CT State EnCon Police
East District Highlights
May 2018

Boating Enforcement & Accidents
Eastern District officers stepped up their efforts to ensure safe boating by the public as weather conditions warmed, especially in regard to manually propelled vessels, where all occupants are required to not only carry a lifejacket but to wear it from October 1st through May 31st annually.
On May 3, 2018, Officer Mazzotta responded to Horse Pond, Salem, on a report from DEEP Bureau Chief Lambert of a number of young men in a small unpowered vessel apparently without lifejackets. Three males were cited for failure to have/wear Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs).
On Sunday May 13th Officers Mazzotta, Landry, and Sergeant Chemacki responded to Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Mansfield, following a local fire department response for a capsized canoe with three people aboard that went over the dam. It was determined the three 20 year old males had gone through a protective log barrier above the dam, the canoe took on water from a suction whirlpool, and one male reached the shore while the other two made it to a concrete structure where they were rescued by fire personnel. The canoe was later retrieved after it went over the dam. There was one lifejacket in the vessel, not worn. The three males received citations for failure to wear lifejackets in a canoe, and the owner / operator was cited for reckless boating 2nd degree for endangering the lives of others by the lack of lifejackets and navigating too close to the dam.
On May 20th Officer Landry responded to Middle Bolton Pond, Vernon, for a report of two kayakers in the water. The 45 year old female and 45 year old male were taken to separate hospitals for treatment of hypothermia and alcohol ingestion by the female. Neither party was wearing a personal flotation device; the male had attempted to give one to the female party when he capsized alongside her. The investigation continues.
On May 25, 2018 Officer Landry was patrolling Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union and checked numerous kayak and canoe operators either launching or returning from Mashapaug Lake with lifejacket violations; a total of eleven (11) citations were issued for failure to wear a lifejacket in a paddle craft, or failure to even have a lifejacket aboard. In this and other incidents with other officers, numerous other kayakers and canoeists were contacted as they attempted to launch without PFDs, all were advised of boating safety laws and requirements.
On May 28th (Memorial Day) a 37 year old male operating a personal watercraft (PWC, or ‘jet ski’) in the Connecticut River off Haddam Meadows State Park was wave jumping and landed hard on the water, injuring and possibly fracturing a leg. Officer Ruggiero responded and found that the victim was transported to Middlesex Hospital for evaluation. The operator was later cited for operating a PWC without a required certificate.
Hunting / Fishing Enforcement
On 5/22/18 Officer Mazzotta received a complaint of a turkey hunter trespassing onto a private farm in Lebanon. The complainant and subject were waiting upon his arrival; the 61 year old subject admitted he was well off the property he had permission to hunt. He was arrested for Hunting Private Property w/o Written Permission and Criminal Trespass 3rd degree. He was released on a Promise to Appear (PTA) in Norwich superior court.
Numerous other fishing violations were issued around the district, including Fishing w/o a Valid License and Possession of Undersized striped Bass citations in the Connecticut River in Middletown, East Hartford and Enfield, in the Thames River around Norwich, and various other water bodies.

Recreational Enforcement Incidents
On May 1st, Officer Scatena was making an evening patrol of Bolton Notch State Park well after sunset and encountered a 28 year old male in a recently-purchased vehicle with a dealer plate that was later confirmed to be stolen. The subject stated he was given the plate by a friend, but would not identify him. He was arrested for possessing the stolen property and other after hour violations. He is scheduled to appear in Rockville superior court. The vehicle was towed.
On 5/2/18 Officer Tefft observed a vehicle with two male occupants on Franklin Wildlife Management Area property after dark; the area is posted “Closed at sunset.” The two were found in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Citations for the trespass and drug violations were issued.
District officers issued numerous citations throughout the month for use of parks and forests after hours, particularly Meshomasic State Forest, Glastonbury. Officers also enforced parking regulations at Diana’s Pool State Fishing Area, Chaplin, as warm weather brought out people to the Natchaug River. Similar parking issues were addressed at Scantic River State Park / Powder Hollow parking area, Enfield.

