CRIME SOLVERS TIPLINE:  860-527-TIPS

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Thursday, May 16, 2008

HARTFORD POLICE RELEASE FIRST
QUARTER CRIME STATISTICS

(Hartford) - Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts, in a joint press conference with Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez, released first quarter crime statistics for the City of Hartford as compiled by the HPD's Crime Analysis Unit and reported to the FBI under national Uniform Crime Reports.

As in 2007, part one crime, which includes murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft, continued to decline with 1,753 part one crimes occurring during the first quarter of 2008 - close to 300 less than the same period last year, and approximately 1,000 less than the same period in 2006. 

However, of serious concern and despite the HPD's vigilant suppression efforts, "is the growing gun related violence in the city perpetrated by individuals with no regard for the safety of our community or themselves ," said Chief Roberts.  Chief Roberts reported that during the eight week period of March 16 through May 10th,  2008, there were 188 gun related incidents, including five gun-related homicides, 110 confirmed and unconfirmed reports of shots fired, and 50 shooting victims in 36 gun related incidents. 

"I recognize there is a violence crime issue.  We have reallocated existing resources to target those areas and times of day we have identified as hot spot areas of violent activity," stated Chief Roberts.  "We know who these people are - we are arresting them and will continue to arrest them.  In one day alone, on May 8th, 2008, detectives of the HPD's Vice and Narcotics Division, the HPD Violent Crime Impact team, and HPD Conditions Teams, conducted seven hot spot details that resulted in 42 arrests and the seizure of two firearms, three vehicles, ten grams of crack cocaine, over 1,300 bags of Heroin and 12 grams of cocaine.   Below is a photo of one of the firearms seized; please note that it was commercially produced to look like a walking cane," said Chief Roberts.  "In another undercover narcotics investigation on May 13th, 2008, at 406-408 New Britain Avenue, detectives seized 12 ounces of crack cocaine and more than $8,573.  Among the three arrestees was Telly Vasquez, of East Hartford, a parole fugitive.

"The real weapons of mass destruction are the illegal firearms on our streets in the hands of violent criminals who have no hesitation in using them not only on each other, but on police.  This past weekend an individual fired point blank at a Hartford Police Officer on Madison Street.  That individual, Frankie Vega, 24, of Benton Street, a convicted felon,  was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit," stated Roberts.

"Year to date we have seized 139 firearms and made 73 firearm related arrests," said Chief Roberts.   "The police are doing their job and will continue to do so.  I have already reached out to federal and state authorities for resources for our Violent Crime Impact Team and Fugitive Task Force that targets gun related violent crimes.  Foot beats are out, officers are being training for bicycle units, and the mounted horse patrol will begin training this month.  I have also instituted a Safe City Initiative that includes the creation of a Mid-Squad city-wide conditions team charged with targeting violent crime hot spots."

"But we need help.  We need the help of the community - as partners - to work with us as crime solvers.  Most of all, we need the help of state and federal prosecutors and resources to keep these violent offenders incarcerated and off our streets.  The people of Hartford have my commitment that I will utilize all resources within my power to target this violence and will seek out resources at every level of government and from any source I can identify in pursuit of our mutual goal of eradicating this senseless violence from our neighborhoods.  The people of Hartford not only deserve, but have every right to a safe environment in which to live, work and raise their children - they should expect nothing less," concluded Chief Daryl K. Roberts of the Hartford Police Department.

Photo of walking cane gun seized by Hartford Police on May 8th, 2008
Photo of crack cocaine cookies and U.S. Currency seized by Hartford Police on May 13th, 2008
Photo of types of guns seized by Hartford Police in 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.

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Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 757-4021
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