WESTERN DISTRICT

ENFORCE PARK & FOREST:

With the continued increase of activity at the state parks, the officers patrol activity continues to steadily increase as well. Officers were assigned and/or patrolled daily at state parks and enforced and educated patrons on the restrictions set forth due to the Governor’s Executive Order. The Western District has seen an increased usage in the outlying park and forest areas such as Paugussett, George Waldo State Park, and smaller parking areas in the Northwest such as the small launch lot in the area of Housatonic Meadows.

BOATING:
On 6/7/20 State EnCon Police responded to a one vessel boat accident on Candlewood Lake in the Town of New Fairfield. One person sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Danbury Hospital. The operator was issued a written warning for CGS 15-140j(b).
On 6/8/20 State EnCon Police responded to a one vessel boat accident on Lake Quassapaug in the Town of Middlebury. No one was injured and one vessel was a total loss.
On 6/20/20 State EnCon Police responded to a two vessel boat accident on Candlewood Lake in the Town of Brookfield. One person sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Danbury Hospital. The operator of one vessel was issued an infraction for CGS 15-131(g).
On 6/23/20 State EnCon Police responded a three vessel boat accident on Candlewood Lake in the Town of Sherman. One person sustained minor injuries who refused medical treatment. The operator of one vessel was issued an infraction for CGS 15-140e and CGs 15-133(f).
On 6/27/20 State EnCon Police responded to a one vessel boat accident on Lake Housatonic in the Town of Shelton. One person sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital. The operator was issued an infraction for CGS 15-140m.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS:
On 6/26/20 at approximately 1800 hours State EnCon Police responded to the DEEP property in the area of the abandoned dam turbine house along the Farmington River in Avon for a possible Arson. The fire had been extinguished by Avon Fire Dept. prior to arrival. A large partially rotted beam that had previously fallen from the roof appeared to have been intentionally ignited. No further structural damage was observed to the brick building at that time. It should be noted that the building has no roof and has a large amount of vegetation growing up through the structure. Parks staff was notified and will be attempting to secure the structure to aid in preventing further vandalism. The incident remains under investigation with the assistance of Avon Fire Marshal and the CT State Police Fire & Explosions Unit.
PUBLIC SAFETY:

On 6/10/20 State EnCon officers assisted the CT State Police and local police agencies with a search for two missing swimmers in the Housatonic River. The two males had accessed the river through private property in Sherman.

NUISANCE BEAR:
Western District officers responded to thirty-eight (38) nuisance bear complaints during the month.
NUISANCE WILDLIFE:
Western District officers responded to twenty-three (23) nuisance wildlife calls, to include but limited to duck, deer, fox, hawk, raccoon, bear cub and bobcat.
K-9 CALLS FOR SERVICE:
During the month of June Off. Flockhart and K-9 Ellie were dispatched to three (3) Search and Rescue Incidents. One for a missing juvenile in Middletown and one for a missing female in Pootatuck, and both were located prior to arrival. The third SAR was an agency assist to Derby PD for a possible suicidal male walking in the area of Osbornedale State Park.

Marine District Highlights
June 2020

Boating Enforcement:

On 6/3/2020 Officer Erickson was patrolling the CT River with Captain Williams and observed an individual operating vessel at a high rate of speed causing an excessive wake in a clearly posted No Wake Zone in front of Harbor One Marina in Old Saybrook. The vessel was stopped and a safety compliance check was conducted. The operator of the vessel was advised that he was in a posted No Wake Zone of which he related that he was aware of but stated he could not read what the No Wake Buoys said. The operator also related that he took the boating safety course several years ago but that he had only taken his boat out a few times and then stated he was not aware of the No Wake Zone. The operator was issued an infraction for the No Wake Zone violation.

On 6/4/2020 Officer Blackwell was patrolling the CT River in Old Saybrook with Captain Williams and Major Newman conducting fishing compliance checks of several vessels when one of the vessels took off at a high rate of speed upriver. The vessel was stopped and a safety inspection was conducted as well as a fishing compliance check. It was determined that the vessel was a charter vessel with three clients on board. There were no fishing violations however it was determined that the owner/operator of the vessel had expired flares that were completely soaked and rendered useless as well as insufficient PFD’s for the number of clients he had on board. The operator was issued an infraction for the violation.

