I was watching Channel 3 news at eleven Wednesday night. They displayed a large amount of cash, drugs and guns seized today from Wilson Street in Hartford after an investigation by the shooting task force.
I've also seen that there is some question as to whether the Shooting Task Force will be continued past November of this year. I'm not sure why the timeline exists since gun violence seems to be year round in Hartford now. It also is quite apparent that Hartford's underground economy, the drug trade, fuels much, if not almost all of Hartford's gun violence.
It also seems quite obvious that at many times the right hand might not really be communicating with the left hand. If an operation that has been run with precision, such as that of the shooting task force, can produce the results they have in their short period of existence, why even think about ending it?
Instead, wouldn't it make more sense to strengthen it and expand the program? My thoughts are that Vice and Narcotics, actually make that Narcotics, (the "vice" part should be something the conditions units and Community Service Officers deal with)should be reconstituted and combined with the Shooting Task force unit as the Gun and Narcotics Task Force, roll all of those assigned to Narcotics now into a unit that most likely would produce some real results at reducing crime in Hartford.
And the involvement of the other agencies should also be kept. Drug and gun problems aren't confined within Hartford's borders. Much of the Task forces success is happening because of involvement, information and resources being developed outside of Hartford.A large part of the operational success of the task force, from what I have been told, is due in large part to the operational skills and "management style" pulling the task force together. Former Hartford Police Officer, now Chief Inspector from the State's Attorney's Office James Rovella and Lieutenant Lance Sigersmith, Commander of the HPD Intelligence Division, as well as numerous others from several agencies.
It just seems to make sense, the drugs are linked to the guns and the guns are linked to the drugs and the resources and expertise are out there producing results and making a difference. It would just take some leadership to find the funding and make it happen, most of the money is already being spent on the salaries, so it shouldn't be a big expense. It might actually be an example of working smarter and communicating to get results, rather than duplicating efforts and working against each other.
Let me hear your feedback.
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23 comments:
The shooting task force consist of members from other departments. I figure that they need their officers/detectives back to their respective division.
I see a couple guys from the State Police, since the layoffs, they are going to need them back to man the roads also. It is a given that gun violence drops in the winter seasons, so a November end date is reasonable.
These "condition units" are to address quality of life issues, loitering, clearing the corners, being visible, basically handing out summons to violators of city ordinances. Not driving around in plain clothes, doing search warrants and hindering the detectives work.
Take a drive around and you will see public drinkers, guys hanging on the corners. Ask Lt.Hightower about quality of life in Hartford, if you bring back the basics and utilize the conditions unit correctly things will be good. Not saying that while enforcing the small stuff you wont get lead or tips or arrest on big stuff. But when the constant basic enforcement goes by the way side you have lawless renegades roaming the streets.
If two regular guys on mountain bikes can make drug and gun arrest by enforcing the quality of life issues then the conditions unit currently need to take lessons from these 4year guys...(no more beards)
So the shooting team members in general are doing a great job. All the resources at their finger tips to affect the arrest and to have warrants reviewed and signed. Good leaders, good officers and detectives. But don't glorify these guys, the patrol guys make gun and drug arrests also. Its up to the state prosecutors to make the case stick and no PTAs or lowering charges.
If the shooting team comes to an end, their is always next summer, Hartford may just utilize the inside experts to keep it going...
Sigersmith of Chief....
The north blue Jerseys are not worried about about addressing the quality of life issues, loitering, clearing the corners, being visible, basically handing out summons to violators of city ordinances. They are to busy doing stealth traffic stops, and searching for drugs or guns for stats.
Shouldn't V & N be taking care of the drug and gun problems?
I never see the blue jerseys behind the closed substation on Albany Avenue which is notorious for public drinking. Same with Garden & Capen, Barbour & Judson, and so on.
It's all about the stats, not the condition of our streets.
Kevin your absolutely right about keeping the shooting team in place. Expansion would be a key step in reducing the gun play in Hartford.
