According to Deputy Chief Brian Foley of the Hartford Police Department, after 19 homicides that happened in the previous year, an increase in the crime rate is expected in 2015.
Foley added, “Last year, we anticipated that we’d have a spike in crime this year. Certainly not as high as it is”.
Till now, 24 homicides have happened in the city and the number is higher than it was in the last few years.
As there are many factors, the reason for the increase in crimes cannot be determined, according to Foley. He added, “If you look at convictions a few years ago, you can see who’s coming out of jail. We also knew where our staffing was. We also knew where everybody’s resources were”.
Gov. Dan Malloy said, “We continue to be a very vital partner. I’ve actually sent more resources to Hartford than just about anyplace else and sent more resources to Hartford than they asked for in the last round”.
From the year 1982 to the year 1989, Bernie Sullivan served as Hartford police chief and he recalls when the city’s crime rate was even worse than at this time. He told, “When I was chief, we were running 40 homicides a year. We had a lot more gang activity”.
The increase in crime rate is affecting the operation of businesses and businessmen are facing difficulties as they feel insecure in making an investment in the city. Homeowners are also facing issues in renting out their place.
According to one of the homeowners, John Milledge, “All too often I’ve seen my property located around the city, the North End particularly, on the news”.
On Tuesday, 32-year-old Desmond Wright was shot in the temple and left to die on the sidewalk on Pershing Street in broad daylight.
Deborah McDonald, who lives in the neighborhood said, “The crime rate is so different now. I’m not as safe as I was”. According to her, there is a requirement of the city to provide more chances for work and she added, “How do these young kids get guns? You can get a gun but you can’t get a job.
In last 4 years, the homicide rate in Hartford was the highest.
The homicide rate of 2015 in Hartford is more than the rate that is in Boston, a city that is 5 times bigger than Hartford. The percentage of homicide crime rate is also higher than that of Bridgeport and New Haven collectively.
News Source: www.NBCConnecticut.com
