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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE?

Let me start this posting by saying right up front the owner of "Up or on the Rocks" is a friend of mine.  With that being said, I am trying to look at the efforts to shut the club down objectively and with an open mind..

Does Jerry need to share responsibility fro the actions of his patrons... absolutely. These are customers that he attracts to the downtown entertainment district. But with that being said, there is more than enough blame to go around.

Let's start with the office of Mayor Segarra and his quick move to claim responsibility for shutting the club down. Untrue. although Segarra wishes he were a Superior Court Judge, he is not. It would take a court order to close the club down The owner of "Up or on the Rocks" voluntarily shut the club down. Whether he has made a temporary decision or a permanent decision is up to him. Time will tell what pressures are brought to bear and what the future of "Rocks" is.

Also keep in mind shutting down a business also relates to job loss and putting employees out of work, loss of taxes and is not just simply closing the doors. Approximately 30 people would lose their jobs if the club closes.

Another key issue is probably not known, but Mayor Segarra and his former Chief of Staff need to accept and share responsibility for creating an unsafe environment downtown. After the police department started feeling the increasing squeeze of their overtime budget initiated by the City Council, the "downtown Special " was eliminated. In full disclosure,  a couple or restaurants that don't attract the late night crowd, balked at portions of the proposal also.

Briefly, the "Downtown Special " was a contingent of Police Officers that patrolled the bar area every weekend. The detail was made up of police Officers working on overtime. Two years ago, for several reasons, the greatest being the overtime costs, the detail was eliminated and never reinstated.

As a way to ease the burden on the Police department budget, meetings were held between the City, barowners and the Hartford Police Union to come up with an alternative. The Union and the City agreed to a compromise for hiring Police Officers by the bar owners. Currently Officers are hired in 8 hour blocks for "PJ's" or private duty jobs. The union and the City agreed  to begin offering PJ's to the bar owners in 4 hour blocks which made the cost much more affordable to the bar owners to provide additional security oin the form of uniformed Police Officers.

According to sources familiar with the meetings, for whatever reason the deal was killed by Segarra's former Chief of Staff Jared Kupiec. If Mayor Segarra is serious about safeguarding downtown reveler's. tyhose talks and the process should be renewed right away and give bar owners that wish to be responsible the chance to affordably bring increased security downtown.

I mentioned initially that the bar owner needs to share responsibility for the clientele he opens up his doors for. But I have asked numerous people a question that I think is fair. What could he have done or  could he have done to prevent either homicide. They did not happen in the club, but several hundred feet away in surface parking lots. How could he have known that someone had a 9mm handgun in their car and would retrieve it once they went outside to settle an argument.

If we are talking about responsibility, lets put the major portion where it blames. On the families of these callous individuals who think nothing of shooting someone in the chest repeatedly over a spilled drink. Somehow, I think if the truth were known, these "kids" are not coming from loving, nurturing families that have brought them up with a sound value for human life.

As a society we are continuing and adding to a generation of people that make a decision to take human lives as quick as they make a decision what color shirt they are going to wear when they go out. Lets start putting some responsibility on gun manufacturers and the need to start developing "smart weapons". The latest generation of I-Phones is set to come out with a scanner to recognize the users thumbprint to access the phone.

Couldn't that same technology be used to secure weapons from thugs? And lets start putting responsibility on our legislature to pass laws that actually prevent gun violence, rather than feel good bills that do nothing to prevent any of our homicides in urban areas. I am pretty sure that none of the 18 homicides in Hartford this year  have been committed by an assault rifle, although many of the handguns seized do have the extended clips. Lets see what kind of teeth are in the sentencing for those violations.

One of the most offensive things about these shootings downtown though are the voices crying out that something needs to be done, "This hurts downtown". Does it take a homicide "Downtown" to get people to wake up speak out? Where has Hartford's business groups worried about the Downtown image been after any of the other killings throughout the City? Is it acceptable for shootings in the poorer areas of the City as long as it doesn't touch the Downtown community?

This is a small City and the outcry for justice and safety should be the same if the victim is from Albany Avenue, Garden Street, South Marshall Street , Park Street or Downtown.

Those rushing to judgement need to step back and take a deep breath and look at the situation.
Like I said before, what could have been done differently to prevent the situation? I have never believed in allowing 18 year olds into bars for any reason, but the fact of the matter is that neither shooter was under 18, so they could have been in any bar legally. The latest Union Place homicide victim was also 21.

The outcry from the Business Improvement District is, to me,  grandstanding. What actions did they take after the first shooting? Were any meetings held to address the security of patrons with bar owners after the first homicide or numerous other gun incidents downtown

What is being done to the other numerous clubs that have had shootings or homicides in their vicinity. It is no secret to anyone that the West Indian Social Club has had their far share of gun violence, and shootings as well as homicides of patrons in the area of the Club. I don't even hear our Mayor or City Council addressing that. I guess it is OK because it is not downtown.

