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Thursday, May 19, 2016

FROM HPD

HARTFORD POLICE TO CONDUCT DUI ENFORCEMENT CHECKPOINT (Hartford, CT.) –
The Hartford Police Department Traffic Division will conduct a DUI Enforcement Checkpoint on Friday, May 20, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., in the area of 1000 Maple Avenue.

 This checkpoint is part of the Hartford Police Department’s ongoing expanded DUI enforcement program supervised by the HPD’s Traffic Division and funded through a grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation DUI Enforcement Program.

For the most up to date traffic information visit the State of Connecticut interactive traffic map including statewide traffic cameras. The Hartford Police Department encourages you to protect your vehicle and belongings by “putting your junk in your trunk.” Click here to view car break prevention tips from the HPD.

IS THIS ANOTHER BLIGHTED PROPERTY FOR THE LIST?


Has someone forgotten about the Affleck  Street Police Substation lawn?

I know things are tough but this sets a terrible example for the neighborhood, the grass is over a foot high and loaded with weeds.  While taking the picture , DPW crews were half a block away mowing the Zion Hill Cemnetary. I know thjey have specific functions , but what would it take, 2 minutes to mow this little patch of grass?

And as a sidenote, I am told that all the debris I posted about last night from the Stadium has been cleaned up this morning. Someone does read "We the People" I guess. Maybe Affleck Street will be mowed before the weekend.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

THE HELL WITH SAFETY, PUSH FOR COMPLETION

A concerned resident walking around the Dunkin Donuts Park tonight sent me the pictures below. These areas are unsecured and no fencing or barricades are in place to protect the area. The stadium is also unsecured exact for one police officer outside, who can't possibly see all entrances and areas.

The steel left in the street and on the sidewalk, the hazardous, flammable materials left out in the open and the pallets and debris all make for hazardous conditions as well as possible OSHA violations. A lawsuit waiting to happen.

The safety of the pedestrians and motorists, as well as students from Capitol Prep I guess aren't a concern in DONO. Where is the City and its inspectors allowing these hazardous conditions?

Has Centerplan ever run a construction site before?

This isn't too flammable, left on the sidewalk outside the stadium


Steel on the sidewalk and in the street, no caution tape, sidewalk still open to pedestrian traffic
This is how the sidewalk and the street are left

Someone really needs to pay attention before this stadium cost us millions more than it already has, from injury lawsuits

MY APOLOGIES TO DRUNKEN SAILORS

Apparently as many in City government are looking for ways to save and cutback, the Hartford School System is on a spending spree. This is nothing new for Hartford's Schools from what I am told. Apparently administrators  and others at the Board are encouraged to spend any surplus rather than risk losing that money back to the City at the end of the fiscal year.

The saying " spending like drunken sailors is an annual tradition. It seems inconceivable that anyone could morally condone this behavior at a time when upwards of 250 employees are in dander of losing their jobs. But, then again, as we have seen lately, moral behavior seems to be a foreign term in the administration.

The Board and the Superintendents Office are very slow to answer questions and FOI requests regarding spending, but I think they are quickly finding out that my "alternative means" work just as well. I am still waiting for the specific numbers on the Miami trip, but thank you to all that have provided information, names and details for the trip. Just because Jill Cutler Hodgman refuses to speak or provide documents, plenty of other well intentioned people will. I sincerely thank those of you who have assisted me, putting the well being of children and their education above the nonsense that goes on under the watchful eyes of the Board and the Superintendent

Apparently the Miami trip to pick up a Magnet school award included teachers and the Principal from the Noah Webster School as well as the school's "Operations Manager". I know it was a long time ago, but when I was in school we called our operations manager the Principal.


 
The Miami trip, looks like fun. Paid for by the Hartford Schools apparently, since they refuse to release any information. Noah Webster school employees identified as Kelly Sousa, center, Heather Zottola , right

The Miami trip is just one example of spending like drunken sailors, but another example is in line with the nautical theme, possibly as a tribute to drunken sailors.

