Complete Annual Report 2020 - English - Flipbook - Page 13
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Community Initiatives
The Hartford Police Department works in the Community every day to better the lives of those who live, work,
and visit the City.
HPD has a Faith-based Community Service Officer who works with religious organizations throughout the City.
This program has had a positive effect on police/community relations and provided a new way for officers to connect with those they serve.
In 2020, the Hartford Police Department deployed Domestic Violence Response officers in the Community. These
officers focused their efforts on the investigation of domestic violence incidents, and collaborated with partners,
including the Interval House, to provide help for families and support to those affected by family violence.
Additionally, a Community Service Officer was assigned to investigate and address instances of illegal dumping
throughout the City. Illegal dumping has proven to be a major quality of life issue for city residents, which requires
strategic investigation, utilizing our available technology resources.
2020 HIGHLIGHT
HPD Homeless Outreach
The Hartford Police Department works every day to help the homeless population of Hartford. HPD’s Homeless
Outreach effort is wide-ranging and a critical part of the Department’s commitment to public service. Serving some
of Hartford’s most vulnerable residents is a task that the Department accomplishes with the help of many community partners.
The Department has worked to build trust within the homeless community by being a consistent presence in their
lives for many years. HPD’s Homeless Outreach Officer, Jimmy Barrett, is a familiar face to many members of the
homeless population and a positive force of positivity in their lives. During the 2020 pandemic, the HPD Homeless
Outreach effort needed to be able to move around the community to locate and engage with the homeless. Using
a converted HPD Bomb Squad truck, the Homeless Outreach Officer responds to different areas of the City, providing PPE, clothing, first aid supplies, and other essentials to those in need. The program also helps make connections, whether related to housing, nutritional support, access to warming centers, or employment opportunities.
The fight against homelessness is a regional issue, with many unhoused individuals living in Hartford after transitioning from surrounding towns. HPD’s Homeless Outreach effort works to involve neighboring towns to find
solutions and to help increase donations from individuals, schools, and community organizations in the Hartford
Region.
Please take a look at a recent segment on CNN regarding Officer Barrett’s efforts:
https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2020/09/14/btc-ct-officer-helps-homeless.cnn
On December 12, 2020, a gun buyback event was held at the Willie Ware Community Center. The Capital Region
Gun Buyback combined the efforts of the Hartford Police Department, Saint Francis Hospital, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford Healthcare, Stop & Shop, and other organizations to collect unwanted guns. This
event was a success, with a total of 36 guns turned in. Five assault weapons, including a fully automatic handgun,
were among the firearms collected. Without the support of our many community partners, events such as this
would not be possible.
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