Community Appreciation

Two recent community events I believe serve as true examples of the success that can be achieved through positive partnerships between community and police. The first, this past week’s West Indian Week Celebration, which culminated with the 47th West Indian Parade on Saturday, August 8, 2009; and the second, the August 4th National Night Out Against Crime.

The support and collaboration between police and community organizations such as the Men of Color, Hartford Citizens in Action, the African American Alliance, Peacebuilders, Northeast neighborhoods, and organizers of the West Indian Week Celebration, made this year’s event the safest ever that was enjoyed by thousands of festival goers and parade spectators.

Hartford’s National Night Out Against Crime was celebrated throughout the city, from the Blue Hills Recreation Center, the Boys and Girls Club on Sigourney Street, the elderly at Tuscan Homes on Montville Street, to the Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative, and the Pope Park Recreation Center, where I might add, a spirited baseball game was played between the community and neighborhood police officers. That evening thousands of neighbors and police officers came together to take a positive stand against crime and celebrate what is good about Hartford neighborhoods.

These two examples are just a few of the many collaborations and positive partnerships that we have seen developed between community and police which has, I believe, provided an enormous contribution to the historic low in crime we are experiencing in our city.

As so often the negative overshadows our positive accomplishments, I believe it is imperative to give credit where credit is due. Therefore, I wish to extend my most heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the many members of our community and the dedicated men and women of the Hartford Police Department and their commanders for their extraordinary efforts in making our community safer. The success achieved through their collaboration and partnership is the result of a focus on service, relationships and safety and is what community policing is all about. “Success is never final!”

Click here to view photos of Hartford National Night Out participants.

Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts

Domestic Violence on the Increase

Despite historic lows in reported part one crimes in the City of Hartford (see HPD crime statistics) particularly in rape, robbery, burglary, auto theft and larceny, and a double digit reduction in shooting incidents and shooting victims, the HPD has identified an alarming trend; an increase in domestic related aggravated assaults.
In 2008, domestic related aggravated assaults increased by 36 percent over the previous year, from 138 in 2007 to 186 in 2008, accounting for close to 25 percent of all aggravated assaults. During the same period domestic related aggravated assault arrests increased by 56 percent over the previous year, from 73 in 2007 to 130 in 2008. In 2009, domestic related aggravated assaults have continued to increase, up 10 percent over 2008, accounting for 31.6 percent of our total aggravated assaults.
This trend, identified through the Hartford Police Department’s COMPSTAT process, prompted my inclusion of the creation of a Domestic Violence Response Unit in the department’s strategic plan for Fiscal Year 2009-2010. This unit will serve families in the City of Hartford struggling with the victimization of domestic violence. It is my intent that the proposed unit will be responsible for the investigation of serious domestic violence cases and the identification and tracking of repeat domestic violence offenders. I anticipate the unit creating a partnership with the State’s Attorney’s Office and victim advocacy services to ensure follow-up referral services for victims and enforcement action of perpetrators where necessary. My staff is currently in the process of designing the program and will be seeking funding sources at the state and federal level.
Domestic Violence incidents not only impact those who are abused, but they affect family members, friends, co-workers and the community at large, as witnessed in the recent kidnapping and hostage incident in Hartford and South Windsor. Domestic related calls for service are among the most dangerous facing law enforcement. It is my belief that a renewed emphasis on domestic related violence that utilizes prevention and intervention will ultimately reduce the repetitive and escalating nature of this violence that threatens the safety of our entire community.

Click here for more HPD crime statistic information visit the HPD Crime Analysis webpage..

Roster of Neighborhood Policing Staff

Here is a link to the HPD roster of neighborhood policing staff with contact numbers and email addresses.

A Quieter City

Noise complaints are the number one call for service received by the police department during the evening hours. Consequently, as Chief, I have made enforcement of the City of Hartford's noise ordinance the number one quality of life priority for the Hartford Police Department.

