Friday, February 12, 2016
ANOTHER RESPONSE TO A COMMENT
Thursday, February 11, 2016
WHERE THERE IS SMOKE.. FIRE REVEALS MARIJUANA OPERATION
VICENTE SANTIAGO
On Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at approximately 3:40 p.m.,
HPD Patrol Officers were dispatched to 180 Bonner Street to assist Hartford Fire
Department on a structure fire. After the fire was extinguished, fire personnel
notified HPD Officers that they located suspected marijuana grow in the master
bedroom. HPD Detectives from the Vice and Narcotics Unit responded to the scene
and determined that inside the residence was a marijuana grow in the bedroom and
basement areas. A search warrant was applied for and executed, where Detectives
were able to locate 20 marijuana plants and several items used to cultivate
marijuana plants. The resident of the home arrived on scene and was placed
under arrest for several drug related charges and transported to the HPD Booking
Facility to be processed. HFD reported the fire was not caused by marijuana
op.
Evidence:
20 Marijuana plants
Grow lights, timers, liquid plant food, thermometer and one
grow cabinet
Arrested: Vincente Santiago, 32, of Hartford, CT
CHARGES:
1. Illegal Cultivation of
Marijuana
2. Possession of
Marijuana
3. Drug Factory
4. Possession within 1500
feet of a School
SOUTH MARSHALL CLEAN-UP CONTINUES, FROM HPD
On Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at approximately 8:30 p.m.,
HPD Detectives from the Vice and Narcotics unit executed a valid search and
seizure warrant at 18 South Marshall Street. HPD Detectives were able to obtain
credible information that individuals residing in this location were selling
narcotics. Upon executing the search and seizure warrant, Detectives located a
male and two females in the living room of the apartment. A search of the
apartment produced two loaded firearms, one reported stolen out of New
Hampshire, 224 bags of heroin, 5 ounces of crack cocaine, $1406 dollars in U.S.
currency, 2 ounces of Marijuana and miscellaneous packaging material. All three
individuals were placed under arrest for firearm and narcotic related charges
and transported to the HPD Booking Facility for processing. The resident of 218
South Marshall Street was allowed to call an individual to secure her
apartment. The individual contacted to by the resident arrived on scene to
secure the apartment, during a warrant check of Vilcher, it was determined that
he had an outstanding warrant out of New York as a Fugitive from Justice for
narcotic related charges.
Evidence:
Ruger .44 caliber revolver, Model Super Red Hawk (stolen out
of N.H)
Silver Colt .32 caliber handgun, Model .32 rimless
224 bags of heroin
5 ounces of crack cocaine
$1406.00 in U.S. currency
Packaging material
Arrested: Sarah Rivera, 27, of Hartford, CT
CHARGES:
1. Possession of
Narcotics
2. Possession of Narcotics
With Intent to Sell
3. Drug Factory
4. Possession of
Controlled Substance
5. Possession of a Stolen
Firearm
6. Possession Controlled
Substance With Intent to Sell
Arrested: Lamar Stanford, 36, of Windsor, CT (Convicted Felon
16 Previous Hartford Arrests)
CHARGES:
1. Possession of
Narcotics
2. Possession Narcotics
With Intent to Sell
3. Drug Factory
4. Possession of
Controlled Substance
5. Possession of a Stolen
Firearm
6. Possession Controlled
Substance With Intent to Sell
7. Criminal Possession of
a Firearm
Arrested: Danielle Hicks,. 28, of Hartford, CT (also Convicted Felon 16 Previous Hartford
Arrests)
CHARGES:
1. Possession of
Narcotics
2. Possession Narcotics
With Intent to Sell
3. Drug Factory
4. Possession of
Controlled Substance
5. Possession of a Stolen
Firearm
6. Possession Controlled
Substance With Intent to Sell
7. Criminal Possession of
a Firearm
Taken into custody: Felix Vilcher, 45, of Hartford, CT
CHARGES: Outstanding warrant for Fugitive of Justice
MAYOR BRONIN TO OPEN WARMING CENTERS
CITY OF HARTFORD ANNOUNCES
WARMING
CENTER HOURS
CENTER HOURS
FOR FEBRUARY 12-14,
2016
-
NEWS AND COMMUNITY
STATEMENT -
(February
11, 2016) - Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin has ordered the opening of the warming
centers in the City of Hartford. The purpose for opening these centers shall be
to provide temporary comfort during regular business hours. Any residents in
need of overnight shelter accommodations are encouraged to call
2-1-1.