On 6/6/2020 Officers Flis and Gerzabeck were patrolling the Thames River and observed an individual operating a vessel being towed by another vessel. They came into the State Boat Launch where a vessel safety compliance check was conducted. It was determined that the operator of the vessel being towed did not have a boating safety certificate nor did he have the required PFD’s on board. The operator was issued a citation for both violations.

On 6/7/2020 Officer Dota responded to RT 146 in Guilford for a report of several individuals that were in a row boat over capacity with no PFD’s on the East River. It was also determined that several other individuals within the group accessed Leetes Island by walking on the railroad tracks over the bridge. Officer Dota had to contact Amtrack Police to stop several trains coming towards him so that he could get the group back over the bridge and to their vehicles. The operator/owner of the row boat was issued an infraction for insufficient PFD’s and warned for trespassing on railroad property.

On 6/13/2020 Officer Mazzotta was conducting boating safety checks at the Baldwin State Boat ramp in Old Saybrook and observed an individual operating a PWC w/o wearing the required PFD. The operator of the PWC stated he was aware of the PFD requirement and that his PFD was in the front storage area of the vessel and stated he didn’t want to wear it because it was wet and he didn’t want to get his shirt wet. The operator was issued an infraction for failure to wear a required PFD while operating a PWC.

On 6/13/2020 EnCon Officers issued two infractions for a No Wake Zone violation between the bridges in Old Lyme on the CT River and an infraction for operation of a PWC without a Safe Boating Certificate.

On 6/14/2020 EnCon Officers were on patrol of the CT River in front of S&S Marina and observed an individual operating a vessel at a high rate of speed violating the no wake zone within 50 feet of the docks creating a large wake. The vessel was stopped and the operator was issued an infraction for the violation.

On 6/19/2020 EnCon Police assisted the USCG, Homeland Security, New York Police and Amtrack Police escorting the Cross Sound Ferries across Long Island Sound as part of a multi-agency collaboration to enhance port security efforts.

On June 19, 2020 Officer Hey was conducting boating compliance checks on the Housatonic River at the Devon State boat ramp. One individual came into the dock on a PWC and quickly tried to leave the ramp w/o tying his PWC down to the trailer. Officer Hey was able to stop the individual and determine that the reason he was leaving in such a hurry was to avoid being checked for a valid CT PWC operator’s certificate of which he did not have. The individual was issued an infraction for operating a PWC without a valid PWC Certificate of Operation.

On 6/21/2020 EnCon Officers were patrolling Long Island Sound in Old Lyme and observed two individuals on a PWC both not wearing PFD’s. The vessel was stopped and the operator was issued an infraction for Insufficient PFD’s. The voyage was terminated and they returned to their dock.

On 6/28/2020 EnCon Officers responded to the vicinity of Brewers Marina in Deep River for a report of a boating accident of which an individual fell off a vessel attached to a mooring that was underway and going in circles. The individual attempted twice to board the vessel with negative results and was ultimately picked up by Deep River Fire & Rescue. EnCon Police arrived on scene and attempted to disable the vessel by throwing multiple lines in the water to clog the prop without success. EnCon Police ultimately moved their patrol vessel into the path of the circling vessel and were able to flip it over disabling the engine. The owner/operator of the vessel was evaluated by EMS and fortunately had no injuries.

Fishing Enforcement:

On 6/6/2020 Officers Flis and Gerzabeck were conducting fishing compliance checks at UConn Avery Point campus and observed an individual fishing. The individual was standing next to a cooler. When asked if he had caught any fish the individual related that he caught a few porgies. Upon checking the porgies an undersized blackfish was seen in the cooler. Blackfish season is currently closed opening back up on July 1. The individual was cited for the violation.

On 6/8/2020 Officer Dota was conducting fishing compliance checks at Gulf Beach in Milford and observed three individuals fishing. Upon checking each individual no one in the group had fishing licenses. Each were issued infractions for the violations.

On 6/13/2020 Officer Blackwell and Captain Williams were conducting fishing compliance checks at the Baldwin Bridge Boat Launch. Two individuals in a vessel came into the dock and appeared to be in a hurry to load their boat and leave. Upon determining that they had been fishing during the course of the day, they were asked if they had caught any fish to which they related they had caught two Bluefin tuna. Upon checking their catch it was determined the individuals had filleted the tuna at sea and did not retain the rack or a fin prior to docking as required by federal law. The fillets were measure to be between 13 and 15 inches leading the officers to believe through training and experience that the fish were not of legal size when landed. The fillets were seized and NOAA Federal Law Enforcement Officers were notified of the violation and will be taking over the case.

