FIGHTING CRIME IN CONNECTICUTFFIGHTING CRIME IN ...thejusticejournal.com/JusticeJournal_2007_02.pdf · Amber Alert system, named after Amber Hagerman, a nine-year-old Texas girl who

FIGHTING CRIME IN CONNECTICUTFIGHTING CRIME IN CONNECTICUTFIGHTING CRIME IN CONNECTICUTFEBRUARY 2007 ISSUE 1, VOL. 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Local Company Fights Prescription Drug TheftsBy JOHN H. PALMER

Correspondent

The day ends like any other. Themanager of a pharmacy closes up shopfor the night and goes home to his fam-ily after a long day’s work. Little does heknow, however, that his business is aboutto become the target of a growing crimetrend in the United States.

On the roof of the pharmacy is a manin dark clothing who has been watchingthe pharmacy for some time – and prob-ably has been inside before, watchingthe daily goings-on of the pharmacy. Heknows what time the manager closes

shop – and he knows that thebuilding has no alarm.

When the pharmacistgoes home, the intruder goesto work. He cuts a hole in theroof of the building and low-ers himself in. He goesstraight to the pharmacy,where he finds his target: astash of prescription drugs.Bottles of such widely usedbrand-name drugs such asVytorin, OxyContin, Lipitor,and Viagra go into the bag he hasbrought with him. He is smart enoughto wear gloves so he will leave no finger-

prints behind.Back through the hole he

climbs, making sure toreplace the piece of the roofhe cut in the first place. Inthe morning, the only cluesthe pharmacist and thepolice find are maybe somepry marks, but by then thedrugs are across anotherstate line, ready to be soldillegally on the black market.

“It’s amazing how manyrobberies and burglaries of pharmaciesthere are across the country,” said JohnBurke, president of the Ohio-based

National Association of Drug DiversionInvestigators and the Commander of theWarren Clinton County Drug TaskForce, with 39 years in law enforcement.“Prescription drug (thefts) by everyone’sstandards is number two behind mari-juana.”

Prescription drug thefts from phar-macies have become more prevalent inurban areas such as Boston, and nowConnecticut. According to StamfordPolice Capt. Richard Conklin, therehave been about 15 robberies in the lasttwo or three years in Connecticut. Thesenumbers may not seem terribly high, but

(See Drug Theft on page 14)

CT's Attorney General fightsconsumer fraud as a toppriority.

Page 10

Law Enforcement Profile:How to handle emergency situationsin our schools.

Page 16

What If...?Check fraud is booming:Ways to prevent it fromhappening to you.

Page 2

Scam of the MonthShould Connecticut allowmore trials to bebroadcast?

Page 12-13

Versus:

By DAWN A. MICELICorrespondent

A single keystroke triggers a fanningout of civic force. Television viewers,radio listeners, highway travelers, tele-phone technicians, and even the state’slottery players are placed on high alert.With all eyes focused on an abduction,the predator is easier to trap. So saylaw enforcement officials who creditthe public as being the most powerful,single component involved in Con-necticut’s sentry-like Amber Alert sys-tem.

“That public awareness makes for akind of closing of the net,” said Wind-sor Police Chief Kevin Searles, co-chairman of the state’s Amber AlertCommittee. “If the public doesn’t lis-ten or take it seriously then it doesn’twork.” But with a highly technical,instantaneous domino effect, the state’sAmber Alert system does work when achild abduction is in progress. To date,Connecticut has activated its emer-gency warning broadcast system fivetimes to alert the public that a child’slife is in danger – and to date, fiveabductions have been thwarted.

“The intent here is to get the mes-

sage out as quickly and effectively aspossible through as many venues aspossible,” said State Police spokesmanLt. J. Paul Vance. Of course, the ubiq-

uitous airwaves make that missive areality.

Connecticut broadcasters firstlearned of a new emergency warning

concept taking hold in Texas at anational broadcasters’ meeting inWashington, DC, about five years ago.It required use of the FCC-mandatedEmergency Alert System (EAS), previ-ously limited to use by broadcast oper-ators in times of civil or weather emer-gencies, as a tool for helping protectchildren.

In January 2002, Connecticutbecame the fifth state to adopt theAmber Alert system, named afterAmber Hagerman, a nine-year-oldTexas girl who was kidnapped in 1996while riding her bicycle in her neigh-borhood and who was murdered. Allof the state’s television and radio sta-tions are now equipped to receive thedesignated Amber Alert code, activatedthrough the Department of PublicSafety (DPS) Message Center in Mid-dletown. A solitary swipe of a buttonmeans programming will be instanta-neously interrupted by a sequence ofpiercing beeps and trills, followed byeither a written message scrollingacross a television screen or a verbalcommunication transmitted via radio.

Amber Alert System Needs Public AwarenessSystem has thwarted five abductions so far

At the State Police Message Center in Middletown, public safety dispatcherDavid Hernandez Jr. records and broadcasts Amber Alert information as StatePolice trooper William Tate observes. (Photo by Dawn A. Miceli)

(See Amber Alert on page 8)

Every time you write a checkand hand it to a stranger, you runthe risk of falling victim to checkfraud. It is one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft,and this year, the experts predict,you or someone you know willfall victim to it. The reality is onestolen check, or even one notstolen, can create a lifetime offinancial headaches.

“I go out and work, earn my money,and the next thing I know some thief isspending it,” declares a frustratedTammy Pistone of Bristol. She had noidea thieves stole a box of her checksuntil it was too late. She assumes theywere stolen out of her mailbox butacknowledges she writes checks all thetime. “The bank called me and said I wasbouncing hundreds of dollars’ worth ofchecks. My response was, ‘What are youtalking about?’”

Pistone and most victims of checkfraud are left in a state of limbo, forevertrying to clear their good name. She saysshe had to prove her innocence while her

bank account was frozen for weeks. Fourmonths later, bogus checks were stilltrickling in, forcing her to go throughthe whole process all over again. “I feellike I’m on my own and no one wants tohelp.”

The reason the number of cases ofcheck fraud is exploding is that it is a rel-atively easy crime to commit. Once athief gets his hands on a stolen check, hehas all the information he needs to printup thousands more. A check usually hasthe person’s name, address, and bankrouting and account numbers on it for allthe world to see, or worse, photocopy.

Just about every office supply store

sells check-printing software. You do noteven need to ask for it, the software isright on the shelves. You can even buythe blank checks. That means that once athief has your check, there is nothing tostop him from printing bogus checks inyour name.

Check fraud is a form of identitytheft, and Connecticut now has lawsstiffening the penalties if convicted – it isa felony with penalties of up to $15,000in fines and/or 20 years in prison. Theproblem is thieves are rarely caught. InPistone’s case the forgers never passedany checks over $100.00. Make no mis-take, those thieves knew exactly whatthey were doing. Most businesses willnot pursue criminal charges if the loss isless than $100.00. That leaves the crimi-nals free to operate below law enforce-ment’s “radar.” A seasoned check forgeralso knows to spread his crimes out bypurchasing merchandise in severaltowns, cities, and even states it is a clas-sic trick to keep local law enforcementoff their trail. When it comes to smalldollar amounts, local police are oftenreluctant to take their investigationsbeyond city or town limits.

Police departments across Connecti-cut and the nation readily admit theresimply are not enough officers to investi-gate fully all identity theft crimes. Theexecutive director of the nonprofit Iden-tity Theft Resource Center, based in SanDiego, California, insists check forgersknow the chance of getting caught isslim. Linda Foley says, “Check forgery ison the rise because the thieves knowthere is little risk – there’s no need forguns anymore as printing checks is easi-er, less dangerous, and more profitablethan robbing a convenience store.”

Investigators still ask that victimsreport the crimes as soon as possible,because catching a check forger is reallya race against the clock. The thief canquickly assume someone’s identity, write

thousands of dollars in fraudu-lent checks, and then move on tothe next victim. Because checkforgers commit the crimes usingtheir victims’ names, there israrely much evidence left behindto track down the counterfeiters.

In Tammy Pistone’s case, thecheck forgers sailed across Con-necticut cashing her checks inplaces including Home Depot,

Toys ‘R’ Us, CVS, and Best Buy. Herbank vows to help straighten out themess, but Pistone now wishes she neverhad that box of checks delivered to herhouse. Identity theft experts recommendcustomers pick up their checks at theirbank.

So-called “mailbox surfing” is nowbecoming a popular way for thieves tosteal checks to counterfeit. Forgers willdrive from house to house, siftingthrough mailboxes, hoping to findchecks, credit card bills, pay stubs, oranything else that will give away thoseprivate numbers you call your own.

“As with any crime, check fraud isn’tgoing away soon,” says Betsy Broder ofthe Federal Trade Commission. Sheoversees the Commission’s identity theftprogram for victims. “The Commission’sprogram assists victims and works withthe private sector on ways to facilitatethe process for regaining victims’ goodnames. That will always remain a priori-ty; it has to.”

The process to clear the fraudulentactivity can be a draining, time-consum-ing battle. That means, now more thanever, people need to take precautionsbefore they become victims.

Here is how to protect yourself fromfalling victim to check fraud or checkforgery:

1. When ordering checks, have themdelivered to the bank and pick them upthere.

2. Try to use a debit card when possi-ble.

3. Try not to use checks at stores youare unfamiliar with.

4. Never print your social securitynumber on your checks.

5. Use your bank’s online system topay bills electronically.

6. Make your goal to minimize thenumber of checks you have circulating.

Questions or comments for [email protected]

By GRANT STINCHFIELDCorrespondentSCAM of the Month:

One check can cost you your identity

An “Easy Crime” is Waiting to Happen to YouIdentity Theft – By the Numbers

Identify theft continues to grow each year. In 2005, ninemillion Americans were hit with losses totaling $56.6

billion. Only 1 in 700 cases are prosecuted.(Source: Associated Press)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON IDENTIFY THEFT, CONTACT:

Office of the Victim Advocate - www.ova.state.ct.us1-888-771-3126 or 1-860-550-6632

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FFEEBBRRUUAARRYY 22000077 TTHHEE JJUUSSTTIICCEE JJOOUURRNNAALL PPAAGGEE 33

By CINDY SIMONEAUCorrespondent

Stopping underage drinking is a jobthat takes more than police, school offi-cials, advocacy groups, and parents. Asthe town of Wilton learned over the pastfew years, it takes a community.

