The Connecticut State Police Troop K to Remain Open, Despite Rumors of Closure and Consolidation

There have been questions and concerns circulating throughout our communities regarding the future services and capacities of the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester. The letter below addresses those concerns and thoroughly explains any changes that have been made:

Dear Citizens,

Major Michael B. Darcy, Eastern District Commanding Officer, and Lieutenant Eric Murray, Troop K Commanding Officer, would like the citizens of Troop K's area - Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, East Hampton, Franklin, Hebron, Lebanon, Marlborough, Portland, Willimantic, and Windham - to know that effective Monday, October 28, 2013, the dispatch communications function of Troop K will be moving to the Eastern District Consolidated Dispatch Center, located at Troop C in Tolland. This dispatch consolidation coincidentally coincides with a new phone number exchange that will also take place.

Effective October 28, 2013, the new number for Troop K (for routine calls) will be 860-465-5400. For emergencies, citizens should continue to dial 911.

This is simply a transfer of communications function and the Troop K barracks, 15 Old Hartford Road, Colchester will continue to be a fully staffed, fully functioning State Police Troop providing 24 hour police coverage to the citizens of our area and assistance to our law enforcement partners with the East Hampton, Portland, and Willimantic Police Departments.

Some important facts to bear in mind:

• Troop K is not closing and there are no plans to close Troop K

• Troop K will continue to be a stand-alone, fully functioning State Police Barracks, one of 11 staffed by the Connecticut State Police.

• Troop K on and after October 28, 2013 will continue to be staffed with the same compliment of troopers, detectives, resident troopers, and sergeants that are assigned there today and will remain under the command of Lt Eric Murray and Executive Officer Master Sergeant Robert Grega.

• Troop K personnel described in the preceding paragraph will continue to report to Troop K and will continue to be responsible for police services in Troop K's area on and after October 28, 2013.

• Roll calls for Troop K personnel will continue to occur at the Troop K barracks as they have occurred there for approximately 70 years.

• Persons arrested by Troop K personnel will continue to be brought to the Troop K barracks, but if not released in a reasonable amount of time, could be transferred to Troop C or to a State Correctional Facility.

• Routine phone calls for State Police services in any of the Troop K towns listed above should be made by calling the main line 860-465-5400 - these calls will simply be answered by State Police Dispatchers located at the new consolidated dispatch center at Troop C and many of these dispatchers will be those that worked out of Troop K prior to October 28, 2013. 

• 911 calls made from any of the Troop K towns listed above requiring State Police services will be routed to the consolidated dispatch center at Troop C and Troop K personnel will be assigned to respond.

• The new State Police phone number for Troop K is 860-465-5400. The old number (860-537-7500) will be redirected to the new one.

• It is expected that, in most instances, there will be at least one State Trooper inside the Troop K barracks at all times engaged in an administrative aspect of his/her job. Occasionally, all State Troopers on duty at Troop K might be out on patrol and out of the barracks. In either case, citizens who physically go to Troop K for State Police services should use the emergency phone located outside the barracks to alert the trooper(s) inside that they need assistance or, in cases when all of the troopers are out of the barracks, to have a State Trooper on patrol return to Troop K to meet with the citizen. The emergency phone will ring at the consolidated dispatch center at Troop C and the dispatchers there will alert the troopers inside Troop K or on patrol near Troop K of the citizen needing their services at the actual barracks. It is expected that when there is not a State Trooper inside Troop K, one will arrive there within minutes of a citizen who is at Troop K using the emergency phone to ask for assistance.

• The State Trooper who, prior to October 28, 2013, would have been assigned as the desk officer at Troop K and unable to physically leave his/her post, will now be able to respond to calls in the general Troop K area, increasing State Police coverage in the community and on area roadways, while still being available to respond back to the barracks to meet with citizens who go to Troop K looking for assistance.

• At no time will citizens from Troop K's area be required or expected to physically report to Troop C for their State Police needs (i.e. to be interviewed about a crime, to file a complaint, to view or recover stolen property).

Again, it is important to understand that Troop K is not closing and there are no plans to close Troop K. The men and women of Troop K, past and present, are proud of the services they have provided to citizens of the towns within the patrol area for the past 110 years. What is occurring on October 28, 2013 is simply transference of dispatch function, which is likely to be unnoticed by the general public.

- Major Michael B. Darcy, Eastern District Commanding Officer

- Lieutenant Eric Murray, Troop K Commanding Officer

- Master Sergeant Robert Grega, Executive Officer

The Radio Communications Tower at Troop K in Colchester.