Inasmuch as many residents may not realize the laws governing noise in our city, this week the City of Hartford, including the Mayor's Office, City Council Members, Hartford Police Department, and community advocates launched a "Quiet Please" community education campaign about the do's and don'ts of making noise in the city.

First of all, did you know that it is against the law to make noise in the City of Hartford that can be heard 100 feet from its source at any time of day or night? Also, violation of the city noise ordinance can result in a $90.00 fine, judge-ordered community service, or, if violations persist, a jail sentence of up to 25 days.

In April of 2008, following enactment of changes to the city's noise ordinance, the HPD began conducting training for all officers on noise enforcement. As a result of the new provisions in the noise ordinance, increased training of police personnel with respect to noise violations, and an increased emphasis on noise enforcement, we have significantly increased enforcement.

However, just as important to me as enforcement, is the sharing of information with the public so that there is a clear understanding of what constitutes noise violations and that the public is aware that their police department is doing their part to make our neighborhoods not only safer but quieter.

For your information and convenience I have included this link to the procedures for making noise complaints to the police: How to report a noise problem.

I have no doubt with the public's assistance and knowledge of the laws governing noise in the city that we can all enjoy quieter neighborhoods and an improved quality of life.

As always your comments and suggestions are most welcome. I do want and need to hear from you so that I can learn what is important to our customers - the residents, businesses, workers and visitors to our city - whom we serve and protect.

Illegal Street Racing

Last week I had the opportunity to testify before the Connecticut General Assembly’s Transportation Committee in support of House Bill 5262, An Act Concerning the Impoundment of Vehicles Used for Illegal Street Racing. The purpose of the legislation would be to discourage Illegal street racing by allowing that anyone who engages in illegal street racing shall have the motor vehicle being operated by such person at the time of the violation impounded for thirty days. The legislation also provides for a series of fines. Here is a link to the bill: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5262&which_year=2009.

Illegal street racing has been a growing menace in our city for some years, disturbing the peace and wreaking havoc on certain thoroughfares during the late night hours. Despite increased enforcement efforts, illegal street racers and those who patronize their activities have continued to pose a serious threat to public safety. The situation is extremely hazardous to participants as well as unsuspecting motorists who find themselves engulfed by the swarm of activity. This activity has been especially problematic for the department in that it occurs during peak times for “calls for service” necessitating the redeployment of critical resources from other parts of the city to maintain order and public safety.

Enforcement activities have including arresting spectators (it is illegal to be a spectator of illegal street racing); arrests for trespassing and /or interfering with police, and the issuance of thousands of infractions.

In 2008 alone the public costs associated with illegal street racing included approximately $50,000 for installation of road modifications by the City of Hartford Public Works Department (speed bumps to deter racing), approximately 728 HPD work-hours valued at $67,500.00, and untold costs to homeowners and business owners for property damage to lawns, parks, personal property, fences, and the hiring of security guards.

As spring is upon us you can be sure we will do everything we can to enforce quality of life issues and keep our streets safe. Hopefully, if enacted by the General Assembly, the additional enforcement tools provided in this legislation will help deter this hazardous and costly public safety situation. As always, I want to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

Visit this link on YouTube to see the extent and brazenness of illegal street racers in our area.

"Success is Never Final"

Last week I had the opportunity to meet with Hartford public school parents as a participant in the Hartford Public Schools Community Conversations sponsored “Build a Recipe for Student Success” event. It was an honor for me to meet with these parents and share my experience in building a recipe for success, both as a student and a parent.

I want to thank Superintendent Steven Adamowski and his staff, particularly Ms. Nancy Ben Ben and David Medina, for arranging and sponsoring this important community forum.

As those of you who know me, my personal mantra is “success is never final.” I believe this applies to all aspects of our life, but particularly as parents. We need to consistently be there for our children; they need us to listen to them in order to hear their needs.