At least that was the approach of aspecial task force formed to tackle theproblem. The group of adults, includingpolice, town leaders, and clergy, as well asseveral students, set out to do more thanjust study the implications of the nation-al issue in this quiet, suburban communi-ty which doesn’t have a retail outlet thatsells alcohol, but also to pass a townwideordinance supporting its determinationof deterrence with action. Wilton isamong 49 of Connecticut’s 169 munici-palities which have adopted similar ordi-nances.

And, perhaps as an indication of thereal need for such a local law, it took only13 days after official town passage of theUnderage Drinking Ordinance by theBoard of Selectmen on June 5, 2006, forthe first citation to be issued to a 20-year-old hosting a party. By the end ofthe summer there were more citations,including two 17-year-olds having aparty when adults were away.

It is not these first enforcementactions on which members of the taskforce measure its success, but the height-ened awareness of the parents and theirunderage children.

“It’s not just about enforcement,” saidWilton Police Capt. Michael Lombardo,a member of the Task Force to CombatUnderage Drinking. “It’s much moreabout the education.”

“We really wanted people, especiallyyoung people, to be informed about whatyou could do and not do in terms ofdrinking and having parties that servealcohol. We wanted them to know aboutdependency, including the signs and howit starts,” said Colleen Fawcett, coordi-nator of youth services for the ComstockCommunity Center in Wilton.

“We adopted the ‘It takes a village’mentality, helping parents help eachother to stay vigilant about what they seeand hear, and to talk to one anotherabout it,” explained Jory Higgins, deanof students at Middlebrook MiddleSchool and a task force member.

While some communities, includingnearby Westport, have faced stiff opposi-tion and resistance to passing an under-age drinking law, Wilton’s plan was metwith little real opposition. Fawcett said aRedding official, recounting that town’sdifficulties gaining public support,warned they had not launched enougheducational efforts early enough to gar-ner the community partnership needed.

“The difference in results I believe can

be traced to strong preparatory workover two years, designed to address theissue of underage drinking and its conse-quences from many different perspec-tives,” said task force member SteveHudspeth.

Wilton’s ordinance covers possessionand hosting of events, and provides forlimited exceptions including religiousservices and those allowed by state law topossess alcohol as part of their employ-ment. For possession the ordinancestates: “No person under the age of 21shall be in possession of any container ofalcoholic liquor, whether open orunopened, within the town except whenaccompanied by or in the presence of hisor her parent, guardian, or spouse whohas attained the age of 21.” The prohibi-tion applies to events on public or privateproperty.

On hosting events, the language isequally as direct: “No person shall hostan event which allows the consumptionor dispensing of alcoholic liquor to or bya minor.” The exception is if the minor isaccompanied by a parent or guardian orspouse of age 21. The fine for violatingthe local law is $90.

Following the original mission state-ment of the group, the task force wasformed following the initiative of thepolice department and moved forwardwith accomplishing its objectivesthrough education, providing healthyalternatives, and enforcement of all lawson underage alcohol use. “Through acommunity-wide effort, the goal of thetask force can be reached by reducing theaccessibility of alcohol to minors andeducating youth, families, and the com-munity about the dangers associatedwith underage drinking,” according tothe mission statement.

Two years later, task force membersfeel they are well on the way to accom-plishing their charge. The ongoing edu-cation campaign includes large publicforums, surveys of students about alcohol

use and accessibility, publicizing factsabout alcohol dependency on flyers, andwriting opinion columns and letters tothe editor in local newspapers.

“We spoke to any groups that wecould, PTAs, Kiwanis and Rotary clubs,and community groups and agenciesabout the plans and what each could doon a day-to-day basis to help,” said Lom-bardo.

“These programs addressed the phys-iological consequences of underagedrinking on the cerebral cortex of thedeveloping brain in the critical yearsfrom 11 to 20. A noted psychologistspoke to that subject, as did one of ourtown EMTs, and also a parent who is atown resident and who lost two childrento the effects of underage substanceabuse. These presentations were widelycovered in our local press and helped toreally knock the legs out from under theobjection to adoption of an ordinancethat underage drinking is merely harm-less mischief or a ‘rite of passage,’” saidHudspeth.

“With the strong approval andencouragement of our First Selectman,Bill Brennan, the task force embarkedupon a campaign of publicity designed toreach a broad cross-section of our town’spopulation before the ordinance evercame up for public hearings to explainthose very serious physiological issues forthe developing brain and the need for ameasured series of responses. We alsowanted to assure citizens that the pro-posed ordinance would not intrude uponparent-supervised conduct of their own

Three members of the Wilton Task Force to Combat Underage Drinking (leftto right): Colleen Fawcett, youth services coordinator for Comstock CommunityCenter; Police Capt. Michael Lombardo; and Jory Higgins, dean of students atMiddlebrook Middle School. (Photo by Cindy Simoneau)

(Continued on page 15)

Community Task Force UnitesLaw Enforcement With Education Efforts

By PAMELA FALCIGNOCorrespondent

“Learning without fear should be abasic democratic tenet,” states a reportfrom the Connecticut Governor’s TaskForce on Bullying. The report high-lights alarming statistics on aggressionin this country and claims “the preva-lence of bullying and the seriousness ofits outcomes are significantly underes-timated by many children and adults.”The report also notes “society has astake in changing the behavior of bul-lies before they become adults.”

“We are only beginning to under-stand the potential long-term impactof these kinds of behaviors if leftunchecked,” says clinical social workerEd Moran from Family Centers, anonprofit family service organizationwith facilities in Greenwich, Darien,and Stamford. “If someone is left tobeing a bully it can develop into amuch more serious problem as anadult.”

Some see child bullying as a “rite ofpassage.” Others claim that bullieshave “always been around.”

That kind of thinking “minimizes”the problem, according to Moran.

Connecticut passed an anti-bullyinglaw in 2003, requiring Boards of Edu-cation to develop a policy to addressthe existence of bullying in its schools.

The law defines bullying as any “overtacts by a student or a group of studentsdirected against another student withthe intent to ridicule, humiliate,or intimidate the other stu-dent while on schoolgrounds or at aschool-sponsoredactivity which actsare repeatedagainst the samestudent overtime.”

S t a m f o r dSuperintendentof Schools Dr.Joshua Starr saysthe schools takebullying “very seri-ously… It is notacceptable to us that wewould not address bullying.We don’t accept the idea that boyswill be boys. Our expectation of ourschools is that they deal with… the waythat kids interact with each other andthat they try to promote a positiveenvironment…We have been workingvery hard with our schools to developprograms for social and emotionallearning,” says Starr. He added, “Weare working with our adults so that wecan help them to encourage and relatein a positive way with kids and modelgood behaviors.”

The Executive Director for YouthDevelopment of the Stamford schoolsystem, Joseph O’Callaghan, says they

have been working to helpimprove the way children

relate to each other.“We try to create a

school climate andculture that is apositive learningplace,” saysO’Callaghan,“where kidsand adults feelsafe, welcome,and encour-

aged. Lookingat the social and

emotional learningaspects and how we

incorporate that intoour classrooms and schools

is the key to how we address thoseissues.”

O’Callaghan explains that eachschool is required to keep a log of bul-lying incidents. When there is a spe-cific problem with a child being bulliedby another, he says guidance coun-selors, social workers, and psychologistsintervene to help the teachers and workwith children.

O’Callaghan says they find the ratioof girl-to-boy bullies to be even. How-ever, boys tend to be more “physical”and girls tend to be more “verbal,” suchas placing conditions on friendshipsand spreading rumors.

Verbal aggression has even movedinto the realm of electronics, with cellphones and the Internet being used bychildren to target others under whathas been termed “cyber-bullying.”These “outside of view” tactics canmake bullying “hard to detect” andtherefore “harder to report,” saysMoran. “Parents play an extremelyimportant role, they have power -- theyhave the ability to help their kids man-age (bullying) in an effective way oneither side, whether their child is the

bully or the victim.”Moran says this is an opportunity for

parents to open dialogue with theirkids, though the child might not reportthe incident out of fear of retribution orbeing labeled a “snitch.” He says, “Thebully is looking for control --someonehe can overpower, through physical vio-lence or demands.” Moran works withparents to help their children problem-solve so they can “disarm” the bully,noting, “If the bully is not getting thereaction he wants, he will move on.”

Moran also teaches other childrenwho might be “innocent bystanders”how to provide support and encouragesthem to report any problem they maysee.

Educator, social worker, and con-sultant Catherine Hogan, a programcoordinator for Woodhouse Academy,a private school in Milford, has servedon the Governor’s Task Force on Bully-ing. She says bullying crosses all cultur-al and socioeconomic situations and isa very serious problem across both pri-vate and public sectors in education.“Bullying starts at a very, very earlyage,” says Hogan, who has consultedwith students as young as the thirdgrade.

Hogan said she feels that educatorsplay a key role in dealing with theissues of bullying. In addition, she isinvolved with child advocacy groups toenact more legislative changes to pro-tect the rights of the victim and inter-vene for the safety of the child.

Hogan says bullying has become a“peer pressure problem,” and childrenacknowledge that they are surroundedby media that make it seem like bully-ing is the “thing to do.” She also saysshe feels many children are bulliesbecause they do not want to be the vic-tim. “Most parents want to know iftheir child is a bully in order to takecorrective measures so their child is nota threat.”

Comments or questions? Contact:[email protected]


Parents and Educators Play Key Roles to Reduce Bullying in Schools

By age 24, bullies identified afterthe age of seven are six times morelikely than non-bullies to be convict-ed of a crime.

By age 30, they are four times morelikely to have accrued three criminalconvictions.

In the United States, 20-25 percentof schoolchildren are directlyinvolved in bully-target problems.