"With
temperatures expected to be in the low 20s and high teens, and with high winds
bringing the wind chill factor temperatures to the single digit range, I'm
urging residents to take steps to stay indoors and prepare for extreme cold,"
said Mayor Bronin. "I've ordered the opening of our warming centers, which
provide daytime options for residents. However, if you or anyone you know is in
need of overnight arrangements, please reach out to our partners at
2-1-1."
During
severe cold weather, residents should take the following
precautions:
- Stay indoors if possible
- If you must go outside, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Wear a hat and change wet clothes frequently to prevent loss of body heat.
- Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
- Watch for signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion
- If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first and give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Get medical help as soon as possible
List
of Warming Centers:
- South End Wellness Center, 830 Maple Avenue: Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Parkville Senior Center, 11 New Park Avenue: Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Hispanic Health Council, 175 Main Street: Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Hispanic Senior Center, 45 Wadsworth Street: Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Parker Memorial, 2621 Main Street: Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Pope Park, 30 Pope Park Drive: Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The
Hartford Public Library is available for residents and visitors. Below are
hours of operation.
- Hartford Downtown Library, 500 Main Street: Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Albany Library Branch, 1250 Albany Avenue: Friday and Saturday 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Barbour Branch, 281 Barbour Street: Friday and Saturday 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Camp Field Branch, 30 Campfield Avenue: Friday and Saturday 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Dwight Branch, 7 New Park Avenue: Friday 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Goodwin, 460 New Britain Avenue: Friday and Saturday 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Mark Twain Branch, 55 Forest Street: Friday 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Park Street Branch, 744 Park Street: Friday 12:30pm - 5:00pm
- SAND/Ropkins Branch, 1750 Main Street: Friday 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP
An interesting call was broadcast on the HPD radio tonight. I am still shaking my head in disbelief
Tenants living in an apartment on Broad Street called in a no heat complaint to the HPD Dispatch Center. I think by law a landlord has to maintain heat in an apartment at 68degrees for the tenants. The man and woman complaining reported that they had no heat in their apartment.
Apparently an officer was dispatched and upon further investigation he learned an amazing fact. Sometime over the summer, the two tenants removed the radiators from the apartment and sold them as scrap metal at a Hartford junk yard.
I wonder why they thought the heat wasn't working.
It appears as though the couple will be in heated quarters after the warrants are signed and served for their arrests for the theft.
I really would like to ask them what there were thinking, stealing their radiators and then having the nerve to call in a no heat complaint. Did they think no one would notice the pipes cut off in the floor where the radiators used to be?
And who says being a cop can't be fun?
Tenants living in an apartment on Broad Street called in a no heat complaint to the HPD Dispatch Center. I think by law a landlord has to maintain heat in an apartment at 68degrees for the tenants. The man and woman complaining reported that they had no heat in their apartment.
Apparently an officer was dispatched and upon further investigation he learned an amazing fact. Sometime over the summer, the two tenants removed the radiators from the apartment and sold them as scrap metal at a Hartford junk yard.
I wonder why they thought the heat wasn't working.
It appears as though the couple will be in heated quarters after the warrants are signed and served for their arrests for the theft.
I really would like to ask them what there were thinking, stealing their radiators and then having the nerve to call in a no heat complaint. Did they think no one would notice the pipes cut off in the floor where the radiators used to be?
And who says being a cop can't be fun?
