SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield Police and residents met to address the growing crime and safety concerns within the Sixteen Acres neighborhood and surrounding areas. Residents expressed their worries about the high levels of traffic, speeding, and incidents of gun violence. Now, they're hoping for solutions to make these neighborhoods safer. Recent incidents like the tragic shooting of a woman in her home on Allen Park Road in February and an armed robbery at Big Y Express on Cooley Street in March have only heightened the fears and concerns of those who live in Springfield. "That really bothered me because 5:15 in the morning, you know, going into a gas station with a gun and robbing the store, it's frightening," said President of Outerbelt Neighborhood Civic Association, Walter Gould. This is just one of many concerns residents brought up at a meeting run by the Outerbelt Neighborhood Civic Association and Springfield Police. Other issues brought up include speeding in the Sixteen Acres neighborhood. "Some go through the area at 100 miles an hour. And I know police they're doing the best they can to be out here and do the due diligence to keep the speed down. But we have an elementary school right here. We have a cluster stop for busses for all the schools in the city," said Gould. To address the many concerns of residents police are looking to find ways to make everyone feel safer in their communities. "Some of the crime is perceived crime and just fear of crime. And that's the worst part of crime is the fear of it, even if it's not happening. And that's what we're here to try to get rid of is that fear of crime. we're going to continue to work for these residents, as we do with every sector of this city," said Springfield Police Department Superintendent Larry Akers. "We are seeing residents move out at a greater rate. So with increased police presence and community policing in these areas, I hope that we can see residents stay in the area and, you know, grow a neighborhood stronger," added Sixten Acres neighborhood resident, Steven Carosello. The Outerbelt Neighborhood Civic Association will be holding another meeting on June 9th with Springfield DPW to address ongoing traffic matters. Local News Headlines Springfield Police and residents met to address growing city crime and safety concerns Local business backs ‘Bikes Fight Cancer Charity Ride’ with matching funds Enfield School District’s removal of BLM flag strikes controversy New state program to aid businesses hit by tariffs WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less