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Registered: 03/01/04
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CT EnCon Police Eastern District Highlights March 2019
Public Safety Response On the afternoon of March 13, 2019, EnCon Police officers Curran, Logiodice, Sergeant Ulkus and Captain Lundin responded to Gillette Castle State Park, Hadlyme, for a report of two females who fell a distance down the river bank below the castle. East Haddam, Lyme, and Haddam fire and EMS units responded and recovered the two females, 21 and 25 years old, from the river bank by vessel to the Hadlyme ferry landing, where both were evaluated. The 25 year old was transported with possible leg injuries to Hartford Hospital, where she was later found to have a skull fracture. The other female was treated and released; this second victim indicated they had walked away from a trail and lost their footing, sliding down to the river’s edge. The incident remains under investigation.
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Enforcement On Sunday, March 24th, EnCon Police Dispatch was notified of illegal ATV activity in the area of Newport Road and Pachaug State Forest, Sterling, near the Rhode Island state line. Upon arrival officers found numerous ATVs and dirt bikes travelling roads eluding officers, along with an incredible amount of vehicles and trailers in a large sand pit posted against “trespassing” which was directly adjacent to state forest. Officers Danielson, Landry, Vroman, Williams and Wojcik were eventually assisted by State Police from Danielson; they found well over one hundred (100) ATVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles on this private property where they gained access by cutting trails there into and through the forest. Sixty-four (64) individuals were cited for trespassing, while many others fled the area upon police arrival. Almost all violators cited by EnCon Police were from Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Recreational Enforcement Activity On 3/7/19 Officer Landry was patrolling Meshomasic State Forest, Portland and came upon a 29 year old male carrying shovels and sand from the road into the forest along a trail. Upon questioning, he stated he had driven a vehicle into the forest the night before and got stuck in the snow about one quarter of a mile in from the forest road. He eventually retrieved his vehicle, and received a citation for Hours of Operation and Illegal Use of Trails. On March 9th Officer Landry was again patrolling Meshomasic State Forest, Portland and found a vehicle parked for a second day well into the forest, apparently unused and with two sets of footprints going into the forest. A check of the area revealed campfire smoke, which led her to a ground fire, campsite, a loose canine, and a male and female in their thirties who admitted to knowing camping was not permitted. They were cited for the trespass and fire violations and evicted. Also on March 9th Officer Landry continued to assist Eversource power company personnel with complaints of trespassing and equipment vandalism in and around Meshomasic State Forest, Glastonbury, and cited ATV riders for Illegal Operation without Registration. On March 11, 2019, Officer Scatena was patrolling Black Pond Boat Launch in Woodstock not long after it had been stocked with fish, and found a 57 year old male in a vehicle without fishing or boating gear. A computer check found the vehicle’s registration to come back to a different vehicle entirely, owned by the same operator on site. The suspect admitted to not registering this particular vehicle and to using the license plate from the previous vehicle. He was arrested for the misuse and failure to have insurance violations, and the vehicle was towed.
Public Outreach Eastern District officers took extra time during March to repair and ready the Inland Outreach Trailer then transport and set it up at the Northeast Hunting and Fishing Show held in Hartford on March 29th through 31st. Officers worked with members of the Boating, Fisheries and Wildlife divisions to engage the outdoor sporting public and provide information on outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Connecticut.
Marine District Monthly Highlights March 2019
On 3/16/19 Officer Heath was patrolling the Hammonasset River in Madison and observed an individual fishing below the Trout management Area. Officer Heath approached the individual and asked for his respective 2019 CT Fishing Licenses. The individual provided Officer Heath said license. Officer Heath advised the individual that he was fishing in a closed area of which the individual stated he was aware of by reading the CT fishing guide. Officer Heath issued the individual an infraction for fishing during a closed season. On 3/19/19 EnCon Officers responded to Silver Sands State Park for a report of a large structure fire. It was reported that the newly built bath house and concession stand along with the office building were completely engulfed. Milford PD along with Milford Fire, Stratford Fire and West Haven Fire all responded to battle the blaze. The fire was ultimately put out but the structures were a complete loss totaling over 3 million dollars’ worth of damage. EnCon Police along with the State Police Fire Marshal continue to investigate the cause of the fire. On 3/23/19 Officer Heath was patrolling the Chapman Mill Pond in Westbrook and observed two individuals actively fishing from kayaks in the middle of the pond. Officer Heath observed that neither individual was wearing a required personal floatation device as required for manually propelled vessels from Oct 1st through May 31st annually. One individual had a USCG approved lifejacket on board and was issued a written warning for failure to wear said pfd. The other did not have any PFD. Said individual was issued an infraction for failure to have and wear a required pfd while in a manually propelled vessel between Oct. 1 and May 31. On 3/24/19 EnCon Officers along with Milford PD and Milford Fire responded again to Silver Sands State park for a report of multiple fires in several storage containers within the park. The fires were extinguished quickly. EnCon Police and the State Police Fire marshal are actively investigating the cause of these fires. On 3/24/19 Officer Heath was patrolling Silver Sands State Park and observed two individuals operating ATV’s in the park. There have been a multitude of vandalism at the park over the recent weeks. Officer Heath was able to stop both individuals issue both infractions for operating an ATV in a State Park.
On 3/25/19 Officer Hey was patrolling the Wepawaug River in Orange and observed two individuals fishing. It should be noted this river is closed to fishing until opening day of which is April 13th, 2019. Officer Hey approached the two individuals who were 17 years old. Neither had a valid 2019 CT fishing license. Officer Hey issued both individuals written warnings for fishing w/o a license and fishing during the closed season. On 3/30/19 Officer Torres was patrolling Hammonasset State park and observed an individual fishing at Meigs Point. Officer Torres approached the individual and asked him for his 2019 CT fishing license of which the individual stated he did not have. The individual was issued a citation for the violation. On 3/31/19 Officer Heath was patrolling the Hammonasset River in Madison below the trout management area and observed an individual fishing. This area is closed to fishing from the last day in February to opening day, April 13th, 2019. The individual was issued an infraction for fishing during the closed season.
CT EnCON Police Western District Highlights March 2019
ATV ENFORCEMENT
Officers in the District conducted increased patrols for illegal ATV activity. Officers issued several written warnings and five infractions for illegal ATV activity.
FISHING ENFORCEMENT:
Recreational fishing activity increased during March and after Fisheries began fish stocking for the season. District officers increased patrols for recreational fishing enforcement. Officers issued numerous verbal and written warnings and thirteen infractions for illegal fishing activity.
BOATING
On 3/3/19 Northwest officers responded to an unoccupied kayak with fishing equipment on the Connecticut River near Kings Island Launch in Enfield. Enfield Fire personnel were on scene and the male occupant from the kayak was located on the island. The male had been fishing, fell from the kayak and swam to the island. The male was transported with non-life threatening injuries to St. Frances Hospital in Hartford. EnCon officers investigated the boating accident.
SICK, INJURED AND NUISANCE WILDLIFE During the month of March Western District officers were dispatched and responded to 9 Nuisance Bear complaints. In addition to Nuisance Bear calls, officers responded to 22 calls for sick, nuisance or injured wildlife involving bobcats, deer, owls, squirrels, skunk and fox.
K-9
During the month of March Officer Flockhart and K-9 Ellie participated in 4 public outreach events at schools located in the District. They also responded to a call for service, near Squantz Pond State Park, for a missing three year old. The child was located prior to arrival.