CT State EnCon Police
Eastern District Highlights
June 2019


Fatal Boating Accident
On June 15th, 2019, officers from the Eastern and Western Districts responded to a report of a male jumping from a vessel into the Connecticut River in East Hartford and going underwater. The 39 year old male had been with four other people aboard; they threw a flotation cushion and line toward the male, but he could not grab it before disappearing. EnCon Police, State Police ESU Dive Team members, Hartford and East Hartford PD and FD searched that day and for two days afterward in steady current with no results. The victim was recovered four days later downriver by EnCon Police and Glastonbury PD/FD units; EnCon Police continue to investigate along with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Public Safety Responses
On June 22, 2019 Officers Heath and Vroman and Sergeants Dwyer and Ulkus responded to a reported unresponsive male/possible overdose at Diana’s Pool Fishing Access Area, Chaplin. Upon arrival, a 33 year old female was found unresponsive and possibly intoxicated; she was transported to Windham Hospital for evaluation and treatment. A 61 year old male, on site with the female, was also found intoxicated, he was cited for alcohol possession and disorderly conduct.
On the afternoon of June 26, 2019 a pediatric drowning was reported at Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middlefield. Officer Curran and Sergeant Ulkus responded where a three (3) year old female was found face-down in the swimming area; later statements indicated the 28 year old mother and 30 year old step father were out of sight of the child during the incident. A bystander performed CPR, the child regained consciousness and was transported to Yale New Haven Children’s hospital, where she made a full recovery soon after. EnCon Police continue to investigate, including a referral to the Department of Children and Families.
On June 28th Officers Curran and Scatena responded to Hopeville Pond State Park beach, Griswold, along with state police troopers, for a reported assault. A 35 year old intoxicated male struck a co-worker, who did not wish to pursue charges but wanted the male removed from the area. The subject was cited for disorderly conduct and transported by state police away from the park.
On June 29, 2019 Officer Heath and Sergeant Dwyer responded to Millers Pond, Durham for a report of a 19 year old female who jumped from a rock into the pond. It was determined she landed on an unseen underwater hazard and had a leg laceration and dizziness; she was transported to Middlesex Hospital, Middletown for treatment and evaluation.

Parks / Recreation Enforcement
After dark on June 1st, 2019 Officers Vroman and Waite responded to a report of illegal ATV use of trails at Pachaug State Forest, Sterling, and eventually located two individuals who were cited for operating unregistered, trespass after hours and misuse of trails.
On this same day Officer Curran was called to Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown, for an illegal campfire. Three young adults were cited for trespass after hours and evicted. Soon after, he found another vehicle parked in the forest with no one found nearby; upon returning the following morning, he located two adults and two children camping illegally. They too were cited for the violation and evicted.
Late at night on June 7th, 2019 Sergeant Dwyer found two young male adults smoking what appeared to be marijuana and drinking alcoholic beverages at the Gulf Road parking area for Salmon River State Forest, Colchester. They were cited for trespassing, after hours, possession of marijuana and alcohol by a minor.
Late on the evening of June 14, 2019 Officers Danielson and Waite went to Wolf Den Campground, Mashamoquet Brook State Park, Pomfret, for a report of an intoxicated male wandering around and disturbing campers. A 45 year old subject was identified, cited for disorderly conduct and instructed to remain at his campsite. A repeat complaint about the same individual was received about two hours later, upon response the officers found the same subject passed out in his vehicle. It was confirmed he had again alarmed other campers; he was cited a second time and evicted immediately with a cab ride to a nearby home.
On June 24th Sergeant Ulkus was patrolling Diana’s Pool in Chaplin and found two 19 year old females drinking beer in a clearly posted ‘no alcohol’ area. The two received citations for possession of alcohol by minors and evicted.
On June 22, 2019 Sergeant Dwyer responded to Bigelow Hollow State Park for a report of illegal camping; he located a party that had accessed park property by vessel and illegally camped for two nights. They were warned and evicted for this violation, and also cited for operating an unregistered vessel.
Boating / Launch Enforcement
Eastern District officers continued to make patrol checks at numerous state launches, particularly at Beach Pond state boat launch, Voluntown, where a total of ten citations and five warnings were issued, primarily for illegal parking, as EnCon Police and Boating Division seasonal staff engaged the public on proper use of the launch for boating, fishing, and related uses. Gardner Lake launch and state park in Salem also saw increased enforcement, including over twelve (12) parking violations, trespassing and two reckless boating operation citations in the final week of June.
On June 22, 2019 Officer Heath responded to Coventry Lake state launch for illegal parking issues on a very crowded day when the launch was full to parking capacity; six citations were issued for illegal parking and blocking boat launch access that day.