I also believe nothing replaces a structured home environment. When I was a child (back in the day) my mother had rules - you came home from school, changed your cloths, did your homework, were on time for dinner, and if you went out to play you had to be home before the street lights came on. Going to school was not optional. It was expected. Graduation was expected. Expectations were clear and understood.

Certainly the world is much different today. However, the recipe for success, hard work, discipline, structure, with the support of a good environment has not changed. I do my very best to impart these values in my own children. And as any parent knows it is not always easy, and “success is never final.”



Your thoughts are welcome.

This week at the HPD

The last two weeks have been very busy at the Hartford Police Department. My staff and I are in the process of developing next year’s budget and we continue to implement our safe city Initiative. While challenged with the same fiscal constraints we are all facing in today’s perilous economy, I want you to know that I will do my very best to preserve the highest level of police services necessary to keep our city safe. Although the planned April police recruit class has been postponed to July, I want to assure you that the level of police services you have become accustomed to will be maintained. Despite the fiscal challenges ahead, I will continue seek improvements in the services we provide to the public we serve.

Speaking of improvements, we continue to transform the HPD website to make it easier to navigate so that information from the department is more accessible to you. Please do not hesitate to share any suggestions you may have for improvements to our webpage.

Finally, I want to share with you a 1964 television episode of “Lawbreakers” recently found in the files of the HPD. This episode of “Lawbreakers”, hosted and produced by actor Lee Marvin and the Hartford Police Department, depicts a homicide investigation by the HPD. As then HPD Police Chief John J. Kerrigan says in his closing remarks, the quick capture of the suspect was made possible not only by excellent police work, but most importantly, by the cooperation of the public - a message that remains true to this day. Click here to view the video or visit our website at www.hartford.gov/police.


Please write, as I value your comments and want to know what public safety issues concern you, your family, business or community.

A Message From Chief Daryl K. Roberts

Please accept my invitation for you to visit the new HPD homepage on our website at www.Hartford.Gov/police. In response to user feedback we have been working hard at improving navigation and presentation of information on our website from a community perspective.

You will see on the right menu (in light blue) red links to department services and information. This new navigation menu is designed to improve citizen access to information is a quick and easy manner.

Inasmuch as the site remains a constant work in progress, your suggestions on design and content are most welcome and invaluable to me as I continue my efforts to increase accessibility of information about services and programs of the department.

You may recently have seen the digital billboards on I-91 and I-84 promoting Hartford Crime Stoppers. I extend my thanks and appreciation to Lamar Advertising and Hartford Crime Stoppers for their continuing efforts to bring attention to this valuable community program. By providing guaranteed anonymity to tipsters, and cash rewards for information leading to an arrest in a police investigation, Hartford Crime Stoppers is not only a valuable community crime prevention tool, but also a program of community empowerment. I encourage you to take advantage of Hartford Crime Stoppers whose motto is “Protect our community and we will protect your identity.” http://metrohartford.crimestoppersweb.com/localnews.aspx

It is my intent to write as often as I can – about current issues effecting the Hartford Police Department and the community we serve and protect. Please share your thoughts, concerns, or problems in our community or with the department you wish me to address.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all.

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

A Week's Progress..

Again, it has been a very busy and productive week for the Hartford Police Department. We made arrests in two homicides cases. In connection with the July 19th shooting death of Johan Rosa at 195 Affleck Street, we made four arrests: Carlos Vega, Jose Felix, and a 16 year old juvenile charged with murder, and Luis Franceschi on firearm charges related to the incident. And in connection with the November 10th, 2007 shooting death of Efrain Rodriguez, working with the Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit, the HPD charged a 17 year old juvenile, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, with Mr. Rodriguez’ murder. There have been 18 homicides year to date in the city. Ten of the 18 have been closed by arrests. I want the families of victims to know that the Hartford Police Department will never give up in its efforts to bring violent individuals responsible for these crimes to justice. Their loved ones will never be forgotten by the HPD.

