06-05-2008, 09:19 PM
Courant.com
After Hartford Violence, Police Chief Decries 'Inhumanity'
Staff and Wire Reports
6:46 PM EDT, June 5, 2008
In an unusual display of public anger, Hartford's police chief Wednesday gave vent to his feelings about the recent violence afflicting his city and the lack of decency among residents.
Chief Daryl K. Roberts was responding to a hit-and-run Friday afternoon that left a 78-year-old city man paralyzed, lying in the middle of Park Street under full view of passing motorists and onlookers, the savage beating and robbery Monday morning of former Deputy Mayor Nicholas Carbone and the discovery Wednesday of a badly decomposed body of a man in the basement of his family's recently foreclosed home.
Roberts said those incidents are indicative of the callousness and lack of humanity that has taken hold of his city.
"Those are three situations that dehumanize our community," Roberts said, speaking to reporters at an afternoon press briefing. "I'm ashamed to say our city has a toxic relationship with ourselves."
City officials, including Roberts, were backtracking from that opinion on Thursday, noting that in the hit-and-run four people called 911 within a minute of the accident, and that the victim, Angel Arce Torres, received medical attention shortly thereafter.
"This moved too quickly," said Calixto Torres, the city council president. "People were putting information out too quickly."
Roberts said his initial response came because he was angry after viewing the video.
"The video was very graphic and sent a very bad message," he said. "We'll never give up in this city. We'll make it safe for everybody."
The hit-and-run took place about 5:45 p.m. in a working-class neighborhood. A patrol car heading east on Park Street came upon Angel Arce Torres as the officer was responding to another call.
Torres, who lived near the scene of the accident and was returning home after buying some milk, was in critical condition in Hartford Hospital, with head injuries and paralyzed from the neck down, according to police
"My father is here fighting for his life, man. I'm pleading to the people in this city, that if anyone knows anything, please come forward and call the Hartford Police Department. Whoever did this, if you're watching the news, please just come in and turn yourself in," said his son, Angel Arce "The family is going through a tough time. A lot of pain. A lot of pain, man. My father, he was just enjoying his retirement."
Witnesses reported that two vehicles were operating recklessly as they traveled north on Main Street before running a red light, turning west onto Park Street, crossing the center line and striking Torres in the opposite travel lane.
The cars, described as a tan, older model Toyota that was being chased by a blue or black older model Honda, continued west before turning right onto John Street, police said.
Bryant Hayre, 37, of Hartford, had bought a pack of Newport cigarettes Friday at Danny's Grocery at 33 Park St. and then walked over to the accident scene.
"Whoever did this should be sent away for a long time," Hayre said Wednesday. "It was as if he was a dog left in the street to die."
Hayre said he didn't try to help Torres because "people could see that he was conscious."
"I'm not skilled enough when it comes to blood flowing or I would have helped him," Hayre said.
Other bystanders speculated that people were afraid to get involved because they thought Torres had been shot or don't feel comfortable talking to police.
"Everybody knew him, but nobody helped," said Anthony Jenkins, 45, of 87 Park St. "I guess everybody is different. Some people are just out for themselves."
Torres was well-known on the block, where developers have proposed a $30 million retail and housing project called Plaza Mayor.
Richard Arnau, 72, lives in the same Main Street apartment building as Torres, a short walk from Park Street.
"If it was me, I would have helped," Arnau said.
As for Carbone, he remained in fair condition in Hartford Hospital Wednesday. Roberts called his assailants cowards.
"There was a time they would have helped that man across the street. Now they mug and assault him," he said. "That's not a police problem. We no longer have a moral compass. Anything goes."
Roberts thanked those members of the community who have stepped forward to provide information about the attack on Carbone. And he indicated investigators are making progress.
"We have suspects," he said.
While the body found in the basement of the home at 303 Hillside Ave. has not been positively identified, police do not suspect foul play. The body is believed to be that of a male family member who was known to disappear for long periods of time. Roberts still found it odd that no one filed a missing persons report. "If my father was missing for six months, I'd be asking questions," he said.
