TRINITY COLLEGE STEPS UP BIG

 

pictured above, 130 New Britian Avenue, site of the new Hartford Police at Trinity College substation

 

 

When you look at Hartford's crime statistics and the decrease over the last two years, you have to realize that it isn't happening by luck.

Much of the decrease can be gauged by the calendar and the arrival of James Rovella in Hartford and his support and leadership of the Shooting Task Force. His eventual appointment as Hartford's Police Chief also has brought about much change.

Rovella is becoming extremely well respected by both Hartford's residents and the Corporate Community of Hartford. I know the Chief understands that the success or failure of HPD does not lie entirely in his hands. It is all about partnerships and relationships to continue his successes.

Whether it is Insurance Companies providing meals for PAL participants, the Faith based community being asked to step up and do their part to control violence or just asking for everyone to help make Hartford safer. Rovella isn't afraid to knock on doors or pick up the phone and ask for help.

One of the most visible partners will soon be Trinity College. Trinity has committed to the renovation of a building on the outskirts of the Trinity Campus at 130 New Britain Avenue. The building , which is slated for opening April 1, 2013 will be known as the Hartford Police Substation at Trinity College.

The location is a strategic one for several reasons. it sits right in a neighborhood that drives much of the Part 1 (most serious crime) in the area. The building sits at an intersection that has had more than its fair share of carjacking, shootings and other serious crime. Similar to the drastic reduction in crime on Edwards Street when the Shooting Task Force set up  shop in that neighborhood, it is expected the new sub-station will offer the same degree or greater level of stability to the  Trinity neighborhood.

The renovations, being orchestrated by Lieutenant Robert Allan, commander of the southeast zone, has been a great partnership between HPD and Trinity. In a cash strapped City with limited funding, according to LT Allan, the effort would have never happened without Trinity stepping up.

The efforts will also provide Trinity with a much more visible police presence around the Campus.

The substation will have a large Community Room for the use of the public and neighborhood groups. It will feature much needed office space for burglary and auto theft detectives who have recently been moved out into the "field" rather than centralized at the Police Department. Robbery detectives may also eventually be moved out into the field as well.

A large area with 3 workstations will be available for police officers assigned to the area around Trinity to do their paperwork and reports, which will keep the officers in their respective areas , rather than going to headquarters to do their reports, which is not only time consuming but reduces police presence in the neighborhoods where they are needed.

Administrative offices will also be available for police supervisors  to maintain a presence and be available in the community for the public to meet with them.


In an effort of full disclosure, I have had a business relationship with Trinity College for over 20 years and I will be donating a video surveillance to HPD for the building also.

I have tried to convince Chief Rovella to conduct a fund raising drive to have a bronze statue of him made so that we could place at the intersection waving to everyone as they go by, he hasn't committed to the idea yet.

Thank you to Trinity and all of the other partners, corporate, religious and neighborhood groups working hard  everyday to make Chief Rovella's vision a reality.