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Sunday, September 2, 2018

CAN LESSONS BE LEARNED FROM THE BARONE INCIDENT?

After watching the Funeral service for Senator John McCain, I couldn't help if anyone was listening to the eulogies or  any thing  will  be changed or be learned from John McCain's life and death.

 For some reason I kept thinking about Hartford and the incident involving Sergeant Stephen Barone and questioning if anything will  be learned from the incident and will any positive change come about, or will we go the other way and use some one's mistake to further divide our City.

I'm sure if our President had the chance, he would probably take back  his poorly chosen words he uttered on the campaign trail regarding Senator McCain's captivity as a prisoner of war. Instead our President has chosen to dig in his heels and continue the divide.

I can only hope and pray that the Barone incident won't be handled the same way . All indications are that will not be allowed to happen. I know everyone will not be accepting of the eventual outcome, but as a community it is now part of our history, and we need to learn a lesson and make sure this type of history does not repeat itself.

Hartford over the years has been very progressive in its programs to build positive Police/Community relations. I think as a City we all have been very fortunate to benefit from the results of those programs , but we still have a long way to go. Sadly. some of the best programs have been decimated by the cost cutting ax that is swung annually by a City Hall that is more focused on preserving things such as high priced Council Assistants while slashing funding for Community Service Officers (CSO's)and other programs that have shown positive results  The School Resource Officer program  which assigned Police  Officers to serve as positive role models in Hartford Schools has gone the way of the dinosaurs and is now extinct in the Hartford Schools.

To be fair though, the SRO's were removed from the schools more at the request of the Board of Education than by HPD. Whatever the reason, it was a stupid move, especially in our High Schools where it could help to build positive relationships between police officers and students as well as a potential recruitment tool to let students see police officers as normal human beings and not an occupying force to be feared.

Like I said earlier, not everyone will be happy with the eventual outcome of the numerous meeting held between community partners, politicians and the Police Administration. I have spoke with several people who have been included in those meetings and hearing that termination is "off the table". Let me get that one out of the way first because many  of our so called "community leaders" have been insisting on termination.

Even more surprising is that many of those calling for Barone's termination are ministers  and religious people. Now I usually don't get around to quoting the bible in my arguments, but I have to wonder how religious people can preach God's teachings from the Bible, and then totally ignore them when it doesn't suit their needs.

I am sure we have all heard at one time or another "Lest he who is without guilt, cast the first stone". No , I am not asking to call off the stoning of Sergeant Barone, but I think it is important that the 'punishment" fits the crime.  This verse is not speaking to not judging at all , it is speaking to judging unfairly or in  any other  selfish way.

I have asked many people to name an offense committed by Sergeant Barone that is a termination worthy offense. Poor decision, but definitely not termination. Keep in mind that no criminal statute violation occurred or has been claimed. Not even a violation of the Hartford Police Departments Code of conduct.

Any termination for political expediency , and that's the only reason it would happen, would most likely result in a wrongful termination lawsuit that would cost the taxpayers of Hartford a large amount of money to defend. In the end, the most likely judgment, for Sergeant Barone's poor choice of words would be a judgment in favor of Barone. That judgment, if past history is any indication, would most likely be an order to rehire Barone with reimbursement for past due lost  pay and benefits along with interest and quite possibly a monetary settlement and reimbursement for his legal expense which would be large.

And I don't want to go off the rails here, but we can't have different standards for Barone than we have for our so called "Community leaders". I have been told by more than one source that in one of the HPD meetings  that a community leader was far from showing any leadership when they commented that anything short of Barone's termination would result in "buildings burning in North Hartford". Is that what little these leaders thing of the people they are supposed to represent ?

It also seems hypocritical  to move to condemn Barone for his poor choice of words, whatever the intent, and then threaten arson for North Hartford.  Bad choices are bad choices... across the board.

Again, to not use this  incident as a tool to learn and build from is a huge waste.  I do honestly think that Stephen Barone should be, and will be demoted from his rank of Sergeant. I do not think he will be terminated and he will have a long road ahead of him to once again prove himself and regain the trust of the people of Hartford. That is my hope that Stephen Barone will appreciate the opportunity that is afforded him if the eventual decision is to allow him to stay on HPD and that opportunity will make him a stronger, more compassionate human being 

 I am also told that when the full 12 minute video is released, we will have a much different impression than the edited, 90 second or so clip posted on Facebook. There was clearly an agenda in play here to not release the full video by the Facebook posters.

This is a huge opportunity for Chief Rosado to do the right thing and use this incident as a learning experience for every one of his officers and build community trust, and to do that it has to be addressed openly and candidly, with Barone also as part of that discussion and maybe a better explanation so we can get to know the person, not just rhetoric from Facebook

In the meantime, I keep thinking about Matthew 7:1, "lest he who is without guilt" How many of us can answer "yes, that's me , no guilt, never said anything wrong that I regretted afterwards."

DOUBLE HOMICIDE SUNDAY MORNING

On Sunday, 9/2/18, Patrol responded to the Hillside Avenue area on two separate shot spotter notifications. Responding officers located 2 male victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in front of 267 Hillside Avenue. The 2 victims were transported to Hartford Hospital where they were pronounced deceased.

 A third victim was located at the intersection of New Britain Avenue suffering from an non-life threatening gunshot wound to his ankle. The Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions responded and assumed the investigation. Detective Verrengia was assigned as the lead investigator. The homicide victims were identified as Kevin Campbell (4/4/84) of 150 Giddings Street, Windsor and Joshua Steele (5/3/90) of 12 Merrill Street, Harford.