Born and raised in Hartford, Roberts has been chief for nearly two years, having risen through the ranks in his quarter-century with the department. He co-authored the department's neighborhood policing plan and, as chief, has also launched two safe city initiatives and a truancy prevention program. On the eve of his swearing-in in July 2006, Roberts listed making the city safer for everyone among his top three objectives.
The recent incidents and Roberts' sharp comments drew a somber response from city council members.
"It's been a tough few days," said city Councilman Matt Ritter. "Most violent acts, the vast majority tend to be targeted, as the chief will tell you, at someone who was up to no good. Then this happens, this spate of incidents where it's random, and that's scary."
"If we need to put cops on the street, and they need money from the city council for that, hey, we've got to find it," Ritter said. "Because people have to feel safe and it's not fair to our residents if they don't feel safe."
Councilman Kenneth Kennedy recalled Wednesday that Roberts had expressed his concerns about the lack of caring and compassion among city residents at a meeting on Saturday of Hartford's African American Alliance.
"There is a loss among the young folks of the value of human life, and maybe as a result, people have been desensitized to violence," Kennedy said, recalling Roberts' remarks at the meeting. "He wasn't frustrated.
It was, 'This is the condition and we have to reach our people to try and change some of this culture.'"
"Once somebody's dead, they really are not coming back and I don't think people sometimes believe that," Kennedy said. "I actually think he's right about that. I don't think youngsters realize mortality. I don't think it's unique to this generation, but I do think it's gotten worse."
The response from Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez's office, however, was more upbeat.
Sarah Barr, spokeswoman for Perez, said the mayor was unaware of Roberts' comments, but added, "There are so many positive things that are happening in reference to moving forward and working together with the residents and fighting crime. I think it's a sense of frustration on behalf of the chief."
Frustrated or not, Roberts said he was "calling out" city residents. "I'm challenging them to treat people with dignity and respect," he said. "This is no longer acceptable."
Contact Steven Goode at [email protected].
Courant Staff Writers Daniel E. Goren and Tom Puleo contributed to this story.
Copyright é 2008, The Hartford Courant
Video here: http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topne...5039.story
After Hartford Violence, Police Chief Decries 'Inhumanity'
Staff and Wire Reports
6:46 PM EDT, June 5, 2008
In an unusual display of public anger, Hartford's police chief Wednesday gave vent to his feelings about the recent violence afflicting his city and the lack of decency among residents.
Chief Daryl K. Roberts was responding to a hit-and-run Friday afternoon that left a 78-year-old city man paralyzed, lying in the middle of Park Street under full view of passing motorists and onlookers, the savage beating and robbery Monday morning of former Deputy Mayor Nicholas Carbone and the discovery Wednesday of a badly decomposed body of a man in the basement of his family's recently foreclosed home.
Roberts said those incidents are indicative of the callousness and lack of humanity that has taken hold of his city.
"Those are three situations that dehumanize our community," Roberts said, speaking to reporters at an afternoon press briefing. "I'm ashamed to say our city has a toxic relationship with ourselves."
City officials, including Roberts, were backtracking from that opinion on Thursday, noting that in the hit-and-run four people called 911 within a minute of the accident, and that the victim, Angel Arce Torres, received medical attention shortly thereafter.
"This moved too quickly," said Calixto Torres, the city council president. "People were putting information out too quickly."
Roberts said his initial response came because he was angry after viewing the video.
"The video was very graphic and sent a very bad message," he said. "We'll never give up in this city. We'll make it safe for everybody."
The hit-and-run took place about 5:45 p.m. in a working-class neighborhood. A patrol car heading east on Park Street came upon Angel Arce Torres as the officer was responding to another call.
Torres, who lived near the scene of the accident and was returning home after buying some milk, was in critical condition in Hartford Hospital, with head injuries and paralyzed from the neck down, according to police
"My father is here fighting for his life, man. I'm pleading to the people in this city, that if anyone knows anything, please come forward and call the Hartford Police Department. Whoever did this, if you're watching the news, please just come in and turn yourself in," said his son, Angel Arce "The family is going through a tough time. A lot of pain. A lot of pain, man. My father, he was just enjoying his retirement."
