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Sunday, January 31, 2016

WELCOME BACK CHIEF FREEMAN AND CHIEF COSTELLO


Tomorrow promises to begin the start of a new era of  management, accountability and professionalism for the Hartford Fire Department. The new beginning will include the new Chief of Department Reginald Freeman, appointed by Mayor Luke Bronin and the first permanent Assistant Chief appointed in several years, former Deputy Chief of Training Frank Costello.

Chief Freeman's first  day in office will be tomorrow, February 1, 2016, It will not be an easy road for Freeman to turn around a troubled department, but I think he has the management experience and more importantly the temperament to deal with the issues facing the Department.

One of Freeman's most important tasks will be to get the naysayers to put their individual agendas aside and commit to work together and rebuild the proud team that once was the Hartford Fire Department. It is a matter of leadership and think this team can provide that leadership

Chief Costello will also play a key role in that rebuilding, after being handpicked by Freeman. From everything I have heard and been told, Costello has an excellent reputation from his previous time with HFD, and is very knowledgeable and well equipped to handle his new role.

Again, welcome back Gentleman. And for those inclined to undermine the leadership of the new management team, please think twice. If you really care about your Department, and more importantly the nobility of your profession, put the agendas and personalities aside and make this work.

Too much depends on the future of HFD and the City of Hartford to play games with this.

UPDATE: 9:30PM- Frank Costello is apparently coming back for a 6 month period as  an acting Interim Assistant Chief.  This is apparently is the result of the  "Double Dipping" Ordinance that took effect January 1, 2016 limiting the time any retiree can return to City employment to 6 months and limits their salaries. The next Assistant Chiefs will have to come from current active members of the Department or be hired from outside to be considered permanent

Saturday, January 30, 2016

FORMER HARTFORD TREASURER KATHLEEN PALM PASSES

MAYOR BRONIN & TREASURER CLOUD STATEMENTS ON PASSING OF FORMER TREASURER KATHLEEN PALM DEVINE

— NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT—

(Jan 30, 2016) Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Treasurer Adam Cloud issued the following statements regarding the passing of former City Treasurer Kathleen Palm Devine.

“Kathleen Palm Devine served Hartford with tremendous dedication for over a decade, carefully and skillfully managing our City’s financial assets,” Mayor Bronin said. “Kathleen was respected by colleagues and residents alike, and her passing is a loss for our City. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones."

“Kathleen Palm Devine was and will always be one of the City’s greatest public servants,” Treasurer Cloud said. “She was a champion for Hartford and all of its residents. Her passing is particularly difficult for me as she was both my friend and my mentor. On behalf of my staff and the Pension Commission, I wish to express our deepest condolences to her family. She will truly be missed.”

More on this as arrangements are completed.
 

Friday, January 29, 2016

ANOTHER DMV SOFTWARE SCREW-UP

The new DMV software implemented this past summer has been full of problems. Recently NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters  Len Besthoff exposed some of those issues, such as numerous registrations suspended over insurance coverage issues . This was a software mistake and most of the suspended registrations did actually have proper insurance.

The problems eventually led to the resignation of the DMV Commissioner.

Today another software glitch raised some its ugly DMV head.  A city of Hartford vehicle was involved in a traffic accident this morning. According to sources, as an HPD Officer was preparing the accident report, he ran the registration plate for the vehicle. The registration came back from DMV as suspended for unpaid taxes.

The only problem is that  the City of Hartford is tax exempt  and doesn't pay automobile taxes.

Wethersfield, we have a problem.

HPD and DMV worked together to identify the problem and Hartford's registrations for all City Vehicles apparently were quickly restored.

MORE GUNS AND DRUGS SEIZED BY STF

On January 29, 2016 at 1:30PM, members of the Shooting Task Force executed a court ordered Search & Seizure Warrant,at 74 Congress Street, room #7.

Upon execution the target of the investigation, Accused Valentin, was located and detained. Seized was a Kel-Tec .380 caliber Model P3AT Auto Pistol, s/n KGR77, with  magazine, containing five live .380 rounds of ammunition. The firearm was stolen out of New Britain, CT (one of fourteen stolen). Also seized was 2,694 wax paper envelopes each containing suspected heroin, a plastic bag containing 15.1 grams of raw heroin, $297.00 in United States currency, cellular phones, safe and gun cleaner.  was placed under arrest.

Accused; Valentin, David, M/Hispanic/36 (07/19/1979), of 74 Congress Street (#7), Hartford, CT.Charges; Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Theft of a Firearm, Possession Narcotics and PWITS Narcotics. arrest for the listed charges and transported to the PSC for booking procedures


HPD CAPTURES ROBBERY SUSPECT AFTER STRUGGLE

On January 28, 2016 at 4:26PM, members of the U.S. Marshal's Violent Fugitive Task Force, observed Accused Rushawn Carroll in the passenger seat of a vehicle on Chestnut Street. Carroll had an active felony arrest warrant for his part in the street robbery of a minister at 106 New Park Avenue occurring on October 10th, 2015. Charges include Robbery 1st Degree and Conspiracy / Robbery 1st Degree.

Detective Sherry and Perez radioed for assisting patrol units. As the vehicle turned east on Pliny Street, Unit 20 was respondingwest on Pliny Street. Upon observing the cruiser, Carroll bailed out of the vehicle at which point officers gave chase. As Carroll fled he discarded a pellet gun that closely resembled a real firearm . Deputy US Marshal Perreault apprehended Carroll in the area of 206 Mather Street.

As Deputy US Marshall  Perreault attempted to apprehend Carroll, Carroll struck  Perreault in the face with a closed fist. Detective Sherry and Officer Ragno assisted and Carroll was eventually handcuffed. Carroll was combative throughout the encounter and further spit at officers several times.
Marshall Perreault further suffered laceration to his hands while jumping fences which did require stitches.

Accused Carroll was additionally charged for Interfering w/ Police, two counts of Assault on Police and
Weapons in M/V, under case #16-03096

Great job by all officers involved..

Thursday, January 28, 2016

HPD REPLENISHMENT TO BEGIN

It appears that the Bronin Administration is serious about tackling the drastic need for Police Officer's in Hartford.

Despite the lack of hiring by the Segarra/ Wooden regime for years, the new Sheriff  in town, Mayor Luke Bronin, apparently has authorized the training of 24 to 28 new officers starting February 8, 2016.(UPDATE 5:00PM , the real number is 15 Hartford Officers, see more detail below) That information was contained in a department e-mail received from sources this afternoon. The e-mail was distributed by Lt. Christine Mertes of the Hartford Police Academy.


Unfortunately, my high hopes for increased numbers of Hartford Police Officers on our streets was a little premature. What Lt. Mertes failed to mention were the real numbers. According to one HPD source familiar with the hiring, only 15 of those recruits will actually be Hartford Officers. The additional numbers will be from other agencies taking advantage of using Hartford's Academy for training purposes.

Despite my disappointment, 15 are much better than done, which is what w saw for most of the Segarra years

HPD's  numbers have been decimated for the last few years as a result of attrition, including retirements. y most estimates, the department is at least 100 officers under where they need to be to properly staff HPD.

Conditions Unit Officers and Faith Based Community Service Officers have all been told they are being returned to the ranks of the Patrol Division as of February 7, 2016. This is required to staff vital patrol positions and account for the attrition and lack of hiring by the City