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.

Ansonia police chief asks state police to investigate town’s handling of evidence

By Phyllis Swebilius, New Haven Register

Posted: 09/26/13, 5:04 PM EDT |
 

ANSONIA >> Police Chief Kevin J. Hale has asked the state police to investigate the Police Department’s handling of evidence.

“We are also conducting an Internal Affairs Investigation regarding the personnel involved in this matter to determine whether any department rules, regulations, policies or procedures were violated,” Hale said in a written release late Thursday afternoon.
Lt. J. Paul Vance, state police spokesman, confirmed the department was contacted concerning the “possible misappropriation of mishandling of evidence.”
The case was assigned to a major crimes squad, Vance said.
Hale’s three-sentence release from department spokesman Lt. Andrew L. Cota, said he asked state police to conduct “an independent criminal investigation into irregularities that the Ansonia Police Department has discovered in the processing of evidence within the Ansonia Police Department.”
Hale’s press release said no further comments would be made.

Follow Phyllis on Twitter: @pswebilius.



Election year politics?

Bomb threat at Emmett O'Brien proves to be hoax

By Register Staff / Contact Us
Twitter: @nhregister

ANSONIA — Emmett O’Brien Technical HIgh School was evacuated Monday morning after a report of an alleged bomb threat, Lt. Andrew Cota said.

The police department received a phone call from the principal about an alleged bomb threat, he said.

Upon arrival officers met with school personnel and learned someone in the school had written the words “There is a bomb in this school” on the wall in a hallway on the first floor.

The school was evacuated.
Cota said Connecticut State Police were called to the scene because the school is a state technical school.

Upon the arrival of state police the emergency services unit was notified and a sweep of the school was conducted, he said.

No suspicious items were located within the building and no other threats were received, Cota said.

The case is being investigated by the Connecticut State Police.

No arrests were made, Cota said.

Derby High School holds pre-prom safety day

 DERBY - The Derby Youth Bureau and Storm Engine Company recently sponsored the Derby High School Drive Alive Pre-Prom Safety Day.
Principal Greg Gaillard, Director of Youth Services John Saccu, and Storm Engine Company volunteers Lou Oliwa and Tom Lenart spoke to students about the real dangers of drinking and driving.
After the assembly students witnessed a real-life simulation of what happens at the scene of a car crash. Storm Engine Company volunteers responded to the crash site at the high school with fire, EMS and rescue equipment and performed a realistic demonstration of victim extrication.
A Connecticut state trooper who is a crash specialist was on hand with a rollover vehicle demonstrating what happens in a car crash when victims are not wearing seat belts.
Gaillard said this program is so beneficial in the prevention of drinking and driving that it should be scheduled every year at this time.

The above information was provided by Derby Director of Youth Services John Saccu.

Police seek clues in fatal Derby shooting

By Bridget Albert

Register Staff
balbert@newhavenregister.com / Twitter: @nhrbalbert

DERBY — Police continued to search Tuesday for clues in the slaying of Javon Zimmerman, 22, shot multiple times Saturday in the parking lot of RJ’s Cafe at 148 Elizabeth St.

Police set up a tip line Monday after becoming frustrated that Zimmerman’s friends and family seemed to be offering information to everyone except the police.

The operations commander, Lt. Justin Stankos, said Tuesday the tip line is paying off, noting: “Several people have called.” He would not reveal the calls’ content.

Stanko said Monday the shooting was a “targeted act of violence” and the police had a “strong suspect,” but very few people had come forward with information. “People know what happened. They saw it. They have an obligation to come forward. This was 100 percent not random. There was a clear motive.” Stanko said it appears a dispute with a family member was involved, but he would not elaborate.
The State Police Major Crime Squad and the Ansonia police are assisting in the investigation.
Stanko said Zimmerman was shot with a small-caliber handgun. Police expect results of an autopsy today.
Stanko urges anyone with information to call the confidential tip line at 203-619-1906. Callers can remain anonymous.

Call Bridget Albert at 203-789-5702 and follow her on Twitter @nhrbalbert. To receive breaking news first, text the word nhnews to 22700. *Msg & data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.

Derby police investigating downtown homicide

By Register Staff
DERBY — Police are investigating a homicide that took place about 2 this morning in the parking lot of RJ’s Cafe at 148 Elizabeth St.
Officers responded to a report of gunshots. They found the victim, Javon Zimmerman, 22, and called an ambulance to transport him to Griffin Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Ansonia police and the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad are aiding in the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Derby police Detective Division at 203-735-7811. All calls will be kept confidential.