Crime Shrinking In Hartford: Police/City Leaders

Press release from the City of Hartford:

HARTFORD, CT —Local city and police officials last week touted a newb catch of crime statistics they claim shows progress in the war on crime in Hartford.

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and Interim Hartford Police Chief Kenny Howell last week said there have been reductions in crime over the past summer in the City of Hartford.

In making the announcement, the duo cited recent strategic initiatives including walk-beat officers, the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), and the expanded use of technology to prevent and solve crimes.

They said the trendlines point toward a "clear decline in violent crime over the last five years."

"The safety and well-being of our residents are at the heart of everything we do, and I am heartened by the progress we've made in reducing crime throughout Hartford," said Arulampalam.

"Working towards building our community's trust and collaboration with Hartford police have played an important role in this progress. Of course, we also recognize that the line of progress is never straight, and that continued diligence is needed to create a safer city for all."

Crime stats

Among the statistics cited were:

• 2024 is trending towards having the lowest number of shooting victims since 2006.

• Hartford has seen a 53 percent reduction in murders year-to-date compared to 2023 (14 cases this year compared to 30 last year).

• Shooting victims (both fatal and non-fatal) are down 33 percent through August 2024 compared to the same period last year.

"This builds on progress made in 2023, when the city saw a 28 percent reduction in shooting victims compared to 2022," wrote the city.

• Shooting assaults have decreased by 33 percent since 2022, with 68 cases reported in 2024 compared to 103 in 2022.

Robberies have dropped by 13 percent since 2022, with 56 cases in 2024 compared to 61 in 2023.

Police progress cited

Howell cited several areas of progress for the HPD in combating crime, including:

• An increased use of technology, including leveraging video evidence to apprehend more offenders and also take shooters off the streets.

• A "significant" decrease in group and gang-related violence, thanks to CORA and RICO cases in the fall of last year.

These operations disrupted key criminal networks, leading to a safer city.

• Gun seizures have reached a 10-year high, with 384 firearms seized in 2023, and 2024 is on track to exceed 300 gun seizures.

• The Hartford Police Department, in collaboration with community outreach programs, has focused on engaging the city's most at-risk populations.

"Through peer mentoring, life coaching, and outreach, services are provided to individuals most vulnerable to gun violence, including victims, to break the cycle of violence," wrote the city.

"Our collaboration with federal partners, the state’s attorney, and probation and parole services has been crucial to maintaining public safety,” said Howell. “By focusing on outreach to those most at risk, particularly 25 to 34-year-olds, we’ve been able to prevent further violence before it happens."

This press release was produced by the City of Hartford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.