during the conference, held at the MassMutual Center. "We are happy to see you, the logistics are in place and the city is ready to rock 'n' roll."

Annually, $13 million of combined city, state and MGM Springfield funds will be spent on security in downtown Springfield, officials said.

Preparations include Police Commissioner John Barbieri's creation of the Metro Unit, based in the newly opened substation at 75 Dwight St., to which 40 police officers have been assigned.

Police kiosks at Main and Taylor streets, Main and Morris streets and Riverfront Park will serve as another interface between police and the public.

"For more than a year we have been collaborating with our city and law enforcement partners to be as prepared as possible for MGM Springfield's opening weekend, and we will be ready for the 'new normal' that will follow," Barbieri said.

During MGM's opening day, 50 additional police officers will be stationed in the Metro area, and there will be 25-plus officers working throughout the weekend, Barbieri said.

Rounding out the police presence downtown is the Gaming Enforcement Unit, which will be responsible for patrolling the entire boundary of MGM Springfield.

"They will be on the front lines of the footprint of the casino," said Lt. Col. Barry O'Brien, deputy superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police.

That includes the hotel, parking garage, gaming floor, administrative offices, entertainment block and outside venues.

"They will be the first responders for just about any incident you name - criminal, public safety," O'Brien said.

He described the unit as following a "task force model," with city police embedded within the larger state police component.

The unit, which serves as the investigative arm of the state Gaming Commission, will be assisted by MGM security, he said. It is headed by State Police Lt. Timothy Babbin with assistance from Springfield Police Lt. Larry Akers.

The city's police department and state police entered into a memorandum of understanding to jointly operate as the Gaming Enforcement Unit at MGM Springfield on July 2. The landmark agreement was signed by State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin, Sarno, Barbieri and city Chief Administrative and Financial Officer T.J. Plante.

The agreement remains in effect through August 2033, coinciding with the length of MGM Springfield's initial gaming license. 

The unit has approximately 20 members and each reports to their own specific departments.

"Really, the goal of the Gaming Enforcement Unit is to ensure everybody has a safe and enjoyable experience with MGM," O'Brien said.

If the need arises, however, city and state police "will have all kinds of assets at their disposal," he said.

Unit members have had extensive training. "They have been all over the country learning about best practices in all types of casinos," O'Brien said.

The cooperation and collaboration between city police and state police, as they worked toward the opening of MGM Springfield, has resulted in closer ties between the two agencies, according to O'Brien.

"I don't think we have ever had a better relationship than right now," he said.

Matthis said while MGM has concentrated on building its new resort here, city and state police have been hard at work on building the new unit.

"By designing a unified network that focuses on staffing, deployment and technology, the Gaming Enforcement Unit gives us great confidence as we open our doors in Springfield, he said.

Matthis stressed the thousands of people expected to attend the opening weekend and during days that follow as routine operations take hold will bring an additional measure of security.

"I think that's the great cure for public safety," he said. "In addition to our officers, it's people in the streets. I have never felt unsafe in a group walking up and down Main Street, and that's what we hope to bring on Aug. 24."