Friday, August 31, 2018

FROM HPD- DRUG DEALING FELON WITH GUN ARRESTED

On Thursday August 30, 2018, Detectives from Vice & Narcotics and Street Crimes Unit, conducted a street level narcotics interdiction operation. The operation was initiated to address the numerous complaints for street level drug dealing. While conducting the operation, numerous suspects were observed engaged in narcotics sales and were arrested. 

One suspect, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm semi-auto pistol and secured without incident. As a result of the operation and investigation, (1) semi-auto 9mm pistol, approx. 1000 bags Heroin/Fentanyl, Marijuana, Crack Cocaine and approx. $20,000 in US Currency was seized. In total, (6) adult suspects were arrest.

A1) Kenny Laporte Dob: 9/22/86 Lka: 49 Roxbury St. Hartford, CT Hartford, CT

Charged: Criminal Possession Firearm, Weapons in M/V, Pistol W/O Permit, Possession Narcotics, PWITS Narcotics, Criminal Trespass 3rd.

A2) Davin Benjamin Dob: 5/16/66 Lka: 12 Hayes Road East Hampton, CT 

Charges: Possession Narcotics (2cts), Improper Turn.

A3) Jenna Talcott Dob: 5/23/91 Lka: 35 Spring St. Lebanon, NH 

Charges: Possession Narcotics, PWITS Narcotics.

A4) Genesia Santiago Dob: 5/12/87 Lka: 49 Roxbury St. Hartford, CT 

Charges: Trespassing 3rd.

A5) Johnston Cox Dob: 12/30/76 Lka: 41 Ash Drive Windsor CT 

Charges: Possession Narcotics, PWITS Narcotics, Trespassing 3rd,

A6) Anthony Beckman Dob: 9/18/93 Lka: 163 Clark St. Hartford, CT 

Charges: Trespassing 3rd.

FROM HPD- SCHOOL BUS STRUCK BY JUVENILE DRIVING STOLEN VEHICLE

On August 30, 2018, at approximately 0746 hours, patrol units responded to the intersection of Campfield Avenue and Maple Avenue in response to a report of a motor vehicle accident. It was reported that a school bus was struck from behind by a Ford Edge and the operator then fled the scene. The school bus had one student aboard at the time of incident who was found to have sustained no injuries. 



Officers began further investigating the crash and was able to determine that the fleeing vehicle was a 2015 Ford Edge reported stolen form Waterbury, CT on August 28, 2018. A broadcast was given, via radio, to advise area units of the incident. Patrol units and Detectives from the Major Crimes Auto Theft Unit began canvassing the surrounding area in search of the vehicle. 



Officers observed the vehicle being operated in the Behind the Rocks area of the city. The vehicle was observed to have suffered heavy front end damage. Officers began following the vehicle from a distance while broadcasting the direction of travel to area units. Additional patrol units and ATU Detectives responded and a motor vehicle stop was successfully initiated in the area of 210 Exeter Street. The driver was taken into custody without incident and later identified as a sixteen year old juvenile.



The juvenile was issued a juvenile summons for the charges of Larceny 1st Degree, Using Motor Vehicle without Owner's Permission, and Criminal Trover 2nd Degree with a court appearance date at the Hartford Superior Court for Juvenile Matters. The juvenile was further issued a misdemeanor summons by Officer for the charges of Evading Responsibility, Operating Motor Vehicle without a License, and Following to Closely (case 18-25920). The juvenile was transported to the Special Investigations Division for processing and later released to the custody of a guardian.








FROM HPD-ARREST FOR DRUNKEN GUN PLAY

On August 31, 2018 at approximately 0005 hours, patrol units responded to 201 Plainfield Street for a report of shots fired. Shot Spotter activated and recorded one gun shot at 201 Plainfield St. Upon arrival units located the below listed Accused Kevin Johns. The investigation found Johns was on his porch drinking. He was determined under the influence of alcohol when he spontaneously fired one gun shot up, into the air (from the porch).

 A search for a scene and/or items of evidentiary value yielded one .38 special shell casing and one .38 Special Revolver which was secured and placed in the property room. Local and surrounding hospitals reported no victims. No property damage was located.


Accused: Kevin Johns , DOB 07/20/1956  of 201 Plainfield St. Hartford, CT


Charges: CGS 29-35, Carrying a Pistol without a Permit, CGS 53-203, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, CGS 53-206d, Carrying a Firearm Under the Influence, CGS 563a-63, Reckless Endangerment.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

FROM HPD- FENTANYL ARREST

On Thursday 8/30/2018, at approximately 0600 hours, Detectives from the Statewide Narcotics Task Force, Vice and Narcotics, assisted by Hartford ERT, conducted a warrant service operation for 54 Alden Street. The warrant operation was in response to an active investigation into the illegal drug trafficking (Fentanyl) from the identified residential location. As a result of the operation, detectives located narcotics and a loaded firearm. The primary suspect of the investigation, a convicted felon on parole, was remanded to Hartford Correctional Center with narcotics and firearm related charges pending. A second suspect of the investigation was arrested on-scene and transported to State Police Troop H, Hartford for processing, charged with narcotics and child endangerment charges. Refer all questions to CSP - SNTF North Central Office.



Accused: Danielle Cusano DOB: 1/12/90 LKA: 54 Alden St. (1St floor west) Hartford, CT

 

Charges: Child Risk of Injury and Narcotics Sales related charges.