Targets are far more likely to bringa weapon to school than childrenwho are not targets. Twenty-ninepercent nationally have broughtweapons to school. (Source: The Gov-ernor’s Prevention Partnership BullyTask Force Report for 2002)

Fourteen percent of U.S. school-children reported being the victimsof bullying within the last sixmonths. Of those students whoreported lower grades, victims of bul-lying were more likely to reportreceiving D’s and F’s than their non-bullied counterparts. (Source: U.S.Department of Education)

In Connecticut, bullying has beenincreasingly linked to youth suicides,according to the Child Advocate.(Source: Connecticut General AssemblyCommission on Children 2006)

(Questions or comments for Pamela?Contact: [email protected])

What Research Tells Us About Bullying:


HOPELINE helps

Family Members Dealing With SIDSAlso Face a Police Investigation

By TEALE CALIENDOCorrespondent

Finally…Friday. And three-month-old Christian was asleep in his room inthe Fairfield home his parents, Kim andBrian Meehan, had lovingly renovated. Itwas a joyous time…all the plans weremade…Christian’s three-year-old sisterArianna was excited…the sponsors werechosen…the baptism was just 48 hoursaway…everything was so normal andsafe. Christian even slept with a babymonitor to alert his parents if he cried.Ironically, it was the silence that alarmedthem. Why wasn’t he crying for his reg-ular feeding? Kim and Brian rushed intothe baby’s room and found Christianblue and nonresponsive.

It took Fairfield police only minutesto respond to Kim’s frantic 911 call. Anofficer scooped up the baby and trans-ported him in the back of a fire truck toa local hospital. The parents followed intheir own car, running every light, know-ing -- in Brian’s words -- that “our life(was) changing. I felt a deep pain in myheart. I felt Christian had left us.”

By the time Christian’s grandparentsAttorney Richard Meehan and his wifeKathy reached the hospital, it was clearthe baby had died. “Brian was numb,and Kim was wailing. She thought shehad done something. She was uncontrol-lable,” Attorney Meehan recalled.

Meanwhile police officers were seal-ing off the Meehan home with yellowpolice tape. After all, it was a possiblecrime scene. “The last thought thatoccurred to me, despite 30 years of crim-inal defense, was that my son’s homecould be considered a potential crimescene. I have defended a number ofinfant homicide cases, battered andshaken babies, victims of the most sense-less violence, but a ‘crime scene’ in myson’s home? It was unfathomable,”Attorney Meehan noted.

In addition to dealing with a tragicdeath that defies the natural order, fami-lies find that Sudden Infant Death Syn-drome (SIDS) is a law enforcementissue, because of the possibility of foulplay. And even though Attorney Meehanunderstood this, he still was unsettled.From the hospital, he called then-Fair-field Police Chief Joseph Sambrook andasked why his grieving family had toendure a criminal investigation at thissensitive time.

“He (Sambrook) patiently explainedthat there is a protocol,” Meehan said.“His patrolmen and investigators con-ducted themselves in a professional anddignified manner. Knowing that they

had to exclude the possibility that theparents had negligently or intentionallyharmed Christian, we accepted the ques-tioning and the work they had to per-form.”

Fairfield Police Lt. Michael Walshcalled the role police play in a SIDSdeath “very difficult.” The priority is get-ting the child to the hospital. But afterthat it is important to preserve the scene.He said the situation is a powder kegbecause emotions are so raw and the actof removing potential evidence andestablishing a possible crime sceneimplies to parents that they contributedto the child’s death.

“A police officer’s competency isshown in their ability to maintain bal-ance when conducting what could be acriminal investigation and feeling empa-thy for the grieving parents,” Lt. Walshnoted. “Police training rests with theknowledge that SIDS deaths do occur,and the officers respond with compas-sion and empathy.”

While Attorney Meehan has onlythe highest praise for the way Fairfieldpolice handled the investigation of hisgrandson’s death, he knows that is notalways the case. He said there are “hor-ror” stories of the way insensitiveauthorities can traumatize alreadygrieving parents -- the worst being aninstance where one young mother wasremoved from the home in handcuffsas her baby was being rushed to thehospital.

As the Meehan family was leaving thehospital that day, they left with no sup-port system, no grief counseling, nothingto follow up on the tragedy. Fortunatelyfor Kim and Brian, who belong to St.Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fairfield, theReverend Mary Ann Osborne providedcomfort and counseling as soon as shelearned what had happened. But, Attor-ney Meehan thought, what about fami-lies without that support?

“I started to realize maybe somethingpositive could come out of all of this,” hesaid. That was the beginning of theChristian Meehan Hope Foundation for

SIDS. (www.chfsids.org), an organiza-tion aimed at increasing awareness,research, and support services for SIDSfamilies. The three-year-old foundation,which has raised more than a quarter ofa million dollars, recently establishedHOPELINE in partnership with anoth-er agency that deals with the death of achild, Help for Families Impacted byChild Sudden Death (FSW).

HOPELINE (1-888-616-HOPE) isa 24-hour toll-free number that helpsFairfield County families that have lost a

child to SIDS. HOPELINE connectsSIDS families with a network of supportproviders, including bereavementgroups, medical and mental health pro-fessionals, clergy, and the FSW staff.HOPELINE also provides local hospi-tals, funeral directors, and police depart-ments with information for families inneed. In addition, HOPELINE hasestablished a liaison with the MedicalExaminer’s office to help families getanswers to the many questions thatlinger following such a death. SIDS fam-ilies are provided with a box containinginformation about the HOPELINE, amessage from Kim and Brian, a book bya SIDS parent, a candle -- the symbol ofHope from the Christian Meehan Foun-dation for SIDS -- and, if needed, theservices of Attorney Meehan’s law firm,at no cost.

Family friend Kate Gredinger ofTrumbull understood the need for sup-port services such as the HOPELINE,and that’s why she chose to volunteer.


• STATES THAT ENFORCE nighttime driving restrictions on teen drivers show a60% reduction in crashes. 40% of fatalcrashes take place at night.

• LARGE-SCALE SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTprograms can reduce alcohol-relatedcrashes by 20%. 11 States still do not havethese laws.

• IN 2004, 62% OF YOUNG DRIVERSkilled in car crashes were unrestrained.

• THE U.S. RANKS THE LOWEST in thedeveloped world for seat belt usage. 55%of passenger vehicle occupants killed in2005 were not wearing seat belts.

AAA CT MOTOR CLUB FACTOIDS:CT AAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Dialogue helps choicesThank you for the publication, The Justice

Journal. I especially enjoyed the pro and conarticle on the "Limits on the National SecurityAgency". It is important for us to consider allaspects of security and to understand the priceof security, whether it is monetary or in the lossof intangible "freedom" there is always a priceto pay. Conscious consideration and open dia-logue helps everyone come to terms with theirchoices.

Libbie KerrDanbury, CT

Academy is eye-openerI have just read your article "It All Adds Up"

in the "Preview Issue" of The Justice Journal. Iwish you the best of luck!

You mentioned some of the local policedepartments had a "Citizens Police Academy".

I have attended this event at the GreenwichPolice Department in 2004. They still carry onwith the cause every year.

It really opens your eyes and mind to thededication a person has to protect and serve asa law enforcement officer.

Lou PaganoGreenwich, CT

Long time comingI have just read your publication. I must say

this type of paper was a long time coming. Ihave been in security/law enforcement field forover 25 years. This is fantastic. I do have aquestion…Would it be possible to have theJournal delivered to my home or office. I amsure there are plenty of security professionalswho would benefit from your publication.

Richard B CohenStamford, CT

Success in WiltonThank you for raising public awareness of

the effects of underage drinking throughsuch an informative and well-written article.Here in Wilton we had the opposite experi-ence from Westport's: Our town's underagedrinking ordinance went through withalmost no opposition this past spring thanksto a major community educational programthat included speakers like Wilton's ownDavid Pease and Gene Feher. They careful-ly explained before large audiences the phys-iological consequences on the developingbrain of alcohol consumption that over-whelmingly refuted "harmless-rite-of-pas-sage" thinking. Presentations were also madeby Wilton's Underage Drinking Task Forcebefore many town audiences, including serv-ice clubs and PTAs. And, especially, the pos-itive result in Wilton happened because ofthe outstanding leadership of the Task Forceby town Youth Services Director ColleenFawcett and her co-Chair, student R.J.Chambers.

Steve HudspethWilton, CT

Praise of Westport ChiefI picked up the October issue of your

paper that was available at the Clinton PoliceDepartment during a recent stop there. I wasparticularly interested in the article that youwrote and would like to extend my congratu-lations to the Westport Police Chief, AlFiore, for attempting to implement an ordi-nance to crackdown on drinking by thoseunder the age of 21- albeit unfortunately, tono avail. I found it almost laughable (if itdidn't have such dire consequences) that par-ents were concerned that their homes would

be invaded and college applications would bejeopardized if a $99 infraction were imposedon offending juveniles. What's sad is thatthey voted down a very important steptowards weeding out one of the most insidi-ous hidden ills in our society - that of house-hold alcohol consumption. Parent-approvedalcohol consumption should be groundsalone for the parent to receive counseling, inmy opinion.

Bottom line- there's nothing "adult"about taking that first drink as a rite-of-pas-sage. If so called "adults" were better rolemodels, their children would deem rite-of -passage to adulthood to be something farmore significant and beneficial to themselvesand society.

Doesn't say much for those of us in,"Adulthood"…does it?

Please pass along my "congratulations" toChief Fiore for at least trying. To the parentsof Westport that thwarted positivechange…you get a "thumbs down" from thisresident of Clinton, CT.

Jeff MorseClinton, CT

Lighting a lampI applaud your efforts.The problem or issue at hand was clearly

identified in your letter, Apathy; it is a sick-ness that often grips our society until someterrible turn of events awakens us from ourgiant slumber. Time and time again we arevictims of our own sense of invulnerability.

The public does not lack empathy, wequietly mourn those we read about who havesuffered, it is always someone else whosename is on the front page or whose life istragically captured for a moment on the 11o'clock news. The irony is that all of us aresomeone's someone else.

Until attitudes change and the public hasa better understanding that we the public are

on the front lines and that it is up to the eyesand ears of society, we are destined to sufferfools as we fall into our usual role of a reac-tionary society.

Only when we live a pro-active life andwe think about more than what task liesdirectly ahead of us we will be able to securethe homeland.

We cannot even fathom the danger that isout there, we can not accept the possibilities.The reality is just too much for most peopleto consider.

So I stand up and give thanks to you asyou light a lamp, one if by land and two if bysea, certainly a tradition that we New Eng-landers can understand, I think we need athird lamp or maybe a fourth as for the mostpart, we live in the dark.

