ENCON POLICE RESPOND TO THE BLIZZARD OF 2013

On February 8th a strong nor’easter struck the East coast creating blizzard conditions in Connecticut and leaving snowfall amounts up to 40 inches in various parts of the state.

West District

EnCon Police officers from the Western District were called upon starting on February 8th through February 10th to assist the State Police. The amount of snow prevented the safe operation of non-4 wheel drive State Police vehicles. EnCon Police officers were teamed up with State Troopers in the EnCon Police vehicles to respond to emergencies.

During the state of emergency Western District EnCon officers responded to 39 incidents of motor vehicle accidents, stranded motorists, stranded State Police and DOT vehicles as well as conducting an emergency blood relay from the Red Cross in Farmington to Danbury Hospital. After the storm abated EnCon Police officers provided emergency warning lighting for DOT crews and private contractors on I-84 and other state roadways while snow was removed from the highways.

Marine & East District
EnCon Police officers from the Marine and East District teamed up with local State Police to assist motorist and others in need of help during the storm. State Police from local troops requested assistance from the EnCon police division during the storm due to the severity and terrible conditions. Officer utilized their assigned four wheel drive vehicles to assist stranded / struck motorists and responded to complaints in areas that troopers could not access.


EASTERN DISTRICT

Park and Forest

Officer Vroman was busy in the area of Ledyard and North Stonington issuing infractions for possession of marijuana, after hour violations, and stuck/abandoned vehicles on state DEEP property. While Sergeant Wolfe, Officers Reilly and Golet were involved in the rescue of a handicapped individual who drove his vehicle into Meshomasic State Forest in Portland on unmaintained roads.

Recreational Vehicle Enforcement

EnCon Officers made several arrests for illegal operation of all terrain vehicles and snow mobiles. On February 9th Officer Vroman found an unregistered snow mobile operating on Lynch Rd. in Chaplin during the blizzard, and several unregistered ATV’s at Quaddick State Park in Thompson. On the 18th Officer Scatena issued written warnings to three Massachusetts registered ATV’s who were operating on the Airline Trail in Thompson.


WEST DISTRICT

Suicide attempt at Sleeping Giant State Park

On February 21, 2013 a student notified the University of New Haven Police Department and reported that she had received a text message from another student stating that she was going to commit suicide by jumping off the top of Sleepy Giant State Park located in Hamden.

EnCon Police Officers John Hey, Holly Bernier, Sean Buckley and John Chickos responded as well as the UNH Police and Hamden Police and Fire departments.
At the time the snow cover in the park was approximately 2 feet deep. EnCon Police officers participated in the search on foot and with an ATV. The student was located unharmed and transported to the hospital for observation.


MARINE DISTRICT

Search and Rescue
On February 5, 2013 EnCon officers responded to Haley Farm State Park in Groton to assist in the search for a Veteran who indicated he wanted to harm himself. Groton Town Police department located the subject’s vehicle parked in the parking lot and requested assistance. EnCon officers, State Police, Waterford Police, Groton Town police and local fire departments all responded with equipment and canines to assist in the search. Numerous canine teams, including officer Logiodice and Ruger searched the area, while other officers searched on foot or with UTV’s in cold, snowy conditions.
Just prior to dark, Sergeant Lundin and officer Arsenault were positioned on a trail connecting Haley Farm and Bluff Point state park. They observed a male matching the description walking the trail and attempted to stop him. The male ignored them and ran away into the wooded area near Mumford Cove. Numerous officers converged on the area and were able to find the subject cold but unharmed. The next day Officer Logiodice and K-9 Ruger went back to the area and found the subjects backpack located in the woods with personal belonging inside.

Park Vandalism
A park employee who works at Harkness State Park was reading an issue of CT Bride Magazine. In the magazine she noticed that the bride and groom, who had their wedding at Harkness in the summer of 2012, were posing in front of a large beech tree that had a heart carved into the bark with their initials inside. A check of the trees in the park revealed the damage and a complaint was filed. Office Bouthillier was advised of the photograph and given the names of the bride and groom by the park staff. Officer Bouthillier made contact with the individual, informed him of the photographic evidence and issued him a complaint ticket for vandalism. The same individual paid a $150 dollar fine in 2004 for several park violations he committed at Rocky Neck State Park.

I met Officer Vroman a few days ago, he is a credit to your force.

Thanks, I passed your other post along to the Eastern District Captain.

wow.......when I lived in Pawcatuck we had our scanners go off asking anyone with ATVS and snowmobiles be available for emergency calls during big storms......IN NY there are ATV speed limit signs everywhere........in CT.you get a ticket...... I know Its not your fault guys........... the Park one is funny as hell!!!!!! Thanks for everything!