Calling Bristol “a safe haven for drug dealing,” Republican mayoral contender Ken Johnson urged more help for city police to combat the problem.
Police Chief John DiVenere said Tuesday that Bristol “has a drug problem, as does every other community in the country. I know we’re not any worse than most.”
“We have a very safe community,” the chief said. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say we had a problem, but we do very well in enforcing those laws.”
“I don’t want our drug dealers to think they have the run of the community, because they don’t,” DiVenere said.
Johnson said, though, that the department’s fight against drugs needs more resources.
“We need to send a strong message to the drug dealers and drug buyers that they are not welcome here in Bristol,” Johnson said in a prepared release Tuesday.
“Drugs in our community are not confined to the West End,” Johnson added. “They are in our neighborhoods and in our schools.”
Art Ward, the Democratic mayoral candidate, said that even one illegal drug transaction in town is too many. But, he said, the problems facing Bristol are no different than cities across the country are dealing with.
Democratic city Councilor Frank Nicastro, a police commissioner, said that police are “fighting day and night” against drugs and keeping the dealers in check.
He called Johnson’s comments “an election ploy” and challenged the Republican to prove his statement that the city has become “a safe haven for drug dealing.”
“Where’s his proof of that?” Nicastro asked.
“We combat drugs very effectively in the city of Bristol,” said Nicastro, who served as mayor from 1993 to 2003.
DiVenere said his department considers the battle against drugs “very serious” and it’s a high priority for him.
He said that every officer is trained about drug enforcement and there is “a very active narcotics enforcement team.”
Moreover, the chief said, the department has an active DARE program to educate students about the dangers of drugs. It also have four police dogs, including one that’s specifically trained for narcotics enforcement.
Johnson said that he would work with the chief and Police Board “to allocate more resources” to the police. Ward said he’s already discussed ideas with the chief.
Johnson pointed to a “a successful drug sting in New Britain this summer that netted more than 100 arrests of drug dealers and buyers” and called for “similar sweeps here in Bristol as our city has become a safe haven for drug dealing.”
He said he would beef up the narcotics division by providing police with the tools they need to step up the effort to crack down on the narcotics trade.
Johnson also said the community needs to be alert for gang activity.
“We cannot be blind to the threat of gang violence,” Johnson said. “Look at the increase in graffiti – it might look like art but to me it is an ominous sign that the gangs and the drug dealers are already here.”
Johnson said residents should be “vigilant,” looking for signs of gangs and drug trafficking such as graffiti and sneakers over power lines.
“I’d like to see a confidential tip-line to the police,” he said.
Johnson said that he believes a confidential tip line “would encourage the reporting of incidents or suspicious activity. If one phone call leads to averting violence or helps shut down a drug dealer then we got the bang for our buck.”
What Johnson apparently doesn’t know is that the city has had a confidential tip line: (860) 585-TIPS.
“We’ve had one for many years,” DiVenere said.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
20 comments:
HaHaHaHaHa
Should have done his research before he submitted his press release.
All it would have taken was a quick meeting with the Chief to see where the City is regarding drug enforcement.
A little to quick on the draw Ken!
How is it an "uneducated comment" to point out that Ken looks stupid calling for a hotline that's existed for years?
BS!
There are more drug dealers on Main Street then there are Democrats on Federal Hill. I wouldn't let my kids walk down to that dump (Prospect St as well) in broad day light.
We need to be fighting harder. We need to keep the drug dealers down and out (and in prison). We need to keep the pimps and "ganstas" anywhere but here.
Kudos to Johnson for making this an issue.
The next positive thing that Johnson says will be HIS FIRST positive statement in the whole campaign = mr. negativity.
Well to all concerned, I have called the HOTLINE and not adamn thing was ever done, a friend of mine has drug dealers across the street from her home and sees and hears deals everyday! The police have been called and not a arrest has been made. SOOOOO.... If we have someone in office that is ready to go the extra mile and really nail this I would feel safer, wouldnt you?
How in gods name is stating facts an act of negitivity? Ward has done nothing to move bristol "for-ward."
The police chief should take his own personal vehicle, sit at the West End, watch his officers congregate in the parking lots 2 and 3 cruisers at a time, and see how may drug deals take place under their noses. If the civilians can see it, why can’t the police?
Who really has their head in the sand here? Johnson, Ward, or the police.
