Pubdate: Sat, 30 Aug 2014
Source: Day, The (New London,CT)
Copyright: 2014 The Day Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.theday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/293
Author: Joe Wojtas
Page: B1

STONINGTON POLICE EFFORTS TO MAKE DRUG ARRESTS CRITICIZED

Town Resident Who Is Also a Detective in Westerly Outlines Concerns 
in an Email to the First Selectman

Stonington - A veteran Westerly Police Department detective who lives 
in Pawcatuck has criticized the Stonington police department's drug 
enforcement efforts in an email to First Selectman Ed Haberek.

In his March email, Detective Steven Johnson said he has "witnessed 
multiple hand to hand drug deals, in the open, in Downtown Pawcatuck."

He added that he is aware that on a daily basis, drug deals are being 
conducted in a local parking lot.

Johnson calls it troubling that the department made minimal drug 
arrests in 2012, which also appears to have been the case in 2013. In 
a department annual report, he said the "problem is not even 
mentioned nor a plan to be pro active and combat it."

"They mention (adding) another Detective to the Cold Case Squad? Are 
you kidding me? How about a few Detectives working narcotics and 
possibly teaming with us on the other side of the river," he wrote.

Police Chief J. Darren Stewart said Friday that his department made 
11 drug arrests through the first seven months of this year, compared 
to 13 during the same time period last year.

In addition, because of a change in state law two years ago, 
possession of small amounts of marijuana are no longer reported as 
arrests, as they are now infractions under state law.

"The Stonington police department always appreciates information 
regarding illegal drug activity in Stonington and works diligently to 
address those concerns, not only through its patrol division but its 
detectives," said Stewart, who added he saw Johnson's email for the 
first time on Thursday.

He said his department also works with the Statewide Narcotics Task 
Force and Westerly police to address quality of life issues that 
cross the borders of the two towns.

Johnson wrote that the area "is suffering a major heroin epidemic" 
with the direct result being property crimes, larcenies, shoplifting, 
financial crimes and more.

"I have small children that are growing up in Pawcatuck and do not 
want them exposed to this type of wide open drug activity and crime," 
Johnson wrote. "I am hoping that the Police Administration just 
failed to mention this so as to not give away their plan. If that is 
not the case then they need to get their heads out of the sand and 
open their eyes. I know for a fact the Officers of SPD are aware of 
the problem but I get the impression it is not a priority of the 
administration."

While Haberek said he shared Johnson's concerns with Police Chief J. 
Darren Stewart, Capt. Jerry Desmond and the Board of Police 
Commissioners, Johnson's email was never listed on any of the agendas 
for the board's seven meetings since or mentioned in any of the 
minutes of those meetings. Police-related correspondence is typically 
listed on the board's agendas.

Contacted Thursday, Johnson declined comment on his email, saying he 
plans to attend the Board of Police Commissioners' next meeting on Sept. 11.

In his letter to Haberek, Johnson said he was writing as a "taxpayer 
in the Town of Stonington with a great deal of Law Enforcement 
history, not in my work capacity."

"I have been doing my best to stay away from criticizing Stonington 
Police. I obviously know first hand the difficulties that face us in 
Law Enforcement today," he wrote.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom