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Monday, February 18, 2019

NEXT HPD RECRUIT CLASS INCREASING DIVERSITY

Some basic numbers for the incoming HPD recruit class scheduled to begin in March.

The class is made up of 2 Black males, 3 Black females, 6 Hispanic males, 3 Hispanic females,3 White males, 1 White female.

5 are Hartford Residents, 14 are non residents

The class was originally scheduled for 19 recruits, but 1 Hispanic male has dropped out.

**Note- There are no requirements to identify as LGBTQ and those stats are not kept

HPD MAKES ROBBERY ARREST

19-5482/Commercial Robbery w/ Firearm

On 2/18/19 at approximately 0917, officers responded to the Dollar General, located at 281 Barbour Street to investigate a robbery complaint.   Upon arrival, the complainant/victim informed officers the accused concealed several bottles of shampoo within his backpack. As the accused approached the front of the store and passed all points of purchase, the complainant confronted the accused and requested he remove the unpaid merchandise from his backpack. The accused immediately lifted his shirt, revealing a handle of what was perceived to be a firearm and stated, "I don't have nothing, see." The accused left the store and was located by officers in the area of  5 Love Lane. MCD was on scene. The BB gun was recovered and the accused charged appropriately.

Arrested: Ottah Holder 08/19/73 of 100 Nutmeg Lane East Hartford, CT
Charge: Robbery 1st

Friday, February 15, 2019

#ME TOO, EXCEPT IN HARTFORD

When you enter most City of Hartford buildings you should notice the large blue and white signs proclaiming Hartford's policy of "zero Tolerance" for workplace violence , sexual harassment and blah, blah , blah,. The blah , blah , blah part I added as my editorial content, but apparently that is also the policy of the powers to be for the City of Hartford.
The recent complaint filed by Hartford Police Officer Kelly Baerga, an openly gay officer and the Department's liaison to the LGBTQ community. Baerga's claims paint a very troubling scenario of sexual harassment that may exist between at least one supervisor, Sergeant Andrew Rodney and Baerga.
This case does not appear to be a "he said/she said" type allegation but rather has been apparently witnessed by several others including Lieutenant Paul West..
If even 10% of what Baerga claims is accurate, there is no place for anyone like Andrew Rodney to have a leadership or supervisory role at HPD. And let me just say that I have no reason to believe that 100% of her complaint is not accurate and I am not trying to trivialize her claims, I think this is a pattern of behavior by Rodney.
Rodney was also the subject of a blog posting first reported on this blog in January of 2018.Rodney came under scrutiny after he removed an AR-15 assault rifle from a Community gun buyback by meeting the resident in the parking lot and offering her cash to be able to buy the gun for his "personal collection". You can read that post here.
Although, on the face value, Baerga's claim seems to be credible, Sergeant Rodney has also made media comments acknowledging his behavior, further enhancing the credibility of the complaint.
The timeline and the claim of lack of response by HPD's Administration seems to be a little cloudy though, for various reasons. Baerga mentions in her complaint  that "on or about May 31, 2018" she spoke to Assistant Chief Ralph Medina to explain the incident. Once that conversation was complete, according to documents obtained by "We the People", Medina immediately transferred Rodney out of recruiting and moved him to the South District in a different supervisory role. 

Although Baerga claims that she felt her and Lieutenant West were being punished for filing a sexual harassment complaint  the internal time line obtained by WTP appears to disprove that. Documents show that on May 15, 2018 Lieutenant Ian Powell, Deputy Chief Sonya Watson and Deputy Chief Dustin Rendock were all advised Simultaneously by Assistant Chief Medina that Lieutenant West would temporarily be transferred to the South District as the Commander during Lieutenant Powell's absence and that assignment would begin immediately until June 9, 2018.
In and by itself, Rodney's behavior should be troubling enough , and a pretty clear cut violation of the City's and HPD's  Harassment and discrimination Policy and makes you wonder when the "zero Tolerance" policy kicks in.
Even more  troubling is that Andrew Rodney is an elected official and a member of the Hartford Democratic Town Committee for the 7th District. Where is the outcry from Hartford's Democrats? Is discrimination and harassment against gay employees as long as race is not mixed in?
Sergeant Andrew Rodney on the steps of Hartford City Hall as Mayor Bronin announces his re-election bid