Seth BlockFairfield, CT


Editorial Policy:

By ATTORNEY RICHARD BIEDER

Nearly each day we read a newspaperheadline about a teenage driver who ismaimed or killed – or who has caused themaiming or death of others in a car accident.

These accidents may involve the followingfactors: driving under the influence; alcoholserved at a party in the home of absent par-ents (or parents who are present); late nightpartying; losing control of a vehicle andcrashing or flipping over; and speeding.

These news accounts often continue asfriends mourn the loss of “the funniestfriend,” “the most wonderful kid,” “the life ofthe party,” “the one who lit up the room,” or“the guy I’ll never forget.”

The police want it to stop. They are theones who pick up the pieces — scraping theblood, skin, and clothing off the roads. Thosewho speak out say these crashes are amongthe saddest cases to see and to investigate –kids who lose their lives well before reachingtheir primes and fulfilling their potentials.

Police would rather not see these cases atall — and they wouldn’t need to if parentstook more interest in what their childrenwere doing and knew where they were at alltimes.

Teens are still children until they reachthe age of 21. That decision was made by leg-islators because those under 21 cannot fullyappreciate the effect alcohol has on theirsenses and their reaction time.

Sure, there are possible prison penalties

for teenagers who drink and drive and forthose who maim or kill others, and courtsnowadays do not hesitate to impose suchpenalties. But such laws and the impositionof such penalties, while having some impact,do not seem to have significantly decreasedthe numbers of automobile accidents.

So, what will work? First, change the teenager’s perception of

alcohol as being cool. Impossible, you say?Nuts to you, I say! Remember how uncool itonce was to wear a seat belt? Is there anyonewho hasn’t recently been reminded by abrother, sister, son, daughter, granddaughter,or grandson under the age of 10 to “put onyour seat belt”? Not on your life. Why?Because there has been a huge effort in ele-mentary schools to pound the idea into chil-dren’s brains. And it worked. So there’s noreason why it shouldn’t work on the issue ofdrinking, too. The road to a difficult taskbegins with a single step. MADD has madesignificant inroads, but much more must bedone.

Second, change the viewpoint of parentsand guardians about their own responsibilitytoward teenagers.

How do you do this?Sermons at church, temple, mosque, and

synagogue are of great help. Communityleaders who set a good example wouldn’t be

such a bad idea either. Finally, it would bewonderful if advertisers marketing alcoholshowed more discretion in their commercials,and weaned off their “let’s make consump-tion of our product sexy and cool” ethic.

But these are only helpful carrots. Potentsticks are also critically needed. Connecticutand other states have made a good start butmust go farther still.

It is a violation of Connecticut law for anyperson to give or sell an alcoholic beverage toa minor. However, an adult parent, guardian,or spouse of a minor may offer an alcoholicbeverage so long as the minor possesses thebeverage while accompanied by the adult.Such adults violate the law if alcoholic bever-ages are given to a minor friend or relative oftheir child, ward, or spouse.

In 1986, the Connecticut Supreme Courtreversed a 200-year-old law which allowedadults to escape civil liability when providingalcoholic beverages to a minor. This wasbecause sole responsibility was placed uponthe minor who consumed the alcohol. Thehigh court’s decision was based on a casetitled Ely v. Murphy, citing that becauseteens are legally incapable of discerning theeffects of alcohol, one who provides themwith alcohol could be found liable to paymoney damages to those injured by the con-duct of an intoxicated youth. You can imag-

ine the persuasive ability of such a hugemoney judgment stick; or the stick of losingone’s home in a lawsuit, for example.

Now imagine the additional sticks thatthe courts, legislators, and/or communityleaders could begin to urge, such as theimposition of liability on the part of “awayfrom home” or “at home” parents who don’tengage a responsible someone to watch overthe conduct of their teenagers (remember thenot infrequent repeats of scenes from the film“Risky Business”?).

Courts in other jurisdictions have in thepast imposed such liability – and maybeConnecticut courts will do the same if thelegislature does not.

The question is: do legislators only wantto wring their hands, or do they really wantto come to grips with this growing plaguethat consumes some of our state’s nascentleaders?

Richard Bieder, a partner in Koskoff, Koskoff& Bieder of Bridgeport, is known throughoutthe country for his handling of individual andclass action cases resulting from mass disasters,consumer rights, personal injuries, unfair tradepractices, and commercial fraud and misrepre-sentation.

Bieder is listed in The Best Lawyers inAmerica and is a Certified Civil Trial Advocate.He is a member of the National Board of TrialAdvocacy and served as its president. A pastpresident of the Connecticut Trial LawyersAssociation, Bieder has served as a guest com-mentator on Court TV.

Carrots, Sticks, and the Liabilities of Teen Drinking

Letters to the Editor

Commentary

The Justice Journal encouragesoriginal letters to the editor pertaining tosubjects and issues raised by the writers.

We reserve the right to publish or editletters for taste, length, and clarity. Makesure to include your full name, addressand a daytime telephone number so thatwe can verify who you are. All lettersthrough the mail must be typed andshould not exceed 250 words in length.Anonymous letters will not be published.

Please send your letters to:The Justice Journal Editor 21 Charles Street, Suite 114Westport, CT 06880Or email:[email protected]

Welcome to the February edition of The Justice Journal.Many of you may have seen our preview edition in October when

we created a prototype to introduce our concept and obtain feedback.The response was overwhelming and we received a great many con-structive comments. Those comments proved to us there is both aneed and strong appetite for this publication. The fundamental con-cept of improving public safety through education and civic cooperation with lawenforcement was strongly endorsed by you.

We have received many letters from the public and I am grateful for your feedback.Your support shows me that citizens are ready to stand up and take an active role inkeeping their communities and our state safe.

One such letter was received from Steve Hudspeth of Wilton. It was in response toour October story on underage drinking and the public act concerning the serving ofalcohol to minors, which set off a firestorm debate in a number of our towns. Stevewrites about how Wilton had a more positive experience, thanks to major communityparticipation.

That is one of the best examples of what The Justice Journal is trying to promote andfor that I would like to applaud the town of Wilton (See story on page 3). Whether it'sin coming together to pass an ordinance, setting up neighborhood watches or simplycommunicating with one another about the issues in our communities, our central mis-sion is clear: Break through the apathy and get involved!

Another recent example, although extreme, occurred at a Stamford Wachovia Bankbranch where an employee put himself on the line by chasing down a suspected bankrobber. You can read all about it on page 19.

We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy this issue of The Justice Journal. Ourobjective is to inspire you to look for new ways to get involved in your community.

Sincerely,

Doug Johnston

“A Good Read”Striving to be a publication that’s “a good read,” The Justice Journal

has assembled a staff of Connecticut reporters who know how to tellour stories. Their mini-bios are elsewhere on this page. Our goal is tobe “a good read” – every story, every edition. Please let us know whatwe can do to make this newspaper an even better “read” for you andyour community.

We were very pleased with the response to our preview edition, both from the public andfrom the law enforcement community. As our publisher, Doug Johnston, often says, “Thetrain has left the station” – meaning we are moving full steam ahead with our mission “toimprove the safety of our community.” This is our way of proving the proverbial pen is might-ier than the sword.

The Norwalk Police Department website has an innovative link for “commending excep-tional performance” by any employee of the department. You are asked to describe what youthink was exceptional. If you do not know the person’s name, providing the date, time, andlocation of the action will help identify him or her. The website page(www.norwalkpd.com/faq.htm) notes: “Although our employees don’t expect to be thankedfor everything they do, recognition of exceptional service is always appreciated. This kind offeedback helps us to know if we’re doing a good job.”

State Police spokesman Paul Vance, who was the subject of our first “Law EnforcementPROfile” in our preview issue, was promoted to Lieutenant from Master Sergeant, sometimeafter The Justice Journal went to press. It is a promotion well-deserved, and many in the mediawould agree, overdue!

U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Kevin O’Connor has been given additional duties as anAssociate Deputy Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice. He will head a spe-cial team targeting violent crime and developing initiatives to crack down on gangs and ille-gal guns.

Planning ahead…did you know the reigning Miss Connecticut (in the Miss AmericaOrganization), Heidi Voight, is a crimefighter? Find out how…and why…in the next editionof The Justice Journal!

Sincerely,Kenn Venit, Managing Editor

The Justice Journal will consider story ideas or the submission of manuscripts fromqualified writers. Contact the editor for requirements.

The Justice Journal Editor 21 Charles Street, Suite 114Westport, CT 06880 Or email: [email protected]


Letter from the Publisher:

Notes from the Editor’s desk:

Submit Articles:

Meet The Writers:

Advisory Board:

DOUG JOHNSTON PublisherTED HOLCOMB General Manager

KENN VENIT Managing Editor

CorrespondentsTeale Caliendo

Pamela FalcignoDawn MiceliJohn Palmer

David ScalesGrant Stinchfield

Cindy Simoneau Chandra Niles Folsom

Contributing AnalystsDeputy Chief Jose L. Lopez Sr.

Capt. Gary MacNamaraRichard T. Meehan, Jr.

Jonathan Benedict

DistributionRichard Gabriele -

Direct Marketing Distribution

Art/Production DesignMario J. Recupido

Aaron Graham, Vice President Purdue PharmaPamela Hayes, Executive Director of

Connecticut Police Chiefs Association

Chief Robin Montgomery, Chief of Brookfield P.D.John Peterson, The Peterson Group

Lt. J. Paul Vance, Connecticut State Police

Office ManagerRobin Kozakiewicz

ProofreaderMartha C. Stewart

InternAlexandra Werley

Editorial & Corporate Headquarters APB Media LLC

Doug Johnston, CEO Ted Holcomb, COO

21 Charles Street, Suite 114Westport, CT 06880

Telephone: (203) 454-5910 • FAX (203) 227-0092

Email: [email protected]@thejusticejournal.com

[email protected]: www.thejusticejournal.com

The Justice Journal is published monthly.Entire contents Copyright © 2007

FIGHTING CRIME IN CONNECTICUTFIGHTING CRIME IN CONNECTICUTFIGHTING CRIME IN CONNECTICUT

GRANT STINCHFIELD is an investigative reporter for an NBC-owned TVstation and has been a contributor to MSNBC. Among his special areas of report-ing are consumer fraud (especially identity theft) and unsolved murders. He haswon four Emmy awards and has had 16 nominations. Other honors include Moth-ers Against Drunk Driving Journalist of the Year, Associated Press Investigative

Reporting Award, Connecticut Safe Kids Achievement Award, and the International Asso-ciation of Firefighters Achievement Award.

