Meriden Mayor Reassures Residents the City Is Safe

MERIDEN, CT - Following a spate of recent shootings in the city, Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati issued a letter Friday to residents reassuring them that Meriden remains a safe community.

Gun violence has pierced the city's veil of security, some of it possibly gang related according to police, but Scarpati wants residents to know that law enforcement and city officials are working diligently to end it.

"The City Council and I remain resolute and stand behind the brave men and women of the Meriden Police Department and all of our public safety resources, helping assist with these issues," he wrote.

Below is the text of Mayor Scarpati's letter:

On behalf of the Mayor’s Office and Meriden City Council, I would like to reassure our residents that Meriden is safe.

My office, the Chairman of Public Safety and our City Manager have been and will continue to receive daily briefings from our Police Chief and top command staff on the progress of this ongoing investigation.

In order to maintain the integrity and progress in the investigation, specific details cannot be made public at this time. We have been reassured that the recent incidents of gun violence are isolated. Our downtown and our neighborhoods are safe and the public is not at risk.

Chief of Police, Jeffry Cossette has reported the following:

• • Meriden Police resources are working diligently with state and federal resources. Information is being processed and progress is being made.
  • Additional patrols have been ordered and deployed in area neighborhoods and will continue.
  • Neighborhood Initiative Officers (N.I. Unit) continue to be actively engaged in their areas and remain accessible and visible.

My colleagues on the City Council and I remain informed on these issues and the progress being made. The Meriden community should feel assured knowing that our Police Department is acting deliberately and thoroughly to bring those responsible for these isolated acts to justice.

The City Council and I remain resolute and stand behind the brave men and women of the Meriden Police Department and all of our public safety resources, helping assist with these issues.

These acts do not define our community. The good work of our police department, the good work of our neighborhood associations and the good nature of the men, women and children living in our community is what defines Meriden.

Photo: Mayor Kevin Scarpati. Photo credit: The mayor's election Facebook page