* If you would be interested in receiving new Neighborhood Watch reports via email as they are posted, please send a request to TheNeighborhoodWatchReport@gmail.com

Project Safe Halloween

...All children up through grade 8 who are residents of East Haddam and Moodus are invited to attend the 18th Annual Project Safe Halloween Party on Thursday, October 31 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Elementary School gymnasium. 

Come take a hayride and trick or treat for lots of goodies! 

This event, offered as a safe, fun alternative to traditional trick or treating, is sponsored by the East Haddam Police Department.

Civic groups are encouraged to join us by sponsoring a table.  Please contact Beth Schondorf at 860-873-9772 to register.  You must register prior to the event even if you have participated in the past.

This event is totally funded by donations from the community.  Monetary donations are needed and can be sent to Project Safe Halloween, P.O. Box K, East Haddam, CT 06423.  Donations of candy cannot be accepted.

For more information or to help out at this very popular event, call Maryjane Malavasi at 860-759-5716.

*Here's a link for a look back at some photos and a story from last year's Project Safe Halloween:

http://thehaddams-killingworth.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/photos-halloween-spirit-6f265361

...Here are some general Halloween Safety Tips from the National Safety Council:


Safety Tips for Motorists:

All motorists need to be especially alert and cautious when driving on Halloween because of the high number of pedestrians walking the streets.

* Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.

* Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

* Enter and exit driveways carefully.

* At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

* Never use your cell phone while driving

* Discourage teens from driving on Halloween. There are too many hazards and  
  distractions for inexperienced drivers.

Trick-or-Treating 

Most importantly, all children (especially under the age of 12) should be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult, but before trick-or-treating, parents should:

* Instruct your children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and avoid trick-or-treating alone.

* Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.

* Agree on a specific time for your children to come home.

* Give your children flashlights with fresh batteries to help them see and for others to 

  see them.

* Make sure your child or a responsible adult with them carries a cell phone for quick 

  communication.

* Review all appropriate pedestrian and traffic safety rules with your children.

* Look both ways before crossing the street and use established crosswalks 

  whenever possible.

* Walk, do not run from house to house.

* Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can 

  present tripping hazards and never walk near lit candles or luminaries.

* Walk on sidewalks, not in the street. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the far edge 

  of the road facing traffic.

....Children will be anxious to stuff themselves with treats, but parents need to take these necessary precautions first:

* Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten, then 

  examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before your children eat them.

* Give children an early meal before going out to prevent them from filling up on 

  Halloween treats or eating anything before you can inspect it.

* Only let your children eat factory-wrapped treats. Avoid homemade treats unless you 

  know the cook well.

* When in doubt, throw it out. 

...And remember, "Buckle-Up" it's the Law.....DON'T drink and drive and NEVER use a cell phone or text while driving. ...Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Issuance of Bad Checks, Disorderly Conduct, Reckless Endangerment, Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia through 10-19-13

The East Haddam Police and the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester report the following incidents:

FAILURE TO GRANT THE RIGHT-OF-WAY - On Oct. 10 at approximately 10:22 a.m., Yajaira Bautista, 24, of Robbie Road, Moodus was traveling southbound on Route 149 (Falls Road) in a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. Luke Hart, 18, of Hemlock Valley Road, East Haddam was attempting to pull out onto Falls Road from the 7-11 convenience store, in a 2005 Ford F-150 pick-up truck. Police said that Hart struck Bautista's vehicle on its right side. No injuries were reported, but Hart was issued a written warning for failure to grant the right-of-way.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - On Oct. 14 at approximately 6:17 p.m., Joshua Martin, 20, of Norwich-Salem Road, East Haddam was involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend in the town of Salem. Police report that Martin was a passenger in his girlfriend's vehicle, and during an argument had taken control of the steering wheel, causing the vehicle they were traveling in to veer off of the roadway and down an embankment. During the subsequent police investigation, Martin was found to be in possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia on his person. He was arrested and charged with the above violations. Martin was reportedly unable to post a $5,000 bond, and was held and presented the next day (10/15/13) at Norwich Superior Court.

ISSUANCE OF BAD CHECKS - On Oct. 17 at approximately 8:30 p.m., John Rucker, Jr., 45, of Creek Row, East Haddam was apprehended by police on the Pickeral Lake boat launch in Colchester, pursuant to warrants for (2) counts of issuing a bad check. Rucker was released on a $1,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 10/29/13.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On Oct. 19 at approximately 12:30 a.m., Mark Capuanao, 33, of Sarah Baker Road, East Haddam was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, stemming from a domestic dispute with a girlfriend. Capuanao was released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 10/21/13 at Middletown Superior Court.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On Oct. 19 at approximately 12:43 a.m., Lesley Richter, 31, of Boston Post Road, Westbrook was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, as a result of a domestic dispute with a boyfriend. Richter was released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 10/21/13.

An arrest or infraction does not indicate a conviction, and all individuals listed in these reports are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

* If you would be interested in receiving new Neighborhood Watch reports via email as they are posted, please send a request to TheNeighborhoodWatchReport@gmail.com

Safe Home Alone Readiness Program (S.H.A.R.P.)

East Haddam Youth & Family Services will be sponsoring a Safe Home Alone Readiness Program (SHARP) presented by Mindy Johnston.

The program will be held in the Nathan Hale-Ray Middle School Library on Tuesday evenings, November 12th, 19th and 26th, for children ages 10 and older.

Through role-playing and other hands-on activities, children will learn basic safety information vital to being home alone.  Guest speakers from local police and fire departments will be attending to teach children about fire, medical and personal safety tips, as well as answer any questions or concerns they may have.

The first two classes will be held from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m., and the graduation ceremony on the last day will be held from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

At least one parent will be required to attend the graduation.

Class size is limited and registration is required. To register, contact East Haddam Youth & Family Services (EHYFS) at 860-873-3296.

Mindy Johnston is the founder of Safety Education for Youth and Adults (SEYA). She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and has been an Emergency Medical Technician and an Auxillary State Trooper for more than 26 years.

During the past 30 years, Johnston has instructed over 3,000 boys and girls on babysitting safety and developed her own babysitting safety course in 1998. Realizing the need for home alone safety education as well, Johnston developed the SHARP curriculum in 2011.

For more information on SHARP or any of the other SEYA programs, visit her website: www.homesafetyeducation.com

To set up a program in your area, please contact Mindy Johnston at 860.558.4240 or at Mindy@homesafetyeducation.com

East Haddam, Deep River Men Arrested for Possession of Heroin and Drug Paraphernalia: Middletown Police

The Middletown Patch is reporting that detectives from the Middletown Police Department have charged two men with possession of narcotics, after being observed in a vehicle in an area parking lot in the north end of Middletown, where narcotics arrests and citizen's complaints have become commonplace.

During an investigation on Thursday night, Oct. 17, Donnie Velez, 24, of Bashan Road, East Haddam was reportedly found to be in possession of 6.8 grams of heroin enclosed in wax-paper packages.

Police also found Dana Warner, 53, of Cedar Lake Road, Deep River, who was a passenger in Velez's vehicle, in possession of 5.2 grams of heroin in 28 tiny wax-paper folds, as well as a syringe, according to the report.

Both men were charged with possession of narcotics, use of drug paraphernalia and non-student possession of drugs near a school.

To read the full story, visit Middletown Patch at http://middletown-ct.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/police-two-busted-with-12-grams-of-heroin-in-north-end-alley

Photo: Cuffs and Badge, credit Getty Images

K-9 Narcotics Detection Team Finds Marijuana in Moodus, Burglary, Larceny, Criminal Mischief and Disorderly Conduct through 10-8-13

The East Haddam Police and the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester report the following incidents:

MOTORCYCLE  ACCIDENT - On Sept. 14, Jared Freitas, 22, of Kettletown Road, Southbury was traveling westbound along Mount Parnassus Road in East Haddam, operating a 2005 Buell motorcycle. Police say Freitas left the roadway and landed the bike on its side. Freitas was reportedly not injured and stated to police that the accident had occurred as a result of his attempt to avoid a deer.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA - On Sept. 16 at approximately 4:30 p.m., East Haddam police initiated a motor-vehicle stop on Route 149 in Moodus, in the area of the Nathan Hale Plaza. Police suspected the driver of being in possession of marijuana, and a State Police Narcotics K-9 team was called in to respond to the scene. TFC Don Stankosky and K-9 partner, Captain were able to locate a considerable quantity of marijuana that had been hidden within the body of the vehicle. Timothy Gorman, 28, of Leesville Road, Moodus was subsequently arrested and charged for illegal possession of marijuana. Gorman was transported to Troop K, processed and later released on a $500 bond. He was scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 10/1/13.

MOTOR-VEHICLE VS MAILBOX AND GUARDRAILS - On Sept. 19 at approximately 12:48 p.m., Theresa Goss, 57, of AP Gates Road, East Haddam was traveling westbound on AP Gates Road in a 2004 Nissan Sentra. Police said that Goss crossed over the solid yellow center line of the road, striking a mailbox and a metal-beam guardrail on the left-hand shoulder. The vehicle's air-bag was deployed and Goss was wearing her seat-belt, but she reportedly suffered minor cuts and bruises from broken glass and was transported to the Marlborough Clinic in Marlborough for treatment and evaluation of her injuries. Police issued Goss an infraction for making a restricted turn.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On Sept. 28 at approximately 1:39 a.m., Fallon Giddings, 22, of William F Palmer Road, Moodus was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Giddings was released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 9/30/13 at Middletown Superior Court.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT - On Sept. 28 at approximately 1:43 a.m., Casey Evans, 26, of William F Palmer Road, Moodus was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Evans was released on a $1,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 9/30/13.

