A BUSY WEEKEND FOR THE HARTFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT

As a result of the severe weather that Hartford had to deal with over the past weekend, fires and EMS calls played in small role in HFD's emergency responses.

HFD responded to over 253 emergency calls, many of them weather related.

On February 15th, HFD responded to 98 emergency calls and on February 16th they responded to 155 calls for service. The total HFD responses for the period was 376 weather /cold weather related calls.

 According to HFD Chief Reginald Freeman, on several occasions he heard radio conversations that the dispatcher stated that resources were down to "zero" due to the numerous simultaneous calls. Despite that workload, Freeman stated that the District Chiefs and the company officers and all personnel working handled the task with "poise and professionalism", rising to the task of meeting the emergency needs of the people of Hartford.

Freeman also stated that at the direction of Mayor Bronin, the City, HFD as well as few faith based organizations partnered together to ensure the safety of Hartford's people and make sure they had a safe place to keep warm during the sub zero temperatures. In addition to the City and HFD, the Asylum Hill Congregational Church and the Hartford Rescue Mission graciously opened their doors for approximately 120 residents. Both organizations also provided hot meals during that period.

Both organizations were given the "Chief's Award of Excellence" for their efforts this week  by Chief Freeman and presented by Councilman Jimmie Sanchez, The City Council's Public Safety Chair.

I received a call yesterday from a business person who experienced frozen pipes bursting in his building overnight Sunday. He was impressed by the efforts of HFD to what he called their "efforts above and beyond" to assist his cleanup efforts and removing the water from his business .

FROM HPD: HEROIN AND FENTANYL ARREST

During the month of February 2016 Detectives from the Hartford Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit were contacted by the investigators from the Southington Police Department in regards to an individual in Hartford that was selling "tainted" heroin. In the recent weeks, Southington PD had a fatal heroin overdose in their town. SPD informed HPD Vice & Narco detectives that they were able to identify a possible supplier of the "tainted" Heroin as male who went by the nickname "X", who was from Hartford. HPD Vice & Narco Detectives were able to identify "X" as being Xavier Quiles. Quiles became the focus of an expedited covert op.  began a narcotics investigation into him. The investigation included several undercover narcotics purchases, utilizing a undercover officers and informants. From the multiple controlled purchases, HPD Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for his arrest and a search warrant for his vehicle. Also during this investigation it was determined that Quiles resided at 11 Bell Court in East Hartford and that's where he was "stashing" his heroin.

 

With the assistance of East Hartford Police Narcotics Unit, the Detectives were able to stop and arrest Quiles as he exited his home to conduct a narcotics sale. Quiles was found in possession of (50) bags of heroin during this arrest. HPD Vice and Narcotics along with members of the East Hartford Police Narcotics unit then searched Quiles' East Hartford home. During the search, investigators recovered (453) bags of packaged heroin, 28.9 grams of  heroin/fentanyl, (50) grams of cocaine, numerous empty wax paper sleeves, cutting agents and other items used to package heroin as well as $11,727 in U.S. currency.

 

Quiles was arrested by East Hartford Police for several narcotic related charges then turned over to Hartford

Police where he was placed under arrest for the outstanding arrest warrant. Accused Quiles' 2008 Nissan Altima, which was used during several of the drug sales, was seized by the HPD Detectives. Several of the heroin purchased

from Quiles tested positive for Fentanyl, a drug added to heroin that makes the drug highly potent and frequently deadly to users who overdose. The heroin bags that investigators seized were identical to the bags that were located near the victim of the deadly heroin overdose. This investigation is ongoing.

 

Xavier Quiles, 26yo, LKA 11 Bell Court, East Hartford, CT (Convicted Felon, 20 previous Hartford PD arrests)

CHARGES:

1.       Possession of Narcotics

2.       Possession of Narcotics With Intent to Sell

3.       Possession of Narcotics With Intent to Sell within 1500 ft of school

4.       Drug Factory.

 

Evidence: (453) bags of packaged heroin.

