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Attacks inside CT correctional facilities are leaving corrections officers frustrated

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Attacks inside CT correctional facilities are leaving corrections officers frustrated


A union representing correctional officers is speaking out following two attacks on corrections officers just this week.

Two corrections officers were stabbed Tuesday morning at the Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown. Both are okay.

The second incident happened Thursday night at the Cheshire Correctional Institution, when an incarcerated person assaulted a correctional officer while he was serving food. He is also okay.

“The problem that I have is the governor and legislators have passed laws without talking to boots on the ground and get our perspective,” said Sean Howard, president of AFSCME Local 387.

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He points to a law passed in 2021 that requires more out of cell time, and limits repercussions for bad behavior.

“They have taken away the tools for us to do our jobs safely to protect not only the staff, but the inmates,” Howard said.

Howard is also asking for more posting of corrections officers, giving them more visibility and numbers when inmates are out of their cells, something he says was promised back when the Protect Act was implemented.

“We need more posts, we have staff, we need more posts, so we are more visible inside the facility,” Howard said.

He believes it is for the safety not only of the corrections officers, but of the inmates, too.

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“I feel as well as members that they have turned their back on law enforcement,” Howard said.

Governor Ned Lamont responding in a statement Friday, saying:

“Any attack on a correction officer is unacceptable and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Our administration is always willing to hear the thoughts of those on the front lines on how to improve the safety of our correctional facilities. Commissioner Quiros and the leadership at the DOC will continue working with union representatives to develop policies to combat any such assault on a correction officer.”

Connecticut State Police and the Department of Corrections are still investigating both incidents.

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Connecticut

‘Significant' water main break affecting traffic on Main Street in Cheshire

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‘Significant' water main break affecting traffic on Main Street in Cheshire


There is a water main break on Main Street in Cheshire and detours are in place.

Police said there is a “significant water main break” in the area of 660 West Main St. and all eastbound traffic will be detoured until the water main is fixed, which could take into the evening hours.

Police are asking drivers to avoid the area if possible and they warn of delays for those traveling in the area.

Traffic will be detoured and drivers will need to take a right onto Mountain Road, a left onto Cornwall Avenue, a left onto Willow Street and a right onto West Main Street.

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Connecticut

Authorities investigate reports of tremors in Stamford

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Authorities investigate reports of tremors in Stamford


Police and fire officials are investigating multiple reports of tremors in Stamford Thursday night.

The police department said they received reports of tremors and shaking in the Turn of River Road and High Ridge Road area.

Fire officials told NBC Connecticut that they received more than a dozen calls from residents. Crews said they checked the area extensively but couldn’t find anything.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hasn’t yet reported any earthquakes in the area.

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No injuries or damage were reported. It’s unclear what specifically caused the tremors at this time.



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Enfield Police to increase presence to deter shoplifters during holiday season

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Enfield Police to increase presence to deter shoplifters during holiday season


It’s that time of year! Thousands of shoppers from Connecticut and Massachusetts will be heading to Enfield’s big box stores to get presents for the holiday season.

But in doing so, you might see more of a police presence.

Enfield police say shoplifting is a year-round problem, but it increases every holiday season due to the number of shoppers who come by.

They’re upping their efforts to reduce shoplifting by doing more focused operations to catch people.

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“Busy. Very busy. Crazy around here,” Heather Merrill said of Enfield’s shopping district this time of year.

“I try to shop really early in the morning, really late at night,” Kate Garrity said.

Shoppers flock to the stores to get special gifts and the best deals, but Enfield police say not everyone goes in ready to pay.

“I could not quantify how many shoplifting calls we have. It feels like we get 100 in a week,” said Sergeant Steven Austin of Enfield police.

Earlier in the week, Austin and other Enfield Community Police Officers spent the day working with stores like Kohl’s and Target, looking for shoplifters.

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Austin says they chose a random day and ended up catching — and arresting — five people.

“We’re on scene with the loss prevention officer so we’re watching it ourselves on surveillance and able to apprehend the suspects right then and there,” said Austin.

Police say that of those arrested, one woman had $4,000 worth of stolen goods alone. The others stole a couple hundred dollars worth of goods.

Austin says this is the first year the community policing unit is doing focused operations against shoplifting, hoping to deter people from even trying.

We don’t want to say when and where – but we look forward to working with loss prevention again,” said Austin.

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There are consequences for shoplifting in Connecticut,  such as thousands of dollars worth of fines and the potential for prison depending on how much money the stolen items are worth.



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