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WESTERN DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS
Park & Forest Enforcement:
On April 8th, 2021 Western District officers and K-9 teams were requested to assist with a search for an individual who was reported missing. This individual’s vehicle was found near a trail head in Tunxis State Forest in Hartland. The search lasted 2 days encompassing State Forest, MDC water company property, and a vessel search of the nearby reservoir, before being suspended due to lack of investigative leads. Officers performed a secondary search a week later with a K-9 to follow up on this incident with one of their K-9 teams. This search also yielded negative results.
Boating Enforcement:

On April 10th, 2021 Officers from the Southwest sector were dispatched to Long Meadow Pond in Middlebury for the report of an overturned kayak with a person missing in the water. Middlebury Fire Department, Oxford Fire Department and Region 5 Dive Team were already on scene with divers in water looking for the operator. Witnesses on scene stated they observed the kayak overturned with a person in distress in the water. By the time witnesses got to the area, the operator had already gone under and they were unable to locate them. On April 11th, 2021, the operator was located by the CT State Police Dive Team and pronounced deceased.

On Sunday April 11th, 2021 officers from the Western District responded to the Housatonic River in the Town of New Milford for a boating accident. Two bass fishermen were aboard a 18’ Bass boat in the area of the Bleachery Dam. They were utilizing the boat’s trolling motor when the current began to pull the boat towards the dam. The boat was then pulled next to the dam where it began to take on water. A bystander who was fishing nearby walked out on the dam to help and ended up falling into the water. The two bass fisherman aboard the boat were able to pull the bystander out of the water. Shortly after the boat capsized. The two occupants and the bystander ended up in the water but were able to swim to safety. The operator of the bass boat was cited for operating too close to the dam.
Fishing Enforcement:
On April 3rd, 2021 an officer observed an individual walking out of the Quinnipiac River Tidal Marsh Area carrying a rod and spinning reel combo in one hand and a bucket in the other. The officer asked the individual if there was anything in the bucket and the individual answered that there were 2 small fish. The officer asked the individual to show him and the individual opened


the bucket and revealed 5 short Striped Bass. The officer confiscated the fish and enforcement action was taken.
On April 3rd, 2021 an officer observed an individual catch and keep 2 short Striped Bass while on routine patrol of the Housatonic River. The officer contacted the individual and asked him to retrieve the fish from where he was hiding them. The individual did not comply, and the officer retrieved the fish. The officer confiscated the fish and enforcement action was taken.
Sick/Nuisance Animals Complaints:
On April 20th, 2021 Western District officers were called to the town of Southington for a black bear that was running in and out of traffic on Route 10 during rush hour. Southington Police contacted DEEP after the bear caused several traffic accidents. Officers arrived on scene and found that the bear had climbed a tree in a very small wooded patch of land located between the I-84 eastbound and westbound overpasses. Because there was no area of refuge, and due to the high traffic area, the bear was tranquilized and relocated to a more remote location.
K-9:
On April 8th, 9th, and 15th Off. Flockhart and K-9’s Ellie and Mattie and Sgt. Logiodice and K-9 Ruger responded to a search and rescue at Tunxis State Forest in Hartland for a missing person (detailed above). Off. Flockhart and her K-9’s again responded to search the area on 4/21 when CSP developed new information.
On April 10th, 2021 Sgt. Logiodice and K-9 Ruger were dispatched to a possible missing kayaker (detailed above).
On April 22nd, 2021 Off. Flockhart and her K-9 partners was dispatched to a search for a suicidal party at Miller’s Pond. The individual was located prior to their arrival.
On April 23rd, 2021 Off. Flockhart and K-9 Ellie were dispatched to a search for suicidal party in Naugatuck State Forest. The individual was located by a CSP K-9 handler and their Bloodhound.
On April 27th, 2021 Off. Flockhart and K-9 Mattie were dispatched to a lost individual in Mattatuck State Forest. The individual was located using a drone.





MARINE DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS
Park & Forest Enforcement:

On April 6th, 2021 officers were patrolling Bluff Point State park and observed several bags of garbage on the edge of the park road. Officers were able to obtain a receipt from a local deli with a name and phone number on it. Concerned that the individual’s credit card information may have been compromised, they contacted the individual by phone. The individual stated he ordered food from said deli and proceeded to Bluff Point State Park. The individual was asked if he left any garbage prior to leaving the state park of which the individual stated “ya, maybe some chicken wings”. The individual was ultimately issued an infraction for littering.

