Hartford's Violent Crime Problem Targeted By Feds

HARTFORD, CT — Federal officials Wednesday announced the inclusion of Hartford as part of an expansion of the U.S. Justice Department's Violent Crime Initiative (VCI).

U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said the Justice Department is adding three new cities — including Hartford — to the program.

He said this builds on a model launched in Houston, Texas, in September 2022, and expanded to Memphis, Tennessee, in November 2023.

According to the justice department, the VCI surges law enforcement tools and resources to target gangs and other violent groups threatening the safety and security of communities.

In addition to Hartford, federal officials have identified St. Louis, Mo., and Jackson, Miss, as the next VCI cities.

The VCI utilizes prosecutors from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section to work with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.

In addition, they will work with agents, analysts, and forensic experts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Federal law enforcers will also work with community leaders in each city to best understand citizens’ concerns and to work to support them.

“The Justice Department will not rest until every person, in every neighborhood, in every community is safe from violent crime,” said Garland in a statement.

“No matter where violent crime occurs, it leaves a devastating impact on victims and communities,” added FBI Director Christopher Wray.

“The FBI, as part of the Violent Crime Initiative, is renewing our focus on violent crime in three additional cities and surging tools and resources to make our streets safer. Every day, our field offices work to tear down violent criminals and gangs and this initiative will only serve to magnify their successes.”

For more information on the initiative and Wednesday's announcement, click on this link.