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Thursday, August 29, 2013

HARTFORD DOES HAVE GOOD LANDLORDS, BUT IT ISN'T EASY

Dogwood trees destroyed by upset drug dealer
 
Windows smashed out by bricks
 
It seems that we always hear about absentee landlords and the slumlords that own many Hartford properties. But there are good landlords in our City that actually maintain their properties and do what responsible property owners are supposed to do.

One such landlord maintains several properties that he has owned for years in the Park Street area. He is a familiar sight to most people in the Seymour Street/ Park Street area. Most people would recognize Stanley Gutt as the guy that can be seen almost every day sweeping in front of his properties, picking up trash or painting and repairing his buildings.

In most circles, Stan would be referred to as a "senior citizen", although I think he probably wouldn't agree with that term. His energy level and his commitment to his properties is probably higher than many people half his age. I have had the privilege of knowing Stan for many years now since I moved back to Hartford and Stan is one of those people that still loves Hartford.

Sunday I think that love for Hartford might have been called into question.

I received a call Sunday morning asking if I could help Stan out with a problem. Apparently one of Stan's properties was the popular location for drug sales. Stan had one of our local drug dealers set up shop in front of his property at 161 Seymour Street. Gutt took the steps that a responsible landlord takes. He notified his Community Service Officer and apparently has a "standing complaint"  with the police department.

 A standing complaint gives the Police the authority to enforce loitering and other issues on the property without a complainant actually being present to make a complaint. The property at 161 Seymour is well lit at night and clearly posted for "no loitering".

Apparently last week Gutt  got fed up with his neighborhood drug dealer that set up shop at 161 Seymour Street. Gutt's drug dealer isn't the only one on the street though, Seymour Street appears to have become a hot spot with numerous dealers doing the hand to hand transactions to the drive up customers all up and down the block.

Gutt's drug dealer , who is not a tenant of the building, had also parked a couple vehicles including a 4x4 off road vehicle in Gutt's parking lot. Gutt asked the dealer to get off his property and remove the vehicle's or else he would tow them off the lot. The drug dealer must have thought Gutt was bluffing, and last week Gutt had the vehicles removed at the drug dealers expense.

The dealer approached Gutt on Friday and said that he wanted to be reimbursed for the towing fees. Gutt refused.

Not surprisingly, on Friday night, Gutt had all 6 tires slashed on his box truck that he uses as his rolling workshop to maintain his properties. The windows in the first floor apartment at 161 Seymour that he was renovating were smashed with bricks and two large dogwood tress that Gutt had planted in front of the property were snapped off..

I know the pride Gutt takes in the appearance of his properties and when I spoke to him Sunday, the hurt clearly came through. We can't allow responsible landlords like Stan to question their commitment to Hartford because of thugs that think they run our neighborhoods.

 Stan is out their again this week, cleaning and scrubbing his properties doing what he has done for years , contributing to Hartford's neighborhoods.

The drug dealer has apparently attracted much unwanted scrutiny from others that don't appreciate  his business methods and is finding out the hard way that good usually has a way of winning out over evil. Gutt's CSO ( Community Service Officer)  for the area, Officer Ghami Perez, is taking notice and working on the issue, the Shooting Task Force seems to be taking interest in the area and I am pretty confident it will not end there..

We need to drive out our slumlords, not the good guys that still love Hartford.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

THE WORLD DIDN'T END

Hartford's Mayor Pedro  Segarra today did something he should have been doing months ago, he terminated an incompetent Department head. After a couple days of planning, the head of Hartford's Department of Emergency Telecommunications  Andrew Jaffee was shown the door this morning and walked out of 253 High Street..

It was a long time coming, but for whatever reason, Segarra sent someone packing who had been living off the taxpayers of Hartford for far too long. Jaffee's failures are well documented, just enter his name in the search bar above to read more  about probably one of the most ineffective Department heads in Hartford's recent history.

Unfortunately , unlike an incompetent Finance Director or stumbling COO, Jaffee's incompetence could actually cost Hartford residents their lives.  Recent examples of mishandled calls have been well documented, at least one resident who was eventually found in her home rotting and decomposing after a botched medical call was the first. The Linnmore street homicide was the latest.

We will never know if a proper response would have made a difference, but when Hartford residents dial 911, they should be confident in knowing that they are getting a professional timely response from one of Hartford's most important Departments. Whether a medical, police of fire call  the 911 Center is the lifeline to all residents able to dial a phone.

Surprisingly, from a media standpoint the termination was also handled properly. Segarra has been criticized for isolating himself from any negative scrutiny or answering the tough questions. His media spokesperson is trying her hardest to manage the 'Segarra Message" but is failing miserably. Television reporters have now resorted to basically "ambushing " the Mayor when he heads to his car to get their questions answered.

I am not sure who orchestrated  today's response, but it was textbook. A "media Availability" with the Mayor was called and Segarra stepped up to the microphone  and laid out his explanation. He needed to restore confidence in the system and Hartford's residents deserved better. Done, no spin, move on.

 I am not convinced that we are moving in the right direction yet, but it is a good start by Segarra. Lets see what happens with our COO and Finance Director, that will tell much more of the story. Is Jaffee  the start of the remaking of the Segarra Administration or is it just an anomaly?

It is up to you Mayor to convince us.

