© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Hartford Mayor Segarra Asks for Help With Violence; Gov. Malloy Calls Emergency Meeting

Barbara Krawcowicz
/
Creative Commons

On Thursday, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra asked Governor Dannel Malloy for more state detectives, inspectors, and other manpower to help him deal with the current spike in violent crime and deaths in the city.

"This is literally a public safety issue and I respectfully ask for an expedited response," Segarra wrote.

On Friday, Malloy wrote back. And he's not giving Segarra what he wants. Not yet, at least. 

Instead, the governor is convening an emergency meeting with local, state and federal officials. The goal, he said, "will be to discuss your current strategy to combat violence in your City, and to understand how you would put the requested additional resources to use."

Malloy said he wants the group to review staffing levels at the Hartford Police Department, which have been an ongoing concern. Department officials have lamented that they are dozens of officers short of their target, and that the result means more overtime but fewer officers returning to regular beats. Only after the state's review of the city's handling of public safety, Malloy said, will a decision on assistance be made.

"The group will determine how state and federal law enforcement partners can best assist in activating additional resources to compliment local efforts," he wrote.

Weeks ago, in response to the violence and after he took criticism on the campaign trail and in the press, Segarra held a closed-door meeting with city leaders about the violence. He then said he would ask for more state help. But the formal request didn't come until Thursday.

Jeff Cohen started in newspapers in 2001 and joined Connecticut Public in 2010, where he worked as a reporter and fill-in host. In 2017, he was named news director. Then, in 2022, he became a senior enterprise reporter.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content