TEALE CALIENDO was an educator who changed careers to become a reporter.She has been in Connecticut journalism for more than two decades. After a dis-tinguished career in radio news in Connecticut, she joined WFSB-TV Channel 3and became Shoreline Bureau Chief. After years as a corporate communicationsexecutive, Teale founded a communications consultation company, which she con-

tinues to head, while also continuing writing as a free-lance reporter. Teale is a licensed jus-tice of the peace, and among other responsibilities, enjoys performing marriage ceremonies.

DAWN A. MICELI has worked for various newspapers and other publicationsthroughout Connecticut for a decade and a half. She served as managing editor ofan award-winning newspaper, responsible for the layout and editorial content ofthe 65-page weekly publication, and now is on the staff of an alumni magazine fora Connecticut school. Dawn is an adjunct assistant professor of journalism at

Quinnipiac University, teaching courses focusing on writing and reporting. Dawn alsoappears live on WTIC-TV FOX61 hosting Connecticut Lottery Corporation's mid-daydrawings.

PAMELA FALCIGNO is a freelance journalist who specializes in stories aboutlaw enforcement. Among her assignments has been covering the National Associ-ation of Fugitive Investigators Conference in New Orleans, where she interviewedpeople associated with producing the FOX TV program, America's Most Wanted.Pamela is involved with public affairs programming on two local public access tel-

evision channels, one on a Charter Cable system, the other on a Comcast Cable system. Sheearned her bachelor's degree at Albertus Magnus College, majoring in communications/political science.

DAVID SCALES is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in a variety ofnewspapers and magazines across Connecticut. He earned his master's degree injournalism as well as his bachelor's degree in mass communications at QuinnipiacUniversity. He is a contributor to the book, Helping Your Children Cope with YourCancer: A Guide for Parents and Families. David's hobbies include writing fiction

and SCUBA diving.JOHN PALMER, a Norwalk native, has written for several Connecticut dailynewspapers, including the Norwalk Hour, the Advocate of Stamford, and the Con-necticut Post. He was a public safety officer at Sacred Heart University and is anAmerican Red Cross CPR and First Aid Instructor. John is completing a programfor certification as an emergency medical technician. He has a bachelor's degree in

journalism from Southern Connecticut State University and is working toward his master'sdegree in education at Sacred Heart University.

CHANDRA NILES FOLSOM is a freelance journalist who writes for newspa-pers and magazines nationwide. She co-authored Womens Glasnost, with TatyanaMamonova, in 1994 and served as an editor on The Terrorist Conjunction, by Dr.Alfred Gerteiny, soon to be published by Praeger Security International. Herscreenplay American Jihad is currently in post production.CINDY SIMONEAU is a freelance writer, consulting editor and adjunct profes-sor of journalism and English at four area universities. She is a past president ofthe Connecticut Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, currentlyserving as treasurer.

“Once we get the information faxedto us (from area police departments),then the Amber Alert is sent out with-in 15 minutes,” said State Police Capt.Phil Halibozek, commanding officer ofthe Bureau of Infrastructure and Com-munications. “It’s critical that we getthe information out there as soon aspossible.”

Obviously, time is an important fac-tor in any abduction and one that, priorto the institution of the Amber Alertsystem in Connecticut, was workingagainst recovery of the state’s abductedchildren, according to Mike Rice, pres-ident of the Connecticut Broadcaster’sAssociation. “It used to take hours andparts of the day to gather information.Police were wasting valuable hours andgetting hung up with details like childdescription while the perpetrator wasgetting away with the child.”

Rice says car color and maybe somelicense plate information are now all ittakes to issue that initial alert. “All weneed to know is there is trouble thatmay be involved, and we know thedescription of the car… Then naturetakes its course.”

Sometimes the results of that courseseem anything but natural. Rice saidoften the perpetrator learns eitherdirectly or indirectly of the AmberAlert. “The majority of them hear about

the Amber Alert themselves,” said Rice.“In one case, a relative of the personwho abducted the child called the per-petrator on a cell phone and alertedthem after having seen it on TV.”

The state’s most recent Amber Alertin August 2006 ended successfully afterthe abductor, a Montville man, noticedhis identifying information flashing on aDepartment ofTransportation(DOT) messageboard. “He didsee the sign andmade the call,and we were ableto apprehendhim on the high-way withoutincident,” saidCapt. Hali-bozek.

Along withthe state’s broad-casters and law enforcement communi-ty, the DOT was one of the originalpartners involved with the Amber Alertsystem. That core group has since beeninfused with two additional team mem-bers – the Connecticut Lottery Corpo-ration and AT&T.

With 1,000 employees geographical-ly dispersed throughout the state on anygiven day, AT&T Connecticutspokesperson, Seth Bloom, said it just

made sense to include the company’sfield technicians in the initial activationplan. Workers receive a coded text mes-sage that an alert has been issued andthen know to check their e-mail onwireless laptops to learn the details ofthe abduction in progress. “They goabout their day, but they keep their eyespeeled…They’ve been instructed on thecode and to call 911 if they have any tipsfor police.”

A fax also goes out to the Connecti-cut LotteryCorporation,which thenspreads themessage tothe publicthrough itslottery termi-nals installedin retail out-lets through-out the state.“This entiresystem is vol-untary –

there isn’t one piece of legislation thatrequires the actors to do what they do,”said Chief Searles.

As a public safety dispatcher in thecommand post at the DPS message cen-ter, David Hernandez Jr. handles a vari-ety of police communications, bothfrom municipal departments and indi-vidual state police barracks. With theestablishment of the Amber Alert sys-tem, Hernandez has also taken on a newrole – he has been the voice behind twoof the five alerts the state has issued.

Once notified of an abduction, Her-nandez’ routine goes something likethis: upon receipt of an Amber Alertrequest form from a police agency, hefills in the blanks on a prepared scriptand then reads the copy into an EASrecorder via a hand-held microphonethat fits snugly into his palm (the wholeunit is about the size of a VCR andresembles a CB unit). Hernandez hasonly 90 seconds to tell the public that achild’s life is in imminent danger, so herecords his message and then plays itback to ensure that his words are intelli-gible and within the narrow timeframe.Seconds later, Hernandez pushes asequence of buttons, and his alert is car-ried across the airwaves for public con-

sumption. He has only one chance toget it right – policy holds that only oneAmber Alert may be issued.

“If the Amber Alert is overused orused incorrectly, it would have the caralarm effect and it wouldn’t help us,”said Rice. “We insist…it can only beissued once, because once it’s issued, thenews media is all over it.” The onlypause in that routine would be verifica-tion that all four Amber Alert criteriahave been met: the child must be under18, is in imminent danger; is the victimof a known abduction, and that identify-ing information has been obtainedabout the abductor.

It is that third condition that canmake for some harrowing moments,Chief Searles said. Imagine the callfrom a parent reporting a missing child.It is not enough to issue an AmberAlert, which requires confirmation thata child has indeed been kidnapped.Chief Searles said that what may growout of that scenario in the near future isa second-tier notification system called“Almost Amber,” for missing children.

Points like these are hashed out atAmber Alert Committee meetings,conducted monthly and after every alertactivation. Other suggestions for futureimplementation include a toll-freenumber for the public to call with tipsfor police, as is already in place in RhodeIsland, said Chief Searles. Still, for everynew idea, committee members seem toagree that the key to the system’s successhas always been and will continue to bethat public support and awareness. SaysLt. Vance, “Amber Alert: make sure youknow what it is. One of the biggestchallenges is we need to constantlyremind people what it is.”

Chief Searles noted that it stillamazes him that the “power and sancti-ty” of the EAS is voluntarily activatedby broadcasters when police notifythem that a child has been abducted.He said he once heard prominent Con-necticut radio personality Brad Davistalk about the “automatic pass-through” that occurs upon transmissionof an alert, with Davis admitting hehad been totally unaware that program-ming had been interrupted during oneof his radio shows.

(Questions or comments? [email protected] )

Amber Alert—(Continued from front page)


Claiming she had a split person-ality, actually six different personal-

ities, a woman on trial for selling drugs claimed she was innocent. Shesaid Toni did it!

She said Toni, one of her personalities, did not like her and wouldhide drugs in her apartment. She said she would never use drugs anddid not have control over Toni, so she could not be blamed for whatToni did.

The police had found over sixty bags of heroin in her apartment.They also found thirteen thousand dollars in cash.

The jury did not accept her alibi. She was found guilty of heroinpossession. She and Toni and the rest of her personalities will have toshare a prison cell. Let's hope they learn to get along!

TONI DID IT...BLOOPERS & BLUNDERS:

by Jim Sukach - www.quicksolvemysteries.com

If this were today’s headline, would you notice? Last year, drinking and driving actually did kill about 17,000 people. It injured

half a million more. But because it happened over a year rather than in a single day, it’s not always front-page news. If you

drink, find a safe way home. And do your part to keep drunk driving out of the headlines.

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www.madd.org


On the cusp of 2007, the stateof Connecticut took delivery of itsvery own New Year’s Baby—theB.A.T. Mobile (Breath AlcoholTesting Mobile).

This new mobile police vehiclewill assist the State Police in amultitude of tasks, with the pri-mary duty of supporting officersin DUI enforcement measures.

“What’s important to takenote of, is when each trooperbrings in a prisoner on a DUIarrest, it can take up to two orthree hours,” said Lt. J. PaulVance, Commanding Officer of Public Informa-tion. “Just the drive alone can take 30 minutes.”

With the ability to be deployed virtually any-where, the B.A.T. Mobile allows each individualstopped on suspicion of DUI to be tested and, ifneeded, processed and held on site thereby dramat-ically increasing the efficiency of on-duty troopers.

“It has all the necessary equipment required,”said Lt. Vance. “Chemical testing, computers,paperwork and a holding cell that can fit three tofour people until the individuals can post bondand be released to a sober party.”

The unit was first deployed on December 31st,by Troop B in Montville as part of the State Policesobriety checkpoint operation. And by all indica-tions, it was a complete success.