What about the Cleveland Café. That has been a problem club that has also had homicides right inside the club and numerous shooting incidents. Ever hear that name being mentioned for a shutdown. Again not downtown, so apparently acceptable for their clients to be shot.

Club Vibez, again, a homicide in the lot. as well as other gun violence The Durham Street homicide victim from Sunday morning   and the female surviving shooting victim had both just left there as well as the man arrested for carrying an illegal gun in his waistband that was arrested by Police at the Ranch House That must have been one of the best armed places in Hartford Saturday night.

The action or more appropriately reaction should be the same, they all affect Hartford's image , whether they are Downtown or any other neighborhood. Mayor Segarra;s recent quote that "one homicide is one too many" should be true no matter what neighborhood, not just Downtown

BO-BO IN CUSTODY

FROM HPD:

At 1258 am, during the busy bar closing period,  HPD Officers working in the downtown area heard a single gunshot. It was determined that the shot was fired from the area of Church St. and High St. Officers located the victim at the corner of High St. and Allen St. The victim, a 21 year old male from East Hartford, was transported to St. Francis Hospital and pronounced at 0215 am. Preliminary information is that the incident began as a disturbance within the “Up  or On the Rocks” night club. After the club closed, and patrons exited, the disturbance reengaged in the street. Eventually a physical altercation ensued in the parking lot at the corner of High St. and Church St. At this location the suspect shot the victim, one time, in the chest. MCD Detectives worked tirelessly through the investigation and obtained an arrest warrant.

 

On September 3, 2013 the suspect, Angel Morales (Angel Morales-Lopez), DOB 3/28/88, of New Haven,  was arrested at the Hartford Police Department. Morales is being charged with of Murder and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, related to the murder of Miguel Delgado. Morales, accompanied by his attorney, surrendered to MCD Detectives at HPD headquarters. He will be held on a $1,000,000 bond.

 



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Sunday, September 1, 2013

ANOTHER VIOLENT WEEKEND FOR HARTFORD

The weekend started early Friday morning with a fatal shooting at Church and High Streets in Downtown Hartford.

More guns were taken off the streets Saturday night by members of the Shooting task Force and the North Conditions unit.

On Saturday, August 31st, 2013, at 2200 hours, members of the Shooting Task Force noticed a large group congregating with extremely loud music in the rear of 369 Garden Street. Officers approached the group on foot at which point one male subject became nervous and quickly walked away from the approaching officers while manipulating an item in his waistband. The subject then transitioned into a full run while holding a weighted item in his front waistband area. Believing the subject was in possession of a firearm, officers pursued the subject. As officers were chasing the subject he removed a firearm from his waistband and threw it into a yard. The subject was apprehended at 202 Mather Street and the firearm was recovered.

 Jamahl Edwards, M/B/19 (2/17/1994), of 64 Clifford Drive, West Hartford, CT. was charged with
 Interfering w/ Police, Carrying a Pistol w/o a Permit, and Obliterated Serial Number. The recovered weapon was a  Smith & Wesson 9mm Handgun w/ obliterated serial number and magazine containing (14) live 9mm rounds.
 
 
 
 
On September 01, 2013 at 0215 hours, information was relayed to members of the North Conditions Unit (Officers Shelby and Colon) from Sergeant Sean Spell (STF) relative to an individual unlawfully in possession of a firearm at Paul's Ranch House, 3281 Main Street. According to sources, the subject had just left a North Main Street club and had walked to the Ranch House.
 
The information was obtained by Sgt. Spell via a confidential source. Sgt. Spell provided a physical and clothing description of the suspect. Officers Colon and Shelby canvassed the Ranch House and located a person matching the description provided inside the establishment. During a subsequent investigation it was discovered the suspect was in possession of a loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson semi-auto handgun.
 
 The suspect was a convicted felon and thus making it illegal for him to possess a firearm. The suspect Reggie Battle of 490 Hillside Avenue was charged with Carrying a Pistol without Permit and Criminal Possession of a Firearm . Battle was also a convicted Felon and as such is prevented from owning or carrying a firearm.
 
A few minutes later, Hartford Police received numerous calls of shots fired in the area of 16 Durham Street. Upon arrival, officers found two shooting victims at the address. A female victim received non life threatening wounds to the abdomen an hip area. The male victim received numerous gunshot wounds, including several to the head which proved fatal. The male victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
 
Both victims had just left Club Vibz on North Main Street and were apparently ambushed when they arrived home. The male victim was from Manchester and had been in a dating relationship with the female victim for over a month.
 
On a positive note, Connecticut's new gun laws seem to be working well in the urban areas of Connecticut. No assault rifles have been seized recently by the Shooting Task Force being carried on Hartford's streets and not one of Hartford's 18 homicide victims this year have been killed with an assault rifle.
 
 
 







 
 


WHERE IS BO-BO?

