2008 Safe City Initiative

As you may recall, on May 15, 2008, in a joint press conference with Mayor Eddie A. Perez, we launched our 2008 Safe City Initiative. Developed as a city wide effort by the HPD, the guiding principles of our 2008 Safe City Initiative are built upon service, relationships and safety. Its objectives, through a strong police presence, are two fold: to suppress violent crime, thereby limiting opportunities of those who would commit crime; and to enhance quality of life enforcement - aimed at creating a safe environment on our streets and in our neighborhoods.

It is my firm belief that to accomplish the goals of crime reduction, a safer community, and enhanced quality of life, we must effectively partner with community stakeholders, local, state, and federal agencies, and all members of the community we serve. Also, a change in the mindset of our officers that envisions everyone as information gatherers, as well as “quality of life specialists” must be embraced. Each officer must continue to strive for excellence under the neighborhood policing plan, thereby developing a true sense of ownership within the neighborhoods. Crime reduction, safer communities, and enhanced quality of life enforcement will be the product of this comprehensive approach to policing.
The following are the seventeen programs and strategies which make up the 2008 Safe City Initiative that I believe will provide a strong framework for the reduction of violent crime, enhancement of the community, and employee recognition for exemplary work:

1. Community contact partnership program
2. Crime solvers tip line program
3. Cop-a-book program (fall 2008)
4. Increased collaboration with federal and state agencies
5. Quality of life enforcement
6. Utilization of the Compstat process
7. Mid-squad city-wide conditions teams
8. Relentless warrant service and de-briefing by uniform personnel
9. Deployment of resources in hotspot areas
10. Project safe neighborhoods (PSN) program
11. High visibility traffic enforcement
12. Knock and talk details
13. Home visits for gang members and recently released parolees
14. Motor vehicle traffic checkpoints
15. Field intelligence retrieval and management system (firm)
16. Community service officer, school resource officer and neighborhood district conditions team meetings
17. Employee recognition program: Firearm Arrest & Felony Intelligence Recognition Program.

On June 9th, my command staff and I met with Connecticut State Police Colonel Thomas Davoren and members of his staff, at Hartford Police Headquarters, to discuss the role of the Connecticut State Police in the city’s 2008 Safe City Initiative. Without providing intimate details, suffice to say the HPD and Connecticut State Police will be collaborating on a comprehensive plan that will be incorporated into the 2008 Safe City Initiative.

Please know that as soon as details of our collaboration with the Connecticut State Police, and other state and federal agencies, are complete, I will be sure to share them with you.

In the meantime, I look forward to you sharing your thoughts and ideas with me and the men and women of the Hartford Police Department.

Daryl K. RobertsChief of Police