“Hundreds of drivers were tested on site and sixpeople were arrested and taken into custody, as aresult, ” said Lt. Vance.

Costing $250K, ($200K from a Federal DOT

grant) the unit is outfitted with a radio, tele-phone and electronic equipment that can beused as a command post in case of an emer-gency.

Additionally, the unit isalso equipped with enoughtechnology onboard to pro-vide traffic safety educationalpresentations to the public.

“It can be taken to highschools and colleges wheretroopers can speak aboutDUI and the consequences,”said Lt. Vance. “It’s even gotexterior lighting and an out-side monitor to show videos.So, the B.A.T. Mobile is notonly an efficient sobrietycheckpoint but has threecapabilities.”

B.A.T. Mobile Introduced to State for DUI Enforcement

575-579 Pacific StreetStamford, CT 06902www.Fritzshd.com

Tel: (203)975-1985 x5Fax: (203)325-4782

[email protected]

Fritz Blau, President


“My focus now and in theforeseeable future is beingthe best possible Attorney

General and doing this jobas best I can.”

Those are the words of Connecti-cut’s Attorney General Richard Blu-menthal. Considering he won reelectionlast November with 74 percent of thevoters’ support, the people of Connecti-cut obviously think his best is prettygood. Just take one look at his website(www.ct.gov/ag/site/default.asp) andyou can see he is a very busy man. Andhe’s been that way all his adult life, mostof which has been dedicated to servingthe public, as a state senator, a state rep-resentative, and United States Attorney.Blumenthal’s advocacy for the rights ofConnecticut’s citizens reached a pinna-cle in 1991 when he became the state’sAttorney General, “the people’s lawyer”-- that means all of the people, especial-ly the young, the elderly, and the con-sumer.

Protecting the Young“Don’t talk to strangers” – that was

the warning parents gave when chil-dren went outside years ago. The prob-lem for today’s parents is that strangersare not always outside. They are rightin our homes, on our computers.

MySpace.com, which contains thepersonal profiles of millions ofteenagers, has agreed to one of theAttorney General’s demands that itprovide parents with free software toblock the site. However, Blumenthal isnot satisfied, because the blocking pro-gram is difficult to find and install. Heasked MySpace “to provide bold, con-spicuous notice, and a clear link onevery page for free blocking softwarethat can stop access to MySpace.” Youcan understand the AG’s determina-tion when you learn that a 27-year-oldChaplin man was charged last springwith sexually assaulting a 13-year-oldHebron girl he met on MySpace. And,the Attorney General’s office currentlyis investigating several cases of sexualassault involving the popular website.

Blumenthal also demanded thatMySpace eliminate the site’s links topornography and institute age verifica-tion that will ban users under the age of16. “MySpace has taken some steps inresponse to my concerns, but I remaindeeply troubled about the pace andsubstance of changes to the site, espe-

cially since it continues to expose chil-dren to potential harm, includingpornography, adults seeking sex, andsexual predators.

“We are building a coalition of statesthat will persuade or compel MySpaceto do more and do it more quickly sothat such appalling criminal incidentswill be prevented,” Blumenthal added.

Protecting The ElderlyScam artists target senior citizens for

a variety of reasons, not the least ofwhich is they’re available. Retired peo-ple usually are home and alone duringthe day when phone solicitors call. Theelderly receive five or more calls dailyfrom telephone salespeople; some sur-veys put the number as high as 20. So,it is not surprising the elderly comprise80% of telemarketing victims.

Last summer the Attorney Generalbegan the Senior Volunteer AssistanceProgram (SVAP) in cooperation withthe American Association of RetiredPersons and the Greater New BritainRetired and Senior Volunteer Program.The volunteers, retired professionalswith consumer-related experience, havehelped seniors get restitution rangingfrom one dollar for a toothpaste rebateto $3,425 for a lottery ticket.

Blumenthal issued a warning in2006 that the elderly are also being tar-

geted on the streets. Scam artists accuseelderly drivers of hitting them and thenintimidate them into paying cash forthe “damages.” He alerted the publicabout the case of an 82-year-oldwoman who was scammed when shepulled into a municipal parking lot inManchester next to a dilapidated vehi-cle bearing temporary plates. Threemen near the car accused her of hittingit. She was no pushover and protested.She argued there were scratches on theopposite side of the vehicle, but themen frightened her into handing over$100. The victim later found out theypulled the same scam on another Man-chester senior who gave them $300.

“One common-sense rule is simplyto call for police help whenever anyonesays you’ve damaged another car,” Blu-menthal said. “Unfortunately, conartists may seek to bully seniors intogiving cash for damage never actuallydone. Whether there is damage or not,a police report protects everyone.”

Protecting the ConsumerAlways waging the good battle for

the Connecticut consumer, Blumenthalwas not happy when President GeorgeBush signed the nation’s federal energybill into law. “It is a gift to the specialenergy interests that usurps a lot oflegitimate state control and oversight,”

Blumenthal said. He characterized it asa “blank check” for the energy industry.

“It favors the energy interests withhuge windfalls and it provides subsidiesto the energy interests that are not nec-essary to stimulate power generation. Ithink it’s a fundamental shift of powerthat…in the long run will be bad for ourconsumers and our economy,” he added.

The Attorney General also wants thestate legislature to act on Connecticut’s“spiraling” electricity prices. He labeledthe United Illuminating Company’srecent increase “a tsunami (that) willdeliver a bone-bruising body blow toour economy, devastating both home-owners and businesses…combined withthe doubling of CL&P's rates over fouryears (it) confirms that Connecticut'selectricity market is badly broken andrequires sweeping, systemic reform.”

Blumenthal labeled the much-toutedderegulation of the electric utilityindustry as “dysfunctional – victimizingconsumers and our economy, and pro-viding humongous windfall profits tospecial interests.” Blumenthal thinks awindfall profits tax imposed on genera-tors and the creation of an independentConnecticut Electricity Authority torun power auctions and provide financ-ing for power plants might help curbelectricity prices.

By TEALE CALIENDOCorrespondentLaw Enforcement Profile:

Attorney General Richard BlumenthalServes as “The People’s Lawyer”


Attorney General Richard Blumenthal(Photo by Teale Caliendo)


By DAVID SCALESCorrespondent

When police officers hit the streets,they know the risk of injury or deathcomes with the badge. However, the riskof harm to officers and suspects maydecline as more Connecticut policedepartments consider adopting “high-voltage stun guns”, also known as “con-ducted energy weapons”, as an alternativeto lethal force. According to TASERInternational, which manufactures themost widely used version of suchweapons, “The Taser brand energy con-trol devices are classified as ‘Non-LethalWeapons’ (NLW) by the United StatesDepartment of Defense. NLWs aredefined as ‘weapons that are explicitlydesigned and primarily employed so as toincapacitate personnel or material, whileminimizing fatalities, permanent injuryto personnel, and undesired damage toproperty.’”

The Taser is a pistol-like device whichuses compressed nitrogen to deploy twosmall metal probes or darts connected toinsulated wires. It can fire them from 15to 35 feet away from a target – the dartsgo as fast as 160 feet per second. Theprobes attach themselves to a person’sclothing or body, and the power cellreleases an electrical discharge of 50,000volts, causing neuromuscular incapacita-tion.

After receiving some requests fromofficers in the Westport Police Depart-ment, Deputy Chief Gary Golas and theother officials at the department are con-sidering purchasing Tasers. “We are look-ing into them because they are a less-than-lethal approach,” Chief Golas said.“As officer and suspect injuries go, stud-ies have shown that Tasers reduce themby 50% compared to putting hands on asuspect in certain situations. There’s alsono contamination like when you pepperspray or mace someone and no blunttrauma compared to impact weapons.”

Chief Golas said the department cur-rently uses an air gun, similar to a paint-ball gun, which fires small plastic ballsfilled with powdered pepper gas, alsocalled OC, but it is only carried in one ortwo cars at the department. Accordingto Chief Golas, the Taser would be amore readily available option. Conven-tional armaments such as stun guns,mace, or batons require the officer to getcloser to a potentially dangerous suspectat increased risk, whereas the Taseroperates at a greater range.

TASER International offers versionsof its product costing from $400 to$900. Law enforcement models comewith cartridges that can shoot farther,discharge higher voltage, and for anextra $500, the Taser can accommodatea camera attachment, which recordswhat the officer sees. Chief Golas saidthe department has considered purchas-

ing 15 units, but depending on the costthey may buy only ten. He noted theBoard of Police Chiefs has not made adefinite decision yet, but if they decideto purchase them, officers could be car-rying them within 90 days.

However, possible increased safety on

the streets could come with some risk.Though Tasers themselves do not causedeath and can be effective against vio-lent offenders, they are not foolproof. Apossibility of danger exists when Tasersare used against people with heart con-ditions, according to Dr. Mathias Stoe-nescu, a cardiac electrophysiologist. Hestudies the heart’s rhythm and electricalsystems and is director of the UConnHealth Center’s Heart Rhythm Pro-gram.

“The people I would be most con-cerned for are those who have predispo-sitions to or have cardiac problems,” Dr.Stoenescu said. “There is no informationabout patients who have preexistingheart conditions or people with internaldevices like pacemakers and internaldefibrillators.” In 2006, Dr. Stoenescutreated a prisoner with an internal defib-rillator who was Tasered. Although theprisoner suffered no damage to hisheart, Dr. Stoenescu examined thedefibrillator and found it had registereda high-frequency current, which couldpossibly trick the device into thinkingthe heart was experiencing an arrhyth-mia. The defibrillator could possiblytrigger another shock to the heart.

“When we implant these defibrilla-tors, we test them by inducing fibrilla-tion through the device, and one way isthrough what’s called a ‘Fibber,’” Dr.Stoenescu explained. “You deliver ahigh-frequency current through the Fib-ber and let the device shock the patientout and make sure it works. The Tasershock registered by the device lookedidentical to the Fibber we use to induce

ventricular fibrillation on the tracingthat came from that device -- so thatworried me a little bit.” Dr. Stoenescuthinks the reason it did not cause a prob-lem was because the Taser’s shock dura-tion was very short, but he theorizes ifthe current had lasted a few more sec-

onds it could have caused the defibrilla-tor to fire.

