DO COPS HAVE RIGHTS ALSO?

As the debate continues to record every action a Police Officer makes with body cams and dash cams, what measures are being taken to protect the Officer's rights, as well as those of the community.

The video below is a perfect example. Does the officer have a reasonable expectation of privacy while in his cruiser as long as his actions are legal, or should every police officer now plan on showing up on you-tube at some point during his or her career embarrassing themselves on a dash cam video.

And where is the right to privacy line drawn? Is a police officer on his  meal break in his cruiser fair game for public humiliation if he is having a discussion with his wife or partner about their sex life caught on video?

Should these videos be released if they don't involve elements of a crime or a civilian complaint, no matter how funny they are, without the officer's permission?

Imagine what can be recorded on body cameras. Bathroom breaks, phone calls, personal conversations

And I do have a sense of humor , the video is hilarious.

DON'T DENT MY SHINY BMW

Add caption

Dunkin Donuts, Capitol Avenue 1:47PM Friday

 

UPDATE: MONDAY1/19/2015

to follow more about this and watch the video be sure to check out NBC CONNECTICUT on Facebook.com and read the over 600 comments

 

One of my pet peeves are people that  abuse Handicap parking spaces. It is even worse when it appears that it is a state legislator, proudly displaying his legislative plate. I am told that the same vehicle apparently as stopped recently at an HPD checkpoint while talking on his cell phone.

I guess if you are elected to make the laws  you aren't expected to obey them also.

And no, there was no handicap tag hanging in the vehicle

Legislative plates are assigned to Representatives and Senators numerically by the number of the district they represent

DOES ANYONE THINK?

I have been watching all the commentary about the anger that our French Ambassador was the highest ranking American Diplomat in Paris last weekend. Whether you like President Obama, or not, is that a climate we want to send our president or Vice president into. What was the final body count of victims and hostages killed by terrorists in Paris? These were vicious terrorists intent on achieving their goal at any cost and going out as martyrs to their cause. And is there anyone with half a brain that thinks that to terrorists there is any greater achievement than the President of the United States of America? Anyone that even thought about encouraging that trip ought to be under psychiatric  treatment about now

THE REGISTRAR INQUIRY REPORT, VAZQUEZ AND ASSISTANT REFUSE TO TESTIFY

The report is complete on the Registrar of voters mess. Click on the link below to read it. the following foot note is an interesting note . The two Democrats most responsible for the mess refused to testify. Only two persons who were asked to interview with counsel before the hearings failed or refused to do so, Olga Vazquez and Garey Coleman (the Democratic Deputy Registrar). 2The December 22 and 23, 2014 hearing transcripts are Exhibits A-1 and A-2 to this Report. 3Joseph Wilkerson’s position as deputy Democratic Head Moderator is also known as a “spare” Democratic moderator. Wilkerson had responsibility for overseeing the absentee ballot counting throughout November 4 and therefore was also known as the “central counting moderator.” (Tr. 12/23/14 at 155.) The Council should be taking immediate steps to remove them both. They clearly have no desire to fix the problem or to protect the voters rights to make sure this doesn't happen again. And why would Garey Coleman be directly overseeing an election involving his brother. Does anyone understand conflicts of interest? Only two persons who were asked to interview with counsel before the hearings failed or refused to do so, Olga Vazquez and Garey Coleman (the Democratic Deputy Registrar). 2The December 22 and 23, 2014 hearing transcripts are Exhibits A-1 and A-2 to this Report. 3Joseph Wilkerson’s position as deputy Democratic Head Moderator is also known as a “spare” Democratic moderator. Wilkerson had responsibility for overseeing the absentee ballot counting throughout November 4 and therefore was also known as the “central counting moderator.” (Tr. 12/23/14 at 155.)    READ THE FULL REPORT HERE .

 More thoughts on this later this weekend.

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WHADDAYA KNOW?

Much of what is or has been  exposed here on this blog and  information developed is based on your tips. I need your help.

Several of your e-mails recently, as well as comments here on the blog have provided details regarding the possibility of a Federal Investigation into Hartford City Hall and even quite possibly one or two Federal Grand Juries underway. The details already received are being researched and much has been verified, FOI requests have been submitted but any details pointing myself and others in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I can be contacted by e-mail or cell. Much of what has been developed so far has been from tips that people thought were small or insignificant but once we began chasing the tips down and talking to people the bigger picture is becoming clear

The existence of Federal or State grand juries normally aren't public, until charges start being lodged.