BURGLARY - On Sept. 29 at approximately 3:50 p.m., State Police were dispatched to a Longwood Drive, East Haddam residence to investigate a complaint of a break-in. The home was reported to have been broken into within the prior three-week time period, and it was not clear whether or not anything had been taken. The incident remains under investigation, and anyone with possible information is asked to contact Trooper Stacy Clark at the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester at 860-537-7500. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-mail on the (East Haddam) Confidential Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

TWO-CAR COLLISION - On Sept. 29 at approximately 4:36 p.m., Scott Olearnick, 22, of Shanaghan Road, East Haddam was traveling westbound on Route 82 in East Haddam, in a 2007 Toyota Corolla. Kyle Tomkus, 19, of Beech Avenue, East Haddam was traveling behind Olearnick's vehicle in a 1992 Ford F-150 pick-up truck. Police said that as Olearnick stopped to wait for oncoming traffic as he was attempting to make a turn onto Ray Hill Road, Tomkus was unable to stop in time and struck Olearnick's vehicle from behind. No injuries were reported, and both vehicles sustained only minor damage. Tomkus was issued infractions for following too closely, failure to carry a driver's license and failure to carry an insurance card.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - On Oct. 1 at approximately 10:35 a.m., Christopher Lewis, 36, of Main Street, Old Saybrook was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and 2nd-degree criminal mischief. Lewis was released on a $2,500 bond and given a court date of 10/2/13 at Middletown Superior Court.

BURGLARY AND LARCENY - On Oct. 1 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Michael Oddis, Jr., 21, of Route 149 Colchester was arrested and charged with 3rd-degree burglary and 3rd-degree larceny. Oddis was later released on a $15,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Norwich Superior Court on 10/2/13.

MOTOR-VEHICLE VS ROAD SIGN AND ROCK - On Oct. 2 at approximately 6:20 a.m., Kenneth Widdecomb, 53, of Market Street, New Britain was traveling northbound on Town Street in East Haddam, driving a 2001 Dodge Neon. According to police, Widdecomb was attempting to negotiate a right-hand curve in the roadway, veered left, crossed over the double-yellow center line into the southbound lane and then off the road. Widdecomb's vehicle collided with a road sign and rock, causing damage to the front end and undercarriage. Police said that Widdecomb complained of neck pain, but refused transport to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment. Widdecomb was issued an infraction for failure to keep right on a curve.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS - On Oct. 8 at approximately 9:29 p.m., Michael Staples, 20, of Joe Williams Road, Moodus was arrested and charged with DUI. Staples was released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 10/23/13 at Middletown Superior Court.

An arrest or infraction does not indicate a conviction, and all individuals listed in these reports are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

East Haddam Woman Kidnapped at Gunpoint

Although State Police are not releasing the victim's name, an East Haddam resident was allegedly kidnapped from her home at gunpoint by someone she was familiar with, then transported to the Norwich area where she was able to escape from her captor by climbing through a restaurant drive-through window.

Ryan Blessing of the Norwich Bulletin reports:

NORWICH - State police say an East Haddam woman escaped from an accused kidnapper Friday night by climbing through the drive-through window of a Burger King on Salem Turnpike.

Police also said the man charged with her kidnapping then gave chase to a vehicle and brandished a handgun at two people in the car, where he thought the victim had fled.

The incident began at about 9:50 p.m., when state and Norwich police received 911 calls for reports of a man with a gun and a woman claiming to have been kidnapped. Police responded to the Burger King at 21 Salem Turnpike.

There, police found the female victim, who said an acquaintance of hers, Davendra Persaud, 30, of Lynbrook, N.Y., kicked in the door to her home and brandished a handgun. Persaud then made the woman walk to his vehicle, which was about one-tenth of a mile from her house, police said.

Police said Persaud then drove to the Burger King and that, while waiting in the drive-through line, the victim exited Persaud’s vehicle and ran to the vehicle in front of it in the line.

Persaud exited his vehicle and tried to catch the victim, who police said ultimately climbed into the drive-through window to escape.

For the full article, visit the Norwich Bulletin: "Police: Woman escaped gunman through BK drive-through window"

*Photo: Semi-Automatic Sig Sauer Mosquito, courtesy of Arthur Welling at CarteachO.Blogspot.com