Markeshia Ricks Photo
A top cop promised Thursday to keep the heat on burglars breaking into cars in the East Rock neighborhood, even though a major initiative has been shelved.
That initiative was an experiment that East Rock District Manager Lt. Herb Sharp prepared to roll out this week, in which officers would remove valuables that are in plain sight in unlocked cars. Cops found that simply leaving reminders on windshields wasn’t doing the trick. Using a “caretaker” exception to search-warrant rules, Sharp instructed officers to remove the items and leave a note telling the car owners to pick up their valuables at the police station.
Click here to read a full story on the roll-out and here to read the heated debate that resulted.
Chief Dean Esserman said he ordered the initiative halted after one day because the city’s corporation counsel’s office raised civil-liberties questions. “The officers in East Rock put the initiative. I respect their initiative,” Esserman said. “They were trying to be problem-solvers. They had tried other things before. .. The corporation counsel’s office reached out and said they had some concerns. I respect their concerns. I asked the officers to put it on hold.” Click here to read a full story on the roll-out and here to read the heated debate that resulted.
Capt. Anthony Duff, who oversees patrol, said Thursday that in addition to walking beats papering cars and doors with information about how to prevent car break-ins, the department is having personnel work some over time, and even sending out K9 units to try to catch burglars.
The department also sends out fingerprint technicians after every reported car break-in with hopes of gathering evidence that will help them catch those responsible for the rash of crimes.
“We’re going to keep doing that,” Duff said.
East Rock has had 33 larcenies from vehicles this year, according to Duff. The bulk of the break-ins occurred on five specific streets: Bishop, Everit, Livingston, Nicoll and Saint Ronan.
Paul Bass contributed reporting.
Who Green-lit this initiative? Or did Sharp roll this out on his own without running it by any of his superiors in the NHPD?
The City Hall Press Spokesperson was on the local news talking about the initiative on Monday. Who from the NHPD brought the initiative details to City Hall for them to talk to the press about it?
The NHR article this morning said Corp Counsel alerted Esserman Tuesday morning with concerns about the legal ramifications about the initiative. It would seem then that Corp Counsel was never consulted for their opinion on such a radical new way the NHPD would be doing business; or were they? Did anyone bother to involve the States Atty office in the process?
City Hall stated "unanticipated press coverage" that "raised community awareness about the issue" also led to the termination of the initiative. How could the press coverage be unanticipated if they were giving statements to the press???
Looks like everyone is passing the hot potato. Who at the NHPD above Sharp, and at City Hall, was in the approval and roll-out of the initiative? Will this be a teachable moment for NHPD and City Hall?