Drugs are everywhere.
DARE has never worked and there are studies stating this.
Maybe Johnson was quick on the draw, but he is right!
Steve, you should rename this website the "unsubstantiated allegations blog" or rename it the "since I quit drinking I need to vent at someone" blog. LOL.
Nicastro open your eyes: Everything is Bristol is not Rosey!
We have several problems here in Bristol. Maybe with your 4 pensions and paychecks you can afford your property taxes, but I and several of my neighbors cannot.
Stop just cheerleading for Bristol! Understand that Bristol has problems and than maybe you'll be more of an effective leader b/c you'll then be able to solve the problem rather than sugercoat it.
Remember you are no great hero in getting $700K back into our coffers with the property sale issue.
What you are not telling the residents of this city is that when you sat in that Mayor's Chair for 10 years, you bought up half the town b/c you didn't like the color of a house, or the roof had a shingle missing etc..
You spent a fortune buying this property and now saying "Hey Look at me" is typical Frank Nicastro,
How does your ego ever fit inside the State Capital?
Hey, anonymous, if you could see what doesn't make the cut, you'd have no doubt that there are an astonishing number of of bizarre allegations and vicious venting. What little gets through is barely scratching the surface. Some of them, by the way, are still drinking.
DARE has never worked and there are studies stating this.
THat's the most rediculous statement I've ever heard. If DARE stops even one child from taking drugs, drinking or smoking, it's working.
For a fair overview of the studies about DARE, both pro and con, check out this site:
http://www.druglibrary.org/Schaffer/Library/daremenu.htm
I would say, though, that arguing that "if DARE stops even one child from taking drugs, drinking or smoking, it's working" isn't a winning debating point. You have to show, too, that the same money spent in a different way would not be more effective. Bristol spends quite a bit if the only thing you could say for it is that it stopped one kid from trying a cigarette or a beer.
Of course, advocates say the program is much more effective than that. They may be right.
It's not my field of expertise.
But anyone who is interested should take a look at the studies. They're fascinating.
Did Johnson see today's Courant article on the 5 DRUG ARRESTS that were made?
DARE SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN JR HIGH!!!!
How about a "PARE Program" in Bristol.....Political Abuse Resistence Education!!!
5 drug arrests may have been made, but how many deals got through?????
Recently I received a brochure from Mayoral hopeful Ken Johnson and City Council candidate Bob Merrick. In the letter according to their analysis, Bristol is on the verge of an invasion by drug dealers. Based on two high profile arrests recently reported, our police force is doing its very best to deal with this problem. Of course our police are limited by whatever financial resources they have and whatever outside assistance they can obtain.
There is no question that drug abuse is a serious problem in our society and has been since the end of the 19th century. It was only until the early part of the 20th century that our government recognized the problem and enacted laws to control highly addictive drugs such as opium and morphine. I'm sure there is not one among us who has not seen the heartbreak and damage that is caused by drug abuse in our own families or those of others. I would be willing to bet that at least 80% of the criminals currently incarcerated in our prisons have had some contact with illegal drug use either personally or in their homes while growing up. Yet terms like "recreational drugs" and "personal use" have become code words for at least two generations of social liberals who believe that we have a civil right to use illegal drugs and not be held responsible for the consequences.
Police officers in general view their job as one that is very unique. One that is not very well understood by the public at large. They may be reluctant to accept advice or suggestions from outsiders, most of whom may have learned about police work from television shows like Dragnet or Law and Order. However smart cops value information and learn early on that listening to people can have positive results.
We are fortunate to have an outstanding police force, one that has come a long way over the past forty or so years. Our police managers should consider all avenues of assistance if we are to stave off the invasion predicted by Messieurs. Johnson and Merrick. They should consider engaging not only state and regional help but also federal assistance as well. Federal law enforcement agencies provide assistance with executing high profile felony warrants, especially those where then felon has moved out of state, assistance in setting up assets forfeiture programs to allow municipalities to seize property such as real estate and vehicles. The proceeds are then shared and provide needed monies to continue the fight.
Mr. Johnson should also consider his words when describing his vision for Bristol as that of an "urban center" for the future. If we allow Bristol to become a destination for more low-income housing and half-way houses as proposed by some big city mayors we will certainly be asking for an increase in the drug abuse and dealing issues discussed in the brochure.
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