Marine District Highlights
July 2020

Fishing Enforcement:

On July 5th, 2020 Officer Blackwell was conducting vessel inspections with the USCG on Long Island Sound. Several vessels were stopped for boating safety inspections. On one occasion, several individuals were observed fishing prior to the safety stop and inspection. A fishing compliance check was conducted, and it was determined that out of the 8 people who were on board observed fishing, only three had valid fishing licenses. It was also determined that there were several short black sea bass on board. The three individual’s w/o fishing licenses were issued infractions and the two others who caught the short black sea bass were also issued infractions. The USCG also found significant safety violations of which the vessel was escorted back to shore and the voyage terminated.

On July 7th, 2020 Sgt. Bruno was patrolling Long Island Sound in Westbrook and observed an individual fishing from a vessel and conducted a fishing compliance check. There were several fish on board including two undersized Black Sea Bass. The minimum size length for Black Sea Bass is 15 inches of which both fish were measured and found to be 12.5 inches. The individual was issued an infraction for the violation.

On July 13th, 2020 Officer Dota was patrolling the Long Island Sound in Old Saybrook and observed an individual fishing from a vessel. A vessel safety inspection was conducted along with a fishing compliance check. The individual possessed 2 fluke and 1 bluefish. The minimum length limit on fluke is 19 inches. Both fluke measured 18 inches. The individual was issued an infraction for the violation.

Boating Enforcement:

On July 2nd, 2020 and July 5th, 2020 Encon Police along with the USCG, State Police and several other municipal police agencies conducted Operation Dry Water on CT waterways. Operation Dry Water is a national annual campaign sponsored by the USCG and the National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to curb boating under the influence. EnCon Police inspected numerous vessels and issued multiple safety violations including PFDs, Navigation Lights and 1 Boating Under the Influence Arrest on the CT River in Haddam.

On July 2nd, 2020 Officers Dota and Kerr were patrolling the CT River and observed two individuals on a PWC (jet ski) at 8:40 PM. Sunset was at 8:25 PM that evening and per state boating regulations PWC’s are not allowed to be operated after sunset due to the vessel not having navigation lights. As the vessel approached, the female operator switched seating positions with the male passenger who then took over operation. The female did not have a valid CT PWC Safe Boating Certificate. The female operator was issued a written warning for the violation as well as operating a PWC after sunset.

On July 2nd, 2020 Officers Dota and Kerr were patrolling the CT River in Old Lyme and observed and individual fishing from a kayak at 9:15 PM w/o any visible lights. A safety inspection was conducted and determined that he individual failed to have any means of a visible light, sound producing device, PFD, or a valid fishing license. The individual was escorted to shore where his voyage was terminated and issued an infraction for fishing w/o a license and failure to have a PFD.

On July 4th, 2020 Officer Gerzabeck and Reilly were patrolling the Dock Road State Boat Launch in Waterford and observed a vessel approaching the boat ramp with several people on board. It was determined that the individuals were fishing for scup however the operator did not have a valid CT Safe Boating Certificate and failed to have any PFDs on the vessel. The operator was issued an infraction for Insufficient PFDs and given a warning for operating a vessel w/o a Safe Boating Certificate.

On July 11th, 2020 Encon Officers escorted the Cross-Sound Ferries from New London to Orient Point NY as part of a Homeland Security Operation ensuring the safety of the ferries and passengers traversing across Long Island Sound.


On July 25th, 2020 USCG along with Groton PD and EnCon responded to Ledge Light on the Thames River for a report of a single vessel boating accident. Two individuals were transported to L&M Hospital with significant injuries one of which was later transported to Yale New Haven Hospital. The vessel had struck several rocks and sunk in the vicinity of the mouth of the Thames River. The two individuals were able to swim to Ledge Light where they were transported to shore by the USCG. Encon continues to investigate.


Park & Forest Enforcement:

All shoreline parks have seen record setting closures for the entire summer due to Covid-19. On any given day during the week if the weather has been good most parks have been closing between 10:30 and 11:00 AM. Rocky Neck has been closing between 8:30 and 9:30 AM.

On July 14th, 2020 Officers Bernier, Blackwell and Gerzabeck were dispatched to Sherwood Island State Park for a report of a domestic dispute between a husband and wife. The incident started with a verbal altercation on the beach which led into a physical altercation with the wife beating the husband several times as they were going back to their vehicle. The wife was determined to be the dominant aggressor and arrested for Breach of Peace 2nd degree.