I received an e-mail Monday telling me about a $4,000 ( yes you read the zero's correctly, four thousand) a $4,000  fish tank purchased by Hartford' Schools for the lobby of Noah Webster School. Today I received another phone call about the Miami trip and also telling me about the $4,000 fish tank. The caller also explained that the School (Principal) has also hired a contractor to come in regularly to clean and maintain the fish tank.
THE $4,000 FISHTANK (the extension cord running across the floor is a lawsuit waiting to happen and likely an electrical code violation also)

Let me go back to the morals again for a moment. How can anyone think about laying off educators while taking trips to Miami and buying $4,000 fish tanks. How do those expenditures relate to educating children .What is more important, paid vacations and fish tanks or actual teachers in the classroom.

It is also ironic that at the same time that I am typing this blog post, teachers at Noah Webster School are preparing for a vote of no confidence in the Principal. Maybe  a vote of no confidence would be more appropriate for the Superintendent and the Board for allowing this nonsense to occur unchecked in the first place.

Keep the confidential  information coming.

Hartford Fire Department Responds to Report of Fire at Legislative Office Building Tuesday



Hartford, Conn. ( May 17, 2016 )  — Yesterday at 11:45 A.M., the Hartford Fire Department responded to a reported fire that was extinguished on the 2nd floor of the Legislative Office building.

When fire crews arrived on scene they confirmed that a small electrical fire involving a power strip had been extinguished prior to our arrival.  The building was evacuated as a result of the fire.

Fire crews worked along with building maintenance to clear the smoke from the building.  A city electrical inspector as well as State Fire Marshal responded to investigate.

There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

FROM HPD: ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF OFFICERS DOING SOMETHING GOOD, GREAT WORK BY HPD


Double Homicide
Location of Incident -100 Cowles Street Hartford, Connecticut
Date and time of Incident -May 16, 2016 : 2226 hours
Case # 16-14029
Victim -Cortez, Joshua, Date of Birth-03/04/1994
Victim -Ocasio, Alysha, Date of Birth-05/02/1993


On Monday, May 16, 2016, at 10:26 P.M., Hartford Police Department Patrol Officers responded to the area of 100 Cowles Street in response to a Shot Spotter activation.  Several citizens also called 911. reporting shots fired and  person on the ground. 

Upon Officers arrival, two victims were located at the intersection of Cowles Street and Campfield Avenue.  The first victim, identified as Joshua Cortez, Date of Birth-03/04/1994, was located lying in the street. Cortez sustained what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced deceased on scene. The second victim, identified as Alysha Ocasio, Date of Birth-05/02/1993, was located inside of a vehicle parked at the same intersection.  Ocasio sustained several apparent gunshot wounds to her torso.  Ocasio was transported to Hartford Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. 

HPD Major Crimes Division and Crime Scene Division Personnel responded and assumed the investigation.  Several spent shell casings as well as one live round were located in close proximity to both victims.  A car tire was located one block north of the scene. This tire was suspected to belong to a vehicle involved in this incident. The suspected vehicle missing a tire was located a short time later parked across from 141 Freeman Street, unoccupied. Witnesses in the area reported that the occupants of the suspect vehicle exited the car and got into a second suspect vehicle and drove away. This second suspect vehicle was located by HPD Patrol Officers a short time later. This vehicle contained five occupants who were believed to be involved in this incident.

Interviews of the five occupants were conducted by HPD Major Crimes Detectives. The interviews led to the arrest of one of the vehicle occupants- Joseph Silva, Date of Birth-09/22/1995.  Silva currently resides at 25 Montrose Street in Hartford, Connecticut.  A search of Silva’s residence was performed by HPD Detectives and a K-9. During this search a firearm was located in the yard. This firearm is believed to be the one used in both homicides. 

The investigation revealed that the suspect was an acquaintance of both victims and the shooting was related to emotional circumstances. 

Silva was charged with violating Connecticut General Statutes; 2 counts of Murder, 53a-54a, Unlawful Discharge, 53-203 and Altering or Removing Identification Marks on a Firearm, 29-36.  

Silva has one previous HPD arrest. His bond was set at $3,000,000. His arraignment is today. 

The Major Crimes Division is continuing to investigate this homicide. If you have any information to assist in this investigation please call Sgt Reginald Early at 860-757-4248.