Hampden County Juvenile Probation Officers Partner With
Local Police To Enhance Public Safety At The “Big E”

Hampden County Juvenile Probation Officers and the West Springfield Police Department will join forces for the 11th consecutive year at the Eastern States Exposition, a traditional New England fair commonly known as the “Big E,” to maintain a presence. The fair kicks off today and runs through September 28th.

“We are partnering with the West Springfield Police Department on designated days and evenings to work to ensure public safety and maintain a presence in the community. We have collaborated with the West Springfield Police Department and the security department of the Big E and the results have been extremely positive,” said Hampden Juvenile Assistant Chief Probation Officer Vincent Penna.

The Big E, one of the largest fairs of its kind in the Northeast, is expected to draw more than a million people over its 17-day run. Located in West Springfield, this annual agricultural fair features a circus, carnival rides, livestock, crafts, shopping, a daily Mardi Gras parade, and international dishes. Big name musical acts such as LeAnn Rimes, Jordin Sparks, Fergie, and Danity Kane are scheduled to perform. The Big E was first established in 1917.

West Springfield Police Chief Thomas Burke said the partnership between his department and probation “has worked tremendously for us.”

“We’ve had some serious incidents in the past and we knew we had to do something. When people see their (Probation Officers) jackets that say ‘Probation,’ the change in attitude is immediate. The benefits to us are unbelievable. It’s ‘oh my God, there’s my P.O,’” Chief Burke said. “They are not afraid of being arrested, but they are afraid of going to jail.”