According to Dr. Stoenescu’sresearch, a 2001 British medical journalreviewed some cases of people whoreceived a Taser discharge. They werebrought into the emergency room andwere compared to 22 people shot at bypolice with firearms. Out of 220 cases ofpeople who were shot with a Taser, 1.4percent died and few had lasting dam-age. Of the 22 shot with firearms, 50percent had lasting damage. Thedeceased patients were examined, and itwas determined the majority of them

had taken narcotics such as cocaine. It isbelieved the deaths may have beencaused by some type of respiratory arrestrather than cardiac.

“Theoretically a person who is predis-posed to an arrhythmia or a drug whichpredisposes them to an arrhythmia couldcause that,” Dr. Stoenescu said. “Theythink they’re safe, but they have notbeen studied in the setting of peoplewho are on cardiac drugs or with peoplewho have devices. It’s nebulous, andsince we don’t know about those people,theoretically there is a concern.”

Future police officers are learninghow to use Tasers at the ConnecticutState Police Academy in Meriden,according to training officer ReginaldAllard, Jr. TASER International pres-ents demonstrations where the effective-ness of their product is not onlyexplained but is actually used on recruitswho volunteer to be Tasered.

“The Tasers have not caused death,”Allard said. “But there has been a corre-lation. A rooster crows as the sun rises -- but does the rooster cause the sun torise? No, but there is a correlation.” Thechoice of whether or not to issue Tasersis made by Connecticut’s individualpolice departments, Allard noted. In his22 years of experience, Allard said he hasfired a Taser only in training.

If it comes down to the choice ofusing a .40 caliber Glock 23 pistol or ahigh-voltage Taser, Chief Golas believesthe Taser has a better chance of savingofficers’ and suspects’ lives even thoughthere are some unpredictable factors.

“Unfortunately you can’t plan foreverything in life,” Golas said. “You dothe best you can with the best toolsavailable to you and weigh youroptions.”


Police departments consider the evidence:

Tasers: Lifesavers or Lethal Weapons?

TASER is the acronym for “Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle” according to TASER International.

(The following statement is posted atwww.taser.com)

“TASER International’s productssave lives every day, providing devicesfor use in law enforcement, correc-tions, private security and personaldefense market. Since its founding in1993, TASER International hasremained committed to providingsolutions to violent confrontation bydeveloping products that enable peo-ple to protect themselves. The Com-pany is driven to do all that is possibleto ensure that society, as well as ourcustomers, can benefit from our prod-ucts, while upholding the highest levelof personal and professional ethics inthe execution of business.

“Our management and employees

are committed to making the mosteffective, safest non-lethal defensesystems possible. As a measure of thiscommitment, most employees and allof senior management have taken vol-untary hits with our various Taserdevices. To view a video of ChiefExecutive Officer Rick Smith, Presi-dent Tom Smith, Chief FinancialOfficer Dan Behrendt, and ChiefOperating Officer Kathleen Hanra-han taking direct hits from Taserdevices visit:http://www.taser.com/documents/hits.wmv

“TASER International, Inc. devel-ops, assembles and markets conductedenergy weapons that enable people toprotect themselves while minimizingthe risk of serious injury or death.”

TASER Executives Take “Hits”

VERSUSPPAAGGEE 1122 TTHHEE JJUUSSTTIICCEE JJOOUURRNNAALL FFEEBBRRUUAARRYY 22000077 FFEEBBRRUUAARRYY 22000077 TTHHEE JJUUSSTTIICCEE JJOOUURRNNAALL PPAAGGEE 1133

By ATTY. RICHARD MEEHAN, JR.

Accountability for judges became a hot-button issue for the Legislature this yearafter Connecticut's chief justice withheldand delayed publishing a controversialdecision about access to court records.

Reformers have proposed a long list ofsolutions, including a pilot programallowing the broadcast of certain criminaltrials. Judges and lawyers are equally tornover the idea that this staid and stodgystate would permit such complete publicaccess. In recent years there has been anonslaught of TV dramas attempting toportray the criminal trial process.Celebrity trials like O.J. Simpson’s andMichael Jackson’s captured our attention,almost like an addiction.

“Boston Legal,” “Ally McBeal,” etc.,have created an almost farcical view of the

process. The proliferation of “CSI” showshas created a false impression in potentialjurors that somehow every case can beresolved in a short time span by superforensic sleuthing. Hollywood has created

an unrealistic sense of what occurs in acriminal trial.

The furor over sealing files and allega-tions of backroom politics in the judiciarydemonstrates that the system needsrevamping. What better way to putlawyers and judges on our best behaviorthan by allowing the public to watch whatwe do on TV?

I recently became a frequent guest com-

mentator on several programs on CourtTV. As a cable network it reaches86,000,000 homes. People not only watchbut also comment on multiple messageboards. These are not shut-ins with noth-

ing better to do with their time. Many oftheir comments are insightful, provokingintriguing debate.

The Sixth Amendment guarantees theright to a public trial. When the framersof the Constitution penned that, theywere concerned about the secret StarChamber proceedings that they fled inEngland. Colonial trials were conductedin small hamlets and villages and probablyoften attracted many if not most of theresidents. The framers determined thatonly an open court system could guaranteethe freedoms they envisioned this newConstitution was to create.

Our courts can't accommodate themajority of residents of a communityaffected by a sensational trial. The mediumof television would serve the interests ofthe public now. Most of our trials in thisstate do not attract the national mediaattention and might not even hold theattention of a local TV audience. But tele-vising trials would hold lawyers and judgesto a higher standard of professionalism.

The public does not know that afterevery trial in this state the lawyers are pro-vided a survey to grade the conduct anddemeanor of the trial judge. We fill outthe forms anonymously and return themto the Judicial Branch with no real cer-tainty that anyone takes them seriously.Why not let the public judge our judges,or at least have the opportunity to form anopinion whether someone belongs on thebench when it is time to consider reap-pointment.

As for lawyers, people should see whatwe are made of in the courtroom. When Istarted practicing with my dad 32 yearsago, there was no lawyer advertising, nofull-color Yellow Pages ads or billboardsscreaming, "Hire me -- I'm the best."People chose litigators largely by word of

mouth and referral from the familylawyer. Reputations as trial lawyers wereearned in the crucible of the courtroom.Now it is often a question not of abilitybut of the size of a firm's advertisingbudget that places certain lawyers at theforefront.

Let people see us in action and judgefor themselves. In the nearly two yearsthat I have been watching Court TVcarefully, I have yet to see a trial -- civil orcriminal -- in which the lawyers werepreening for the cameras. Juror identitiesare kept from the camera, and judges cancontrol whether the face of a witness andthat person's voice should be identifiable.The dignity of victims and the rights ofthe accused are matters requiring greatdeference.

Last year, this state held its first execu-tion in more than four decades. The num-ber of capital prosecutions is increasing.Let the public understand the magnitudeof certain crimes. In particular, sentenc-ings should be broadcast. I brought myson's junior high class to court where theywatched a teenager sentenced to threeyears in prison on a drug charge. Theclick of the handcuffs as that youngsterwas taken into custody was a dramaticmessage to those kids about the conse-quences of drug use.

This is why those framers added theSixth Amendment. It truly should be thepeople's court.

Bridgeport attorney Richard Meehan Jr.was the lead defense counsel for formerBridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim's corrup-tion trial. Meehan is certified as acriminal trial specialist bythe National Board ofTrial Advocacy. Meehanhas also obtained multimil-lion-dollar verdicts andsettlements in complexmedical and dentalmalpractice and per-sonal injury litiga-tion. He is a pastpresident of theGreater BridgeportBar Association andappears regularly onCourt TV. Website,www.meehanlaw.com

By JONATHAN BENEDICTState's Attorney, Bridgeport

Camera coverage of criminal trials hasbeen left up to discretion of trial judges foryears. In practice, however, with prosecutorsoften objecting to the presence of cameras,judges have frequently but not invariably,turned down media requests. This has typi-cally been the result of a balancing of genuineconcerns for the integrity of the trial processwith a serious question as to what exactly arethe advantages of televising a trial.

The effort to mandate television camerashas come on the heels of recent complaintsrelating to the Judicial Department's now-dis-carded practices of maintaining certain proce-dural matters under a cloak of confidentiality.Our criminal trials, have since time immemo-rial, been open to the media and public in gen-eral. With the exception of juvenile and youth-ful offender cases, all criminal trials may beattended by anyone --the only requirementbeing to observe appropriate courtroom deco-rum. Representatives of the media are invitedto attend, take notes and report fully on theproceedings. Except as covered by sequestra-tion rules and the Code of Ethics, personsinvolved in the process are free to "go on cam-era" outside of the courthouse in locations typ-ically made convenient for the media.

There are, however, genuine concerns forthe integrity of a trial that is carried on live tel-evision. Eleven years ago, the O.J. Simpsontrial in Los Angeles underlined most of theseconcerns. Our criminal justice system is clear-ly the fairest and most reliable ever devised. Itis, however, not perfect; dependent uponhuman endeavors, it is susceptible to humanfailings. While courtroom professionals areexpected to approach their tasks with profes-sionalism and maturity, being on television

inevitably poses a distractionthat can interfere with theaccomplishment of those tasks.

A prosecutor has the dualobjective of seeking justice andensuring that it is done fairly.In strategizing his case andexamining witnesses, doesthe fact that he is doing so"live" affect his decision-making? Does a defenseattorney's desire to proj-ect an on-camera image

that will bring in newclients work in the best interests

of his current client?Did the judge's intentto write his ownbook color his deci-

sions and management of the trial so as tointerfere with the logical flow of evidence?

Of greater concern is the effect of televi-sion cameras on jurors. While any plan totelevise trials provides for juror anonymity,

this hardly resolves a concern for jury con-tamination. Connecticut has a long history ofnot sequestering jurors. With the liberal useof admonishments from the judge, and theconscientiousness of our juries, we have beensuccessful (but by no means perfect) in avoid-ing jury contamination. When we start tele-vising witnesses, don't we greatly increase therisk of the casual over-the back-fence conver-sation between a juror and his neighbor whoprobably has not watched the entire trial andmay even have seen proceedings that the jurywas not privy to?