Public Outreach Events
Eastern District officers participated in several outreach events throughout the month of May. Officer Ruggiero worked the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce High School Career Day event in Middletown early in the month, contacting numerous students from lower Connecticut River towns. Officer Vroman participated in the Tolland Middle School career day event on 5/11. Officers also instructed hunting laws to two police recertification classes in Montville, and to a CEFS firearms hunting class in Durham. Captain Lundin attended the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Law Enforcement Recognition event on 5/23 as an advisory board member, where EnCon Police Officer Blackwell and Sergeant Stanko were recognized for their BUI and DUI arrests in 2017.
CT State EnCon Police
Marine District Highlights
May 2018

Fishing Enforcement
On May 3rd, 2018 Officer Hey received a complaint on the Housatonic River in Milford of two individuals keeping short striped bass. Officer Hey was able to locate both individuals and located several short striped bass hidden in a cooler. Officer Hey also determined that neither fishermen had a current fishing license. Both were issued Misdemeanor Summonses for Possession of Undersized Striped Bass, Over the Daily Creel Limit and Fishing w/o a License.
On May 4th, 2018 Officers Bernier and Nivolo observed several individuals fishing from the shoreline of the Housatonic River in Stratford keeping short striped bass. One of the individuals was confronted and stated he did not catch any fish. A check of the area resulted in the officers finding a yellow plastic bag containing 9 short striped bass that was wedged between several rocks. The individual finally confessed to catching the fish and did not possess a fishing license. The accused was issued a Misdemeanor Summons for Fishing w/o a License, Over the Daily Creel Limit and Possession of Undersized Striped Bass.
Also on May 4th, 2018 Officers Bernier and Nivolo were in the area of RT 110 in Stratford and observed several individuals fishing the Housatonic River. Two individuals were observed keeping short striped bass and placing them in black plastic garbage bags then hiding them within the rocks along the shoreline. In total there were 18 undersized striped bass ranging in size from 11” to 20”. Both were issued a Misdemeanor Summons for Possession of Striped Bass in Excess of the Daily Creel Limit, Fishing w/o a License and Possession of Undersized Striped Bass.
On May 5th, 2018 Officers Bernier and Nivolo observed several individuals returning to their vehicle from the Housatonic River on RT 110 in Stratford. Upon checking the individuals 2 undersized striped bass were located. Further investigation revealed 5 other striped bass hidden under the individual’s vehicle. They were issued a Misdemeanor Summons for Possession of Undersized Striped Bass and Over the Daily Creel Limit.
On May 12th, Officers O’Brien and Torres responded to Town Beach in Clinton for a report of an individual keeping undersized striped bass. Officer O’Brien observed the individual catch an undersized striper and walk over to the shoreline where the fish was placed in the tall Phragmites (reeds) in an attempt to hide the fish. Officer O’Brien approached the individual and recovered the striped bass which was 18 inches. The individual did not have identification on his person and subsequently was requested to produce a $100 cash bond of which he provided. He was issued a Misdemeanor Summons for Possession of an Undersized Striped Bass.
Also on May 12th, 2018 Officer Reilly and Captain Williams responded to the Marine District Headquarters in Old Lyme for a report of an individual keeping undersized striped bass. Several individuals were in a small group on the fishing pier and upon approaching the group several of them moved from one side of the pier to the other and placed a sweatshirt over the top of one of the pilings. Upon questioning an individuals about their success all related they had not caught any fish. As the officers moved closer to the piling a yellow stringer was observed underneath the sweatshirt leading down into the water. It had two undersized striped bass attached to it. Both fish measured between 20 and 24 inches. One individual came forward and claimed he caught both of them and admitting to lying. Said individual was issued a Misdemeanor Summons for 2 counts of Possession of Undersized Striped Bass and Possession of Striped Bass Over the Daily Creel Limit.
On May 19th, 2018 Officer Hey received a complaint of a person illegally taking oysters from Cove Island in Stamford. The individual was observed placing said oysters in a cooler. This particular area is closed to shell fishing. The individual was issued an infraction for Violation of Shellfish Regulations.

Commercial Fishing Enforcement
On May 6th, 2018 Officer Bruno conducted an offload inspection of a commercial fishing vessel. During the offload Officer Bruno saw several horseshoe crabs in the pen that had not been sorted. The captain of the vessel did not have an endorsement to possess horseshoe crabs in the trawl. The horseshoe crabs were released and the individual was issued a Written Warning for the violation.