If you have any information you would like to share in complete confidence by e-mail or cell phone, please feel free to contact me

This posting is not meant to confirm the existence of a Federal Grand Jury into Hartford City Hall but is an attempt to gather additional information

Thanks

THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENT

The following comment was submitted today I have been asked this question  so frequently over the past year, I figured it was time to post it as a response

Kevin, you give your heart and soul into the City, why have you not mentioned about running for Mayor, I think you would do a great job for the City, you certainly wouldn't put up with any of it's B.S, so why not?
Let me start off with a somewhat arrogant answer, I know I could do a much better job than our so called current "leaders" I think I can honestly say that I have brought  about more policy change than anyone currently on the Council or in the Mayor's Office. P Cards, City Vehicle use, I have exposed improper actions of several Department heads resulting in their resignations or terminations.

I have a backbone and I know what I stand for and I am not afraid to stand by my beliefs. Any City employee that felt it was appropriate to steal from the taxpayers through misuse of a City Credit card or abuse of City resources would be gone as soon as it was verified. Caviar dinnerspai on a City credit card would not result in paying back  and all is forgiven, it would result in termination and expulsion from your City Hall Office, and hopefully a criminal prosecution.

Incompetence or improper behavior by any Department Head would not result in  City Hall babysitting  services, it would result in a guide map to the closest City Hall exit and the location to pick up your final paycheck.

With that being said though, I also want to make it clear  that Hartford City Government is a system operated and run by human beings with human frailties. Many of those frail people have had large amounts of taxpayer money invested in them for training and other purposes I wouldn't be as quick as our current Mayor to write them  off for the expediency of the 60 second  sound bite on the 6 o'clock  news , especially when they might be some of the City's more productive employees. with the reputation our current Mayor has, he needs to try to look like the tough guy who is actually doing something, using those sounds bites.

I would think a Mayor worth his weight would show his leadership everyday through his actions and not need all the media and public relations stunts to prop himself up. A Mayor who values his residents and its neighborhoods wouldn't need a Police detail to protect him as he moves around the City. The Police protection would be on the streets where it is needed in the neighborhoods that suffer from the crime problems every  day, not as the designated driver for a Mayor out partying

We need a Mayor that is not afraid of the truth and is not afraid to stand up to it . We need someone that understands what accountability means and also understands that he owes that accountability to the people that elected him and the only way to operate an efficient government is to make  it understood that the new standard is that you will be held accountable. You are given a great opportunity as a City employee , with a good salary, great benefits and as a City employee, you are in much better shape than many of the people paying your salary. And as a City , we will demand your best in return, every day.

If you are unable to do that , please don't prolong the inevitable, start your new job search now.

As Mayor, I would also have a difficult time dealing with reactionary people , including the City Council. Where is the vision?  Hartford can't survive by only being prepared to react to issues. How about thinking ahead or maybe exercising some degree of management expertise to avoid problems? The Council was quick to react to the Registrar of Voters mess, including their media comments. Can any one of them say they never knew there was a problem with incompetence in the Registrars Office ? Did anyone of them talk to our Legislative delegation to talk about a statute change for the Registrars Office  as the voters indicated they wanted by their vote for Charter Change over a year ago?

As much as I appreciate your comments, I am not convinced that Hartford has reached the boiling  point where they are serious about change and turning this City around, and electing a Mayor and Council that will take their positions seriously and forget the political grandstanding  and making every decision based upon ensuring their e-election in 4 years as I think they do now

 Until we forget the political posturing and start doing things based upon sound management  methods and accountability Hartford will not change. We can not survive more of the same old same old, We also need a media that is more willing to hold the Administration accountable.

At last weeks dog and pony show to announce violent crime was down, no one asked Mayorr Segarra about sustainability( even though the reductions are in line with national trends and no great plan by Segarra). How does Segarra plan on keeping the numbers down when the number of Officers at HPD is at least 100 less than it was at this time last year with no visible light at the end of the tunnel for hiring. It sounds good that crime is down, but we also don't hire cops on a weeks notice because we run an ad in the paper. It requires vision , leadership and planning. I a not complaining, I want to see our city safer. I think the world of Chief Rovella and his efforts, but he can only do so much without the proper support

In closing, the short answer to your question is, yes, I have thought about running for Mayor. Yes , numerous people have contacted me asking  me to consider it and  as I stated initially, I am arrogant enough to say I know in my heart I could do a better job than what we have now, I also know that I am not presumptuous enough to think anyone can walk in and run a half a billion dollar a year corporation. That would require  putting together a superstar team to get the job done. A team that would not be afraid to tell me or anyone else when they disagreed or thought there was a better way to get things done, unlike our past two administrations.