On July 14th, 2020 Officer Gerzabeck was patrolling Hammonasset State Park and observed an individual operating at a high rate of speed within the park. The operator was stopped and while conducting a motor vehicle compliance check it was determined that the vehicle was unregistered, had no insurance and both a misuse of license plates and failure to display license plates. The operator was issued a misdemeanor summons for the violations and the vehicle was towed.

On July 18th, 2020 Officers Blackwell and Gerzabeck responded to Sherwood Island State Park for a report of a female pulled from the water and was unresponsive. Park Lifeguards were still at the park at the time and responded as well. It was determined that the woman was drinking shots of Tequila and smoking marijuana while in the water and passed out while she was still in the water. This individual was consumed by the water and was pulled from the water to shore. Life-saving measures were performed by staff and EMS personnel. This female was eventually transported to Norwalk Hospital. After a few days she began breathing on her own and is projected to make a full recovery.

On July 26th, 2020 Officer Erickson was directing traffic during a park closure at Hammonasset State Park at the intersection of RT 1 when an individual tried to come into the park through the outbound exit lanes. Officer Erickson was able to stop the motorist and prevent what would have been a head on collision. While speaking with this motorist, Officer Erickson witnessed a motor vehicle collision on the opposite side of the road on the Hammonasset connector. It was determined that the individual ultimately had a seizure and crashed into the vehicle in front of them then careened into the guardrail. Officer Erickson rendered assistance to the victims until EMS arrived on scene.




























Western District Highlights
July 2020
Boating:
On July 4th, 2020 Encon Police and Candlewood Lake Authority Marine Patrol responded to a boating accident involving two vessels on Candlewood Lake in the Town of New Fairfield. One vessel suffered extensive damage and the other sustained minor damage. One vessel operator was issued an infraction for boating violations.
On July 13th, 2020 Encon Police were notified by the Candlewood Lake Authority (CLA) of a minor "evading" jet ski accident which had occurred the previous day. A jet ski had struck the outboard motor of the docked utility barge at Echo Bay Marina. The operator left his name with an incorrect phone number and left the scene. Sergeant Johnston was familiar with the name, from a previous infraction, and we were able to locate the party. An infraction was issued for several boating violations.
On July 19th, 2020 Encon Police and the Candlewood Lake Authority Marine patrol responded to vessel sinking on Candlewood Lake in New Milford. It was reported that the operator swam to shore. The next day, the vessel was recovered by the Brookfield Police Department Dive Team. Identification of the vessel operator was made, and the operator was contacted and was issued an infraction for boating violations.
Park & Forest Enforcement:

On July 14th, 2020 Encon officers were dispatched to a complaint of harassment at Stillwater Pond. During the investigation it was determined that the juvenile victim’s complaint would require specialized interviews and detailed follow up. Officer Chickos arranged for the proper interviews and is continuing his investigation into this issue.
On July 19th, 2020 Encon officers responded to a complaint of an assault at Stillwater Pond. Officers spoke with the victim and were able to determine that the assault fit domestic violence protocols. Officers Kerr and O’Brien were unable to locate the suspect that evening. Officer Huber has since applied for and was granted a warrant which has been entered into COLLECT after attempting to locate the suspect.
On July 19th, 2020 Encon officers were dispatched to an assault at Mt. Tom State Park. Officer Chickos conducted several interviews with witnesses and involved parties ultimately resulting in an arrest for Assault 3rd degree and two verbal warnings for Disorderly Conduct.
On July 19th, 2020 Encon officers were dispatched to a complaint of an Assault at Black Rock State Park. Upon arrival officers determined that there were no injuries sustained and the suspect had fled the scene. Officer DeFelice was unable to locate the suspect vehicle and will be attempting to identify a suspect in order to continue with this case. The investigation is ongoing.
On July 25th, 2020 Encon officers responded to a complaint of an unconscious male at the Wittimore Recreation Area in Peoples State Forest. The officers administered NARCAN and, along with CSP and local EMTs, were able to bring the victim back to consciousness and transport him to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital for further medical treatment.
Nuisance Bear:
Western District officers responded to 18 nuisance bear complaints during the month.
On July 5th, 2020 Encon officers responded to a complaint of a man who had been bitten by a bear. Officers were able to confirm that the man was hiking at the McLean Refuge in Simsbury with his 3 dogs when a bear attacked one of the unleashed dogs. The man attempted to rescue his dog and was bit himself. Officers were unable to locate the bear on scene and the McLean Refuge manager refused to allow a trap to be set, opting to close the property to the public to avoid further confrontations.
On July 5th, 2020 Encon officers responded to a complaint of a bear in a 3 season porch in Simsbury. Upon arrival Officer Chickos was informed that the bear had broken the door to this porch several times before and was unresponsive to verbal hazing. Due to earlier complaints that day it was determined that this bear had likely broken into other houses, and due to its unresponsiveness to the hazing attempts it was determined that the 530 lb. bear be euthanized and turned over to the Wildlife Division for study.
Nuisance Wildlife:
Western District officers responded to twenty-three (23) nuisance wildlife calls, to include but limited to owl, turtles, hawks, skunk, geese, rabbit, raccoons and fawns.
K-9 calls for service:
On July 24th, 2020 Officer Flockhart and K-9 Mattie graduated from the 214th K-9 class specializing in Search and Rescue. Officer Flockhart is a second time dog handler and will be continuing to work with the CSP K-9 SAR team that she is already a member of. K-9 SAR handles calls for missing persons in large areas where no starting point is available for a traditional tracking K-9 team.
Just 2 hours after graduating from K-9 SAR training, Officer Flockhart and K-9 Mattie along with Officer Huber, Sgt Logiodice and K-9 Ruger responded to Macedonia Brook State Park to attempt to locate 2 missing hikers. The hikers were located safe and uninjured after following an unmarked trail that led out of the park. K-9 Mattie was the first dog to reach the missing hikers.