Wildlife Enforcement
On May 17, 2018 Officer Hey received an anonymous tip regarding a black bear that was illegally shot and killed in the town of Greenwich. Officers Hey and Bernier responded to the residence and questioned the homeowner who admitted to shooting the bear. The homeowner related that he shot the bear in self-defense. Further investigation revealed the accused had reached out to a Greenwich Animal Control Officer and related that the bear had been at his residence for four days eating from his bird feeder. The homeowner stated that the Animal Control Officer told him that if he felt threatened to shoot the bear. Further investigation revealed that the Animal Control Officer had in fact told the homeowner to remove his bird feeders and could only shoot the bear if he was being attacked and related to EnCon Police there was no imminent threat. The bear came back on the night of May 16th at approximately 8:00 PM and began feeding from the bird feeder. The homeowner walked out onto his patio with his 12 gauge over/under shotgun and fired one slug round hitting the bear. The bear went down and the homeowner then fired a second shot. When asked if he felt threatened, the homeowner related he was protecting his kids and family. It should be noted the homeowner’s children were away at college. The homeowner was charged with Illegal Take of a Black Bear, Negligent Hunting 3rd, Hunting Bear Out of Season (there is no season), Negligent Hunting 4th, Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet and Hunting w/o a License. A routine necropsy was conducted by DEEP Wildlife Biologists the next morning.
Boating Enforcement
On May 27th, 2018 EnCon officers responded to the town of Branford for a report of a boating accident that occurred at approximately 2:30 AM. US Coast Guard (USCG) personnel also responded, removed the occupant from the vessel and brought him to shore to be medically evaluated by EMS. Upon verifying the individuals identity, it was determined that the individual had an extraditable warrant for his arrest for two counts of larceny out of the state of Maryland, one count for larceny of $10,00 - $100,00 and the second one for $1,000 - $10,000. Upon verification he was taken into custody and processed at CSP Troop F and charged with Fugitive from Justice along with Failure to Maintain Proper Lookout for the boating accident. The accused was then transported to the New Haven Correctional facility and held w/o bond until his court appearance date of May 30, 2018.
On May 28th, 2018 EnCon Police responded to Avery Point in Groton for a report of two missing boaters who had taken a small vessel from the Avery Point UConn campus and paddled it out to Ledge Light in the mouth of the Thames River. A search was conducted by the US Coast Guard (USCG) vessels, which included their fixed wing and helicopter assets, and several other surrounding agencies. The search produced negative results. The sailboat was located the next day on Long Island in the vicinity of Orient Point. The individuals have yet to be located and the investigation is ongoing.
On May 29th, 2018 at approximately 4:30 PM EnCon Officers responded to the mouth of the CT River in Old Saybrook for a report of an overturned kayak. The kayak was found by a Good Samaritan. A search of the area for the missing 18 year old male was conducted with the assistance of multiple surrounding agencies including the USCG and their fixed wing and helicopter units. The search, which included the area of North Cove to approximately 2.5 miles southeast of the mouth of the CT River produced negative results. The search is ongoing.

Public Outreach
On May 18, 2018 Officers Blackwell and Fergason attended a multi-agency law enforcement job seminar at Polson School in Madison as part of a public outreach event.
Summary
During the month of May EnCon Officers issued several citations enforcing the “no wake zone” area of the CT River between the RT 95 Bridge and Harbor One in Old Saybrook. This area has several marinas along the shoreline and is a high traffic area where boaters constantly violate the “no wake zone” disrupting vessels on slips at the marinas. Marine District EnCon Officers also issued numerous infractions and summonses at various State parks for motor vehicle violations including speeding, operating without a license, registration violations as well as seat belt violations.


