DON'T HANDCUFF OUR POLICE, HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE INSTEAD

It is sad that our City Council tries so hard to create problems where they don't exist. A prime example is the proposed Ordinance  to restrict the use of technology by the Hartford Police Department.

It is also unfortunate that Council members can't , or won't , come up with proposals based upon their constituents needs but rather jump on board with legislation dangled in front of them by the ACLU. I never voted for an ACLU lawyer to represent me on the Hartford City Council. Our Council members need to get out in the Community more and start listening to what is important to residents of the City. And not only act like they are listening after they rile people up with misinformation

Early this spring, City residents were sending a message loud and clear at every opportunity that ATV's and crime were an issue. The Hartford Police responded with a program that included aerial surveillance and the operation was successful in clearing many of the ATV's off our streets for most of the summer. That aerial surveillance in the future will include a "drone" aspect to provide the aerial view and tracking for illegal activity on our streets and in our Parks.

Another aspect of the Council's disdain for technology is video surveillance, especially facial recognition technology. Facial recognition technology is used in many instances now, such as sporting events, concerts and other venues that attract large numbers of people. It serves a purpose and if that purpose is to keep us safer in this day and age, I have a hard time condemning that technology and I don't feel threatened by it.

Much of the Council's opposition to HPD technology is not due to the "Big Brother" watching  fears, it is more about promoting Hartford as a Sanctuary City where everyone if free of any fear of detection. The sad part is that even people who choose to come here because Hartford is known as a Sanctuary City, still have the same potential of being victims of crime as everyone else, possibly more.

The Council's anti-Police Technology agenda, and make no mistake, there is an agenda in play here, only serves to foster  greater mistrust in our Police Department. If the Hartford City Council were serious about holding our Police Department accountable to its residents, the Civilian Police Review Board  would be fully functional and meeting regularly to let residents know that their complaints would be handled promptly  and dealt with when issues arise. Not the lapdog joke it has been allowed to become under the Council's oversight ,  or should I say lack of oversight

We are fortunate as a City that we don't face the problems that many other Cities face with their Police Departments. Is HPD perfect? Absolutely not, our Police Department can always improve and strive to do better, but let's not create problems for someone's self serving agenda.  Transparency is a huge issue for any Police Department in gaining and holding the Public's trust.

HPD is a leader, in my opinion, in transparency. As an example, last week after an Officer involved shooting, HPD Command Staff released audio recordings within hours of the event. Other cities may take close to a year to release recordings.

If the Hartford City Council set aside their personal agendas and started actually working for their constituents needs, maybe things would change.

It is popular to attack the Police these days, but it should also be popular for elected Council members to attack homelessness, slumlords, disgusting living conditions, childhood asthma, gun violence, drug deaths, Hell, even the inequality of auto insurance rates for City resident's should be important, but I guess those issues are less important to the ACLU than a drone protecting Hartford residents.

FROM HPD

18-35123

On Monday November 19, 2018, Detectives from V&N conducted a plainclothes narcotics operation for the area of 762 Park Street (Bean Pot Restaurant). The operation was conducted in an effort to address the ongoing open air narcotics complaints which plague the area, reported by the business owners. The operation resulted in the arrest of numerous suspects for narcotics related charges or trespassing related complaints. As a result of the operation, (10) adult suspects were arrested on narcotics related charges. Numerous packaged Fentanyl, Crack Cocaine, Cocaine and Marijuana items were recovered from the arrestees. Several suspects were found to have active warrants, which were served during the booking process.

A1) Peter Boccacio Dob: 9/27/68 Lka: 24 Roxbury Street, East Hartford, Connecticut 

• Poss. of Narcotics, Criminal Trespass 3rd.

A2) Carl Jones Dob: 05/28/81 Lka: 1630 Main Street East Hartford, CT 

• Poss Narcotics, Sales Narcotics, Criminal Trespass 3rd.

• Poss Narcotics (2cts), Sales Narcotics 

(2cts), Criminal Trespass 3rd.

• Poss Narcotics (2cts), Sales Narcotics, Criminal Trespass 3rd.

A3) John Gray Dob: 5/01/81 Lka: 584 Main Street New Hartford, CT 

• Poss Narcotics (2cts)

A4) Alberto Rodriguez Dob: 2/19/98 187 South Marshall Street Hartford, CT 

• Operating Suspended License, Op Unregistered M/V, Misuse Registration.

