WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP? WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?

As Hartford continues to build its reputation as "New England's Shooting Star", two of the latest victims of gun violence have just been confirmed dead at Hartford Hospital. The shootings,which occurred today during the evening rush hour in broad daylight, at one of Hartford's busier intersections by South Green Park at Main Street and Wethersfield Avenue.

The major question is where is the outrage on the part of residents, City leaders( if there are any) as well as suburban residents. Aside from the drug trafficking that occurs daily in South Green Park (commonly referred to as Needle Park) as well as the prostitutes walking the area, this intersection is traversed daily by thousands of people heading to Hartford Hospital, CCMC, the Learning Corridor, Trinity College and many State of Connecticut office buildings. Although one more shooting is one too many, the argument used after the Papa Pizza murder and shootings that Hartford really is safe, that it was an isolated incident not affecting the average person doesn't seem to ring true. In a crowded intersection during rush hour when bullets start flying, the miracle seems to be that no more innocent victims were hit, whether driving, walking to one of the numerous shelters in the area, or the person that may have been sitting in South Green Park.

When are the so-called leaders at Hartford City Hall going to step up and do what needs to be done to reclaim our City. And as much as I support Chief Roberts, the question has to be asked , do we really need him attending classes at Boston University or do we need him on the streets of Hartford doing what he is paid to do, lead the Hartford Police Department. I had no problem getting Matt Hennessy out of town for his stint at Harvard, but I think we need the Chief here.