CT State EnCon Police
West District Highlights
May 2018

FISHING ENFORCEMENT:

On 5/20/18 Officers Mihalyak and Johnston were patrolling the Housatonic River in Shelton. There were three vehicles pulled over on the side of the road, in an area known to fisherman as a location to catch striped bass. While checking for violations Officer Johnston observed one of the occupants put a red cooler in the back of the van. During the investigation Officer Johnston located four undersized striped bass. The driver admitted to catching two of the striped bass and the other two striped bass were claimed by another male on scene. All of the bass measured well under the legal size limit of 28”. Both were issued summons for Fishing without a License, Possession of Striped Bass Less Than Legal Length, and Possession of Striped Bass in Excess of Creel Limit. A court date of June 1st at GA-5 in Derby was issued. The fish were seized and left for wildlife consumption.
On 05/20/18, Officer Buonocore was dispatched to the Housatonic River at O’Sullivans Island in Derby for the report of a dark skinned male with an undersized striped bass on a stringer. Officer Flis was on the Shelton side of the river and saw the suspected party head towards his vehicle. Officer Buonocore observed the suspect carrying a stringer with two striped bass loading them and his gear into the back of his mini-van. Officer Buonocore approached the area while the gear was being loaded into the vehicle and asked to see the suspects fishing license. The suspect had a valid all water sport fishing license and admitted that the two striped bass were his. One of the bass measured 23 ½” the other was 28”. The accused was charged with Possession of Under-sized Striped Bass and Possession in Excess of Creel Limit on Striped Bass. He was released on $100.00 non-surety bond with a court date of 05/31/2018 at GA-5 in Derby.

HUNTING ENFORCEMENT:

On the evening of 5-25-18, Officer Johnston and Southbury Police Officers were dispatched to the intersection of Berkshire Rd. and Pascoe Rd. in Southbury for a report of a male firing a firearm at a bear. Upon arrival Officer Johnston made contact with a male suspect who stated he shot an aggressive Black Bear while at his mother in-laws house. Upon speaking with neighbors it was determined that the suspect's mother in-law called him about a bear that was feeding off birdseed and other attractants in her yard. Before leaving for his mother in-laws house the suspect retrieved a pistol and rifle and placed them in his vehicle. Upon arrival at his mother in-laws the suspect shot several times in the direction of the bear in order to scare it away. The bear came back a short time later. At this point the suspect went to his vehicle and retrieved a rifle. The suspect then shot the bear with the rifle. It was determined the suspect did not have a pistol permit. The suspect was arrested on-scene and processed at Troop A. The suspect was released on $1000 surety bond with a court date of June 5th 2018 at GA-4 (Waterbury) for the charges of Illegal Taking of Black Bear, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, and Carrying a Pistol without a Permit. The bear’s carcass was transported to Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area where a necropsy was performed by Wildlife Biologists.

On 05/25/18 Officer Flis was dispatched to Wolcott for a report of a turkey hunter who wanted to turn himself in for accidentally shooting a hen turkey. Upon officers arrival he showed officers the turkey, which was on ice in a Tupperware container and was not tagged. The hunter was able to provide a valid 2018 Hunting License with appropriate Resident Game Bird endorsement and valid proof a written permission slip to hunt on the property. He then showed Officer Flis where the turkey was killed and where he was sitting when he shot the turkey. It was determined that the hunter was approximately 410 feet away from the neighbor’s house when he shot the turkey and only 17 yards away from the turkey when he shot it. While investigating the area where the turkey was killed, the responding officers noticed a bare dirt spot on the ground and observed bird seed spread out on the ground. He admitted that he put the bird seed down to keep the turkeys in the area. The accused was ultimately charged with the following: Possession of more than seasonal limit for Wild Turkey, Hunting within 500ft of a building, Hunting Wild Turkey over bait and Failure to fill out harvest kill tag.

K-9 CALLS FOR SERVICE:

On 5/16/18 Officer Flockhart and K-9 Ellie were requested to assist West Hartford PD for a report of a missing toddler. On 5/31 Officer Flockhart and K-9 Ellie participated in a public outreach event at Gilbert High School in Winsted.

NUISANCE/INJURED WILDLIFE:

During the month Western District officers responded to twenty-one (21) Nuisance Bear complaints. Officers also responded to two (2) motor vehicle accidents where a bear was struck, with one being a motorcycle that struck a cub. Officers also responded to a bear with an injured leg from a trap. In addition to the nuisance and injured bears, officers also responded to fifteen (15) other nuisance/sick/injured wildlife complaints. These calls consisted of 4 native snake calls, 4 raccoon calls, 1 skunk call, 2 goose calls, 1 fox call, 1 owl call, and 2 calls for injured or dead Bald Eagles.