Crisco hails policy to keep barracks open

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Tuesday welcomed news that all state police barracks will be open around-the-clock thanks to a change in policy by Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Dora Schriro.

Her policy reverses part of the controversial decision by her predecessor to consolidate police barracks and dispatching.

“I’m very happy with the commissioner’s decision,” Crisco said. “I was against the consolidation when it was first proposed and am happy to see that the department’s new leadership recognizes how important it is to have barracks open beyond normal business hours. This is a good step toward ensuring public safety across Connecticut, and I’m grateful to the commissioner for her wise choice.”

When the previous commissioner enacted dispatch consolidation, the dispatchers were moved to a consolidated location and the troopers who had previously accompanied them were sent to the road. 

This meant that barracks were closed at night and on weekends.

The commissioner’s decision reverses part of the consolidation policy, but other concerns remain—particularly about police response times.

Two bills have been proposed during the legislative session that would return dispatchers to their original barracks, and Schriro is conducting a full review of the consolidated dispatch system before determining what additional changes may need to be made.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.