Nothing would make me prouder than  to end every day telling myself I made a difference in our City and improved the life of someone that calls Hartford Home. Not gauging my performance on how many trips I could make to Boston or New York to pick up nonsense awards that did nothing to make Hartford a better  place.

I think I have  good idea what Hartford needs and how to get there. The secret for the next Mayor is in convincing five or six thousand people to believe it also.

THE WALLER RESIGNATION LETTER

I will be taking up a collection to buy TerryWaller a mirror. I think he needs to look into it and read his resignation letter and ask "why". Why were his duties curtailed and his responsibilities cut. Look into the mirror and repeat Terry, "because I am incompetent" "Sandy can not save me" .

In the meantime, Chief Huertas' testosterone shots seem to be kicking in, possibly because the puppetmasters strings have been cut

Waller Resignation

FINALLY, THERE IS HOPE FOR HARTFORD

 

 

Hartford can not survive another four years under Pedro Segarra. The missteps, the corruption and mismanagement are taking their toll more and more everyday. There is no accountability at City Hall and I am not even sure that Segarra  has a grasp on how City Government is supposed to function..Many of the Department head positions, which are supposed to be filled by Segarra are or have remained vacant for extended periods of time .Public Works and Finance are two examples

The light at the end of the tunnel became visible today when Luke Bronin announced his candidacy for Mayor of Hartford. Luke, until recently was the Chief Advisor to Governor Malloy for Malloy's first term. Much more on Bronin and his plans for a new direction for government and accountability in Hartford soon.

Read more on Bronin's announcement here.

Segarra was apparently unable to comment as he is conducting interviews to fill patronage positions for Hartford Democratic Town Committee members and the children of any State Representative available for sale.

WALLER OUT AS ASSISTANT CHIEF

Sources are confirming that Acting Assistant Fire Chief Terry Waller is being demoted back to District Chief effective Sunday. This move is apparently being made after a fallout yesterday between Waller  and Fire Chief Carlos Huertas. Shortly thereafter  an e-mail was distributed Department wide that as of Sunday Waller is no longer assigned to the Chief's Office.

Waller is also the boyfriend/ fiancee'/ significant other of outgoing Corporation Counsel/Puppet master Saundra Kee-Borges

More on this later today

DON'T LOOK UP

It is never a good idea to stare up at a surveillance camera if you are allegedly thinking about robbing a bank.

Windsor Police are apparently looking for the public's assistance in identifying the individual in the photo above. If you have any knowledge of his identity, p[lease call Windsor Police at 860-688-5273.

If you are thinking about making this a career, it might be a good idea to invest in a ski mask or at least pull it over your face instead of posing for the selfie for Windsor PD and the FBI.

 When you eventually get out that is.

 Does your mother know you snuck out of the house?

THE CITY HALL CANDY SHOP IS OPEN

It is and always has been inevitable, but this year promises to be worse than usual. Any incumbent running for re-election usually has an advantage. The power of their office allows and offers them perks that they can use to benefit their campaign. This is especially true when that incumbent knows that they are on shaky ground.

Apparently Mayor Segarra is using the power of incumbency to his benefit.

According to City Hall sources, Segarra has recently hired the daughter of a Hartford State Representative to work in his office.  According to other sources, the hiring came with a deal to shore up Segarra's support in the State Reps home district where both she and her husband are members of the Districts Democratic Town Committee.

The source also detailed the hiring of a female acquaintance  (girlfriend) of a Councilperson for a City Hall position. I am awaiting their employment information pursuant to an FOI request to see what procedures were followed  and whether it was a competitive process. Somehow I think I already know the answer.

It is a promising sign though that Segarra has to take  steps  like this , knowing that his endorsement is far from a done deal according to Democratic Town Committee members I have spoken with. Normally the incumbent is pretty much assured the nomination, apparently not in this case though.

I will continue to update the latest new hires in the Candy Store as election time gets closer, including the names and affiliations once the employment applications are received through FOI.