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Saturday, January 25, 2014

IRISH EYES WILL BE SMILING

 
 
Spring can't be too far away when we start talking Saint Patrick's Day Parade time.
 
Tomorrow from 1:00 to 5:00PM  at the Arch Street Tavern, the Hartford Parade Committee will be hosting a fundraiser to offset the cost of this years Parade. the details are below.
 

Thursday, January 23, 2014

FROM HPD, DUI CHECKPOINT


LET'S BE CLEAR

I know I have people that love this blog and there are others that detest it. I know that this morning there are Police Officers and Firefighters that aren't happy about issues being exposed to the public view.

I understand that, but these are public employee's being paid for by taxpayer dollars. I also have the highest regard for both agencies and just want to remind everyone that reads this blog that for the handful of problem officers and firefighters, there are hundreds more on the job that are outstanding public servants.

Those outstanding servants are out there today in subfreezing temperatures patrolling our streets and if called upon going into burning structures  under the worst of conditions.

The one thing that will help build public trust and confidence in both agencies is how they handle their problems. To ignore the problem and pretend it isn't happening will only lead to more problems and closer scrutiny from residents and others.

Since taking over HPD, Chief Rovella has confronted problems head on from the start. I am sure he probably wasn't happy when I called him for comment yesterday on Detective Johnson and Officer Smith, but he was upfront and honest and there was no indication of any cover up or misinformation. That is why the community seems to be more involved in their relationship with HPD. They trust the guy.

The comments at Community meetings seem to be less and less about bad interactions with HPD Officers , but more often about positive stories and successful interactions with the men and women of HPD.

That is what happens when you are transparent. The community partners notice and relationships are strengthened. It is not always easy to sit back and take the punch in the gut that you know is coming, but it sure  looks a lot better than being involved in a cover up or losing the public trust when the information finally comes out.

Police Officer's I have spoke with aren't happy about negative information coming out, but almost all of them end that statement by saying Chief Rovella is fair and evenhanded with discipline and they are happy that he is addressing problems and cleaning house. In the past many of these problems were well known but it was just easier to move the problems around. Vice and Narcotics to  Major Crimes and then to the pistol permit area. The behavior doesn't change if the problem isn't removed, kind of like a cancer

HFD might consider following the leadership style of Chief Rovella, taking action might hurt for a bit, but it is a lot better than addressing the problem when something tragic or much larger happens because the bad behavior was allowed. It also sets the tone for the rest of the organization.

So keep in mind that we have great men and women serving us in both the Police and Fire Departments, as well as the rest of the City Departments, try not to paint them all with the same broad brush

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

AN UNUSUAL REQUEST

This is going to be a cyptic posting because in all honesty, it is more important to me to see this matter addressed than it is to put specifics out. I can deal with a lot, but I could never deal with the death of a firefighter because I sat back and did nothing

The following comment was posted on the blog earlier tonight;

"Too bad HFD can't add one to the list. The problem child from Engine #14 was at it again the other day. Come to work at 8am sober, go home at 3pm drunk. When will HQ do something about this?

I have confirmed the behavior in question as well as those who were in attendance when it occurred, I am not going to post too much on specifics, but if the need arises I'm not shy.

For several months now I have been receiving calls about an intoxicated firefighter who is in a supervisory capacity. I am not posting this to see anyone lose their job, but I can't sit idly by and potentially see any Hartford Firefighter lose their life in a fire because someone's alcohol addiction has impaired their decision making.

As we have seen in other recent incidents, these issues are or may be common knowledge, but no one steps up and shows any leadership and deals with the issue. I don't personally know the firefighter in question, and he may very well be worth salvaging, To do nothing and wait for something tragic to happen and then sit back and say "Geez, we should have done something after the first time a District Chief had to drive him home drunk" is wrong.

The first priority of this administration is to protect the well being and safety of firefighters under this persons supervision. It is not to coddle to the Union President, who was also allegedly there yesterday and witnessed the behavior.The Firefighters Union should be just as interested in getting help for this individual as well as protecting their other members subjected to this dangerous behavior.

For Chief Huertas, Chief Shapiro or Chief Waller, who all witnessed yesterday from what sources have told me, the incident is a total lack of leadership. Do what you know you need to do and get this individual help. It is no longer a one time incident , it is a pattern of addiction. When a resident on a medical aid call has to ask" Is this guy drunk?" , you have a problem

Address the problem before something tragic happens. Chief Huertas I know you are capable of stepping up and doing what you need to do. Make the tough decisions that  leaders have to make

If anyone wants to air their concerns over this matter, you can call me in strict confidence at 860-883-2297. It might be you or one of your fellow firefighters that you are saving.

ADD TWO MORE HPD OPENINGS TO THE LIST

If the attrition rate at the Hartford Police Department wasn't bad enough due to retirements and transfers, stupidity and greed seem to be taking their toll also.