I'm curious to find out who is funding the special unit. Can grants be applied for to keep the unit running?
Also why not give new guys such as myself an opportunity to move into these units. We are fresh faces to the city which these crooks would never know.
ForgetaboutitGizzie,
Because that's not the way it works at HPD. Unless you are buddies or neighbors with command staff, or unless you are kissing their brownstar then you'll stay on patrol. This is the way it will always be unless something is changed. And changed it needs to be.
Your suggestion does however make sense. The shooting task force doesn't have to consist of outside departments, although there are key roles such as the State's Attorney's Office. There are plenty of knowledgeable 3-4 year HPD officers that are familiar enough with the streets and players to contribute to this task force, to learn and grow within the department the way advancement should be.
because new guys should be learning how to be police and do their job not running around in plain clothes cutting corners and develpoing bad habits. learn how to be a good patrol officer and go from there... give me a break
Gizzie, why don't you learn how to run plates on the MDT before jumping into detective work. Are you kidding me! Where do they find these new cops?
Look the reason I say that I'm a prime candidate for a specialized unit is because, HPD needs new faces, I'm a big guy, good writer, and most importantly I'm a made guy.
Its funny how a new guy with 2 years on and currently fills a car for a bid can even think about becoming a detective or a crd guy. Oh i forgot. Kevin obrien gets everything. But thats ok.
First of all, HPD is ALL new faces! I go to roll call and don't know 70% of the guys lined up. All these new guys walk around like they have respect on the streets but don't even know how to write up an arrest. Gizzie kisses enough brown star so he should be on a conditions unit soon along with his pink eye. (Made Man) the only people dumb enough to make him will be the cast of Jersey Shore (Fake Italian's).
Gizzie, all you gotta do to pucker up and kiss the brown star. That's all I had to do. I've only been here for a few years and I'm a Sup and on ERT.
S EL
Look guys no need to snap at me cause of my last few posts. I was just trying to make a point about me being a new face on the street and the crooks not knowing me. All you senior guys are burned now cause they know who you are.
I hope I can get Conditions soon cause I really want to contribute to this pd in another way.
By the way so what if I am a made guy.
What's a made guy?
Gizzie, did louie the lug nut hit you over the head with a peperoni while you were standing in line to buy a sandwich at D and D market? You cant string a normal sentence together let alone go to conditions. Im sure the hoods wont make you to quick though when you get out of the cruiser in a puma jogging suit with italian colors and a gun belt. Pia gets to do it because he did excellent police work. You got a big pair of shoes to fill. Focus on learning patrol and stop crying all of the time. Your a good guy and mean well, your time will come.
I dont even know who gizzie is ?? A new guy? Really. Pia is the standard in my opinion.
Gizzie. First off. Show some respect for the patrol vets. U hav 1 year in patrol. Shut your mouth and do ur job. Enough. There are about a dozen guys ahead of you for conditions. Also stop hangin out in dispatch ......
Gizzie. You are far from a poor mans pia. Dont think that you even are at the same level as some. Stop dreaming about the bridgeport shore line ........
Why is hightower giving personnel feelings at role call. He should not preach about this blog or his personnel beliefs about racial issues. This is insulting.
Hightower is operating the racial gravy train. Next stop state capitol. Washington to follow .......
Gizzie who is gizzie ? Honestly you need to take it easy on the comments son. With this you just got a big mark on your back,the olddays of made guys is over. If not ask the IOA they got no pull anymore and let's be honest with this postings you talk way to much to be a paisan. Pazzo
I dont think that is the real Gizzie making the comments. Just a hunch.
Oh, it's Gizzie, trust! Oh Marone!
"I dont think that is the real Gizzie making the comments. Just a hunch."
Gentleman. That's definitely not Gizzie. Someone is trolling you guys bad. LMAO.
"Oh, it's Gizzie, trust! Oh Marone!"
Where is the PC? Or are you like conditions and make it up on the fly?
Does not really matter. Gizzie will go far. Maybe booking.
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