HARTFORD PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2016
Councilpersons; Clarke, Concepción, Deutsch, Gale, and Jennings will represent the Council at a Public Hearing to be held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 16, 2016.
1. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING HARTFORD AS A SANCTUARY CITY. (MINORITY LEADER BERMUDEZ)
Referred to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 2-105 OF CODE DE CHANGING THE NAME OF METRO HARTFORD INFORMATION SERVICES TO METRO HARTFORD INNOVATION SERVICES. (MAYOR BRONIN)
3. ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AUTHORITY FOR THE CITY OF HARTFORD AND AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY TO SAID AUTHORITY. (MAYOR BRONIN) Replacement
Referred to the Operations, Management, Budget Committee and Government Accountability
Attest: John V. Bazzano
City Clerk
For more information on committee meeting date please contact the following:
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2016
Councilpersons; Clarke, Concepción, Deutsch, Gale, and Jennings will represent the Council at a Public Hearing to be held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 16, 2016.
1. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING HARTFORD AS A SANCTUARY CITY. (MINORITY LEADER BERMUDEZ)
Referred to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 2-105 OF CODE DE CHANGING THE NAME OF METRO HARTFORD INFORMATION SERVICES TO METRO HARTFORD INNOVATION SERVICES. (MAYOR BRONIN)
3. ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AUTHORITY FOR THE CITY OF HARTFORD AND AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY TO SAID AUTHORITY. (MAYOR BRONIN) Replacement
Referred to the Operations, Management, Budget Committee and Government Accountability
Attest: John V. Bazzano
City Clerk
For more information on committee meeting date please contact the following:
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
FROM THE MAYOR'S FFICE
WEDNESDAY:
MAYOR BRONIN TO CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT LIBERTY
GARDENS
— MEDIA
ADVISORY—
(Feb. 9, 2016)
Tomorrow morning,
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin will offer remarks at the Grand Opening Celebration
and Ribbon-Cutting for Chrysalis Center Real Estate Corporation’s newest
affordable housing initiative, Liberty Gardens.
Liberty Gardens is a 10-unit
affordable apartment building for families.
Funding for the historic preservation project was provided by various
state agencies. In addition, the Corporation received $400,000 in financing from
the City of Hartford’s HOME funds to rehabilitate vacant, historic buildings.
---
WHO:
Mayor
Bronin
WHAT:
Grand Opening
Ribbon-Cutting Celebration of Liberty Gardens
WHEN: Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 9:45 a.m.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 9:45 a.m.
WHERE:
Liberty
Gardens, 272 Garden Street, Hartford
HARTFORD YOUTH EMPLOYMENT BEING ADDRESSED BY MAYOR BRONIN
HARTFORD YOUTH INVITED TO CITY’S EMPLOYMENT AND EMPOWERMENT DAY
— NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT—
(February 9, 2016) Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin invites students of Hartford schools, and their families, to participate in the City of Hartford’s “Rock Your Future 2016” (#RYF2016). This free career readiness event will feature workshops on résumé writing, interview skills, and professional online presence (where youth can have a professional headshot photograph taken). Eligible youth will be able to pre-apply for 2016 summer youth employment . A special workshop for parents, grandparents, and other guardians will feature guest speakers and a youth panel about empowering youth toward success. In the #RYF2016 Resource Hall, youth and their family members will gain valuable information, including how to: open a bank account, obtain a social security card, submit a birth record application, navigate public transit systems, understand workplace rights, and more. Campus tours also will be provided.
The event, sponsored by the Department of Families, Children, Youth and Recreation (DFCYR) , Capital Workforce Partners , Hartford Public Schools , and the Hartford Student Senate , will be Feb. 20 at Trinity College’s Mather Hall. Participants are strongly encouraged to pre-register for either the morning session (7:40 a.m. to 1 p.m.) or the afternoon session (12:10 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.). Registration: http://dfcyr.hartford.gov .
