Downtown Substation OK'd; North End Station Still Closed

Downtown Substation OK'd; North End Station Still Closed

" The substation, which would be housed in a former newspaper kiosk, would help address "a recent increase" in violence in the area, Segarra said. The council approved the request the same day" - JENNA CARLESSO, The Hartford Courant.

I mean...I don't get it? These people claim that skirmishes and flash mobs have been a recent growing trend and something is needed to be done in increase security within the area, which is true. However, a couple neighborhoods over have had the same problems for the past couple of years and little has been done to curb crime, the sale of narcotics and gang activities. There have been to date 22 homicides which are 22 deaths toooooo many and who knows how many more before years end! People are dieing, yet the Mayor et al reached the conclusion that a substation around the downtown area is much more vital than in the neighborhoods that truly need them? Seriously? What's going on? We, the Velvet Rebellion, implore the people of Hartford to wake up from this and snap outta this nightmare and help us take action braking away from accepting this as a norm from our society.

"You'd think if they were going to put police any place it would be a high-crime area. You have to start where the problem needs to be taken care of" Rev. Henry Brown.

Mayor Segarra says: The police presence [in the ok'd area] will also prove beneficial for people visiting the city noting that at least six "major conventions" are coming up in Hartford. But Mayor, those of us who continue to live and work in OUR city have had a myriad of thefts, vandalism, heard gun fire time and time again only to have our HPD's finest answering the call anywhere from one to a couple hours later! That is as big and fruitless for that matter of a joke as your implementation of that gunshot-detecting sensors We're the ones living, working and spending our hard earned cash in our city. In case you've been paying any attention there were three assaults and by the heavens above no one lost their lives. We depend upon their (the police force) protection and you, Mayor on our cooperation. Open the North End station and have other substations amongst other Hartford neighborhoods. We need police officers out of their patrol cars and physically strolling our streets within their assigned zones like the good ol' days. We need an efficient viable plan to not just repair the North End community but the South End et al not just for the short term like the current task force but rather for the long term. Start by adding a STRONGER police force above all to address the understaffing of our police department. A lot of us entrusted you to make these changes possible sooner rather than...never. That is of course if you want to keep serving as our Mayor. - V.R.

Vargas Afterthoughts - Cityline | Hartford News

Vargas Afterthoughts - Cityline | Hartford News

Well? We are just as surprised as you are. Maybe some just didn't get the message, perhaps?

Hartford Mayoral Deal Cheats Voters Of Choice

Hartford Mayoral Deal Cheats Voters Of Choice

"But contested elections are already too rare in Hartford. A competitive race between highly qualified candidates is something many community activists and ordinary citizens value. Instead, once again, the decisions have been made for us by a small group of power brokers and party leaders. That's not healthy for democracy, and it perpetuates the pattern of voter apathy and mistrust". - URANIA PETIT, The Hartford Courant

All to true, for some time we have noticed this pattern over and over, time after time again. Yet in a city of 120,000 plus people only about 7,000 registered voters went to the polls in this prior election. Of course the perpetuating of voter apathy and mistrust is NO EXCUSE to practice your civic duty. To vote as a front line voter equals the right to be heard and supporting freedom regardless of the outcome. Take the time to read this article I've provided above, study and learn from it. - V.R.

1st Post: Segarra Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary

Segarra Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary

I would like to cordially congratulate incumbent Mayor P. Segarra (D) for his victory against running candidate Edwin Vargas (D). I would also like to congratulate Mr. Vargas for running a good campaign. But an important message to the current Mayor on behalf of the people in our city.

Mayor P. Segarra: Now that you have won the popular support, we the residents of Hartford highly expect from you and your cabinet to efficiently manage as OUR Mayor as you swore to carry out to truly and utterly taking the time in listening to every concern from every facet of our city while taking it dearly to heart. We expect you to swiftly spring into action at all times. For far too long, we have endured disillusionment from past elected officials and neglect from those whom swore to represent us. I need not remind you that as Mayor of this city you agree without a doubt to put your very constituents ABOVE yourself. We implore you in performing and concentrate your very hardest in tackling the rising levels of crimes and homicide that is currently crippling our society today as well in job creation and support and helping create much needed small businesses. We trust you will do your very best to do the right thing for the benefit of all of us. The people come first. From this point, myself V.R., as well as everyone else will be closely watching your actions as our serving Mayor. We wish you the very best and to a fruitful term . - V.R