We have also continued our aggressive efforts to get guns off our streets. This week we captured two individuals in possession of loaded firearms. August 2nd officers observed a vehicle run a red light. When they attempted a motor vehicle stop the suspect fled, engaging police in a pursuit that led to Windsor Street and the suspect’s attempt to seal a locked police cruiser then a tow truck. Lamar McCarthy of East Hartford was apprehended as he attempted to steal the tow truck. A search of his vehicle found a silver revolver on the front passenger seat and a black ski mask in the back seat. On August 7th Vice and Narcotics detectives arrested Jose Carrion of Lawrence Street on numerous firearms charges. He was under investigation for the sale of narcotics when detectives approached him in the vicinity of 869 Wethersfield Avenue. After an intense struggle he was apprehended and found in possession of two firearms and ammunition. Year to date we have seized 257 firearms and made 134 firearm related arrests. We will continue to be aggressive in getting guns off our streets; however, parents, family and friends need to impress upon these young people the severity of the pain and suffering caused by their willingness to resort to gun violence to resolve disputes.

Also apprehended this week was a suspect we believe responsible for numerous recent burglaries and larcenies. On August 5th detectives apprehended Lloyd Coleman, 44, of Westbrook, Connecticut, as he attempted to remove a computer from Saint Francis Hospital. Click here to view a photo of Lloyd Coleman. If you recognize him or have information about other incidents he may have been involved in please contact Sergeant Ed Yergeau at 860-757-4257, call Crime Stoppers at 860-722-TIPS, or Text-A-Tip at TIP716.

On a lighter hearted note, those of you who attended National Night Out had a preview of some of the horses in our new HPD Mounted Patrol Unit. Below is a video of Zeus, Maximus, and Cacique as they visited Hartford Police Headquarters prior to their visits to Lozada and Pope Parks. The Mounted Patrol Unit has one more month of training with the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard. I know we all look forward to seeing them patrol our neighborhoods, parks, and community events.

I hope you find this report of interest and value, and encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions on how we together can make our city safer for us all.

Your Chief, Daryl K. Roberts

Mid Summer Report

As we are upon mid summer and our efforts to curb gun violence in the city continue, I want to share with you a few statistics relating to our activities over the past six weeks. Since June 16th, the HPD has conducted 2,322 directed patrols and 1,168 field interviews throughout the city. As a result of our quality of life enforcement efforts we have made 386 criminal trespass and loitering arrests, 79 breach of peace arrests, 105 public drinking arrests, and issued 1,183 motor vehicle violations. In July alone we made 1,157 Community Court referrals for quality of life offences.

Year to date we have seized 252 firearms, made 130 firearm related arrests, and responded to more than 187,000 calls for service. The men and women of the HPD and their State Trooper partners are walking foot beats, riding bicycles and patrolling our streets in cruisers. They are working very hard.

I also want to report there are many citizens in our city who are working just as hard with us to make our city safer. I want to convey my thanks and appreciation to them for coming forward and assisting police in investigating crime in our city. This week alone we solved 2 of the 3 homicides that occurred several weeks ago. We will continue to aggressively investigate all crimes and bring those responsible to justice.

Despite our most vigilant suppression efforts, gun violence continues to plague certain areas of the city, perpetrated by individuals who have no regard for the safety of our community or themselves. So, we continue to need your help. This week the Connecticut State Police announced a new text messaging system for confidential tips. The information will come through the State Police to local police departments and be completely confidential and anonymous. This program has proven successful in other states throughout our nation.

Here is a link to information about the text messaging program: http://www.ct.gov/dps/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=420186
Please use it!

As always, I look forward to receiving your comments, suggestions, and any concerns you may wish to share with me and other readers. I will make every effort to respond to each of you.

