Courant.com - May 16, 2008

Hartford Officials Release Crime Stats, Gun Violence Up
By Hilda Munoz And Tina Brown

City officials are launching a new safety initiative in response to a recent wave of reports of gun violence in the city.

In less than a two-month period, between March 16 and May 10, there have been five gun-related homicides and 50 shooting victims in 36 confirmed gun-related incidents. All together during that period, there have been 188 unconfirmed reports of shots being fired.

"We've had pockets of violence in regards to shootings and shooting victims in the city. Some people still insist on settling arguments with a gun and we cannot and will not tolerate this," Mayor Eddie A. Perez said during a press conference Friday morning at police headquarters.

Perez and Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts announced said that during the first quarter, ending March 31, serious crime-- which includes crimes against properties as well as against persons -- declined by 60 percent . There were 1,753 part one crimes during the first quarter of 2008, close to 300 less than the same period last year. Incidents of homicide, aggravated and rape increased during the first three months of the year over the same period in 2007.

Hartford police officers have seized 133 illegal guns and made 75 weapons arrests since the first of the year , Roberts said.

The department plans on hiring 30 new officers and training officers for bicycle units and a mounted horse patrol. Roberts also said he asked state and federal authorities for resources.

Copyright © 2008, The Hartford Courant

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