CT State EnCon Police
Marine District Highlights
June 2019


During the month of June, there were several infractions issued for no wake zone violations on the CT River between the bridges in Old Saybrook/Old Lyme area, numerous park violations (including alcohol and motor vehicle violations), disorderly conduct, and fishing without a license infractions.
Fishing Enforcement
On 6/1/19, Officers Flis and Kerr were conducting compliance checks of lobster pots in the area of Stonington Harbor. It was determined that several of escape vents on the lobster pots were below the minimum size requirements for the opening, and that the escape vents were illegally secured with non-biodegradable zip ties. The Officers met with the owner of the lobster pots, and explained the laws and regulations pertaining to recreational lobster pot fishing. The individual was issued a written warning for the violation, he also made the necessary corrections to his gear.
On 6/4/19, Officers Mazzotta and Flis were patrolling Long Island Sound in the vicinity of the CT River when they noticed four individuals fishing from a vessel in the area of Great Island. The Officers conducted a fishing compliance check and were informed by the vessel owner and operator that his vessel was a charter vessel. According to the owner and operator, the other three fishermen onboard were his clients. The owner of the vessel provided a Commercial Charter Fishing Vessel Permit which was registered to a different vessel. The owner stated that he was unaware that he needed a separate permit for each vessel. After verifying the operator’s information, the officers issued a written warning for Operating a Charter/Party vessel without the proper permit.
On 6/12/19. Sergeant Bruno and Officer Flis were conducting fishing enforcement on the CT River in Old Saybrook, when they saw an individual actively fishing from a vessel. Upon checking, Sergeant Bruno and Officer Flis found the individual to be in possession of twelve black sea bass which is two over the legal daily limit. Four of those fish were less than fifteen inches, which is the legal minimum length. The individual was issued an infraction for Possession of Black Sea Bass over the Daily Creel Limit and Possession of Black Sea Bass Below the Minimum Length.
On 6/14/19, Officer Blackwell was conducting fishing enforcement at the Baldwin Boat Launch on the CT River in Old Saybrook when she saw an individual hauling his fishing vessel out of the water. Officer Blackwell engaged the male in conversation, at which time he told Officer Blackwell that he had caught a thirty-two inch striped bass. Upon asking to see the fish, the individual opened a cooler revealing two clear zip lock bags containing a pair of fillets from said striped bass that measured twenty-three inches. Officer Blackwell asked the individual to produce the rack (head & tail) from the fish, as required. The individual stated that he had discarded the rack at the boat ramp. CT laws/regulations require the retention of the rack so that the fish can be measured for compliance, as well as it is also illegal to discard fish, or portions of fish, at a state boat launch. It was also determined that the individual did not possess a 2019 fishing license, and his vessel trailer was unregistered. The individual was issued an infraction for Fishing w/o a License, and Failure to Have a Registered Trailer. In addition, the individual was warned about illegally filleting the striped bass, and for discarding fish at a state boat ramp.
On 6/15/19, Officers Dota and Blackwell were conducting fishing enforcement at the Baldwin Bridge along the CT River when they observed two fishermen securing their vessel onto a trailer. Upon making contact, one male stated that he had caught one striped bass, and used his used his bonus striped bass voucher which would allow him to keep one striped bass that is between twenty-two and twenty-eight inches. The fish was measured to be only twenty-one inches. The individual was then issued a written warning for the violation.
On 6/25/19, Sergeant Stone was patrolling Sherwood Island State Park when he observed an individual fishing whom kept a blackfish (Tautog). Upon measuring the fish, it was determined to be undersized. The blackfish was only thirteen inches, and the legal length for blackfish sixteen inches. In addition, blackfish season was closed during that time of the year. The individual was issued an infraction for Possession of Blackfish out of Season.
On 6/28/19, Officer Bernier received a complaint of an individual harvesting clams at the Cove Island Boat Launch in Stamford, which was closed to harvesting clams. It was determined by Officer Bernier that the individual was harvesting the clams in a non-designated area. Upon inspection, the individual showed Officer Bernier a bucket full of clams and oysters. He was issued an infraction for Illegal Harvest of Clams.
On 6/30/19, Officer Tefft received a complaint of an individual illegally clamming in Quanaduck Cove in Stonington. Officer Tefft determined that the individual did not have a clamming permit to recreationally harvest clams, and at the time the shellfish beds in Stonington were closed. Additionally the area of which the individual was shell fishing was only open to commercial shell fishing. The individual was issued an infraction for Shell fishing Without a Permit, and Shell fishing in a Commercial Area. The seized shellfish were returned to the water where they belonged.


