Troopers Dennis Owens and Booker Arrive in Hartford Wednesday top Patrol City St. w/ Hartford Police. Photo by Reggie Hales

Hartford - As the gun violence in Hartford's Northend has increased everyone is looking to blame someone. But the solution has always been here. Cooperation and no tolerance. These are two of the solution Deputy Chief Daryl K. Roberts suggests. Roberts commands a staff of officers for the Northend of Hartford. I asked Roberts, why has it taken so long to combat this continued problem of violence in the streets? " Crime in the city has as you've herd gone down, but recent youth violence has forced us to take the assistance of the state troopers, to give us a better handle on securing the streets. We have a duty to keep citizens safe, said Roberts."

Young thugs roaming, claiming that Hartford streets are theirs is a problem that has over whelmed Hartford PD. Staff shortages and maybe low morale has helped escalate the gun violence, but excuses will not cut it. Having the Troopers help will increase manpower, for the time being. But will not solve the problem. Roberts says that "police and community residents working together will solve and maybe prevent some of our gun crimes. I'm working on getting our patrolman and women to become more visible on the streets. Getting to know the people in the community we serve and help create a greater trust, is the key to crime prevention, said Roberts."

Roberts has been given a task. Make the Northend safe. Through Chief Harnetts announcement of the neighborhood policing plan a few weeks ago, Roberts and Deputy Chief Fallen help create a plan to make the streets safer. Since Late February this year the result have been slow. But HPD has been waiting for the fresh recruits that are expected.

Why did it take so long for HPD to beef up control of the streets, I asked Roberts. "Desperate times call for desperate measures. We have to protect the community. We continue to renew relationships with residence. We are on scene very fast. And we do get results. But when a bad shooting happens, we can't get the information in a timely manner and results come slow, said Roberts."

One of the main goals of the police, under this new neighborhood policing plan was to and is to make the officers and myself take ownership and more accountable to the community. Roberts who is from the Northend of Hartford has a vested interest in serving the residence. He like others doesn?t want to see his community crumble. Now he is in a position to make and create some positive results. "I believe this plan can work. Given a chance we will see results.

For the third time, State Troopers are patrolling with Hartford police. The State Troopers arrived today Wednesday (7/6/05) and will be an added force on the streets. So I asked Roberts, would the troopers help on other matters like traffic enforcement? He stated yes, that we would take full advantage of their assistance by curbing traffic violations and speed traps. Part of the lawlessness is that people are breaking traffic laws and getting away with it. Having the extra help, will able us to slow the traffic and curb parking violations, said Roberts."

Will these extra efforts cost us, sure. Will it make a difference, that is the goal. Patrols will include; officers on bike, foot, motorcycles and Trooper one if needed. But again the help of the residents will make for a better community. People can't expect to solve a crime that they may know about and not help the police with information.

When people no matter where they live take control and responsibility for what is theirs or where they live, they can expect better safety. Business owners can help police by not allowing people that are not doing business to move on and not hang around their storefronts. When you see a crime and do nothing about it, you are part of the problem. Inner city kids do not go to other surrounding towns and act up without some sort of punishment. That's the way it has to be in the hood. You cannot disrespect someone's street or property and not be in violation or trouble. When residence say no more of being a victim, things will change over night. Taxpayers own the streets, not the thugs. Demanding greater protection from the police is not an insult; it's our right.

"I and the department want the best service for the community we serve. We will do are part, but the results are going to come from the community, said Roberts." Trooper will be teamed up with Hartford officers as well as undercover operations. Going after and getting the guns off the streets is a combined effort of local, and state police as well as the Feds. Funding and creating jobs and more programs is part of the solution as well. And that is what Mayor Perez is calling for. "We can use the help of the State troopers now, but what we really need is funds to help the programs we have and the ones that can be created, said Perez."

Some in the community say that Hartford needs to do a better job at improving and maintenance city parks and recreation. Today the youth of Hartford can't fully enjoy the parks because they are in poor shape or non-attractive. When kids have nothing to do or no where to go. They fall victim to the ills of the thugs. The more positive images they can see, the more empowered they become.

Roberts says that he and his command staff are more accessible. "I'm here to serve. I make sure that I can be reached and that I follow up when contacted. We have a goal and I have the responsibility to make our streets safe. And we will make a difference, Roberts stated." He needs your help as well. "I can't succeed unless we all succeed. Working together, we will, said Roberts."