Back to School in East Haddam: Safety Tips from the Connecticut State Police

As over half-a-million Connecticut children head back to school over the next few weeks, Connecticut State Troopers urge all parents and guardians to discuss school, traffic, and personal safety with their children.  

Troopers also caution all drivers to be aware of “back to school” bus, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic.  

Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they travel on Connecticut’s roadways, and to be alert to children who may be hurrying to and from school. 

Under state law, it is mandatory that drivers stop for school buses that have their flashing red warning lights activated, whether they are approaching or following the school bus.  

The yellow flashing lights are a warning to drivers that the bus will be stopping to pick up and/or drop-off students. Drivers should anticipate that the red flashing lights will come on shortly after seeing the yellow flashing lights as the bus comes to a stop.  The red flashing lights on a school bus indicate that the bus is stopped and students are either getting on or off the bus.  

Failure to obey this law not only puts our children at great risk, but it carries a hefty penalty for drivers. 

Fines for passing a school bus that has its flashing red warning lights activated starts at $465 for a first offense.  

Parents should remind their children to wait in a safe place, out of the travel portion of the roadway, and only cross the street after looking both ways, even if the red lights are activated. Urge children to tell an adult and the police about anything that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable on the way to/from school and while they’re in school. Children should be reminded not to speak to, or get into the vehicles of people they don’t know. 

All Resident State Troopers and Troopers on patrol will monitor school bus stops to help ensure the safety of all students as they travel back to school to begin the 2015 school year. 

TFC Kelly Grant

Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection

Connecticut State Police

Public Information Office

*Photo: Back to School, courtesy of Pixabay.com

State Police Plan Extra Patrols & DUI Checkpoints

With an eye on the calendar, the Connecticut State Police are adding an extra weekend of additional patrols during this second to last weekend of the summer of 2015.

In an effort to continue a safe summer driving season, State Troopers will step up patrols August 27 through September 2 in anticipation of more drivers on the roads due to school openings and last minute vacations or day trips.

"Troopers are standing by to eliminate dangerous drivers from Connecticut roads and highways,” noted Colonel Brian Meraviglia, Commanding Officer of the Connecticut State Police. “As the summer season ends, Troopers will be especially vigilant to find and remove drunk drivers, as well as those who defy the cell phone prohibition. Both of these violations are illegal and dangerous to all who travel our roadways.”

The Connecticut State Police urges drivers to buckle up, avoid distractions and stay sober when behind the wheel.

Troop K Roving Patrols Planned:

8/27/15 Roving patrols - Routes 6, 85, 66, 32, 87, 203, 207, 316, 354, 82, 149, 11, and 2 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

8/28/15 Roving patrols - Routes 6, 85, 66, 32, 87, 203, 207, 316, 354, 82, 149, 11, and 2 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

8/28/15 DUI Sobriety Checkpoint – Route 6 and 66 near the commuter parking lot in Columbia. This will be in conjunction with the Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit

8/29/15 Roving patrols - Routes 6, 85, 66, 32, 87, 203, 207, 316, 354, 82, 149, 11, and 2 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

8/30/15 Roving patrols - Routes 6, 85, 66, 32, 87, 203, 207, 316, 354, 82, 149, 11, and 2 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

8/31/15 Roving patrols - Routes 6, 85, 66, 32, 87, 203, 207, 316, 354, 82, 149, 11, and 2 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

9/01/15 Roving patrols - Routes 6, 85, 66, 32, 87, 203, 207, 316, 354, 82, 149, 11, and 2 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

9/02/15 Roving patrols - Routes 6, 85, 66, 32, 87, 203, 207, 316, 354, 82, 149, 11, and 2 in Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem and Windham.

*Information provided by the Connecticut State Police, Public Information Office

Plane Crash Investigation, DUI's, Impairing the Morals of a Child, Traveling Too Fast, Assault and Disorderly Conduct through 8-15-15

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

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS, TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS AND POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR - On August 2 at approximately 9:25 p.m., the Colchester Police responded to a one-car rollover in the area of Westchester Road and Loomis Road in Westchester. Upon arrival, police said that the operator of the vehicle was alert and out of the vehicle.  After Zachery Masterson-Fox, 19 of Old Field Drive, Moodus was examined and treated by medical personnel for minor scrapes and abrasions, a subsequent police investigation found him to be in violation of the above charges. Masterson-Fox was processed at Troop K and later released on a $500 bond. He was scheduled to appear at Norwich Superior Court on 8/18/15. Police said the accident caused considerable damage to a privately owned stone wall at the scene.