A5) Luis Galindez Dob: 9/20/69 Lka: 560 Hungerford Street Hartford, CT 

• Poss. of Narcotics, Poss. Controlled Substance (Marijuana).

A6) Christopher Ayala Dob: 11/16/90 Lka: 33 Benton Street Hartford, CT PRAWN Warrant: Criminal Trespassing 3rd, Interfering W/Police FTA 2nd PRAWN Warrant: Poss. Cont. Sub., Op Suspend Lic., FTR registration, FTA 2nd

A7) Kirk Marshall Dob: 5/16/87 Lka: 37 New Street Bristol, CT

• Poss. of Narcotics, Criminal Trespass 3rd.

PRAWN Warrant: Identity Theft 3rd, Larceny 2nd, Forgery 3rd, FTA 1st. PRAWN Warrant: Larceny 6th, FTA 2nd

A8) Rosemary Soto Dob: 2/17/69 Lka: 20 Bary Lane Unionville, CT 

• Poss. of Narcotics, Criminal Trespass 3rd.

A9) David Castellano Dob; 11/29/74 Lka: 194 Russ Street Hartford, CT

• Op. Sus Lic., Op Unreg. M/V, Misuse Registration, No Insurance, Trespass 3rd.

A10) Luis Ramos Dob: 2/25/70 Lka: 50 Forest Street Hartford, Connecticut 

• Poss. of Narcotics, Criminal Trespass 3rd.

18-35178

On 11/19/18 at approximately 7:45pm, officers responded to the intersection of Airport Road and Wethersfield Avenue to investigate a multi vehicle car accident involving a stolen vehicle. Upon arrival, officers learned the complainant spotted his vehicle in the south district of the city, and began chasing it northbound on Wethersfield Avenue. 

The accused ran a red light and struck a vehicle traveling eastbound across Wethersfield Avenue onto Airport Road. The operator of the stolen vehicle lost control and struck the front porch of 637 Wethersfield Avenue. 

Once stopped, the owner of the stolen vehicle and a friend of his began assaulting the suspect with a baseball bat. All parties were arrested and charged accordingly. 

Arrested: Gerardo Santiago 06/17/88 of 217 Wethersfield Avenue Apt. 6 Hartford, CT

Charges: Larceny 3rd, Reckless driving, Using M/V without owners permission, criminal trover 2nd and Breach of peace 

Arrested: Felix Cruz 08/21/81 of 34 Madison Street Apt. 1W Hartford, CT

Charges: Assault 2nd, Reckless driving, Operating M/V without license and Breach of peace

Arrested: Osniel Gonzalez 03/01/84 97 Grandview Terrace Hartford, CT

Charges: Assault 2nd and Breach of peace

**no mugshots at this time**

WE DON'T NEED "THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS" FOR SHOOTING VICTIMS, WE NEED ENFORCEMENT OF GUN LAWS

Jose Rivera-Cruz

It seems that every time we have another tragic shooting, politicians, including our two US Senators, can't wait to run to the nearest television camera to remind us that their "thoughts and prayers" are with the victims  and their families and that they will work hard to pass gun control legislation.

I just want to mention to them, the issue is not more gun legislation.The answer is to strongly start enforcing the legislation we already have on the books with serious accountability for violating gun laws.

Look at the case this weekend of Jose Rivera Cruz. Rivera -Cruz has been arrested and released at least six times over the last few months  on charges that included illegal weapons charges and other crimes of violence

Rivera-Cruz was arrested on Halloween evening less than three weeks ago on Bond Street while he was in possession of a Colt M-15 rifle, a stolen 9mm Glock handgun, 366 bags of heroin/fentanyl, 6 grams of crack cocaine, 4 suboxone films, and 37 rounds of live ammunition. He has since been released on bond. 

Last night  information was obtained that Mr. Rivera-Cruz was once again in the area of Bond Street and armed with a firearm. A motor vehicle stop was initiated for motor vehicle violations, at which point Mr. Rivera-Cruz engaged police in a short vehicle and foot pursuit which ended in the area of 250 Columbus Blvd.  Mr. Rivera-Cruz was in possession of a handgun at the time of his arrest.  He is currently in custody and being interviewed by members of the Felony Violence Reduction Team.  Motor vehicle and firearm charges will be applied shortly.

 At 4:59pm Saturday, members of the Hartford Police Department arrested Mr. Jose Rivera-Cruz in the area of Columbus Blvd after a short motor vehicle and foot pursuit. 

