Glad to see such a great turnout tonight at National Night Out! Building relationships between the community and police is vital for Hartford’s future.
Some members of the endorsed “Row A” Democratic slate — including TJ Clarke, Julio Concepción, Foye Smith, Glendowlyn Thames, and rJo Winch — joined me at the Wilson Gray YMCA, Milner School, and the Upper Albany event at the Collin Bennett building — and there were other events as well. We even got some singing in with Pastor AJ Johnson of the Urban Hope Refuge Church.
The “Row A” team and I spoke tonight with residents and with press about our plans for Hartford: to start a meaningful conversation about public safety and the recent spike in violence and to take action. That starts with implementing the ten intiatives in my “Safe Streets, Strong Neighborhoods” plan.
One of those ten initiatives is a commitment to stabilize our police force. You can’t do community policing if you don’t have enough police officers to be out in our communities, present in our neighborhoods and building trust.
You’ll be hearing more about the community meeting we’re planning in the coming days. Until then, enjoy the photos & video!