FAILURE TO GRANT THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AT A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY - On August 5 at approximately 11:32 a.m., a 17-year-old driver of Shanaghan Road, East Haddam was traveling southbound on Leesville Road in Moodus, driving a 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada. Police said Sophie Blaschik, of Leesville Road, Moodus was operating a 1997 Toyota Corolla and pulled out of a private driveway into the on-coming path of the 17-year-old's vehicle. No injuries were reported, but police issued Blaschik an infraction for the above violation.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS AND FAILURE TO DRIVE UPON THE RIGHT - On August 6 at approximately 1:20 a.m., Jason Plancon, 40, of Sheepskin Hollow Road, East Haddam was traveling northbound on Sheepskin Hollow Road, operating a 1996 Volvo 850. Plancon told police that a deer had run out into the roadway, causing him to swerve and lose control of his vehicle. Plancon's vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway and flipped over. Plancon was arrested and charged with the above violations, then released on a $500 bond. He was given a court date of 8/17/15 at Middletown Superior Court.

PLANE OFF THE RUNWAY - On August 8 at approximately 4:15 p.m., State Police responded to a report of a possible plane crash at the Goodspeed Airport on Lumberyard Road in East Haddam. After a subsequent investigation, police determined that the incident had occurred earlier in the day, around 11:30 a.m. The plane was unoccupied and the pilot had left the scene prior to the incident being reported to the Connecticut State Police. Police said that the airport manager had previously reported the incident and it had been assigned to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Windsor Locks office for further investigation. According to an FAA official, a pilot of a Cessna-170 was practicing "Touch & Go" landings when a flock of geese on the runway caused the pilot to veer off course. There were no reported injuries, and the incident remains under investigation. .

FAILURE TO DRIVE A REASONABLE DISTANCE APART - On August 15 at approximately 11:00 a.m., Corey Rothemeyer, 27, of Hamburg Road, Lyme was traveling westbound on Route 82, just east of Route 156 in East Haddam, operating a 2008 Honda Accord. Salvador Chacon, 43, of Lathrop Road, Uncasville was driving a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta, traveling behind Rothemeyer. Police said that Chacon impacted Rothemeyer's vehicle in the rear, causing disabling damages to both vehicles. Rothemeyer was transported to the Middlesex Shoreline Clinic in Westbrook for evaluation and treatment of his injuries. Police issued Chacon an infraction for the above violation.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT, THIRD-DEGREE ASSAULT AND IMPAIRING THE MORALS OF A CHILD - On August 15 at approximately 5:36 p.m., State Police responded to a reported domestic disturbance involving a physical altercation at an AP Gates Road, East Haddam residence. After a subsequent police investigation, Thorsten Wohlstrom, 45, of AP Gates Road, East Haddam was arrested and charged with the above violations. He was later released on a $10,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown superior Court on 8/17/15.

Please be advised that 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 like to receive future reports as they are posted and other area police-related news articles when they're available, just send a request to:

TheNeighborhoodWatchReport@gmail.com

*Photo: Pair of Canada Geese, courtesy of Pixabay.com

Larceny by Possession, Possession of Burglary Tools, Stolen Boat Motor, Assault, Interfering with an Emergency Call, Vandalism, DUI's, Threatening, Stolen All-Terrain Vehicle and MVA's through 7-31-15

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

DISORDERLY CONDUCT, ASSAULT AND INTERFERING WITH AN EMERGENCY CALL - On July 6 at approximately 9:31 p.m., Larry Sims, 61, of Smith Road, East Haddam was arrested and charged with the above violations. Sims was released on a $2,000 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 7-7-15.

LARCENY - On July 15 at approximately 10:47 a.m., John Trudeau, Jr., 39, of Community Avenue, Plainfield was arrested and charged, pursuant to a warrant, with 5th-Degree Larceny. Trudeau was held on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear to face the charge at court on the same day.

STOLEN QUAD - On July 17 at approximately 12:13 p.m., East Haddam Police were dispatched to a Hopyard Road, East Haddam residence to investigate the theft of an Arctic Cat all-terrain vehicle and a grey, single-axle trailer that had been taken from the yard. The items are believed to have been stolen sometime between Thursday, July 16th at 10:30 p.m. and Friday, July 17th at 9:30 a.m. The case is under investigation, and anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or have any information about this incident is asked to contact Corporal Karl Karabeinikoff at the East Haddam Resident Troopers' Ofiice at 860-891-8201. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-mail on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

BICYCLE VS. MOTORCYCLE - On July 19 at approximately 12:47 p.m., Jason Corrao, 36, of Wilson Lane, Danielson was traveling westbound on Route 82 in East Haddam, driving a 1996 Honda Goldwing motorcycle. Police said that Keith Goodell, 69, of Westchester Road, Colchester was riding a bicycle and turned into the oncoming path of the motorcycle. Goodell was transported for evaluation and treatment of minor injuries sustained in the accident.