Public Safety
On 6/22/19, EnCon Police, Madison Police and the CT State Police responded to a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred in Hammonasset Beach State Park. It was determined that there were six individuals in the vehicle. Of the six individuals, two individuals were ejected from the vehicle, of which one succumbed to fatal injuries at Yale New Haven Hospital. The CT State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit was called to the scene, and a cooperative investigation is still ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.

Vessel Enforcement
On 6/23/19, Officer Tefft was patrolling the Niantic River due to numerous complaints of Personal Water Craft (PWC) violations, including wake zone violations. Officer Tefft observed an individual on a PWC creating a large wake within a posted “no wake zone” heading towards the Niantic River Boat Ramp. Upon locating the individual, Officer Tefft issued the individual an infraction for the violation.

Parks/Recreation Enforcement
On 6/23/19, Officers Tefft, Flis and Kerr responded to Rocky Neck State Park for a report of several individuals creating a public disturbance. Upon arrival, the individuals were running from the west side of the park to the east side of the park. It was reported that one of the individuals was seen urinating in the bushes alongside the parking lot utilized by pedestrians to access the beach area. The individuals were located, and one male admitted to urinating in the location described. The individual provided a Georgia Driver’s license, which was determined to be of a different person. The individual eventually admitted to the officers that it was a fake ID. The individual was issued an infraction for Disorderly Conduct, and evicted from the park.

CT State EnCon Police
Western District Highlights
June 2019

NUISANCE BEAR:
During the month of June Western District officers were dispatched and responded to 26 Nuisance Bear complaints.

PARK & FOREST ENFORCEMENT:

On 6/14/19 at 0840 hours Officer Kiely was dispatched to Sunny Brook State Park to assist an Adult Probation Officer in locating a subject. The subject was located camping with an adult female, who was the protected party listed on the Court Order. The subject was arrested for Violation of Protective Order and Camping in Unauthorized Area. The arrested party was released with conditions and scheduled to appear at GA 18 on 6/17/19.
On 6/24/19 Officer Johnston was on routine patrol of Naugatuck State Forest in the Borough of Naugatuck when he came across a vehicle that did not match the description given on the vehicle’s registration as listed on a check. The vehicle owner was located nearby and admitted that the vehicle was unregistered and that he grabbed a license plate from another vehicle he owned. The suspect was issued a summons for Misuse of Marker Plate. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
PUBLIC SAFETY:

On 6/9/19 Western District officers responded to an ATV accident in Tunxis State Forest. A female operator had jumped from her machine prior to it going over a cliff. The female was transported via Life-Star to Hartford Hospital. She suffered a neck sprain and was released. EnCon police investigated and the operator admitted to operating the ATV while knowing there was an issue with the brakes. The operator was issued an infraction for Illegal Operation of an ATV on State Property.

On 6/12/19 at approximately 1330 hours Northwest officers responded to a medical call at Talcott Mountain State Park for a young male would had fallen down the side of the mountain from the ‘Second Lookout’ area. The male was transported via Life-Star to Hartford Hospital. EnCon police investigated and the male is recovering.
On 6/30/19 Northwest officers responded to a bicycle accident along the roadway in front of Lake Waramaug State Park. The adult female victim was transported to Hartford Hospital via Life-Star for numerous injuries including a head injury. The victim was conscious at the time of transport.
On 6/30/19 Northwest officers responded to a drowning at Bantam Lake. The male was located unconscious within approximately 30 minutes in the vicinity that witnesses saw him slip under the water. The male was transported via ambulance and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. EnCon police investigated.
SICK, INJURED AND NUISANCE WILDLIFE:
During the month of June Western District officers were dispatched and responded to 13 calls for sick, nuisance or injured wildlife. Some incidents involved deer, bear, fox, red-tail hawks, bobcat and turkey.