Connecticut

CT sees drop in crime rate as new quarterly data analysis begins

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

CT sees drop in crime rate as new quarterly data analysis begins

Connecticut’s new crime data chief was introduced Tuesday with a promise of faster analysis, greater transparency — and a report showing crime fell by 14.1% in the first three quarters of 2024, compared to the same time a year ago.

“The news today is good. Most significantly, we are continuing a long-term trend of a safer state for Connecticut residents,” said Ronnell A. Higgins, the commissioner of emergency services and public protection.

The quarterly crime analysis report is a departure for the Connecticut State Police, which is part of the larger emergency services agency under Higgins’ command. The data is fresher and more granular.

“We are doing this to drive our decision making and to provide crime data to policing leaders, community stakeholders and residents so we can make more informed decisions. Previously, statewide crime statistics were provided annually and were more than one year old once they were released. We are no longer going to release old data,” Higgins said.

Eight months ago, Higgins hired Michael Mascari, an epidemiologist and data scientist, to track and identify crime trends much as epidemiologists do with diseases, informing both the public and practitioners. He has a Ph.D. in epidemiology and a master’s in public health.

“For the first time, this agency has its own data scientist, Dr. Mike Mascari,” Higgins said.

By releasing quarterly and not just annual data, a different statistical picture of crime in Connecticut emerges, one both geared to public consumption and law-enforcement officials.

“Getting the data out there to the public quarterly will provide awareness to residents in Connecticut about emerging crime trends,” Mascari said. “Providing data to law enforcement agencies quarterly will enable these agencies to adapt to emerging trends quickly.”

In the more detailed data, there is both evidence of falling and rising crime, depending on the time frame examined. For example, in both 2023 and 2024, the number of crimes slightly rose from quarter to quarter.

In 2023, reported crimes rose from 32,362 in the first quarter to 36,816 in the second and 37,740 in the third. In 2024, there were 29,887 in the first quarter, 30,092 in the second and 31,828 in the third.

“I tried to provide a lot in that graphic,” Mascari said.

Year-over-year comparisons long have been the standards for judging crime rates, but he said showing the quarter-to-quarter changes in the same year is helpful “if you are trying to get the cadence of what’s going on this year,” he said.

Overall, the year-over-year comparisons of the first three quarters of 2023 to the same period in 2024 showed drops of 3.5% in crimes against persons, 18.4% in crimes against property, and 5.1% in crimes against society. The latter includes drug, prostitution and gambling offenses.

Other offenses tracked by the department such as disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, trespass and liquor violations increased by 1.6%.

“These preliminary numbers for the first three quarters of 2024 remind us that Connecticut remains a safe state and is getting even safer. The nearly across-the-board positive numbers are certainly good news, but this is an effort that must continue,” Higgins said.

Higgins’ team was to meet Tuesday afternoon with local enforcement to review the data. He acknowledged the use of data is hardly new, especially in larger departments.

The New York Police Department has had its “compstat” system of weekly, precinct-by-precinct reviews of data since the mid-1990s, with a goal of identifying problems and allocating resources accordingly. Mascari is giving Connecticut the ability to do a deeper analysis, Higgins said.

“He’s been able to help us swim a little bit further upstream. He worked in epidemiology, public health,” Higgins said. “We want to work on prevention. If we’re starting to see a trend, we want to prevent that trend from spreading.”

Crime data and the public perception of crime do not always align, as Higgins acknowledged.

“Every single crime has a victim or set of victims attached to it, and it’s very personal,” Higgins said. “We can talk about reductions in crime statewide. We can talk about the manner in which we’re releasing crime statistics. But at the same time, if someone doesn’t feel safe, if someone is a victim of a crime, that is their reality. And we need to be as law enforcement, we need to be responsive to what the public is feeling.”

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Connecticut

Connecticut doctor warns about ‘super flu’ as holiday gatherings approach

Published

11 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Connecticut doctor warns about ‘super flu’ as holiday gatherings approach

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Doctors are voicing concerns on the rising number of flu cases, including a new strain some are referring to as the “super flu,” as many are gathering indoors with loved ones for the holiday season.