“Connecting Hartford’s young men and women to career opportunities is the single most important thing we can do to build a stronger Hartford,” said Mayor Bronin. “I encourage every young Hartford resident to attend Rock Your Future 2016 and learn how to take full advantage of the opportunities that are out there. We’re working to expand summer and year-round employment, and we want every young person in Hartford to have the chance to get that job that helps open the door to a career.”
“It is vital that our community empower youth toward positive decisions and well-paying careers. We are excited to highlight youth career readiness at RYF2016,” said DFCYR Director José Colón-Rivas.
---
WHO: Students of Hartford schools, and their families
WHAT: “ Rock Your Future 2016” Youth Employment and Empowerment Day
WHEN: Saturday, February 20, 2016, 7:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 12:10 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Mather Hall at Trinity College, 300 Summit Street, Hartford
Monday, February 8, 2016
"WE THE PEOPLE PROGRAM" ; FEBRUARY 8, 2016
Today, Hyacinth Yennie and I sat down to talk Healthcare with two guests, Yomaira Colon and one of her volunteers. Angela, from Caring Families Coalition. CFC's mission is to build a strong community for low income families and individuals to have a voice. CFC works to help people understand how the healthcare system works and how it affects them and their families.
Yomaira can be reached at 860-524-0502 x-12 or by email at yomaira.colon@ucanct.org
Yomaira can be reached at 860-524-0502 x-12 or by email at yomaira.colon@ucanct.org
Sunday, February 7, 2016
MAYOR BRONIN TO WELCOME NEW POLICE RECRUITS TO HARTFORD ACADEMY
MONDAY:
MAYOR BRONIN TO WELCOME NEW POLICE ACADEMY CLASS; ENCOURAGES MILLENIALS TO JOIN
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WITH HYPE
— MEDIA
ADVISORY—
(Feb 7, 2016)
Monday, February 8, 2016, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin will welcome the
newest recruits of the Hartford Police Academy. The class is commencing two
months earlier than scheduled in an effort to improve the inherited police
staffing shortage.
In the evening, Mayor Bronin will
offer remarks at “Boards and Commissions on Tap,” a panel event hosted by Young
Energetic Solutions (YES) and Hartford Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs
(HYPE). The Mayor will discuss efforts to encourage Hartford’s millennials to
help better shape their communities by becoming members of various boards or
commissions. ---
WHO: Mayor Luke
Bronin
WHAT: Welcome to new recruits
of the Hartford Police Academy
WHEN: Monday, Feb 8, 2016,
8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Hartford Police
Academy, 50 Williams Street, Hartford
---
WHO: Mayor Luke Bronin,
Middletown Mayor Dan Drew
WHAT: Boards and Commissions
on Tap
WHEN: Monday, Feb 8, 2016,
6:00 p.m.
WHERE: City Steam Brewery
Café, 942 Main Street, Hartford
A RESPONSE TO A COMMENT
" I agree. This chief has destroyed the morale. They will find a way to justify eliminating conditions. You think crime is bad now? Wait till there is no more conditions. The no vote of confidence will never happen. The department's mentality for the most part has become all about individuals instead of unity. That's why the veterans are leaving. They've had enough of the bull. "
Lets look at some facts here here. This is a disgruntled group of police officers that have been part of what are called "Condition Units". For those not familiar with the term, as a community, probably 15 years or so ago, maybe less, we were sold a Community policing program by former Chief Patrick Harnett.
That plan was to divide the City into four areas with each area being its own district. Eventually due to staffing and budget issues, those four areas were reduced to three; north, south and central. There apparently talk now , again due to budget and staffing issues , to reduce that districting to two areas, North and South. Central would be eliminated and the City would be divided back into two areas as it was before Harnett's plan was implemented ( Actually it wasn't Harnett's plan. It was devised by former Assistant Chief's Michael Fallon and Daryl Roberts, Harnett just took the credit)
The Condition Units were a big part of that plan , at least in the sales pitch to get the Community to buy into the plan. They were sold to us to be focused units dealing with "quality of life" issues. The loitering , noise complaints, all of the little things that drag neighborhoods down. They were supposed to address many of the things that are known as "C" calls. The calls that were infuriating residents because they would call the Police and no one would show up for hours.
