Citywide Curfew for Juveniles and Minors

By now everyone should be aware that a citywide curfew is in effect prohibiting juveniles (under 16) and minors (16 and 17 years of age) from loitering on city streets past 9:00 p.m.

As a 30 day emergency measure, the curfew is intended first and foremost to protect our youth by creating as safe an environment as possible. Although some shootings do occur during the day, the majority of shooting incidents do in fact occur between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. The most important thing to remember about the curfew is that it is intended to prohibit “loitering”; it is not meant to prohibit individuals from going to or from work or conducting other purposeful business. Read details about the curfew by clicking on the following link: http://www.hartford.gov/police/PR_2008/2008_08_13_CurfewDetails.htm.

Teams of officers have been specifically assigned to patrol the city to ensure compliance. I am pleased to report that officers escorted home only 16 juveniles and/or minors found in violation of the curfew last night, the first night the curfew was in effect. There were also no shooting incidents in the city last night.

Certainly a curfew is not a final or complete solution to the gun violence which has been occurring in our city. However, for now, it is a necessary tool to ensure the safety of our youth and to protect innocent people from those reckless individuals who have no regard for their safety or the safety of others.

I want to thank the parents and young people in our city who are complying with the curfew. As the Mayor and I drove around the city last night it was heartening to see so many young people with their parents.

I also want to extend my most heartfelt condolences to the shooting victims and their families. Please know that we will never let up in our investigations until these cowardly, ruthless individuals are brought to justice and held accountable for their actions.

I encourage anyone with information that would assist in solving these crimes to utilize Text-A-Tip at CRIMES (274637) enter TIP716 and your message or call Crime Stoppers at 860-722-TIPS (8477). Both are completely confidential.

As always, I would very much like to receive your comments and suggestions.

Your Police Chief, Daryl K. Roberts

Update on Operation Safe City

As many of you may have already heard through your media of choice, Operation Safe City, a partnership between the Hartford Police Department and the Connecticut State Police geared to suppress violent crime in our great city, began yesterday, Monday, June 16th. As I write twelve uniform state troopers are working alongside Hartford police in a variety of capacities that will include walking beats, bicycle patrols, and other support activities. Without tipping our play book to the criminals we seek to eradicate from our streets, I can assure you that you will see a stronger police presence in your neighborhood.

This partnership with the Connecticut State Police is another component of our 2008 Safe City Initiative that I am confident will deter violent crime in our city. Please check out my previous Blogs for specific details about our 2008 Safe City Initiative. I look forward to hearing from you with your concerns, comments, and suggestions.

Your Chief of Police
Daryl K. Roberts