Chief Daryl K. Roberts

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids

It has been two weeks since my last posting and much has happened. First and foremost I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the families of Johan Rosa, Joseph Gilles and Jakeem Jaquan Tully. I can assure you that our teams of detectives and patrol officers, with their federal and state partners, are committed to routing out the violent individuals responsible for these crimes and seeing that they are brought to justice. We will not rest until we get guns out of the hands of these violent and reckless individuals who resort to gun violence to resolve disputes.

As part of a nationwide effort to reduce youth violence I am working with Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national anti-crime organization of over 4,000 sheriffs, police chiefs, prosecutors, and violence survivors. This organization is asking Congress to enact the “Education Begins At Home Act”, a program that would provide home-visits targeted to cut child abuse and neglect and prevent crime. Mayor Eddie A. Perez and I hosted a press conference yesterday at Hartford City Hall with Wethersfield Police Chief James Cetran on this vital program. You can view the report “Breaking the Cycle of Child Abuse and Reducing Crime in Connecticut: Coaching Parents Through Intensive Home Visiting” at the following link: http://www.hartford.gov/police/Miscelleanous/2008_07_25_FightCrimeInvestInKidsReport.pdf

Below is a video of my remarks at the press conference for your information. I would be very interested in your comments and thoughts about this subject.

Chief Daryl K. Roberts

From the Chief's Desk

From the Chief’s Desk:

Over the past week numerous individuals have resorted to gun violence to resolve their differences and/or conflicts, two such incidents resulting in homicides. This senseless gun violence must stop.

Let me make it clear to those who perpetrate these crimes, that the Hartford Police Department and members of our community have a zero tolerance for this violence and that, working together, we will hold these individuals accountable for their actions.

Please know that the Hartford Police Department will work harder to get more guns off the street and out of the hands of our young people. Year to date we have seized 191 firearms and made 103 firearm related arrests. We will work with families to make kids understand that using a gun is not the way to resolve differences. And, we have and will continue to enforce zero tolerance for any and all crime, especially crimes involving gun violence.

As the 2008 Safe City Initiative is in full swing you will see a strong police presence. You will see the HPD address crime aggressively and in the most professional way – everyday.

As your police chief I take my responsibility very personally and I am passionate about our City and my service to our citizens. I believe in the people of Hartford. As we come together as a community I have no doubt we can and will meet the challenges before us and ultimately make our city stronger – as strong as its people.

Your Chief, Daryl K. Roberts

Communication and Community Partnerships

Last week “Southender” remarked on the seventeen programs which make up our 2008 Safe City Initiative (see previous Blog for listing) - specifically “who will drive this and where is the funding to support it?”

The Safe City Initiative is a cross-departmental, total team approach to crime reduction, safer communities, and enhanced quality of life, that includes not only the Police Department, but also Licenses and Inspections, Housing, Development, Public Works, and Fire. So, funding comes from every department’s involvement. It is the responsibility of the entire team to drive the initiative, but certainly the police department is, for the most part, taking the lead.
In that regard over the next few weeks I will focus my weekly Blog posting on the components of the 2008 Safe City Initiative.

Enhanced Communication & Community Partnerships:
The Community Contact Partnership Program, begun June 1st, is the responsibility of all sworn personnel from the rank of Captain down to develop two community contacts a month within their area of responsibility for a total of fourteen by the end of December 2008. The purpose of these contacts is to improve the police department’s relationships within the neighborhoods and increase information exchange. The community contact program is administered by both the Community Services Bureau and the Detective Bureau. Officers of all ranks are taking part in the program and will be held accountable to their direct supervisors..

The community contact program is build upon the foundation of open, honest communication. Community contacts will be made by police with the residents and business owners with an understanding of a collaborative partnership. The community contact should be receptive to inquiries from their department partners relating to issues taking place in their neighborhoods. These issues are not only limited to violent crime, but also quality of life issues that negatively impact the area. In return, department partners will be expected to offer assistance and support to the community through timely attention to their problems.