On 6/15/2020 Officer Dota responded to Gulf Beach in Milford for a report of an individual fishing and keeping short striped bass. Officer Dota conducted a fishing compliance check and determined that the individual possessed a short striped bass measuring 24 inches and did not possess a valid fishing license. The individual was cited for the violation and the fish was seized.

On 6/19/2020 Officer Kerr was patrolling the MaCooks Beach area in East Lyme conducting fishing compliance checks and observed two individuals fishing. Upon checking both individuals, neither had a current fishing license. Both were cited for fishing w/o a license.

On 6/28/2020 Officers Blackwell and Diefenbach were conducting fishing compliance checks at the Baldwin State Boat Launch in Old Saybrook and observed two individuals with a striped bass. Upon inspection the Officers measured the fish to be 37 inches, an inch and a half over the legal slot limit of 28-35 inches. The individuals stated they measured the fish from the lower jaw to the fork in the tail measuring 34 inches. They were advised they should measure from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail which measured 37 inches. The individual who caught the fish was issued a misdemeanor summons for the violation. The fish was seized and donated to “A Place Called Hope”.

Park & Forest Enforcement:
On 6/3/2020 Officer Kerr responded to Bluff Point State Park for a report of a domestic dispute between a woman who was in a dating relationship with a father and son of which in this case the father was the victim. Also involved was another male and female who were also in a dating relationship. The woman was heavily intoxicated and claimed she was stalked and punched in the face several times by the “victim” throughout the day. Initially the other female involved coo borated the same story until she found out her boyfriend that was with her at the time had an outstanding warrant for his arrest from New London PD. Officer Flis arrived at the scene, took the male into custody and transported him to New London Police Dept. The other female then changed her story and stated that the involved woman was drunk and called the father and son to come to Bluff Point. Upon arrival she attacked the father and tackled him to the ground. Both the father and son began to leave and the woman began throwing rocks at them. The woman was arrested for Breach of Peace 2nd degree.

On 6/5/2020 Officer Kerr responded to another domestic dispute between the woman whose boyfriend was arrested on a warrant the day prior at Bluff Point and his son. Apparently the father and son had an intimate relationship with this woman, however the woman has a standing protective order against the son. The son violated the protective order by continuously calling the woman on the phone. A warrant signed by a judge for the arrest of the son for Violation of a Standing Protective Order. The individual was arrested a few days later.

On 6/6/2020 Officers Reilly and Kerr responded to Bluff Point State Park for a report of an intoxicated individual creating a disturbance and yelling at two local shellfish wardens. The individual had previously been arrested for assaulting another shellfish warden in the same area. Groton Police arrived on scene and escorted the individual to his house two streets away. Officer Kerr issued the individual an infraction for disorderly conduct in a state park.

On June 9, 2020 Officers Dota, Erickson and Blackwell responded to a domestic violence incident at Hammonasset State Park involving a mother and her 4 year old son. The park was busy that day and according to the mother, her son had wandered off on three different occasions. On the third occasion the child was found by Park Staff. The mother eventually caught up to her son and when she did she struck him several times with an open hand dropping her son to the ground. She then hit him several more times with a closed fist causing injuries to the juvenile. Several witnesses came forward along with Park Staff to give statements. The juvenile was transported to Yale pediatric Hospital for evaluation. A DCF referral was also made. The mother was charged with Risk of Injury to a Minor, Assault 3rd and Breach of Peace 2nd.