 Hartford Democratic Town Committee , 7th District roster
Is it ok to be a member of the DTC as long as you stand behind the incumbent Mayor as he announces his reelection bid and as long as you show your loyalty your behavior doesn't matter. People have been forced to resign for far less than Baerga's allegations  documented homophobic behavior, but yet Hartford's political "leaders" are conveniently silent.
Where is Mayor Bronins statement? Where is the 7th District State Rep Joshua Hall? Where is Hartford's Democratic Chairperson Marc DiBella?Where are the other Mayoral candidates? If this were an issue of racial discrimination, every Councilperson and politician would be running for the closest microphone to make their opinions known. Is this issue any less serious or important?:
Andrew Rodney needs to be forced to resign from his DTC position and needs to immediately be removed  or terminated from HPD.
I we are going to impose that punishment on the Sgt. Barone's of the world for their behavior, Sgt. Rodney deserves nothing less.

Baerga Complaint by on Scribd

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

WE THE PEOPLE INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF ROSADO AND ASSISTANT CHIEF THODY

This is not the full interview, due to technical difficulties with the equipment at Hartford Public Access Television, the beginning and the last couple minutes were lost, but I thought the main part of the conversation was informative enough to post it. Chief Rosado talks about HPD recruitment efforts and the next class having a 78% minority composition.

Thursday, February 7, 2019

QUICK WORK BY HPD WITH DOWNTOWN ARMED ROBBERY ARREST




Hartford, CT (February 6th, 2019) Hartford Police arrest two involved in daytime commercial robbery of cellular phone store. 

On Wednesday February 06, 2019, at approximately 3:34pm, patrol officers were dispatched to 1297 Main Street on the report of an armed robbery. The victim reported an individual entered the business (Metro PCS) armed with a silver firearm and demanded the cashier empty the register. The suspect was handed money from the register and fled the scene on foot. It was discovered soon thereafter that several hundred dollars was stolen during the robbery. 

Members of the Capital City Command Center (C4) quickly obtained surveillance video in the area that captured the suspect entering a silver Infinti Q50. Through additional footage, the registration marker plate on this vehicle was identified. Detectives assigned to the Major Crimes Division (MCD) immediately assumed control of the investigation.

The suspect vehicle information was disseminated to other law enforcement agencies across the state. With this information, the suspect vehicle was located a short time later by members of the Manchester Police Department at the registered owner's address. HPD MCD detectives and members of the Hartford Police Emergency Response Team responded to the location of the suspect vehicle and were able to locate the vehicle's owner with the assistance of the Manchester Police Department. At this time, the firearm used in this incident was also recovered. (Loaded Bersa 9mm handgun)

Through additional investigative efforts, the identity of the primary participant in the robbery was obtained. This individual was located on Willard Street in Hartford a short time later and taken into custody without incident by members of the HPD Patrol Division and Street Crimes Unit.  Further evidence related to the crime, including suspected stolen cash, was recovered. 


Arrested and charged with the following:

Munroe, Michael (white button shirt) 
DOB 09/12/1985 of 51 Starkweather Street, Manchester, CT

Charges: Robbery First Degree, Conspiracy/Robbery First Degree, Firearms Trafficking. Munroe is currently being held on a $200,000 bond and is to be arraigned at 10:00am at 101 Lafayette Street. 



Seay, Shantee (white hooded sweatshirt)
DOB 03/03/1984 of 17 Willard Street, Hartford, CT

Charges: Robbery First Degree, Conspiracy Robbery First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Pistol w/out Permit, Possession of Narcotics. Seay is currently being held on a $300,000 bond as is to be arraigned at 10:00am at 101 Lafayette Street. 

“The tremendous efforts of all involved in this investigation led to the quick apprehension of two dangerous suspects who carried out a brazen armed robbery near one of the busiest intersections in the city in broad daylight.  Investigators in Hartford, as well as  our partners in Manchester, seamlessly worked together to close this case with a dual arrest within hours.  Our Capital City Crime Center has once again proven how technology that we utilize frequently assists in some crucial aspects of investigations.”



Sunday, February 3, 2019

THE DROUGHT IS OVER

Congratulations New England Patriot's