VANDALISM - On July 20 at approximately 11:09 a.m., East Haddam Police responded to a report of vandalism to town property on the Hatch Lot, a protected open land preserve, located on Mill Road in East Haddam. Police said that an outhouse door was removed from its hinges and a picnic table on the trail was set on fire. The case is under investigation, and anyone who might have information that could help police with this case is asked to contact Corporal Karl Karabeinikoff at the East Haddam Resident Troopers' Ofiice at 860-891-8201. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-mail on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

CAR VS. UTILITY POLE - On July 21 at approximately 9:18 a.m., East Haddam Police were dispatched to East Haddam-Colchester Turnpike in the area of Old Kentwood Road. Thomas Cowger, 57, of Rebecca Lane, East Haddam (operating a 2015 Ford C-Max Hybrid) told police that there was a vehicle near the center line of the roadway which caused him to veer to the right to avoid them, consequently striking a utility pole. As a result of the collision, the pole itself remained in tact, but damage was caused to the advanced control box that was mounted on the pole. Police said that the Eversource electric company was advised. No injuries were reported. Police issued Cowger a written warning for Making an Improper Turn.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS, DISTRACTED DRIVING AND MAKING A RESTRICTED TURN - On July 24 at approximately 8:41 p.m., Emily Greene, 22, of Charter Road, Stafford Springs was arrested and charged with the above violations, after being involved in a motor-vehicle accident on Ray Hill Road in East Haddam. Greene was later released on a $500 bond and given a court date of 8-10-15 at Middletown Superior Court.

LARCENY FROM A MOTOR-VEHICLE - On July 25 at approximately 5:00 a.m., State Police responded to a Smith Road, East Haddam residence for the reported theft of a backpack from an unlocked vehicle. The backpack has been described as black in color with rock & roll patches on it, and contained an iPad (white in color) in a black cloth case, as well as other personal paperwork. The incident is believed to have occurred sometime between Friday, July 24th at 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 25th at 5:00 a.m. Anyone with possible information is asked to contact Trooper Xavier Cruz at the Connecticut State Police, Troop K in Colchester at 860-465-5400, Ext.# 4002.

BREACH OF PEACE - On July 26 at approximately 9:41 p.m., Donald Biran, 57, of Lumberyard Road, East Haddam was arrested and charged with the above violation. Biran was released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 8-11-15.

STOLEN BOAT MOTOR - On July 28 at approximately 7:07 a.m., East Haddam Police were dispatched to a Laurel Cove Beach Road address for the reported theft of a boat motor from the yard. The motor has been described as a Tohatsu 5-hp outboard, grey in color. The incident is believed to have taken place between Thursday, July 23rd and Friday, July 24th. The case is under investigation, and anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious or have any information about this incident is asked to contact Corporal Karl Karabeinikoff at the East Haddam Resident Troopers' Ofiice at 860-891-8201. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you may leave a voice-mail on the (confidential) Crime Tip Line at 860-873-5013.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS AND FAILURE TO STOP WHEN SIGNALED OR DISOBEYING THE DIRECTION OF AN OFFICER - On July 30 at approximately 2:34 a.m., Cari Paradis, 31, of East Haddam Road, Salem was arrested and charged with the above violations. Paradis was released on a $500 bond and scheduled to appear at Norwich Superior Court on 8-18-15.

LARCENY BY POSSESSION AND POSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS - On July 30 at approximately 4:18 p.m., Austin Shepley, 24, of Triangle Drive, Moodus was arrested for 6th-Degree Larceny by Possession and Possession of Burglary Tools. Shepley was released on a $1,000 bond and given a court date of 8-11-15.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND THREATENING - On July 31 at approximately 3:30 p.m., State Police responded to a Norwich Road, East Haddam to investigate a disturbance between a male and female in the driveway at the residence. The male had been reportedly yelling and waving a hatchet around. After an investigation. police arrested Ordro Sanders, 30, of Norwich Road, East Haddam and charged him with the above violations. Sanders was taken into custody without incident and held on a $2,500 bond. He was scheduled to appear at Middletown Superior Court on 8-3-15.

Please be advised that 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 like to receive future reports as they are posted and other area police-related news articles when they're available, just send a request to:

TheNeighborhoodWatchReport@gmail.com

Statewide Crackdown: UDrive, UText, UPay

The Connecticut State Police is taking part in a statewide program with the Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office and local police departments to continue a crackdown on motor vehicle operators who choose to text or talk on a hand-held mobile device while operating a motor vehicle.

State Troopers are once again participating in the “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” Campaign, this time from August 3-16, 2015. Troopers previously conducted increased enforcement during the April campaign. 

The DOT reports an eight percent drop in mobile phone use by drivers during the April crackdown.  

Nearly 16,000 citations were issued to those motorists who ignored Connecticut’s laws prohibiting distracted driving. That figure is four times as many citations in one month than any other month in which a specialized enforcement campaign did not occur. 

Under Connecticut’s cell phone and texting law, violations involve heavy fines ranging from $150 for a first offense, to $300 for a second violation, and $500 for each subsequent violation.

“The choice is up to each driver on Connecticut’s roads. You might choose to engage in potentially deadly behavior by using your phone. There will be consequences in the form of a substantial fine, a motor vehicle accident or both,” said State Police Colonel Brian Meraviglia.  “Your CT State Troopers hope that you will choose safety first and ditch the distractions while driving.”

“As always, our top priority is public safety. We will ticket those motorists who disobey Connecticut laws, but we also hope to save lives by changing the dangerous habits of motorists,” noted Colonel Meraviglia.

TFC Kelly Grant

Connecticut State Police

Public Information Office