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Monday, September 12, 2011

ISN'T IT FUNNY HOW THIS WORKS ?

Last week I had requested the incident report for the Nappier traffic stop. Several other media outlets including WFSB and the Courant had also asked for it and were refused. The explanation was that it was part of an ongoing investigation and exempt from release.

At least one person I spoke with at FOI disagreed with that , but none the less, the report was not released. Luckily, I was able to obtain the report from an "alternative" source and posted it here. Now, apparently HPD has seen the light and decided to abide by the FOI laws. Or did they just figure out that resistance was futile since I had already posted it?

Whatever the reason, the letter below was e-mailed to me this afternoon advising me that the report was available"for immediate release" and it would cost $1.00 for copies. Thanks HPD, but I'm all set. And by the way Channel 3 is all set also, they have it on their website too.

And another question, why are we wasting a sworn police officer, a detective at that, to handle FOI requests? Wouldn't she be better off actually solving crimes instead of violating FOI laws?

Here is the response letter:
State+Treasurer+Dennise+Nappier+Response+Letter

Sunday, September 11, 2011

DO YOU REMEMBER?


My parents with the World Trade Center in the background, shortly before the attacks

"Do you remember where you were when the attacks occurred?", that seems to be the question today as we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11,.

I think just about everyone can recall watching the first tower burn and depending when you were able to get in front of a television, many of us witnessed in real time as the second aircraft slammed into the next tower and the eventual collapse.

More importantly though is the question if you remember the days following the attacks. Do you remember the sense of civility that seemed to sweep our country? Walking down the street complete strangers would acknowledge each other with a smile and a hello rather than ignoring each other.

Do you remember driving, and drivers were actually polite and courteous, the sound of blowing horns was almost nonexistent, drivers would motion for you to go ahead rather than blow their horns and cut you off.

I think we were actually shocked into realizing what was important, but only for a short time. Maybe it is time we try to think about that sense of civility and where we would be going as a country if it once again became an everyday thing.

And while we are at it, remember the heroes that gave their lives that day in 2001. Police, Fire and EMS personnel and even everyday civilians that stepped up and did what they needed to do without regard for their own well being or safety. Many of them that survived are now showing the consequences as various illnesses and forms of cancer are taking their toll on those that were fortunate enough to survive.

And also remember those heroes that were not there at Ground Zero but are playing the continuing role now as they defend our Country. Remember the members of our military as well as civilians that are playing a supporting role to keep our country safe.

And while you are at it, say "thank you" to a first responder you may encounter. Whether it is a police officer, a firefighter or an EMS worker or a military member. In this society we live in, we never know when the next "9/11" may occur and it is reassuring to know that we have people that will readily head into harms way to protect and rescue us as everyone else is headed the other way, away from danger.

Friday, September 9, 2011

JUST A THOUGHT, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

I was watching Channel 3 news at eleven Wednesday night. They displayed a large amount of cash, drugs and guns seized today from Wilson Street in Hartford after an investigation by the shooting task force.

I've also seen that there is some question as to whether the Shooting Task Force will be continued past November of this year. I'm not sure why the timeline exists since gun violence seems to be year round in Hartford now. It also is quite apparent that Hartford's underground economy, the drug trade, fuels much, if not almost all of Hartford's gun violence.

It also seems quite obvious that at many times the right hand might not really be communicating with the left hand. If an operation that has been run with precision, such as that of the shooting task force, can produce the results they have in their short period of existence, why even think about ending it?

Instead, wouldn't it make more sense to strengthen it and expand the program? My thoughts are that Vice and Narcotics, actually make that Narcotics, (the "vice" part should be something the conditions units and Community Service Officers deal with)should be reconstituted and combined with the Shooting Task force unit as the Gun and Narcotics Task Force, roll all of those assigned to Narcotics now into a unit that most likely would produce some real results at reducing crime in Hartford.

And the involvement of the other agencies should also be kept. Drug and gun problems aren't confined within Hartford's borders. Much of the Task forces success is happening because of involvement, information and resources being developed outside of Hartford.A large part of the operational success of the task force, from what I have been told, is due in large part to the operational skills and "management style" pulling the task force together. Former Hartford Police Officer, now Chief Inspector from the State's Attorney's Office James Rovella and Lieutenant Lance Sigersmith, Commander of the HPD Intelligence Division, as well as numerous others from several agencies.

It just seems to make sense, the drugs are linked to the guns and the guns are linked to the drugs and the resources and expertise are out there producing results and making a difference. It would just take some leadership to find the funding and make it happen, most of the money is already being spent on the salaries, so it shouldn't be a big expense. It might actually be an example of working smarter and communicating to get results, rather than duplicating efforts and working against each other.

Let me hear your feedback.

THIS COULD BE THE WEEKEND



Some days it amazes me the number of people reading this blog. It also surprises me who is actually reading and the people that recognize me. I never planned on the numbers growing the way they have, and yesterday was actually a record with 2,679 page loads, or "hits", on the blog.

This weekend will most likely pass 400,000 hits, headed for half a million. This week also broke another blog record for me on the posting about the HPD advocate, over 120 comments were posted, and some more that were not posted and had no relevance to the actual topic.

As much as I look forward to gathering information and writing the new posts, I really enjoy the comments to see what you, my readers, are thinking. And from the feedback I get, my readers enjoy the comments also.

I would also like to thank my un-official media spokesperson, DKR, and his command staff for also drawing so much attention to WTP and contributing to its popularity. (Sorry Chief, but I really do appreciate your help)

Keep reading and keep letting me know what you think, and even more importantly, keep that information coming, we are making a change.

YOU ASKED FOR IT, HERE IT IS.....THE NAPPIER INCIDENT REPORT

Here is the incident report you have been asking to see and the Hartford Police brass don't want you to see. Despite numerous requests from several media outlets and a formal FOI request from "We the People", the mind trust at HPD chose not to release the report. "We the People" was able to obtain the report through "alternative" means. But again, the truth always seems to win out, so here is the report for your reading pleasure.

A source at the Connecticut FOI Commission said on Thursday that the report was clearly a public document and should have been released.

So much for that transparency we keep hearing about from the Segarra Administration.

Nappier Incident Report

Thursday, September 8, 2011

GODSPEED DAN NOLAN, STAY SAFE



Please remember to keep Deputy Chief Dan Nolan in your thoughts and prayers for the next twelve months as he deploys tomorrow to Afghanistan to serve our country.

Just remember Dan, good will always triumph over evil.