On April 17th, 2021 officers received a report of an illegal party/campfire complaint in Cockaponset State Forest. Officers arrived on scene, and were assisted by the Connecticut State Police, at approximately 2156 hours. Once they arrived on scene, they discovered approximately 30 vehicles lined up on the dirt road. Everyone was identified as they were escorted back to their vehicles and issued written warnings for violating state park & forest hours of operation.

On April 18th, 2021 officers were assisting the regional Water Authority and Guilford Police with ongoing ATV complaints in the watershed area. This detail was able to stop two individuals on ATV’s within the watershed who ultimately accessed the property from Winterberry Rd in Guilford. Both were issued written warnings for simple trespass.

Boating Enforcement:

On April 18th, 2021 officers were patrolling Long Island Sound in Westport by vessel and observed two individuals paddling kayaks near Compo Beach. Both were wearing required PFDs. The officers engaged in conversation with the paddlers and told them that the wind was picking up and that the water temp was 49 degrees. Both paddlers stated that they would be fine and that they were strong swimmers. Approximately ten minutes later, officers saw one of the individuals had capsized and was struggling in the water. The capsized paddler was struggling to get back into his vessel that was swamped. The other paddler was inexperienced and could not help. Officers took the capsized individual on board along with his kayak and brought him to shore where he met his fellow paddler. The individual refused medical treatment.




On April 19th, 2021 officers were patrolling the Connecticut River near the Baldwin Bridge and observed a vessel violating the Slow-No-Wake Zone near Harbor One/Dock & Dine. This agency in conjunction with the Old Saybrook Police received numerous complaints in this area for wake zone violations. Officers stopped the vessel in question and conducted a safety inspection. It was determined that the individual onboard had been fishing and had a short-striped bass in their possession. The fish was still alive and returned back to the water. The individual was issued a written warning for both the wake zone and fishing violations.

On April 25th, 2021 officers were patrolling the Quonnipaug Reservoir in Guilford and observed an individual paddling a kayak without wearing a required PFD. The individual was issued a written warning for the violation and left for the day.

Fishing Enforcement:

On April 15th, 2021 officers responded to Seaside Park in Bridgeport for a report of several individuals keeping undersized striped bass and putting them into a white Honda sedan. Officers contacted the individuals who were a father and son and asked if they had caught any fish. The individuals stated they had caught one striped bass and retrieved it from a white plastic bag within the trunk of the vehicle. The fish measured 15 inches. The legal slot length limit for striped bass is between 28-35 inches. The father who caught the fish also did not have a fishing license. The father was issued a written warning for fishing w/o a license and possession of a short-striped bass. The fish was seized and donated to A Place Called Hope.

On April 24th, 2021 officers were patrolling the area around Clinton Harbor and observed three individuals fishing from a vessel on Long Island Sound. As the vessel came into port to a local marina, the vessel operator violated a no wake zone. The vessel operator and two occupants were approached and asked how their fishing trip was. All the individuals stated that they were fishing and had only caught one tautog. Two of the individuals did not have current 2021 fishing licenses. The operator of the vessel was issued a written warning for the no wake zone violation, the other two were issued infractions for fishing w/o a license.







EASTERN DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS
Parks & Forest Enforcement:
On April 4th, 2021 officers responded to the area of Zemko Pond WMA on a report of ATV riders illegally operating within the WMA. Officers were able to locate the operator and issued them a warning.

On April 22nd, 2021 officers responded to Pachaug State Forest on a report of ATV riders illegally operating within the State Forest. An individual was located, and an infraction was issued to the operator.

On April 22nd, 2021 this agency received a report of a suicidal female at Millers Pond. CSP and EMS were dispatched along with officers from Encon. This female was eventually located safe and sound. This female was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

On April 24th, 2021 an officer was conducting speed enforcement within Pachaug State Forest. The officer ended up stopping a vehicle that exceeded the speed limit within the park. Investigation determined that one of the occupants had a no contact order of protection issued against him and one of the occupants of the vehicle. The individual was arrested without incident, processed, and later released on this charge.

Fishing Enforcement:

On April 12th, 2021 an officer was checking people fishing at Mansfield Hollow. During this check an individual was discovered to be fishing without a valid fishing license. This individual was issued an infraction for this violation.