Press Releases
07/23/2019
Governor Lamont Announces Release of State Assistance for Gun Violence Prevention Efforts
State Providing Funding to Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven for Short-Term Costs of Adding More Local Police Patrols, in Addition to Providing Assistance of Strategic State Law Enforcement Personnel
(HARTFORD, CT) – In response to discussions his administration has had with the police chiefs of Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven regarding a recent, summertime increase in urban gun violence, Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the state is releasing an extra $25,000 to each city that will help pay for the short-term costs of adding local police patrols above their normal staffing levels that will be specifically focused on curbing violence. Requests for additional funding above the level announced today will be reviewed and allocated as needed.
In addition, the state will be providing each city with the assistance of law enforcement personnel that have been requested by the police chiefs to meet the needs of the respective communities, including:
- Bridgeport: Addition of uniformed State Police troopers who will patrol specific areas with local police personnel.
- Hartford: Addition of State Police detectives assigned to violence reduction; Hartford will temporarily remove an HPD detective from the Statewide Narcotics Task Force to return to work exclusively in Hartford for a short time frame
- New Haven: Addition of a State Police detective assigned to violence reduction.
The governor stressed that the actions being announced today are a short-term step and his administration is going to continue collaborating with each community on their individualized needs as the situations evolve.
“As governor, the single most important thing I do each day is look out for the safety of every one of our residents, and today’s announcement is part of that,” Governor Lamont said. “The chiefs in these cities – Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven – know what’s best for their communities, and that’s why we’ve been collaborating with them to ensure they have more resources and can keep their streets safe. These chiefs know that my office will help in any way possible, and that’s what today is about.”
Commissioner James C. Rovella of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, which contains the Connecticut State Police and several other emergency services divisions, has been actively working with each city to identify their respective needs and respond accordingly.
Funding for the additional local police patrols will come from the state’s Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, which is administered by the Office of Policy and Management.
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