Eastern District Highlights
July 2020

Boating:

On July 18th, 2020 Encon staff received information pertaining to a private event that was coined Covidpallozza. This event was scheduled to take place on the Connecticut River in the area of Haddam Meadows. Encon staff collaborated with the US Coast Guard, Connecticut State Police, Middletown Police, and Essex Police Department. This collaborative effort resulted in numerous safety inspection checks throughout the Connecticut River corridor. The event itself was relegated to a much smaller gathering due to the increased law enforcement activity in the area.

On July 20th, 2020 Encon police responded to Haddam Meadows on a report that a swimmer had entered the river and not resurfaced. The Connecticut State Police and Haddam Volunteer Fire Department assisted Encon with trying to locate this swimmer. On July 22, 2020 Encon in conjunction with the Connecticut State Police Dive Team located the swimmer. This case is still under investigation pending the results from the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. Shortly after this incident, Encon police responded to another call in the river regarding a swimmer in distress. This swimmer was escorted to shore by a kayaker who took it upon themselves to assist.

Parks & Forest Enforcement:

On July 3rd, 2020 Officers from Encon responded to the area of the Natchaug River on a report of two juveniles that were lost. These juveniles were navigating the river on tubes and went down several side streams. These juveniles were eventually located and returned to their parents unharmed.

On July 11th, 2020 Officers from Encon responded to Gay City State Park on a report of a medical assist. Officers were able to locate a female victim who had a seizure on the hiking trail. In addition to this medical condition, the individual also sustained an injury to her head. Encon was able to provide medical attention to this individual and she was transported by EMS to the hospital.

On July 13th, 2020 an Encon officer responded to Thompson Connecticut on an assist call. A State Animal Control Officer needed assistance investigating a report that an individual was in possession of two spider monkeys. This possession would be in violation of current law if they were obtained illegally. After a joint investigation, it was determined that the owner of these monkeys obtained them legally; however, due to the living conditions of these animals it was decided that the owner needed to relinquish ownership of the animals. Officer Carlson is assisting the Animal Control Officer with this transition.

On July 18th, Encon police responded to a report of an assault at Billings Lake. Throughout the course of this investigation it was discovered that the victims in this incident were uncooperative and failed to provide personal information to facilitate the investigation. As a result of their unwillingness to provide information the investigation was suspended.


On July 20th, 2020 Encon police responded to a motor vehicle collision at Beach Pond in Voluntown. Upon their arrival, they located two subjects who each had driven one of the vehicle’s that was involved in the accident. It was determined that both individuals were intoxicated and were each subsequently arrested for Driving Under the Influence. Subsequent investigation revealed that one of these suspects had an active warrant for his arrest for Home Invasion. After being processed this individual was turned over to East Hampton Police Department where he was charged with this valid arrest warrant.

On July 21st, 2020 Encon police along with the Connecticut State Police responded to Billings Lake on a report of a large fight in progress. Several officers from neighboring agencies also responded. An individual was taken into custody by the Connecticut State Police, and a trooper was significantly injured during this altercation.

On July 24th, 2020 Encon police and the Connecticut State Police responded to Pachaug State Forest on a report of an untimely death. This individual passed from the apparent results of a self-inflicted bullet wound. This case was taken by the Connecticut State Police.