The Crime Solvers Tip Lines Program. The HPD supports three tip-lines for you to get information to police: the Crime Solvers Tip Line: 527-TIPS (8477), located in the Major Crimes Division; the Gun Tip Line at 525-GUNS (4867) in the Intelligence Division; and the Drug Tip Line 525-DRUG (3784). These tip lines serve a dual purpose. First, they provide an opportunity to leave information anonymously and secondly, our officers will be encouraged to utilize the Crime Solvers Tips Line as well, to provide information relative to crime conditions in their areas and information they receive regarding past crimes. Use of the Crime tip line by officers is intended to further enhance the information exchange between the Community Services Bureau and the Detective Bureau.

In the fall of 2008 the Hartford Police Department, in conjunction with Hartford the Hartford Board of Education, will create an elementary school reading program that places cops in the classrooms. Each week police officers will read to students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The goal of the Cop-A-Book Program is to emphasize the importance of reading and rewarding reading successes, thereby enhancing each student’s confidence.

Enhanced Communication and Community Partnerships is the cornerstone of our 2008 Safe City Initiative, and is aimed at building trust through honest communication, impacting crime through information sharing, and building educational relationships with our youth.

Next week I will discuss in detail our enforcement strategies relating to quality of life issues and crime suppression.

Again, thank you all for your postings and please continue to share your suggestions and comments with me. I look forward to writing this Blog each week as a means of connecting directly with you so that we can learn from each other as we work together to create a safe environment in our great city.

Your 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

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

A Message to the Community

To begin with I would like to take this opportunity to again convey my thanks and appreciation to those citizens who have and continue to come forward to assist police investigating crime in our city. There are many. In fact 911 calls were received from concerned individuals at the time of the hit and run accident seriously injuring Mr. Angel Torres. They reported what they had witnessed and requested aid for Mr. Torres. The video footage of the hit and run of Mr. Angel Torres, which could well lead to the solving of this crime, came from surveillance cameras purchased by the Spanish American Merchant Association in partnership with the city and police department.
People are coming forward, however, we need more help to identify and apprehend these perpetrators. I ask that anyone who may have information on the identify and/or whereabouts of the individuals and the vehicles responsible for the hit and run of Mr. Angel Torres, 78, of Hartford, to contact Crime Scene Division Commander Sergeant Jason Thody at 860-757-4225. Anyone with information about the assault of Mr. Nicholas R. Carbone, 72, of Hartford, or the recent homicides at 31 Acton Street and 756 Garden Street, to please contact HPD Major Crimes Supervising Sergeants Rob Davis or Edward Yergeau at 860-757-4256 or 4257. If you wish anonymity you may leave confidential tips on the HPD’s Crime Solvers Tipline 860-527-TIPS. I cannot emphasize enough how important your help is in solving these crimes. What you may think to be an insignificant bit of information may in fact be of enormous value to the investigations.
It is my hope these recent events, spurring widespread public dialogue surrounding civic mindedness and one’s responsibility to our society as a whole, will generate positive actions throughout our community. You can be assured that as your Chief of Police I am dedicated to service, relationships, and safety – to serving the public to the best of my ability, establishing strong, positive relationships between law enforcement and the community, and creating a safe environment for us all.
Our community outreach efforts, whether through the media, the utilization of social networking such as this Blog and HPD E-News, through the HPD’s Neighborhood Policing Plan, or working one on one with the many caring individuals who assist the police every day in solving crime in our city, have proven the value of police/community partnerships. Make no mistake that we intend to continue our outreach in every way possible as we work together to rid our community of unnecessary violence. You can be assured that we at the Hartford Police Department “will never “give up on the city”.
On behalf of the men and women of the Hartford Police Department I wish to extend my deep appreciation for the many messages of support and confidence we have received and thank you all for taking the time to share your thoughts and comments with us. I look forward to our continued dialogue.
Daryl K. Roberts
Chief of Police

What Can the Community Do to Help Police?