It started out that way but didn't last. The Conditions Units quickly were allowed to morph into little strike forces around the City. They seem to have lost their focus on the quality of life issues, started wearing swat style vests identifying them as "HPD Conditions" and became mini STF or Vice and Narcotics Units. Many times they were duplicating efforts, the right hand not knowing what the left hand was working on.
Those crimes do affect the over all quality of life, but they also were not intended to be the focus of the Conditions Units
In recent years the Conditions Units could very well be renamed as the "Bar Detail". Many neighborhoods lost their conditions units regularly on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights to handle their unruly bar customers downtown or in the North Main area. This was largely allowed by a previous Mayor and Council who wouldn't hire police officers . Segarra was more concerned about his image in the media with bar shootings and violence than he was about the quality of life in neighborhoods.
A big question should be asked is why would neighborhoods be stripped of resources on the nights they are being needed most, rather than make the bar owners and clubs hire officers to control their clients?
Now with the Police Department over 100 officers short of where they should be, and more leaving in the near future , we are paying the price. There are only so many bodies to go around to fill a schedule that his minimum, staffing requirements. Those bodies have to come from somewhere, and we know we can't hire them quick enough and wave the magic wand to make them police officers overnight. Although a new class of 15 Police Officers is supposed to start this month, it will be almost a year before they are trained and certified to be on their own
In addition, the overtime requirements are out of control. I am sure most Hartford resident's would not be thrilled with the overtime costs associated with Mayor Segarra and the previous Council's lack
of hiring. The numbers are outrageous for what was paid last year in overtime alone, not to mention the lack of productivity by burned out officers working excessive hours .
The numbers in dollars are pretty small, but returning conditions to patrol will fill required and necessary holes in the basic Patrol schedule and budget. It will be approximately $45,000 to $50,000 dollars before the new budget year begins July 1, 2015.
And more importantly, how did staffing get so bad that we now have to dismantle what should be vital components of the Community Policing Program. We just came through a campaign season. Where were the Union or Fraternal Organization advertisements about Police staffing in Hartford? Where is the outcry about playing games with Police staffing? Do none of you officers willing to whine here about the impact of a handful of officer's being reassigned out of necessity realize the danger that failing to hire new officer's puts all of you in?
Your vote of no confidence should be in the previous Administration, not in the Chief who was instrumental in getting you one of the better contracts in years. Not in the Chief who even had to fight with the previous Administration just to get you new, safe vehicles to drive.
And the veterans are leaving , many not from dissatisfaction but because they are maxing out their earnings. $243,975 a year for a Police Officer, and that is minus November and December earnings, as he was already retired, really? I doubt he left because he is disgusted with the Department, if so maybe he needs to get into counseling. I think most people would be amazed at the earnings list for HPD for the past year, especially page 1 through 4. I can see why you would be upset about Chief Rovella actually trying to manage his budget.
Maybe what you should consider is uniting behind Chief Rovella to get the proper support to hire and rebuild the Department. Rally behind the Chief to establish a program to allow bar owners and businesses to hire Police Officers in four hour blocks to maintain order in the entertainment areas ( remember the Downtown Special before it was taken over by Conditions and CSO's and you were all cut out of that work?) Establishing 4 hour billing would not only benefit bar owners who do want to hire but don't want to have to pay for a full eight hours, but it would be a regular addition to the PJ schedule.
If staffing allows in the future and the conditions units are reconstituted, they need to be focused on the quality of life issues as we were promised initially. Quality of life issues may not be as exciting as chasing guns and drugs, but quality of life issues are what drives people out of our City
Although many of our political leaders do read the blog, the Chief is not the bad guy here. You need to focus your efforts where it belongs and where you will actually get a benefit and see the results.
Be careful what you wish for, things could be much worse.