Connecticut
Multi-town traffic enforcement spreads holiday cheer, offers reminders about safety
Drivers along Route 80 were given a message about holiday safety and a little gift from local police Thursday.
Police departments that make up the South Central Connecticut Traffic Unit banded together to lift spirits along with offering friendly warnings.
“It’s been pretty funny a lot of people are pretty excited,” said Officer Tristin Goodwin, with the East Haven Police Department
Funny and excited aren’t words typically used when getting pulled over by police, but they work for some traffic stops on Thursday. In North Branford, people who were pulled over were grateful.
“Its great. A lot of people need it, especially during the holidays,” said Thomas Ralston, from Wallingford.
Police pulled him over to make sure a load in the back of his truck was secured.
“He said we are trying to raise awareness about a safety stop and then I got this awesome Dunkin’ gift card,” Jessica Langlan said. Officers pulled her over to give her a warning about wearing her seat belt.
The South Central Connecticut Traffic Unit has been around a few years, but this is their first time turning traffic stops into a little gift-giving.
“It is and it is a nice way to see and meet the police officers, know who is in your town, have a nice smile and friendly interaction,” Langlan said.
Officers were looking out for basic offenses like tinted windows, lack of front license plates, and expired registration. It’s something they would typically offer a warning for. Those warnings were offered, but they came with a gift card.
“Just want to give you a little gift card we appreciate all the community too and want to make sure you have a good holiday and merry Christmas.”
Santa Claus was hanging out in the front of an East Haven police cruiser on a trip from the North Pole to North Branford. He traded in his reindeer power for some horsepower as he helped bring the holidays roadside.
“You can give a verbal warning and say hey merry Christmas, it was polite, it was nice, but we wanted to take it one step further,” said Sgt. Joseph Mulhern, with the East Haven Police Department.
In total, they handed out about 60 gift cards. Departments from North Branford, East Haven, North Haven, Branford, Guilford, Madison, and New Haven all participated.
It was a chance to blend road enforcement with positivity according to officers, and the local member police unions funded the gift card giveaway.
“We’re letting you know your registration is expired, but have a great Christmas, on us,” said Sgt. Antonio DePascale, with the North Haven Police Department.
Some drivers were a little spooked at first, but all left with a smile. Most were grateful for not receiving a ticket, and instead leaving with a gift card.
“I got away with a warning and a Dunkin’ gift card, I’m on cloud 9 right now,” Langlan said.
The officers said they hope this is the first year of a new tradition because it fits well with why they chose their career.
“Getting to give back to the community a little bit and maybe change some people’s perspective on motor vehicle stops and what not,” Goodwin said.
Watching some of the traffic stops was also an eye-opening experience regarding how close officers come to passing traffic. It’s a great reminder about slowing down and moving over, because it’s the law in Connecticut.
Marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting and attended by Governor Ned Lamont, state legislators, Waterbury officials, and community leaders, UConn Health celebrated the acquisition of Waterbury Hospital which as of today is now the UConn Health Waterbury Hospital.
“This is a defining moment for healthcare in Connecticut,” said Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health Community Network. “We now have the opportunity to take the award -winning academic quality and service of UConn Health and share it with the wonderful employees, doctors and community of Waterbury.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in the future of healthcare access across Connecticut.
“Connecticut is leading with innovation,” said Connecticut Governor Lamont. “The UConn Health Community Network reflects a proactive approach to strengthening community-based care by connecting it directly to the capabilities of our state’s public academic medical center. What begins in Waterbury today, represents a new model designed to expand opportunity, access, and excellence for communities statewide.”
In addition to UConn Health Waterbury Hospital, the Network includes UConn Health Community Network Medical Group and UConn Health Waterbury Health at Home. The model preserves each member’s local identity and will grow thoughtfully over time to improve quality, expand access, and reduce the total cost of care.
“This reflects a bold step forward in how we think about healthcare in Connecticut,” said John Driscoll, Chair of the UConn Health Board of Directors. “Today we celebrate the beginning of a new approach to community-based care. We move forward with clarity of purpose and shared commitment to serve our communities better together.”
Comptroller Sean Scanlon highlighted the significance of the model for the long-term evolution of healthcare delivery in Connecticut.
“This partnership represents thoughtful leadership at a pivotal time for healthcare,” said Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “By aligning community hospitals with academic medicine, Connecticut is building a modern framework that positions our healthcare system to meet the needs of patients today and into the future.”
“Hosting this celebration on our campus is deeply meaningful for our staff, physicians and the families we serve,” said Deborah Weymouth, President of UConn Health Waterbury Hospital. “Waterbury’s legacy of care continues, and we are tremendously proud to have a strong partner who is deeply committed to our community and help lead this next chapter for healthcare.”
Welcome UConn Health Waterbury Hospital!
A multi-vehicle crash temporarily close Interstate 84 on Tuesday night.
The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. and involved four cars, according to the Hartford Fire Department.
Fire crews arrived at the scene and helped one of the drivers who was trapped. The driver was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Four other people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance treatment at the scene, officials said.
I-84 East was temporarily shut down as crews responded but has since reopened.
The Connecticut State Police is investigating the crash.
As the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the state this afternoon, it is causing some treacherous travel on Connecticut roads.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is reporting several crashes.
There are crashes on both sides of Interstate 691 in Meriden.
A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the eastbound side of I-691 between Exit 5 and 3, closing the left lane. On the westbound side, a single-vehicle crash closed the left lane.
There is a two-vehicle crash on I-91 North in Middletown between Exits 20 and 21. The left and center lanes are closed.
A multi-vehicle crash has closed lanes of I-84 East in Waterbury between Exits 25 and 25A. There is a second crash on I-84 East in Southington near Exit 30.
In Cromwell, a two-vehicle crash closed the right lane of Route 9 North in Cromwell.
On Route 9 South, a crash closed a lane on the southbound side.
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