First, I would like to express my humble thanks and appreciation to those who have posted such kind thoughts and wishes for me and the men and women of the Hartford Police Department on my first Blog. Please know that your support and confidence means everything to us as we do the best job we can to serve and protect you and your families.

Secondly, I would like to respond to some questions posted last week. With respect to “southender” who asked about crime in the Southeast District, I wish to refer you to the HPD crime statistics for the week ending May 24, 2008, which you can view at the following link: http://www.hartford.gov/police/Crime_Stats_Folder/2008%20Crime%20Statistics/2008_05_24.pdf. On review you will see that Part 1 crime in the Southeast District is down year to date over the same period in 2007 by -17.7 percent, the second largest drop and 2 percent more than the citywide decrease of -15.9 percent. However, this does not discount the serious issue of gun related violence that continues to plague our city.

In response to “irysh0ze” inquiries, I can report that we have just recently added an additional K-9 Team, we do utilize seized vehicles for undercover operations where appropriate, however, we must take into account maintenance, liens, etc., on these vehicles, which become the city’s responsibility and can become costly, and we have not yet looked at the GPS “Star Chase System.”

Most importantly, “irysh0ze” poses a question I would very much like to discuss this week, and that is: “What would you like to see the general public do more to help you with your job?” This question is at the heart of neighborhood policing, for the police cannot quell gun violence in our community alone. Year to date we have seized close to 180 guns, last year we seized 400. In one day alone Vice and Narcotics detectives conducted seven hot spot details, resulting in 42 arrests, seizure of two firearms, three vehicles, ten grams of crack, 1,300 bags of Heroin, and 12 grams of cocaine. One of the guns was commercially produced to look like a walking stick. You can see a photo of it in my March 16, 2008, statement announcing my Safe City Initiative I spoke of last week.

Yet, despite our most vigilant suppression efforts, gun violence continues to plague certain area of the city, perpetrated by individuals with no regard for the safety our community or themselves. We know who these people are – we are arresting them and will continue to arrest them. We are doing our job and will continue to do so - but we need the community’s help – as partners – to work with us as crime solvers. Getting information to the police on those who would disrupt peace and order in our city is paramount to our success. If you require anonymity you can call our confidential Crime Solvers Tipline: 860-527-TIPS (8477).

Furthermore, I am in discussion with the national group “Crime Stoppers USA” to bring their program to Hartford. Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization of citizens against crime. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $1000 to anyone furnishing anonymous information that leads to the arrest of criminals, including those committing serious felony crimes, and fugitives. Information is received through anonymous Crime Stoppers tips that are received through a secure tips line or through a secure web connection manned by a professional program coordinator. Each caller is assigned a code number for the purpose of insuring anonymity. This program has proven quite successful for the City of Waterbury, Connecticut.

Partnering with the police, I believe, is the most important and effective support the community can contribute to public safety in our city. Your thoughts and comments about Crime Stoppers, or other public safety issues are most welcome. Visit Crime Stoppers USA at http://www.crimestopusa.com/AboutUs.asp#

Hartford Police Department First Quarter Crime Statistics for 2008

To Friends, Supporters and Those Interested in the Hartford Police Department:

As my first Blog, I wish to take the opportunity to provide you with an update as to the state of crime in our city during the first quarter of 2008, and some plans I address my serious concern with respect to gun related violence in our city. Click on the heading above or links below for a briefing on the HPD's first quarter crime statistics as reported to the FBI under Uniform Crime Reports, as well as photos, maps, and background data. I hope you will find of interest and clairty with respect to public safety issues facing the City of Hartford.

Map of 188 gun related incidents between March 16 and May 14, 2008
Bar chart of 1st Quarter HPD Crime Statistics 2008,
Index of 1st Quarter HPD Crime Statistics 2008
Click here to view five years of City of Hartford crime statistics on the HPD's Crime Analysis and Statistics webpage.