North Branford To Governor, Legislature: Take Action On Crime

NORTH BRANFORD, CT — Following an increase in crime in North Branford, including a recent daylight car theft attempt where a perpetrator fired a shot at a resident, the Town Council passed a resolution "urging action by the governor and the Connecticut General Assembly" according to a statement from the town. The measure passed unanimously at the council's Tuesday meeting.

Earlier this month, a person attempting to burglarize a car fired shots at a Northford homeowner who interrupted the crime.

See related: Gun Fired At Homeowner Who Interrupted Burglary: North Branford Police

The council's resolution noted the escalation "across the entire state of serious crimes including motor vehicle theft, car-jackings, robbery, and home invasion among others," and calls on legislators and the governor to act on numerous criminal justice measures.

These measures include establishing mandatory minimum sentences for robbery involving an occupied motor vehicle with a gun or deadly weapon, and increased penalties for committing a crime using a stolen motor vehicle or firearm.

“Much has been done at the state legislative level that has weakened penalties for offenders and created obstacles to law enforcement to do their jobs,” Mayor Jeff Macmillen said in a statement. “I hope that our legislative leaders and the Governor will make efforts to strengthen our laws and support our police to combat the increase of criminal activity we have seen.”

A new report on crime in Connecticut showed that overall, crime dropped 4 percent from 2021 to 2022, with a 13 percent reduction in violent crime. However, other crimes increased such as forgeries and phone scams.

See related: CT 2022 Crime Report: What's Dropped, What's On The Rise

North Branford's resolution also calls for the repeal of portions of police accountability measures.

Councilor Nick Palladino, who moved the resolution Tuesday evening and serves as a police officer in East Hartford, said in a statement: “Aspects of the police accountability measures passed by the legislature removed necessary protections for towns and officers to lawsuits, have badly damaged law enforcement morale statewide, and have made recruiting and retaining police officers very difficult for cities and towns.”

The resolution has been sent to Gov. Ned Lamont, legislative leaders, and the members of the state House and Senate representing North Branford.