Angel "Bo-Bo" Morales
 
 
Hartford police major crimes Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for Angel "Bo-Bo" Morales, the suspected shooter in Friday mornings fatal shooting at Church and High Streets in Hartford.
 
Morales is from the New Haven area and is described as 5'8", 145 pound Hispanic male. Morales was last seen driving a 2008 Black Honda Accord with CT registration 657-XUO
 
Police consider Morales armed and dangerous. He is believed to be in the New Haven area. Anyone with information is asked to call either New Haven or Hartford Police.
 
The shooting is believed to have occurred over a spilled drink at a Hartford Club. The shooting took place in a parking lot several hundred feet away from the "UP or On the Rocks" nightclub at closing time Friday morning.
 
Morales has a criminal history for prior firearms arrests.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

MORE ON THE REVOLVING JUDICIAL DOOR

I just can't figure out what the message is supposed to be that our Courts are sending to those accused of criminal activity.

On Sunday August 25, a contingent of Hartford Police officers were assigned to the Toby Keith Concert at the Comcast Theater. Two of those officers, Sergeant Edward Yergeau and Officer Holly Donahue were assigned to patrol the parking lots and enforce underage drinking laws and keep order.

They observed a few individuals drinking that didn't appear to be of legal age. They approached the individuals to check their ID's and as is many times the case with intoxicated unerage drinkers, they didn't exhibit the best behavior.

The incident turned into a melee and the two officers ended up rolling on the ground with the underage drinkers. The underage drinkers were scratching and clawing at the officers as others in the crowd jumped on the officers backs. Both officers sustained scratches cuts and abrasions while arresting the individuals

The individuals were eventually arrested and transported to HPD where they were booked .

Maya Kumar, 19 of Fairfield CT was charged with Inciting to Riot, Assault on Police, and Interfering with Police.. Joseph Muratori , 19 also of Fairfield was also charged with the same charges. Samantha Mc Daniel  , 19 ofStartford Ct was charged with Public Drinking, Interfering with Police, and Possession of Alcohol by a minor.

Now the confusing part. All three were released by the Bail Commissioner from GA 14 on a Promise to Appear. I understand Bond is not supposed to be punitive, but they just assaulted Police Officers. They were back on the streets before the Officer's report was probably even written. And most likely still intoxicated. Maybe if they had to come up with even as little as  $1000.00 bond to get their release, the incident might be taken a little more seriously in the future.

A WPTA doesn't show a lot of support for our law enforcement officers who had just been assaulted.

THE REVOLVING JUDICIAL DOOR

 
Hartford is a violent City. I don't think many people would argue with that. When it comes to the discussion of how we change, that is where the difficulty begins.

I have a suggestion. As I read the releases regarding Hartford's gun arrests one thing seems crystal clear. Most of the people being arrested in Hartford for illegal possession of guns have already been arrested at least once for the exact same thing. Somehow that tells me the courts and the judicial system are not doing their part.

The arrests are being made by the Shooting Task Force and other Police Officers, so law enforcement seems to be doing its part uncovering the weapons and the criminals. For whatever reasons the courts are not following through. I believe in second chances and the first time might be explainable, but after the first arrest, I think you are exhibiting that you are unable to conform to the laws that society has put in place.

I obtained an Unusual Occurrence Report (UOR) from the Hartford Police Department today that is very troubling to me. UOR's are generated by Hartford Police Supervisors as a management tool that helps inform supervisors of critical incidents. They are also used to release information to the media.

This UOR was regarding a gun arrest made by HPD on Tuesday night. HPD had received information that several individuals were in the City in a rental vehicle and were in the possession of guns  and HPD Police uniforms. The information was that they intended to commit a robbery.

Hartford Police Detective Antuna observed the suspect vehicle  in a parking lot at 884 Capitol Avenue. Detective Antuna, with the assistance of Patrol Officers stopped the vehicle and a loaded firearm, a Colt 45 revolver, a bb gun, a ski mask and an HPD Sergeant's uniform shirt  and an HPD baseball cap were all found in the vehicle.

The most troubling part is yet to come though.

One of the persons arrested was identified as George Ortiz,  of 847 Burnside Avenue in East Hartford. He was charged with Criminal Possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and weapons in a motor vehicle. Now the troubling part... as a footnote on the UOR it stated that Ortiz is currently on probation for Murder charges. WHAT?

Why is his probation not immediately revoked? Why is someone that is already on probation for murder and now roaming our streets in possession of HPD uniforms and a Colt 45 and a ski mask allowed to stay out. I have a hard time believing his intentions were honorable.

I would venture to guess that were either using the HPD  Uniforms to gain access somewhere for a robbery, or more likely robbing drug dealers who probably arent' going to call 911 to report that their drugs and cash  and weapons were just stolen by a Hartford cop.

The Judicial system needs to start doing their part and that is not a slap on the wrists and send them home. Serious sentences need to be handed out to those willing to carry and use  illegal fireamrs on our streets. Especially a convicted murderer on probation