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Tires Slashed On 45 Vehicles At Company In Western Mass

Police are investigating after tires were slashed on 45 vans of a Western Massachusetts company that provides services to the handicapped and those in need of rides to doctor appointments and medical treatments.

Police are investigating after the tires were slashed on 45 handicapped vans.

Police are investigating after the tires were slashed on 45 handicapped vans.

Photo Credit: Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash

The incident took place in Springfield at Indian Orchard at Youth on the Move early Monday, May 16, said Ryan Walsh, of the Springfield Police.

Janice Brown, the owner of the company, said the vans are used to transport children in wheelchairs to schools, dialysis and cancer patients to treatments, and others with special needs.

"Who would do such a thing knowing these are handicapped vans," Brown said. "It just doesn't make sense."

The cost to replace all of the tires will be more than $15,000 and Brown said she has already had all of the vans towed to area tire stores to have them replaced.

"Insurance would pay for the tows, but I have a $300 deductible on each van, and you add the cost of the tires and it will cost us thousands of dollars," Brown added.

Brown, who said they have been struggling to provide rides for more than 100 people a day, due to the pandemic, gas prices, and inflation, said she is shocked by the callous nature of the crime.

"We help people in need," she said. "How could someone be so cold?"

Police are investigating the incident, Walsh said.

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