Connecticut Police Officers on Heightened Alert After 'Credible' Threat Made Against Law Enforcement Nationwide

By Brian McCready and Elizabeth Janney, Patch Staff

Police officers in Connecticut are on heightened alert Monday after the Baltimore Police Department announced a “credible” threat that some of the country’s most notorious gangs have banded together to put ”hits” out on police officers nationwide.

Connecticut State Police Spokesman Sgt. Shane Hassett said, “Our department has sent out a bulletin to all of our troopers regarding the possible threat emanating from Baltimore for situational awareness purposes.” He said the bulletin urges officers to be on heightened alert for their own safety.

Police officers in several local Connecticut departments told Patch.com Monday that the threats are nothing new and they remain vigilant at all times.

“...This type of alert has been issued in the past for various threats and given the anti-police climate in general I’m sure most officers are vigilant and remain so,” said Lt. Scott Custer, of the South Windsor Police Department.

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According to the Windsor Locks Police Department’s Facebook page: “These gangs or their splinter factions are present nationwide, including our region. We are not immune to their effects and influence as we are positioned between two major cities with gangs known for violence. Please remain vigilant-If you see something, say something. Let’s continue to protect Windsor Locks!”

In a statement released Monday, Baltimore Police say they have “received credible information that members of various gangs including the Black Guerilla Family, Bloods and Crips have entered into a partnership to ’take-out’ law enforcement officers,” according to the statement.

The Baltimore police encouraged law enforcement agencies nationwide to take appropriate precautions.

Anti-police sentiment amongst some has been building over the past year after some high profile cases.

In 2014, Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer in Ferguson, MO. The officer involved was not charged because he argued he was defending himself from the unarmed Brown. Also in 2014, an unarmed Eric Garner died after a police officer put the large man in a choke hold during an arrest for allegedly selling illegal cigarettes.

Earlier this month, a North Charleston, SC, police officer fatally shot Walter Scott, an unarmed black man who was running away. The officer had claimed self defense until a video surfaced showing the officer shooting Brown multiple times in the back as the victim tried to run away. The officer in that case, Michael Slager, has been charged with murder.

New Haven Police spokesman Officer David Hartman said his department has been made aware of the threat out of Baltimore.

“Officers in our and other departments across the nation are ever watchful for those who’d seek to do us harm. This is a daily awareness regardless of credible threats,” Hartman said. “That said, there have been no such threats made against Officers in New Haven and to the best of my knowledge, none in the area.”

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Danbury Police Det. Lt. Christian Carroccio said the Danbury Police Department is aware of the ongoing situation in Baltimore.

“We have been monitoring the situation. This agency has not received any such threats at this time,” Carroccio said.

Monroe Police Capt. Michael Flick said threats against law enforcement “happen regularly and we train our officers to be diligent yet courteous.”

Ridgefield Police Capt. Jeff Kreitz said all of the officers are aware of the notification put out by the Baltimore City Police Department.

“Our officers were advised to be vigilant as always,” Kreitz said.

Baltimore is the likely origin of the threats because a national rally against police brutality took place in the city in the aftermath of the April 19 death of Freddie Gray. The 25-year-old Baltimore man died in police custody from a mysterious spinal injury, which has prompted a week of demonstrations.

The protests in Baltimore on Saturday had started peaceful—and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said 95 percent of them were in that spirit—but by Sunday morning, 34 people had been arrested and six police officers injured.

Storefronts and police vehicles were also damaged. Images captured on social media of the violence included video of a man smashing a patrol car window with a trash can and angry protesters yelling directly in the face of officers.

Additional reporting by Vincent Salzo, Feroze Dhanoa, Rich Scinto and Jaimie Cura.