Pro-Police Rally in Ansonia Oct. 10

 

Seymour Police Chief Issues Statement on Police Brutality

Derby Police Chief Issues Statement on Police Brutality

Search Continues for Missing Ansonia Toddler

Ansonia City Hall Upgrades Phone System

ANSONIA - Mayor David Cassetti has announced a major technology upgrade to make city departments more accessible and allow our staff to utilize modern communications technology. The I.T. Department has been working hard to migrate all phone systems to a new Mitel VOIP system.  This will enhance the ability to speak with departments, access real time information and expand the capabilities of the office staff.  The City will also find savings in monthly phone costs once the deployment is complete.  The Ansonia Board of Education currently utilizes this phone system and City departments will now be able to communicate directly with all Board of Education locations directly.  This is a further step in continuing to align the Board of Education and the City’s various technology platforms.

The first deployment to the new phone system took place Oct. 31 at City Hall.  All City Hall based Departments will be affected by this change.  We ask that the public please be patient as we complete our cut over to the new system.  Department main phone numbers will not change, however individual extensions will.  A complete list of Department numbers and direct extensions will be added to the City’s website.

On Wednesday, November 6^th, 2019 the following Departments will also transition to the new system: Public Works, Ansonia Library, Ansonia Nature Center and Ansonia Rescue Medical Services.

On Wednesday, November 14^th, 2019 the Police Department will transition to the new phone system.  The Police Dispatch number will remain 203 735-1885.

Residents may use City Hall’s main number, 203 736-5900 to reach any Department.  An auto attendant will prompt you to select the correct Department or you may press 0 to reach an attendant during normal business hours.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience in this upgrade process.  Mayor Cassetti is pleased to also announce that future upgrades to the phone and data network, including public access in City Buildings to WIFI, will soon follow.

Mayor’s Office                  203 736-5900 Ext 6100

Tax Office                          203 736-5900 Ext 6110                  203 736-5910

Personnel                           203 736-5900 Ext 6115                 

Finance                               203 736-5900 Ext 6120                  203 736-5920

Economic Dev. / Grants  203 736-5900 Ext 6130

Information Tech.            203 736-5900 Ext 6135

WPCA                                  203 736-5900 Ext 6145                  203 736-5908

Assessor                             203 736-5900 Ext 6150                  203 736-5950

Building/Zoning/Blight    203 736-5900 Ext 6160                  203 736-5960     or           203 736-5990

Registrar                             203 736-5900 Ext 6170                  203 736-5970

Town Clerk                         203 736-5900 Ext 6180                  203 736-5980

(This is a press release from Ansonia City Hall)

Road Closure in Ansonia

Vandals Strike Ansonia Again

Sharing from City of Ansonia's Facebook page

ANSONIA - This past Saturday afternoon, Christ Church on South Cliff Street, and historic stairwell adjacent the Prospect Street playground was defaced once again with graffiti. Given the nature of graphics, it is hopeful that someone may recognize and link these renderings to the culprit.

Police ask that anyone with information can report it anonymously to the Ansonia Police Tip Hotline. (follow this link for apps) (http://www.cityofansonia.com/…/8…/8194/8253/13040/Tip411.pdf).

These graffiti tags along with 50 more, will be professionally removed in early May as part of Mayor David Cassetti’s Clean & Green initiatives.

Stuff-A-Jeep in Ansonia

Part of Wakelee Avenue to Close

The following information is from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch:

 

 

ANSONIA - Wakelee Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Division Street to Jackson Street starting at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday December 8, 2018 until further notice. Residences and businesses south of Mary Street, address numbers 20 to 167, can be accessed from Division Street and Hall Street. Residences and businesses north of Mary Street, address numbers 171 to 199, can be accessed from Burton Street, Church Street and Jackson Street.

 

There will be road closed signs posted on Wakelee Avenue at Division Street and Jackson Street. Officers will also be posted at those locations, if you need to access Wakelee Avenue in the areas listed above please advise the officer and they will allow you access. Mary Street will remain closed to through traffic until further notice, only residents of Mary Street are allowed access.

 

Thank you for patience, work is being done as quickly as possible to rectify the problem. 

Vigil to Honor Survivors and Victims of Domestic Violence

NEW HAVEN- To raise awareness about domestic violence, BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services (UCDVS) will hold a vigil to honor survivors and remember the victims of domestic violence.

 

The 19^th Annual Sound of Hope will be held on Wednesday, October 3 at 1:00 pm at Long Wharf Pier, New Haven, CT. The vigil will include the reading of names of those who have died as a result of domestic violence.

 

Each person will receive a flower to toss into the harbor. The flowers represent the hopes and struggles of the survivors as they strive to become free from violence. The flower also gently reminds us of the lives that have been taken from us due to domestic violence.