ANOTHER BAD HARTFORD BODEGA

MAXIMO RODRIGUEZ
VICTOR  ESTRELLA
 
WILLY BATISTA
FROM HPD:
 
On 8/22/13, The Hartford Police Department (North District CSOs, along with V&N Detectives) and representatives from L&I, the Health Department, CT DEEP and the CT Tax Enforcement Division, conducted an inspection of Willy's Deli (553 Albany Avenue) to ensure compliance with the City municipal codes and State statutes. The inspection was planned in response to HPD proactive enforcement action earlier in the week of a store employee illegally selling liquor without a permit. Located inside Willy's Deli store were numerous liquor bottles, beer bottles and loose cigarettes. Also located inside the store was an ATM machine containing prescription pills, syringes, and narcotics. The store was found to have numerous permit violations and was shut down until further notice. Seized from the store was 206 liquor bottles, 410 cans/bottles of beer, 20 Oxycontin pills in a non-prescription pill bottle, 66 Feltrex Ampitrex pills, 43 Cialis pills, 6 Viagra pills, 3 unknown purple pills, and $10,317.00 in US Currency.

 

The following parties were charged as follows:

Victor Estrella 43, of Hartford- Sale of Hypodermic Needles & Syringes (CGS 21a-65), Illegally Supplying Drugs

(CGS21a-108), Possession of Narcotics (CGS 21a-279), Failure to Keep Drugs in Original Container (CGS

21a-257) Sale or Possession with Intent to Sell Paraphernalia (CGS 21a-267(b), Disposing of Liquor (CO

30-77).

 

Maximo Rodriguez 57, of Hartford- Sale of Hypodermic Needles & Syringes (CGS 21a-65), Illegally Supplying

Drugs (CGS21a-108), Possession of Narcotics (CGS 21a-279), Failure to Keep Drugs in Original Container

(CGS 21a-257) Sale or Possession with Intent to Sell Paraphernalia (CGS 21a-267(b), Disposing of Liquor

(CO 30-77).

 

Willy Batista 23, of Hartford- Sale of Hypodermic Needles & Syringes (CGS 21a-65), Illegally Supplying Drugs

(CGS21a-108), Possession of Narcotics (CGS 21a-279), Failure to Keep Drugs in Original Container (CGS

21a-257) Sale or Possession with Intent to Sell Paraphernalia (CGS 21a-267(b), Disposing of Liquor (CO

30-77).

 

Each was held on a $25,000 bond.

"OK, BYE" JAFFEE TERMINATED

Sources are confirming that Hartford's Emergency Communication's Director Andrew Jaffee was just apparently terminated and escorted from the Hartford Public Safety Complex.

Speecifics as to any replacements or interim Director are not available yet.

More on this later today.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

ON A ROLL

Warren Simpson
 
 
 
I am not sure if I should be commending the Hartford Shooting Task Force and HPD for a job well done, or be more terrified of what is coming off our streets on a daily basis. For the last several days, after last weeks run of shootings and violence, it seems that the full court press has been put on to reduce violence in Hartford.

Although the STF has been out in the community, it seems like everyday now they are making some major hits in seizing guns, drugs and even large amounts of cash. For anyone that thinks that cutting police hours on the streets is a good idea  , take a look at the firearms being taken out of our neighborhoods, and reconsider that...please.

After last weeks homicide on Evergreen Avenue, Hartford's STF produced the results of an ongoing investigation into firearms in the area. A search warrant was prepared for 33 Gray Street as a result of the investigation. Today the Hartford Police Emergency Response Team (ERT)and members of the STF entered the building to serve the warrant.

Upon entering the apartment ERT located wanted felon Warren Simpson was located in the apartment. Simpson was wanted in connection with a shooting  that occurred on December 3, 2012 on Ashley Street in Hartford. The victim of the shooting was struck at least three times in the upper thighs Simpson has been eluding capture capture since the warrant was issued in March 2013.

 The search of Simpson's apartment uncovered : one Smith and Wesson 357 Magnum loaded with 6 .357 Magnum hollow point bullets,40 .357 caliber rounds, $5785.00 dollars in cash,
 120.4 grams of crack cocaine, scales and other equipment  indicative of a drug factory were also found.

Simpson is being held on bonds totaling $1,250,00.00

Simpson is a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history

ANOTHER INVESTIGATION , HOPEFULLY SOME ACTION ALSO

Mayor Segarra has apparently told Channel 3 and Channel  30 that he is conducting an investigation into the operations of the Hartford 911 Dispatch Center.

Most of the complaints and issues coming to the surface lately involve the lack of respect and professionalism of the Department. As in any organization , that tone is set by the person at the top of the Organization. In this case Mayor Segarra, the buck needs to stop at your office.

Andrew Jaffee, the retired HPD Sergeant who is also the Dispatch Center Director is not one who has led by example. Since his appointment , he has not set a good example of professionalism, first and foremost by continually lying to the mayor as well as the people of Hartford. Jaffee is supposed to be a Hartford resident , as required by the City of Hartford Charter.

Jaffee still commutes to Hartford on a daily basis from his home in Suffield. He does maintain a phony residence at 30 Woodland Street, but I have yet to find his City of Hartford issued SUV parked there once yet at night.

In a Department that should have the highest level of integrity, shouldn't Mayor Segarra require  that his Department head at least be able to tell the truth.

Everything else that is going wrong in that dispatch Center can quickly be fixed with proper leadership at the top  and setting a strong tone of professionalism and integrity. That tone is not being set by Mr. Jaffee