Marine District Highlights
August 2020

Fishing Enforcement:

On August 2nd, 2020 Encon Police received reports of an individual in possession of a thresher shark in Niantic from a Facebook posting. It was determined that the appropriate federal HMS permit was purchased after the shark was caught and further evidence revealed that the same individual had landed another shark the week prior without obtaining a federal HMS permit. The case was referred to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.

On August 5th, 2020 an Encon officer was dispatched to Cove Island in Stamford for a report of several individuals keeping an excessive amount of bluefish. As the officer approached the individuals he saw a small undersized striped bass that measured 9 inches along with numerous snapper bluefish. The individuals were advised of the new bluefish possession regulations as well as the slot limit on striped bass being 1 fish between 28-35 inches. The striper was still alive and returned to the water without harm. Both individuals were issued an infraction for possession of over the daily creel limit of bluefish. The fish were seized and donated to a local wildlife rehabilitator.

On August 8th, 2020 an Encon officer received a complaint of a group of individuals taking short blue crabs on Montowese Street in Branford and putting them into 5 gallon buckets. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with the individuals and observed one of the buckets full of undersized blue crabs. The live crabs were returned to the water and an infraction was issued to the responsible party for possession of undersized blue crabs.

On August 12th, 2020 an Encon officer was dispatched to Holly pond in Stamford for a report of an individual taking short blue crabs. Upon conducting a compliance check, it was observed that the individual had numerous short blue crabs in a 5 gallon bucket of which he stated he was catching the small ones so that the bigger ones would come in. The individual also stated he was aware of the 5 inch size limit on blue crabs. A total of forty one (41) short blue crabs were counted in the individual’s bucket. The individual was issued an infraction for possession of undersized blue crabs.

On August 24th, 2020 an Encon officer was patrolling Long Island Sound near Kimberly Reef in Madison and observed three individuals on a vessel actively fishing. A fishing compliance check was conducted in which the three individuals stated they had not caught any fish. When the fishermen were asked to open their cooler, an undersized fluke measuring 14.5 inches was discovered. The individual who claimed possession of the short fluke had similar issues in June of this year and was found to be in possession of multiple black sea bass. As a result of that

incident, the individual was provided a tape measure for future use to ensure he would measure and abide by state laws. The individual stated fishing was slow and he didn’t want to leave empty handed. He was issued an infraction for possession of a short fluke. The fish was seized and donated to A Place Called Hope.

Boating Enforcement:

On August 15th, 2020 an Encon officer was patrolling the Branford River and observed two people on a PWC both facing forward towing another person on a tube. The PWC appeared to be a 2 person PWC. The officer made contact with the operator and it was determined that the PWC was only rated for 2 people. The operator was advised the observer had to be rear facing and that they were operating over the capacity rating of the PWC. The operator was issued an infraction for the violations.

Shellfish Enforcement:

On August 2nd, 2020 Encon officers were patrolling Penfield Reef in Fairfield and observed several individuals fishing. All three individuals were checked for current fishing licenses and for any fish they had caught. The individuals opened a cooler that contained numerous oysters taken from the reef. It should be noted that area is posted No Recreational Shellfishing”. The oysters were returned to the water and the responsible individual was issued a written warning for the violation.

Park & Forest Enforcement:

On August 24th, 2020 an Encon officer was patrolling the Hammonasset Reservoir and observed two individuals swimming. The area is owned by the CT Regional Water Authority and clearly posted “No Trespassing” and “No Swimming”. Only permit holders are allowed to hike the property. The two individuals did not have permits and were issued written warnings for the violations.