According to several sources, two veteran Hartford Police Officers may be added to the unemployment rolls any day now. Officer Will Smith has been the subject of much speculation lately as controversy swirled over a homicide victim that went unnoticed for hours last summer on Linnmore Street in the City's southend. Despite the calls for numerous gunshots fired, the dead body went undetected until after sunrise the next morning, when found by neighbors. Smith was one of the first responding officers in that case

The controversy that seems to be the career ender now though is over a prisoner that Smith released from his custody after arresting him. The suspect apparently had an arrest warrant out of Rocky Hill. Smith , according to sources, ran the suspects name and was told by the Dispatch Center that the warrant was valid and Rocky Hill wanted him and would come pick him up at HPD.

 Unfortunately for Rocky Hill, all of this was taking place at the end of Smith's shift and sources said Rocky Hill didn't arrive fast enough so Smith released the man wanted by Rocky Hill.. It is unclear at this point if the arrest warrant has been served yet after Smith's "unarrest".Smith will most likely either be allowed to resign or be officially terminated in the next 7 days.

 The next opening is a little more troubling. Sources are telling me that Detective Tishay Johnson is most likely facing Criminal charges over a scheme to deposit fees paid to HPD for Pistol Permits and other items into his personal checking account, essentially allegedly embezzling money for the permits paid to HPD. This was uncovered by an HPD investigation and was promptly dealt with by Chief Rovella and the HPD Internal Affairs Division.

In a conversation this evening, Hartford Police Chief James Rovella said that there are "Actually two parallel investigations, one administrative and one criminal" Rovella also stated there is apparently no truth to any comments that Johnson may have sold Pistol permits ,but that a full audit of Pistol permit applications is being conducted as a safeguard

Sources are telling me that an arrest warrant application is in the works. This investigation also has the possibility to expand into misuse of State dollars and possibly sales of pistol permits. The investigation came to light today after a HPD Lieutenant circulated a memo that Johnson was no longer allowed access to the Public Safety Complex at 253 High Street.

It just amazes me the thinking of these officers. Being a Hartford Police Officer is definitely a difficult career, but it also has some excellent benefits , especially pension and retirement. Why would anyone jeopardize their career over such ridiculous things when there are still large amounts of overtime and private jobs available for police officers willing to work.

Monday, January 20, 2014

WOODEN:"A LUXURY WE CAN'T AFFORD"

After the release last week of some great crime reduction stats, we knew it was inevitable. We should be able reduce Police spending since crime is down.Council President Shawn Wooden was quoted in a Coirant article as saying the Hartford Police Mounted Patrol was "a luxury we can't afford".

 The first step might be in the elimination of the Hartford Mounted Police. The Horse Unit is apparently a luxury we can't afford according to a quote attributed to Hartford City Council President Shawn Wooden.

How do you gauge the value of the Mounted Patrol. How do you determine the number of muggings that might be prevented by their mere presence in Bushnell Park. How do you determine how many brawls or shootings have been prevented when the bars let out downtown by the presence of a side stepping horse pushing a crowd back and clearing the streets.

Everyone loves to thump their chests and take credit for the media coverage when crime numbers drop, but they don't drop by luck or waving the City Hall magic wand. They drop because we have a very capable Police Chief who has put crime fighting strategies in place . And yes, those strategies cost money. You can't have it both ways

And sadly, you aren't going to fight crimes with empty promises. The Police Academy class that was promised to begin in March has apparently now, according to sources, been pushed off until the new Fiscal year in July. The money spent on overtime to fill vacancies because of that delay would probably fund the mounted unit for many months.

Mr. Wooden, here are a few luxuries that we are paying for that could result in substantial savings. First off make the Office of the Mayor live within his budget and pay for only the positions allowed under the Charter. Does the ego driven Mayor really need a "scheduler" following a few feet behind him wherever he goes, I-Pad in hand. Probably at a salry in excess of $50,000.00 from what I have been told, time for an FOI on that one.

Can we still afford one full time Administrative Assistant for every Councilperson? Now I think that is a luxury we can't afford. The Connecticut Legislature seems to function just fine with three or four Legislator's sharing  one Assistant.. Why can't the Hartford City Council follow their lead?.

Can we still afford a full suite of City lawyers in the Corporation Counsel  Office. Especially since both the City Council and the Internal Audit Commission are  going outside to find their own attorney's for legal advice. That Office is a luxury we can't afford. A complete remake of that office is due, considering the amount of legal work that is now farmed out to outside law firms and the track record of the Corp Counsel.

Another luxury is the salary paid to the Deputy Democratic Registrar who receives his full time pay, even while he is working his second job as the Clerk of the Connecticut Senate. Why? Maybe so he can pay his recent fines for admitting to election fraud with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

I can go on, but I think I made my point.

Leave the Police Department alone and let the Police Chief do what he knows how to do. You clearly like touting the results so why mess with something that is working.No one on this Council has any law enforcement  experience above the level of Police Cadet.

In the meantime, for anyone that is interested in helping to keep the "luxury", both financial donations and physical donations to help with the upkeep of the unit are being solicited. The information is below