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Friday, February 22, 2019

FROM HPD: 2019 HOMICIDE NUMBER 5

On Thursday February 21, 2019 at approximately 2131 hours, Hartford Police Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a person being stabbed at 2327 Main Street. Responding Patrol Officers located a victim, who sustained multiple stab wounds, and the suspect who was taken into custody without incident. The victim was transported to Saint Francis Hospital for treatment and later succumbed to his injuries. The Major Crimes Division was notified and assumed control of the investigation. The suspect, Mayceo Montford DOB 01/03/1975 was later charged with one count of Murder and is currently being held in lieu of a $1,000,000 dollar bond.

Victim: Banks, Shawn DOB 08/29/1978 of 603 Blue Hills Avenue, Hartford, CT

FROM HPD: PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY TRUCK IDENTIFIED

The identity of yesterday’s Tractor Trailer vs. pedestrian motor vehicle accident at High Street and Walnut Street is the following:

Injured Pedestrian- Carl Loven DOB 07/11/1941, resident of Hartford, CT.
Mr. Loven is still in critical condition as a result of the accident.

The HPD Crime Scene Division is still investigating the case.  No charges have been filed.  The operator of the TT remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.


Monday, February 18, 2019

NEXT HPD RECRUIT CLASS INCREASING DIVERSITY

Some basic numbers for the incoming HPD recruit class scheduled to begin in March.

The class is made up of 2 Black males, 3 Black females, 6 Hispanic males, 3 Hispanic females,3 White males, 1 White female.

5 are Hartford Residents, 14 are non residents

The class was originally scheduled for 19 recruits, but 1 Hispanic male has dropped out.

**Note- There are no requirements to identify as LGBTQ and those stats are not kept

HPD MAKES ROBBERY ARREST

19-5482/Commercial Robbery w/ Firearm

On 2/18/19 at approximately 0917, officers responded to the Dollar General, located at 281 Barbour Street to investigate a robbery complaint.   Upon arrival, the complainant/victim informed officers the accused concealed several bottles of shampoo within his backpack. As the accused approached the front of the store and passed all points of purchase, the complainant confronted the accused and requested he remove the unpaid merchandise from his backpack. The accused immediately lifted his shirt, revealing a handle of what was perceived to be a firearm and stated, "I don't have nothing, see." The accused left the store and was located by officers in the area of  5 Love Lane. MCD was on scene. The BB gun was recovered and the accused charged appropriately.

Arrested: Ottah Holder 08/19/73 of 100 Nutmeg Lane East Hartford, CT
Charge: Robbery 1st

Friday, February 15, 2019

#ME TOO, EXCEPT IN HARTFORD

When you enter most City of Hartford buildings you should notice the large blue and white signs proclaiming Hartford's policy of "zero Tolerance" for workplace violence , sexual harassment and blah, blah , blah,. The blah , blah , blah part I added as my editorial content, but apparently that is also the policy of the powers to be for the City of Hartford.
The recent complaint filed by Hartford Police Officer Kelly Baerga, an openly gay officer and the Department's liaison to the LGBTQ community. Baerga's claims paint a very troubling scenario of sexual harassment that may exist between at least one supervisor, Sergeant Andrew Rodney and Baerga.
This case does not appear to be a "he said/she said" type allegation but rather has been apparently witnessed by several others including Lieutenant Paul West..
If even 10% of what Baerga claims is accurate, there is no place for anyone like Andrew Rodney to have a leadership or supervisory role at HPD. And let me just say that I have no reason to believe that 100% of her complaint is not accurate and I am not trying to trivialize her claims, I think this is a pattern of behavior by Rodney.
Rodney was also the subject of a blog posting first reported on this blog in January of 2018.Rodney came under scrutiny after he removed an AR-15 assault rifle from a Community gun buyback by meeting the resident in the parking lot and offering her cash to be able to buy the gun for his "personal collection". You can read that post here.
Although, on the face value, Baerga's claim seems to be credible, Sergeant Rodney has also made media comments acknowledging his behavior, further enhancing the credibility of the complaint.
The timeline and the claim of lack of response by HPD's Administration seems to be a little cloudy though, for various reasons. Baerga mentions in her complaint  that "on or about May 31, 2018" she spoke to Assistant Chief Ralph Medina to explain the incident. Once that conversation was complete, according to documents obtained by "We the People", Medina immediately transferred Rodney out of recruiting and moved him to the South District in a different supervisory role. 

Although Baerga claims that she felt her and Lieutenant West were being punished for filing a sexual harassment complaint  the internal time line obtained by WTP appears to disprove that. Documents show that on May 15, 2018 Lieutenant Ian Powell, Deputy Chief Sonya Watson and Deputy Chief Dustin Rendock were all advised Simultaneously by Assistant Chief Medina that Lieutenant West would temporarily be transferred to the South District as the Commander during Lieutenant Powell's absence and that assignment would begin immediately until June 9, 2018.
In and by itself, Rodney's behavior should be troubling enough , and a pretty clear cut violation of the City's and HPD's  Harassment and discrimination Policy and makes you wonder when the "zero Tolerance" policy kicks in.
Even more  troubling is that Andrew Rodney is an elected official and a member of the Hartford Democratic Town Committee for the 7th District. Where is the outcry from Hartford's Democrats? Is discrimination and harassment against gay employees as long as race is not mixed in?
Sergeant Andrew Rodney on the steps of Hartford City Hall as Mayor Bronin announces his re-election bid

 Hartford Democratic Town Committee , 7th District roster
Is it ok to be a member of the DTC as long as you stand behind the incumbent Mayor as he announces his reelection bid and as long as you show your loyalty your behavior doesn't matter. People have been forced to resign for far less than Baerga's allegations  documented homophobic behavior, but yet Hartford's political "leaders" are conveniently silent.
Where is Mayor Bronins statement? Where is the 7th District State Rep Joshua Hall? Where is Hartford's Democratic Chairperson Marc DiBella?Where are the other Mayoral candidates? If this were an issue of racial discrimination, every Councilperson and politician would be running for the closest microphone to make their opinions known. Is this issue any less serious or important?:
Andrew Rodney needs to be forced to resign from his DTC position and needs to immediately be removed  or terminated from HPD.
I we are going to impose that punishment on the Sgt. Barone's of the world for their behavior, Sgt. Rodney deserves nothing less.

Baerga Complaint by on Scribd

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

WE THE PEOPLE INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF ROSADO AND ASSISTANT CHIEF THODY

This is not the full interview, due to technical difficulties with the equipment at Hartford Public Access Television, the beginning and the last couple minutes were lost, but I thought the main part of the conversation was informative enough to post it. Chief Rosado talks about HPD recruitment efforts and the next class having a 78% minority composition.