With Christmas just a week away, Dr. Ulysses Wu, the chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said there are growing concerns over the new H3N2 flu strain.

“We had a very late flu season this year, but we’re making up for it like gang busters,” Dr. Wu said. “What’s happening with this one is, this has changed a bit, making it a little bit more infectious. It invades our immune system a little bit more, and that’s why we’re seeing a rise in cases.”

The most notable jump in the U.S. has been happening in New York City, with 14,000 cases reported in the first week of December. That is a 460% jump from the same time last year, according to the state flu tracker.

Dr. Wu warned that, because of its location, Connecticut is at risk to see a jump in flu cases.

“Remember, we’re sandwiched between New York and Boston, and we do have our share of travelers and commuters as well,” Dr. Wu said. “Our rates have certainly increased and that’s to be expected.”

Dr. Wu recommended that it is best to listen to medical professionals when it comes to the flu vaccine and the new H3N2 strain.

“So people are saying, ‘Oh well it’s changed, the vaccine isn’t going to work.’ It is still going to work,” Dr. Wu explained. “The whole point is to modulate the course of the disease so it’s not as severe.

Dr. Wu said that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are also up among children and older adults in Connecticut. When it comes to holiday celebrations, Dr. Wu recommends using common sense — wash your hands, stay home if you are sick and get vaccinated if you haven’t been already.

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Connecticut

Lamont Seeks $168M From Emergency Reserve To Offset Federal Cuts To Health, Housing And Food Aid

Published

23 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Lamont Seeks 8M From Emergency Reserve To Offset Federal Cuts To Health, Housing And Food Aid

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont has submitted a plan to Connecticut legislative leaders to withdraw nearly $168 million from a newly created Emergency State Response Reserve to offset recent federal funding delays and reductions affecting health and human services programs.

The proposal, totaling $167.9 million, marks the first time Lamont has sought to access the reserve, which was established in November under Special Act 25-1. The fund contains $500 million in state surplus dollars and was created in anticipation of potential federal funding reductions.

According to the administration, the proposed expenditures would help reduce health insurance costs for more than 150,000 residents, provide food assistance to more than 35,000 people and help keep approximately 3,500 individuals housed.

The plan includes funding to bolster food banks and pantries affected by changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, replace expiring enhanced health insurance subsidies linked to the Affordable Care Act, and provide interim support for homelessness prevention programs facing federal grant delays. It also would cover lost federal reimbursements for services provided by Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and expand capacity at the state’s 2-1-1 information and referral system.

“We should be supporting programs that increase access to food, healthcare, and homelessness prevention and response,” Lamont said in a statement. “Here in Connecticut we will stand behind them and do what we can to ensure that this most basic assistance remains available.”

Office of Policy and Management Interim Secretary Joshua Wojcik said the funding would help close gaps created by federal actions while supporting vulnerable residents.

“This is a responsible use of taxpayer resources to support our most vulnerable residents,” Wojcik said, adding that the administration continues to assess additional needs.

Under the proposal, $24.6 million would go to community food banks and pantries through June 2027, while $64.1 million would replace expiring enhanced premium tax credits for residents enrolled in Covered Connecticut. Another $50.8 million would address the loss of enhanced federal health insurance subsidies for certain income groups.

Additional allocations include $6.9 million for expiring homelessness grants and supportive housing vouchers, $10.4 million to replace lost federal funding for Planned Parenthood services and Title X programs, $4.7 million to expand 2-1-1 call center capacity and community outreach, and $1.5 million for administrative costs at the Department of Social Services.

As required by law, bipartisan legislative leaders have 24 hours after receiving the plan to review it and, if they choose, disapprove the proposed expenditures before funds are transferred.

If approved, $332 million would remain in the Emergency State Response Reserve. The governor is authorized to make withdrawals from the fund through Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the next regular legislative session.

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