Witnesses reported that two vehicles were operating recklessly as they traveled north on Main Street before running a red light, turning west onto Park Street, crossing the center line and striking Torres in the opposite travel lane.
The cars, described as a tan, older model Toyota that was being chased by a blue or black older model Honda, continued west before turning right onto John Street, police said.
Bryant Hayre, 37, of Hartford, had bought a pack of Newport cigarettes Friday at Danny's Grocery at 33 Park St. and then walked over to the accident scene.
"Whoever did this should be sent away for a long time," Hayre said Wednesday. "It was as if he was a dog left in the street to die."
Hayre said he didn't try to help Torres because "people could see that he was conscious."
"I'm not skilled enough when it comes to blood flowing or I would have helped him," Hayre said.
Other bystanders speculated that people were afraid to get involved because they thought Torres had been shot or don't feel comfortable talking to police.
"Everybody knew him, but nobody helped," said Anthony Jenkins, 45, of 87 Park St. "I guess everybody is different. Some people are just out for themselves."
Torres was well-known on the block, where developers have proposed a $30 million retail and housing project called Plaza Mayor.
Richard Arnau, 72, lives in the same Main Street apartment building as Torres, a short walk from Park Street.
"If it was me, I would have helped," Arnau said.
As for Carbone, he remained in fair condition in Hartford Hospital Wednesday. Roberts called his assailants cowards.
"There was a time they would have helped that man across the street. Now they mug and assault him," he said. "That's not a police problem. We no longer have a moral compass. Anything goes."
Roberts thanked those members of the community who have stepped forward to provide information about the attack on Carbone. And he indicated investigators are making progress.
"We have suspects," he said.
While the body found in the basement of the home at 303 Hillside Ave. has not been positively identified, police do not suspect foul play. The body is believed to be that of a male family member who was known to disappear for long periods of time. Roberts still found it odd that no one filed a missing persons report. "If my father was missing for six months, I'd be asking questions," he said.
Born and raised in Hartford, Roberts has been chief for nearly two years, having risen through the ranks in his quarter-century with the department. He co-authored the department's neighborhood policing plan and, as chief, has also launched two safe city initiatives and a truancy prevention program. On the eve of his swearing-in in July 2006, Roberts listed making the city safer for everyone among his top three objectives.
The recent incidents and Roberts' sharp comments drew a somber response from city council members.
"It's been a tough few days," said city Councilman Matt Ritter. "Most violent acts, the vast majority tend to be targeted, as the chief will tell you, at someone who was up to no good. Then this happens, this spate of incidents where it's random, and that's scary."
"If we need to put cops on the street, and they need money from the city council for that, hey, we've got to find it," Ritter said. "Because people have to feel safe and it's not fair to our residents if they don't feel safe."
Councilman Kenneth Kennedy recalled Wednesday that Roberts had expressed his concerns about the lack of caring and compassion among city residents at a meeting on Saturday of Hartford's African American Alliance.
"There is a loss among the young folks of the value of human life, and maybe as a result, people have been desensitized to violence," Kennedy said, recalling Roberts' remarks at the meeting. "He wasn't frustrated.
It was, 'This is the condition and we have to reach our people to try and change some of this culture.'"
"Once somebody's dead, they really are not coming back and I don't think people sometimes believe that," Kennedy said. "I actually think he's right about that. I don't think youngsters realize mortality. I don't think it's unique to this generation, but I do think it's gotten worse."
The response from Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez's office, however, was more upbeat.
Sarah Barr, spokeswoman for Perez, said the mayor was unaware of Roberts' comments, but added, "There are so many positive things that are happening in reference to moving forward and working together with the residents and fighting crime. I think it's a sense of frustration on behalf of the chief."
Frustrated or not, Roberts said he was "calling out" city residents. "I'm challenging them to treat people with dignity and respect," he said. "This is no longer acceptable."
Contact Steven Goode at [email protected].
Courant Staff Writers Daniel E. Goren and Tom Puleo contributed to this story.
Copyright é 2008, The Hartford Courant
Video here: http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topne...5039.story