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Wednesday, September 6, 2017

HPD WORKING TO CLEAN UP DIRTY BODEGA'S

Probably one of the biggest complaints at neighborhood community meetings are the negative impact on quality of life that many small neighborhood grocery stores have on street corners and neighborhood quality of life.

 The complaints range from  drug sales to illegal alcohol sales to loitering and gun violence.

Today the Hartford Police Department and several City and State agencies  conducted unannounced inspections of several of the businesses. Hartford Police officers, Hartford License and Inspections, Hartford Health Inspectors and the State of Connecticut Labor Department and Revenue Services focused on compliance with State and City regulations throughout the South District. Nine locations in total were inspected, and five of the stores were shut down immediately due to violations.

Carolina Grocery at 865 New Britain Avenue and Town Market at 1637 Park Street, had no violations found. Anthemy Supermarket at 3 Wethersfield Avenue had several violations, but none serious enough to shut down the store, although the health Department immediately ceased all food service. The State Labor Department opened an investigation into their staff issues and the Fire Marshall's Office began an investigation into Fire Code violations.

The Baldwin Grocery at 2 Baldwin Street was allowed to remain open after fixing electrical code violations.

The Platinum Grocery at 347 Wethersfield Avenue was shut down after  Health code violations were found, including an expired Health permit and they were ordered to stop selling food. Revenue Services issued summonses for sale of untaxed cigarettes and  the Labor Department also found labor violations. STORE CLOSED

Last Stop Market at 427 Wethersfield Avenue was shut down after State Inspectors found Revenue (Tax) issues and Labor violations. STORE CLOSED

The Beltre Family Grocery at 955 Broad Street was shut down after inspectors found Labor and Revenue issues and Health Inspectors found no current Health Permit for the operation. STORE CLOSED

G&C Grocery, 760 Park Street was shut down after State Inspectors found Workers Compensation issues. STORE CLOSED

El Comerio Grocery at 307 Zion Street was also shut down after State Inspectors found Worker's Compensation issues and Revenue Inspectors issued summonses for Tax violations.

Good Work addressing Quality of Life issues in the South End by all involved, including the Southend CSO's, Sergeant Kevin Oulette and Lieutenant Ian Powell as well as all other City and State inspectors involved


Wednesday, August 30, 2017

PROBABLY NOTHING TO JOKE ABOUT, BUT...

This is probably nothing to joke about, but these are the same people that are terrorizing the world with threats of Nuclear war? And we think we have problems?

A VERY TOUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE LESSON FOR UNDERAGE DRINKERS

 
 
Usually community service through the Hartford Community Court is pretty tedious, picking up trash, cleaning graffiti, etc.

Today that community service took a turn for a few  underage drinkers who had been summonsed at the recent Florida Georgia Line Concert at the Xfinity Theater.  The minors had been ticketed for underage drinking.

As part of their arrest and Community Court appearances, the underage drinkers had been assigned to litter detail cleaning up Hartford's Keney Park.

 A source familiar with the incident said that the underage drinkers were cleaning litter from a trail in the Park when they discovered the body of Hartford's latest homicide victim.

Hartford Police were immediately notified and the homicide investigation began and the violators suddenly became witnesses to a homicide scene.

The injuries were reportedly quite gruesome and will probably have a lasting impression on the minors

LET'S BE FAIR

Media outlets in Hartford are running a story this evening that makes it appear as though some great journalistic work has uncovered additional details in the arrest of a Hartford Police Detective this past weekend.

The fact of the matter is that details of racial and ethnic comments made by that officer only came to light after an e-mail was sent to several "community partners", myself included.

The e-mail was sent by Deputy Chief Brian Foley Tuesday evening at 9:01PM  and is  in the HPD's continuing efforts at transparency and building and maintaining the public's trust.

I think it is important to give credit to Chief Rovella and Deputy Chief Foley and all officers at HPD that are part of that effort.

So to be honest, it is not some great journalism, but more a great effort at continuing community relations by HPD.

Foley Email by on Scribd

PROFITING OFF DISABILITY IN HARTFORD

And just when you thought Hartford couldn't go much lower, here they go. With little fanfare or public discussion, some may call it transparency, the Hartford Parking Authority is beginning  a new program as of September 1, 2017 stating that they will no longer recognize Handicap Parking permits for parking exemptions. Other than discussions from concerned residents on Facebook, there seems to be little attempt to advise the public of the changes..