Western District Highlights
August 2020

Boating enforcement:
On August 18, 2020 Encon Police and the Candlewood Lake Authority Officers, responded to Candlewood Lake in the Town of New Fairfield for a report on a single vessel accident with injuries. The operator and sole occupant of a vessel was transported to Danbury Hospital with severe facial injuries. The involved vessel was operating at speed when it struck a wake from another vessel and the operator fell inside the vessel and sustained the injuries. The accident is still currently under investigation.
Park & Forest Enforcement:

On August 22nd, 2020 at approximately 2200 hours, Southwest Officers were dispatched to New Milford Police Department with a report of a possible Domestic Violence incident, which occurred over multiple jurisdictions. Upon arrival officers were advised that one of the assaults on the victim occurred on a vessel in the area of Chicken Rock in Sherman. An argument started between the parties and the accused struck the victim on the right side of the face with a closed fist. The accused then threw the victim overboard. The victim climbed back on the vessel and both parties proceeded to the Sherman town launch. Once the vessel was docked both parties proceeded to their vehicle and another physical altercation occurred that was observed by nearby patrons. Connecticut State Police were called and issued a BOLO for the vehicle involved. A third physical altercation took place at the New Milford Home Depot where New Milford Police Department located the parties and took the accused into custody. The parties had a prior protective order with the conditions that the accused was not allowed to harass or assault the victim. The accused was charged and processed by New Milford, CSP and Encon for the events that took place in each of their jurisdictions.
Nuisance Bear:
Western District officers responded to sixteen (16) nuisance bear complaints.
Wildlife:
Western District officers responded to thirteen (13) nuisance wildlife calls, to include but limited to turtles, geese, ducks, raccoons and bobcat.
K-9 calls for service:
On August 8, 2020 Off. Flockhart and K9 Mattie were dispatched to Sleeping Giant State Park for a lost hiker, who was located prior to their arrival. On August 27, 2020 they were dispatched to Millers Pond for the report of missing juveniles. The juveniles were located prior to their arrival.
Eastern District Highlights
August 2020

Boating Enforcement:

On August 15th, 2020 staff from the eastern district were actively patrolling the area of Selden Creek. There have been several reports on PWC operators violating the clearly established “no wake” zones throughout this area. Encon officers proactively patrolled the area throughout the day and issued several warnings and infractions to PWC operators who were violating these regulations.

On August 15th, 2020 Officers from the eastern district responded to the area of the Connecticut River on a report of an operator of a vessel being intoxicated. Officers were able to locate the vessel in question and contact the operator. Investigation into the report led to probable cause to arrest the operator for Boating Under the Influence.

Park & Forest Enforcement

On August 4th, 2020 Encon officers were dispatched to the area of Wadsworth State Park on a complaint of a found firearm. Upon their arrival, they immediately located the suspected firearm and determined it was an airsoft gun. Encon officers were unable to locate the owner of this item. As a result, the item was seized and filed to be destroyed.

On August 19th, 2020 Encon officers were dispatched to Portland Ct on a report of an individual shooting turkeys in his backyard with a firearm. After an in depth investigation, it was determined that the “suspect” was involved in a dispute with his neighbor and never actually shot any of the turkeys. Portland Police Department had been to the complainant’s address several times over the last couple of years for similar types of complaints. This investigation was classified as “unfounded” and closed.

On August 22nd, 2020 Encon police were dispatched to a serious motor vehicle accident in Pachaug State Forest. A vehicle was discovered crashed into a tree, and no occupants were located. Due to the mechanism of injury and amount of bodily fluid on the scene, area hospitals were contacted. Eventually, officers were able to locate the occupants of the vehicle, and one of these occupants was classified as being in Serious Condition and was being transported to a major medical center. The Connecticut State Police accident reconstruction team was contacted to assist with investigating the collision. Both occupants are expected to survive this collision and this case remains open pending further investigation.

On August 23rd, 2020 an Encon officer responded to Gillette Castle on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. Investigation determined that an individual, who had a valid Connecticut Pistol Permit, had left a firearm in their vehicle. This vehicle was subsequently broken into and the firearm was stolen. As a result of this negligent storage, the individual was subsequently arrested for



failing to secure a firearm. This case was cleared by arrest, and the theft of the firearm is still pending investigation.