Evidence: 28.9 grams of heroin/fentanyl and (50) grams of cocaine.

Evidence: $11,727 in U.S. currency.

Evidence: Numerous empty wax paper sleeves, cutting agents and other items used to package heroin.

 

MAYOR BRONIN TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETING ON PUBLIC SAFETY

MAYOR BRONIN TO HOLD TOWN HALL ON PUBLIC SAFETY NEXT THURSDAY

 

— MEDIA ADVISORY—

 

(February 18, 2016) On Thursday, February 25, 2016, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin will hold a town hall meeting with residents to discuss efforts to improve public safety throughout the City of Hartford. The event is an opportunity for residents to hear directly from the Mayor and have their questions answered. All Hartford residents are encouraged to attend.

 

---

 

WHO: Mayor Luke Bronin

WHAT: Town Hall on Public Safety

WHEN: Thursday, February 25; 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Hartford Public High School Auditorium, 55 Forest Street, Hartford

FROM HPD: STF DRIVE THRU WINDOW OPEN

On Saturday, December 26, 2015, a victim, who had just been shot at, drove his vehicle directly to the Hartford Shooting Task Force and reported the incident. The Hartford Shooting Task Force began an immediate investigation. The Victim reported that at approximately 4:00pm, while seated in his parked vehicle in front of 154 Mather Street, he was shot at several times. The victim reported he was not struck by the gunfire, but his car was hit several times. The victim drove away (while still being shot at) and went directly to the Hartford STF. The victim's vehicle was processed by HPD detectives. The detectives observed multiple projectile holes in the vehicle, consistent with gun fire. One projectile fragment was located inside the vehicle. Hartford STF detectives continued to investigate this incident and retrieved video surveillance from Willy's Super Deli at 154 Mather St. The surveillance video captured the incident as described by the victim: A male shooter opening fire on the victim's vehicle at 3:51pm. The video shows the victim exit the store as the shooter attempts to shoot to shoot him, but a malfunction occurred with the gun. The victim gets in his vehicle as the shooter clears the malfunction. The shooter then fires at the vehicle with the victim seated inside and attempting to drive away. After further investigation, Detectives were able to positively identify the shooter in the video as Eric White, 24 of Hartford, CT. Hartford STF Detectives prepared and submitted an Arrest Warrant to GA14 for White's arrest, charging him with Criminal Attempt at Assault 1st, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, Carrying a Pistol w/o a Permit and Criminal Possession of a Firearm. The warrant was granted on February 11th, 2016, with a Judge set bond of $1,000,000.00 cash or surety. On Tuesday, February 16th, 2016, White was apprehended without incident, with the assistance of CT Adult Probation Officers, at his probation appointment program located at 716 Windsor Street. White was on probation as a result of a previous conviction for Criminal Attempt Murder and Assault First Degree, on March 2nd, 2011. White declined to speak to Detectives concerning this incident and was transported to the PSC for booking and processing procedures. Accused: White, Eric, 24, of Hartford, CT. (Convicted Felon, on probation, 6 previous Hartford Arrests) Charges: 1.       Criminal Attempt at Assault 1st 2.       Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm 3.       Carrying a Pistol w/o a Permit 4.       Criminal Possession of a Firearm. Victim: 25 year old male of Windsor, CT., (multiple convicted felon, with 11 previous Hartford arrests) Previous arrest: http://articles.courant.com/2010-04-07/community/hc-web-hartford-arrest-0407apr07_1_convenience-store-murder-and-first-degree-assault-shooting

FULL COUNCIL AGENDA PACKAGE FOR FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Full Agenda Package Court of Common Council Meeting February 22, 2016

COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY 22, 2016

AGENDA
MEETING OF THE COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL
February 22, 2016
Approve the minutes of Regular Meetings of February 8, 2016.
ACTION TAKEN
COMMUNICATIONS
1. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to enter into Sign
Location License Agreement with The Lamar Companies for billboard location at 425 Ann
Uccello Street.
2. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to enter into a lease
with the Connecticut Children's Medical Center for office space located at 379-381
Washington Street.
HEARING DATE - Monday, March 14, 2016
3. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to enter into a
Construction Agreement and an Operating Agreement with the Hartford Public Library at 500
Main Street.
4. MAYOR BRONIN, with accompanying resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant from
the Connecticut Department of Public Health for activities designed to increase the rate of
immunization among Hartford children against infectious diseases.
5. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, Communication concerning the presentation on
Governor's Proposed Budget and presentation on Mayor's Legislative Agenda
REPORTS
6. OPERATIONS, MANAGEMENT, BUDGET AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
COMMITTEE, Report concerning an ordinance amending an ordinance establishing a Public
Recreational Facilities Authority for the City of Hartford and Authorizing the transfer of real
property to said Authority
7. OPERATIONS, MANAGEMENT, BUDGET AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
COMMITTEE, with accompanying resolution authorizing the transferring of funds from the
Sundry account: Non-Operating Department Expenditures to the Registrar of Voters Office
8. QUALITY OF LIFE AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, Report concerning Ordinance
Establishing Hartford as a Sanctuary City.
FOR ACTION
9. Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article IV, Section 2-105 of Code de Changing the name of
Metro Hartford Information Services to Metro Hartford Innovation Services.
10. Ordinance amending an ordinance establishing a Public Recreational Facilities Authority for
the City of Hartford and Authorizing the transfer of real property to said Authority.
RESOLUTIONS
11. (COUNCIL PRESIDENT CLARKE II) (MAJORITY LEADER CONCEPCION)
Appointment of Denise Best, Nicole Hughey and Julia Knowton to the LiveHartford Task
Force.
Attest: John V. Bazzano
City Clerk

AN ANDREW UPDATE

My nephew Andrew,. above, competing recently in Park City Utah

 

My nephew, Andrew Haraghey, continues his quest to qualify for the Paralympics to be held in 2018 in South Korea in the Alpine Downhill racing category. Andrew did just qualify for the World Cup races next month in Aspen , Colorado

 

 

Yesterday Andrew won  two bronze medals in speed races  in Aspen, CO. He is also qualified to compete in World Cup races next month. This is a HUGE accomplishment! Thanks to everyone that got him to this level!

Andrew developed Cerebral Palsy shortly after his birth. Despite his diagnosis, Andrew has worked  to overcome his challenge and is an amazing skier and inspiration to many.

Andrew's quest does not come without a price tag. The expenses for travel, training and equipment, as well as entrance fees for events, can add up. A portion of those  costs have been defrayed by a  Children's book my sister Sheryl wrote about her son Andrew. The book was also illustrated by my sister  and it has been well received, the second printing of the book came out last week. You can find out more at ":Andrew can Ski... Even with CP"  check it out here http://andrewcanski.com/

The Enfield Elks is going to help again with a Pasta dinner & dance fundraiser to help Andrew's efforts. Save the date... May 14.  More on this as details are developed.

You can find out more about Andrew and his quest at http://andrewraces.com/ a link to his "go fund me" page is there also, or click here https://www.gofundme.com/andrewraces

UPDATE: From Andrew's Facebook page this afternoon;

I just wanted to update everyone on the happenings so far, as I haven't posted in a while. I've been plenty busy, with competing in Canada in November, resulting in qualifying for World Cups in Speed events while achieving a 3.7 GPA at Westminster College for the fall semester. I then went on to compete in races throughout North America, where I ended up earning a silver medal in both the Super G, and Slalom at Whiteface resort. Through all my hard work, and the support of everyone around me, I have qualified for the World Cup Speed events in Aspen, Colorado later this month, as well as being wild carded into the World Cup tech event at Aspen as well.