On June 21, 2020 Officers Erickson, Dota, Mazzotta and Sgt. Bruno responded to a domestic dispute between two sisters in a motor vehicle at Hammonasset State Park. Upon arrival the female victim was observed covered in blood and had a portion of her hair pulled from her head that was found along the roadside. The dispute originated from several comments made by a cousin regarding the accused’s mother. Based on the investigation it appeared the domestic violence occurred while the vehicle was in motion just prior to the main gate in the outbound lane. The accused was sitting in the front passenger seat and the victim was sitting in the rear driver's side passenger seat. The interviews concluded that the accused likely reached in the back seat and across the vehicle and grabbed the victim's hair and likely hit her nose during the struggle. Eventually, the operator stopped the vehicle and the incident spilled out on the side of the road. The accused was also making suicidal comments and stated that she needed mental help and became increasingly more irritable, agitated, and stated she was having an panic attack and couldn't breathe, at which point Madison EMS was called over to assist. She specifically stated multiple times "I do not want to be in this world anymore" and also "I don't care if I get arrested or if I die." Other family members on scene stated she had a history of mental health issues and attempts of suicide. A Police Emergency Examination Request form was filled out and she was eventually transported to Yale New Haven Hospital. A second juvenile was in the back seat of the vehicle. A DCF referral was made regarding the juveniles. The accused was charged with Assault 3rd degree and Breach of Peace 2nd degree.

On June 13, 2020 Officer Reilly responded to Rocky Neck State park for a report of four dogs locked in a car with the windows rolled up. Two of the dogs were wearing shirts and the other two were in crates. There was no water in the vehicle. A tow truck and the local Animal control Officer were contacted. The tow truck operator was able to gain access into the vehicle. The ACO was able to retrieve the dogs and recorded the internal temperature of the vehicle to be 91.2 degrees. Several park patrons approached Officer Reilly and commented that the dogs were barking for some time. At approximately 1230 the owner of the vehicle returned. He was issued an infraction for Creating a Public Disturbance and given a verbal warning for animal cruelty.

Shellfish Enforcement:
On June 7, 2020 Officer Mihalyak was patrolling Long Island Sound in West Haven and observed two individuals harvesting oysters. West Haven is closed to shellfishing. Both individuals were issued infractions for shellfishing in a closed area. The oysters were returned to the water.

Commercial Fishing Enforcement:
On June 17, 2020 Sgt. Chemacki was checking the offload of Scup on a commercial vessel at the Stonington Town Dock. The possession trip limit for scup is 1000 pounds. The total weight offloaded was 1104 pounds. The vessel captain was issued a written warning for the violation. The extra fish were seized and sold to Gambardellas Wholesale for the daily market rate of which the check was made out to the State of CT.

Eastern District Highlights
July 2020

Parks Enforcement:

On June 8th, 2020 Encon officers responded to a report of a male exposing himself to patrons of Diana’s Pool. Officers were able to meet with the complainant and quickly identified the subject who was performing these lewd acts. The individual was taken into custody and subsequently arrested on a variety of criminal charges.

On June 22nd, Officer Landry investigated where both Park and Encon staff had ongoing issues with an unruly patron of the park. This individual had previously been cited by Encon officers due to his behavior while within the park. This led to an escalation from the subject where he began to further engage both Park and Encon staff in a confrontational manner. Encon staff tried to provide social services to the subject, which did not have the desired effect. Due to an increased escalation of behavior over the course of several more days the subject was eventually issued an infraction for his actions and evicted from the park.

On June 22nd, 2020 Officer Waite was on patrol and checking the Stoddard State Boat Launch. While out there he saw an individual, who was fishing for blue crabs. This individual was in possession of undersized crabs. A check through NCIC revealed this individual had a warrant for his arrest out of Willimantic Police Department. The subject was taken into custody and transferred to Willimantic Police Department.

On June 23rd, 2020 Encon officers responded to a medical call at Wadsworth Park. Investigation eventually led to the claim that a female victim may had been sexually assaulted at the State Park. This case is still on going and so far, the investigation has been led by Officer Heath as the case officer with the assistance of Sergeant Dwyer and Officer Flannigan.

On June 26th and June 28th, 2020 Encon officers responded to two incidents where a person parked at a State Park and had personal items stolen from their vehicle while they recreated in the park. One of these incidents occurred at Butts Bridge with the other occurring at Old Furnace. Both investigations are ongoing, and no arrests have been made.

Boating:

On June 13th and June 24th Encon officers responded to two reported near drownings at Bigelow Hollow. In both instances the subjects were fortunate to have not succumbed to the water.

On June 20th, Officer Wojcik, Officer Landry and Officer Heath responded to Haddam on the Connecticut River for a report of a personal watercraft collision. This investigation was conducted by Officer Wojcik and is still ongoing. One of the operators of the watercraft had a significant injury to their leg.