Rivera-Cruz is currently being held on a $1.2 million bond stemming from the following charges: 

 

     Reckless Driving 

     Evading Responsibility (2 Counts)

     Criminal Mischief 3 (2 Counts) 

     Misuse of Plates 

     Failure to Renew Registration 

     Failure to Carry Insurance Card

     Criminal Trespass 3

     Interfering with Police 

     Weapons in a Motor Vehicle 

     Criminal Possession of Pistol/Revolver 

     Carrying Pistol with out Permit 

     Engaging Police in Pursuit 

If the Hartford County   States Attorney is incapable or unwilling to come down hard  on gun crimes, then maybe there needs to be a change to someone that will. The case of Rivera -Cruz is a perfect example of a threat that does not deserve to be out in public terrorizing our neighborhoods. No good can possibly come from a drug dealer roaming the streets, running from the Police, in possession of an assault rifle.

A long jail sentence should be proper and just for someone like Jose Rivera-Cruz

FROM HPD

At 4:59pm this evening, members of the Hartford Police Department arrested Mr. Jose Rivera-Cruz in the area of Columbus Blvd after a short motor vehicle and foot pursuit. 

Mr. Rivera-Cruz was arrested on Halloween evening less than three weeks ago on Bond Street while he was in possession of a Colt M-15 rifle, a stolen 9mm Glock handgun, 366 bags of heroin/fentanyl, 6 grams of crack cocaine, 4 suboxone films, and 37 rounds of live ammunition. He has since been released on bond. 

On today’s date, information was obtained that Mr. Rivera-Cruz was once again in the area of Bond Street and armed with a firearm. A motor vehicle stop was initiated for motor vehicle violations, at which point Mr. Rivera-Cruz engaged police in a short vehicle and foot pursuit which ended in the area of 250 Columbus Blvd.  Mr. Rivera-Cruz was in possession of a handgun at the time of his arrest.  He is currently in custody and being interviewed by members of the Felony Violence Reduction Team.  Motor vehicle and firearm charges will be applied shortly. More information will be disseminated as it becomes available.

 Mr. Rivera-Cruz is currently being held on a $1.2 million bond stemming from the following charges: 

 

     Reckless Driving 

     Evading Responsibility (2 Counts)

     Criminal Mischief 3 (2 Counts) 

     Misuse of Plates 

     Failure to Renew Registration 

     Failure to Carry Insurance Card

     Criminal Trespass 3

     Interfering with Police 

     Weapons in a Motor Vehicle 

     Criminal Possession of Pistol/Revolver 

     Carrying Pistol with out Permit 

     Engaging Police in Pursuit 

WHEN WILL THE REVOLUTION BEGIN TO TAKE BACK OUR CITY?

Our founding fathers built this Country on the idea of a "Representative Democracy".

Take a moment to think, forgetting State and National politics for the time being, just ask yourself , locally who is representative of your thoughts and ideas, does anyone listen to you locally?

Have you ever attended a City Council meeting and felt that Councilmembers were actually there to represent you and what affects your daily life and the lives of your family?

Better yet,  have you ever attempted to speak during the Public comment session and did you feel as though anyone was listening from the Council Dais? Several of the Council members were probably missing or eventually wandered in when it fit their schedule. And if they were sitting there, were they actually listening or were they busier texting on their phones or whispering their side conversations , not hearing a word from the public speakers,.

In a City our size, we should be able to find people that actually represent us. People we know from school functions, people we know from the grocery store, people we know from Church, people we know from attending NRZ meetings , people we know from volunteering with out in OUR community.

Our system is broke, no doubt about it, and the power is in our hands to fix it. We need to take that power back if we are going to change our City to actually work for us and not for the politically well connected. We need to elect people because they care about us and actually can relate to us. Not people that know how to play the Democratic Town Committee ass kissing game in order to get shoved down our throats  or radical enough in their thinking to garner the favor of the Working Families Party, many of these people we have never seen out  in our neighborhoods at a Community clean up or food drive or recognizable to most residents.

Ok, a quick test here, name the members of the Hartford City Council that represent you, name three members of the Hartford Democratic Town Committee from your neighborhood.

We have to stop electing people because they know how to use the United States Post Office to send fundraising letters across the Country to line their political coffers to buy their offices.

That is not representative Democracy as our forefathers intended, that is selling our Government to the highest bidders.

The POWER is in our hands and we need to come together as a Community to start flexing that power for our own well being and not the well being of the political leeches in our City.