 

Every October, the nation observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) to bring to light an issue that effects all of our communities. Every 9 seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S. One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

 

Kevin Glen, Deputy Chief of Police of North Haven, will be the guest speaker and members the local police departments will be recognized for their role in the fight against domestic violence. The following members will be recognized: Sergeant Clifford Hill, Sergeant Matthew Falcon, Officer Valdemar Queiroga of North Haven, Sergeant Craig Michalowski, Sergeant Anthony Rybaruk, Detective Jeff Vailette, Officer Luke Rasile, Officer Joe Carangelo, Detective Joseph Finoia, Sergeant Joseph Mulhern Officer Jason Anderson, Officer Anthony Fiorillo, Lt. Joseph Murgo and Sergeant Paul DeCrosta of East Haven, Sergeant Dom Eula and Officer Jacob Cheesman of Branford, Officer Scott Shumway, Officer Eric Pesino, Officer Jeff Suchy, Officer Chris Lawerence, Officer Paul Vitale, Sergeant Jim Evarts, Sergeant Craig Dixon, Detective Lenny Soto, Officer Maegan Moran, and Detective Cherelle Carr of New Haven and Officer Brian Salemme and Officer Mark Berretta of West Haven.

 

For more information about the vigil, or about domestic violence services call (203) 736-2601, x1381, or visit www.bhcare.org.  If you need immediate assistance, please call our 24-hour domestic violence hotline 1-888-774-2900.

 

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. Each year, over 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope. Learn more at bhcare.org.

 

(This is a press release from BHcare)

Tip-A-Cop in Ansonia

Ansonia Police Officers will be out in force, collecting tips for a great cause, at Crave Restaurant, located in downtown Ansonia at 102 Main St.
 

Shelton School District/Police to Host Safety Forum

SHELTON -The school district will hold a Community Forum on School Safety at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Shelton High School, 120 Meadow St.

Leaders from the school district and police department will discuss current practices and hear concerns from families. 

School Superintendent Updates SHS Incident; Says No Threat to Safety

Sharing information Seymour Public Schools Facebook Page and Superintendent of Schools Michael Wilson:

Good Afternoon Seymour Public Schools,

In a joint effort with Seymour’s administrative team, we would like to provide an update on the recent issue of which we notified you last evening:

Late Wednesday an incident occurred at the end of the school day in Seymour High School involving student discipline, resulting in a thorough investigation conducted by school administration and the school resource officer. During this investigation it was determined that a threat did not exist. That evening, after the investigation, social media exploded with allegations which were not uncovered during the original investigation.

Today, the investigation resumed to determine if the new information which was presented on social media was true. During today’s investigation, the allegations which were stated on social media last evening were determined to be false. The false allegations were tracked back to the source of misinformation, the social media allegations from last evening were unfounded. 

The students in Seymour High School were never at risk. This is an example of the negative impact the social media rumor mill can have on society. In this case, the communication and evolution of fake news negatively impacted the educational process in our school.

As we stated yesterday, we are committed to ensuring the safety of all Seymour Students.

Thank you,
Michael Wilson

Pig Roast to Benefit Children of Deceased Firefighter/Dispatcher

Community Discussion on Race & Policing in the Valley

Police Looking For a Few Good Citizens

Seymour Police Sergeant Earns Citation

SEYMOUR- Police Sgt. Steve Prajer received a citation from state Sen. Rob Kane and state Sen.
Kevin Kelly for his recent leadership award from the  Northwestern University Center for Public Safety. Pictured from left to right are: First Selectman Kurt Miller, Deputy Police Chief Paul Satkowski, Police Chief Michael Metzler, Sgt. Steve Prajer, state Sen. Rob Kane and state Sen. Kevin Kelly.

Ansonia aldermen approve body cameras for cops

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent

ANSONIA >> By year’s end, city police will be armed with a tool aimed at keeping interaction between police and citizens transparent.

The Board of Aldermen Tuesday unanimously approved the purchase of 25 body cameras for the police department. The cameras, according to Police Chief Kevin Hale, will cost $37,655, but the department previously secured a $30,000 Justice Assistance grant to cover the bulk of the cost. The remainder will be paid for through the department’s Asset Forfeiture Account.

Hale said the cameras, while “not a solution to everything,” will be beneficial.

“This is just another tool to assist us,” Hale said. “Everybody tends to behave better under (the eye) of a camera, and they will help provide us with evidence and help in determining the validity of complaints.”
Read more here.

New police dog, Kane, joins Ansonia police force

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent

ANSONIA >> The Ansonia Police Department has a furry new crimefighter on the force who’s going to help the city take a bite out of crime.

Kane, a one-year-old, black and tan German shepherd, is set to begin an extensive 12 week-training program, along with his handler, Officer Paul Smith.

Kane was purchased for $10,000 from a Derby resident, usin drug and property seizure funds, according to Lt. Andrew Cota, who said that includes all costs associated with training and supplies.

Police Chief Kevin Hale said Smith was selected to serve as Kane’s handler by a committee. The committee conducted in-house interviews and home visits with officers who applied, before selecting Smith as the best person for the job.

Read more here.

Ansonia, Derby cops on track for body cameras

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent
ANSONIA >> Ansonia police officers will soon be armed with a tool aimed at keeping interaction between police and citizens transparent.
Lt. Andrew Cota said the police department has received a $30,000 Justice Assistant Grant, which will be used to purchase body cameras for its officers.
“We decided to look into getting body-worn cameras to assist our offices in gathering information and evidence at scenes,” Cota said. “Additionally, there will be a recording of police and citizen interactions in the event that a complaint is made about an officer’s demeanor or actions.”

Read more here.