Springfield adds new position, cleanup crew to combat discarded needles in parks

SPRINGFIELD — The city will create a new coordinator and the Hampden Sheriff’s Department will provide a regular cleanup crew to combat the scourge of needles and drug paraphernalia discarded in parks, playgrounds and churches.

The initiatives announced Thursday are part of a multi-pronged battle city councilors, the Parks Department and others have been waging since the summer to make the city safer.