The Parking Authority has the following statement on their website:


To reduce abuse of accessible parking spaces, starting on September 1, 2017, HPA will no longer allow free on-street, metered parking for motorists displaying accessible parking permits intended for people with disabilities.
In the downtown area, one out of six cars in a metered space currently displays an accessible parking permit, indicating there is a significant amount of permit abuse. This means that those truly in need must overcome the challenge and frustration of not being able to access parking in close proximity to the places they frequent.
HPA ensures that our newest technology parking meters and our new “Woonerf” parking app will provide a useful and convenient means for lawful accessible parking permit holders to pay for parking.

Now I will be the first one to admit that there is definitely widespread abuse in the Handicap Parking permits.Doctor's seem to give them out like candy and  I am sure we all know someone who has kept a permit from a dead relative to be able to  grab a coveted parking space marked with the blue wheelchair at Walmart or the mall. I am a little unsure of the Hartford Parking authorities claim that one out of six cars parked in a metered space downtown is occupied by a fraudulent handicap permit holder, that seems a little excessive.

Regardless, is it right to penalize disabled persons who legitimately use their permits to park instead of targeting the frauds? Maybe , just maybe, if we can find grant money to pursue drivers with a cell phone to their ear, can't we do the same for the more despicable drivers who are willing to capitalize on disabled persons to beat the City out of a few dollars?

There is also an issue of whether the parking kiosk's comply with the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that needs to be thoroughly addressed also. Private business owners are forced to comply with ADA regulations everyday for everything from bathrooms to fire pull station heights., so shouldn't the government and the Hartford Parking Authority be held to the same standard.

This is a quick posting to get the word out on this policy before it is implemented, but I will  be requesting additional information from the HPA through a Freedom of Information request and I will post that information here when the HPA complies. Calls requesting comment from the HPA have not been returned at this point.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

WHAT IS THE TRANSITION PLAN?

No one can accuse Mayor Luke Bronin of showing or exercising much vision when it comes to the future of Hartford.  He does deserve an A- plus for placing blame though and has proven pretty good at blaming everyone else for the failures of City Hall. Everyone else except himself though. Bronin may have to start taking responsibility soon though.

Almost two years ago, I had spoke to several City Council people and posted here regarding the renewal of the contract for Hartford Police Chief James Rovella .The renewal appeared to be in jeopardy for some time, but eventually the City came to it senses and offered a 2 year renewal to Rovella.

I had stressed to the people that I spoke with that that the contract should come with a stipulation that the City should  promote from within or go outside to find a suitable Assistant Chief to work closely  with Rovella and be ready to succeed Rovella for a clean and smooth transition when Rovella leaves.

Here is my posting regarding Rovella's contract and the need for a succesion plan from 2015. http://wethepeoplehartford.blogspot.com/2016/09/if-it-matters-i-support-chief-rovella.html

I know, more crazy talk from me. Decent management plans are not something known to the City of Hartford ,where chaos and incompetence abounds.

Needless to say, no successor was ever identified. No successor was mentored by Chief Rovella and no "heir apparent" is in place, even though Chief Rovella is leaving in a few short months.

Keeping HPD functioning under the current conditions is a miracle in itself and is a credit to the skills of Chief Rovella. In a City racked with financial issues and a police department that is almost 150 officers short and the remaining officers working without a current contract, it is amazing it works at all.

I am not sure Mayor Bronin comprehends the importance of his pick for Police Chief. I am already hearing that the next Chief has  quite possibly been chosen by Bronin. If sources are accurate, it may very well be a high ranking Connecticut State Police Trooper. I hope , for once, my sources are wrong, because it would be a huge mistake for Bronin to make the selection without any transparency or even public input. Before Chief Rovella was appointed as the permanent Chief there were numerous public forums and interviews, some might say inquisitions held.

Adding to the problem is the fact that Chief Rovella has kept the Assistant Chief's spots unfilled for the last couple years for budget reasons. Long term that might prove to be a mistake.

The bench is pretty thin at HPD right now for anyone even close to Rovella's skills and knowledge. Two names are currently circulating as potential Assistant Chief 's in preparation. One, Deputy Chief William Long is probably the most qualified and capable, but as this is Hartford, most qualified and capable doesn't usually count for much. The second name being floated has more baggage than an arrivals carousel at Bradley Airport, so he will probably be the Bronin pick. You can read about some of that baggage here, and there is plenty more that I am sure will come out eventually. "Conduct unbecoming" charges are not good attributes for a potential key leadership role

The future of HPD is too important and valuable for Hartford and its residents to make poor, hasty or even political decisions regarding the next Chief.

We need a Chief similar to Chief Rovella, not a puppet of City Hall.