Of the greatest concern to me is the effectof the prospect of witnesses being on camera.Most of the witnesses to today's violence arelaw-abiding citizens who had the misfortuneof being in or near their own neighborhoodswhen gunfire erupted. The persons who weneed testimony against often are familiarwith our witnesses. As a result, there is todaya great reluctance on the part of honest citi-zens to come forward. This district, only thethird largest in the state, in most years is firstin the expenditure of witness-protectionmonies. What do I now say to an eyewitnesswho asks, "If the case goes to trial, will I beon television?"

Four and one-half years ago, I tried themost publicized case in Connecticut history,State v. Michael Skakel. When CBS, leadinga consortium of media outlets, requested per-mission to televise the trial, the state, citing theabove-noted concerns, objected. Judge JohnKavanewsky, sharing the same concerns,agreed and denied the request. Realizing themagnitude of the impending media coverage,the Judicial Department devised a media solu-tion that should serve as a model for the trialof high-profile cases everywhere.

A large courtroom was reserved andredesigned in a theater style in Norwalk. Itprovided ample room for all media representa-tives as well as the public at large. Reporterswere free to attend all trial sessions, take notes,report, and comment as their employersrequired. Space in the courthouse parking lotwas set aside for the electronic media's equip-ment. An outdoor podium was set up, acces-

sible to as many reporters as wanted to partic-ipate. Within the strictures of the Code ofEthics, attorneys made themselves availablefor interviews. Representatives of the JudicialDepartment monitored the situation to ensure

that no member of the media was being short-changed.

The results were twofold. On the onehand, the trial not only received massive cov-erage in New York, Connecticut and Boston inparticular, but nationwide as well. No one wasever heard to complain that they just were notbeing given an adequate opportunity to coverand report on the proceedings. On the otherhand, the trial proceeded fairly, and efficientlywith due regard for the rights of the defendant

and concern for the jury and the awesomeresponsibility entrusted to them. As in the vastmajority of our criminal trials, justice was donefor the State, for the defendant, and for thepublic as well. This happened at the minimalexpense of depriving relatively few citizens theopportunity to browse through a trial fromtheir living rooms rather than tuning into theevening news or unfolding their morningpaper. To risk disrupting so critical a functionof our democracy as a fair, impartial and cred-ible trial, fairly and comprehensively coveredby the media, would be a shame.

Jonathan Benedict became Bridgeport’sState's Attorney in 1997 and inherited theMartha Moxley murder investigation. He servedas lead prosecutor in the case against MichaelSkakel. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudencedegree in 1974 at St. John's University School ofLaw. Benedict became a Connecticut prosecutorin 1976. In 1992, he won a conviction in the firstConnecticut murder trial to rely heavily on DNAevidence.

Accountability for Judges and Lawyers Witnesses at Risk With Televised TrialsCAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM?

Attorney Richard T. Meehan, Jr.

State’s AttorneyJonathan Benedict

To aid in the prevention of prescription drug abuse and diversion

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The Purdue Pharma Law Enforcement Liaison and Education Unit is staffed by retired law enforcement officials and offers…

Training in preventing and investigating all types of prescription drug diversion.

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Contact the Law Enforcement Liaison and Education Unit at 203-588-4387

© 2005, Purdue Pharma L.P., One Stamford Forum, Stamford, CT 06901-3431 B7709 9/06

If you are in favor e-mail: [email protected] you are not in favor e-mail: [email protected] you are unsure e-mail: [email protected].

JOIN IN ON THE DEBATE...WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON CAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM?

RESULTS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THENEXT ISSUE OF THE JUSTICE JOURNAL

“While courtroom professionals are expected to approachtheir tasks with professionalism and maturity, being on televisioninevitably poses a distraction that can interfere with theaccomplishment of those tasks.” –Atty.Jonathan Benedict

“The framers determined that only an open court systemcould guarantee the freedoms they envisioned this new Constitutionwas to create.”

– Atty. Richard Meehan Jr.

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when one considers that a good numberof the pharmacies in Connecticut arelarger chains such as CVS, Target, andWalgreens that have their own in-housesecurity and more financial resources toafford security measures such asadvanced camera systems and motiondetectors, it means the thieves are test-ing to find out what they can get awaywith.

“It’s all about target hardening,” saidCapt. Conklin, who has been in theStamford Police Department for 26years and is a graduate of the FBI Acad-emy in Quantico, VA. He travels aroundthe country to educate pharmacies aboutdrug thefts and how to prevent them,teaching about the advantages of havingClosed Circuit Television (CCTV)camera systems and motion detectorsand keeping detailed notes about inci-dents.

Simple measures such as a CCTVcamera system helps. In a recent rob-bery in Stamford, Capt. Conklin said arobber went into a CVS, held a gun tothe pharmacist’s neck, and took pre-scription medications from a safe. Inthat particular robbery, police were ableto use photos obtained from securitycameras to catch the criminal. By watch-ing the videotape, police saw that therobber had touched a window and thecamera itself, and they were able to gethis fingerprints.

Capt. Conklin said two major factorsare driving the increased thefts of pre-scription drugs within U.S. borders.First, the federal government’s tighten-ing of the country’s borders has made itmore difficult to smuggle illegal “fake”prescription drugs into the country. Sec-ond, most legitimate prescription drugsare approved and regulated by the feder-al government, which makes themworth more on the black market.

Not only are pharmacies being hit,but trucks transporting prescriptiondrugs are being hijacked as well. “We seea lot of these trends, and they are goingto continue…As these pharmacies arecoming along with alarms, motiondetectors, and cell phone and batterybackups, they become a harder target,

and thieves are looking for the weakerlinks. These couriers and shipping firmsat truck stops and such tend to be theweaker links,” said Capt. Conklin.

A program that has drawn attentionfrom law enforcement officials acrossthe country is a joint initiative with sev-eral national law-enforcement organiza-tions, developed and launched by Stam-ford-based drug manufacturer PurduePharma in 2003. RxPatrol (Rx PatternAnalysis Tracking Robberies and OtherLosses), as it is called, is a databasedesigned to collect information relatedto pharmacy robberies and burglariesacross the country that can be sharedwith police departments and other lawenforcement agencies.

Capt. Conklin was asked by PurduePharma to help coordinate the initiative.He said it works because the nomadicnature of pharmacy thieves makes themhard to catch. When a robbery occurs in

Ohio, for instance, an investigatingpolice officer can enter the informationabout the crime into the RxPatrol data-base. The information then gets sent outin an e-mail alert to 75,000 pharmaciesnationwide. More than 4,000 participat-ing police departments can search byZIP code, area code, address, city, orstate for information about similar inci-dents. If a similar theft occurs in neigh-boring Indiana and results in an arrest,the information could lead to the solu-tion of two crimes. Since its inception in2003, RxPatrol has logged informationon about 2,500 pharmacy thefts nation-wide and has led to at least 19 arrestsacross the country, according to Capt.Conklin.

“There was a consensus that thereneeded to be a clearinghouse for thiskind of information,” said Aaron Gra-ham, Vice President Director of Corpo-rate Security for Purdue Pharma.“Nobody took the time to disseminatethis information to the greater commu-nity. Now we’ve got pharmacies saying‘Wow, I’ve got three of these burglarieswithin five miles of me. Maybe I shouldknow about this.’”

Purdue Pharma is also putting radiofrequency identification (RFID) trans-mitters into bottles of OxyContin tohelp track packages from manufacture tosale. The FBI’s Law Enforcement Exec-utive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA) has been working to help 25police departments across the countryobtain ID scanning devices, at a cost of$6,000 each, that can track these bottles.The Broward County Sheriff ’s Office inFort Lauderdale, FL, is one of thedepartments that applied for and

received one of the trackers. The onlystipulation is that the trackers have to bemade available to other nearby depart-ments, if needed.

Graham said the program is personalto him because his father-in-law was apharmacist for 35 years. “He told me‘I’m a pharmacist. I’m thinking of whereto put the Hallmark cards and where toput the medicines on the shelf. I’m notthinking of the cop stuff,’” he said.“Once you become a victim, you becomemuch more sensitive to the issue,” Gra-ham noted.

According to Tom Stone, ExecutiveDirector of FBI-LEEDA, billions ofdollars of prescription drugs are stolenfrom pharmacies every year. It is esti-mated that about 60 percent of inde-pendent and chain pharmacies will bevictims of a burglary, robbery, orshoplifting within a two-year period.Stone, whose organization is based inWestchester, Pa, travels the countryspeaking to law enforcement profession-als at one-day “drug summits” designedto educate police detectives and com-manders about the problem of drugdiversion and the resources available tobattle it.

Police officials across the countryhave started taking notice of the grow-ing instance of prescription drug thefts,and have begun working with pharma-cies and drug manufacturers to raiseawareness of the problem as well ascoming up with efficient ways to worktogether to catch thieves. “We recog-nize the cops can’t do it themselves,”Stone explained.


Drug Theft—(Continued from front page)


STAY ALERTRead Grant Stinchfield’s

“Scam of the Month”

Photos from security surveillance videotape inside Stamford CVS, show robbery suspect approaching pharmacist,holding a gun to his neck and fleeing out the door, where police later found his fingerprints.


children, upon in-home religious servic-es, or upon the use of alcohol under aphysician’s direction, and that it alsowould give our police no greater powersof search and seizure than already existand as are limited by our Constitutionthat, of course, no ordinance can revokeor undermine,” said Hudspeth.

“We were careful not to come across asa fanatical group. We wanted to worktogether with as many groups as possible,and we found a good portion of parents intown who were all saying the same thingwith the same attitude about underagedrinking issues,” said Higgins.

“The net effect of this two-year pro-gram was a raising of town consciousnessthat not only got the ordinance passedreadily and unanimously by our selectmenafter public hearings, but also, and evenmore importantly, raised the conscious-ness of our entire community to the severeconsequences of underage drinking andour need as a town to let it be known howstrongly we are concerned about thisissue,” said Hudspeth.

The result, Fawcett said, is a demon-strated shift in cultural perception fromwhat can be done, to doing something. “Ifwe can reduce the numbers of kids whoget tripped up on dependency, we havesucceeded.”

Since the ordinance’s passage, thegroup has shifted its focus to continued

educational efforts and healthy alterna-tives. A major undertaking is producing abooklet of facts about alcohol and drugsfor distribution to the 2,600 Wiltonschool families and placing informationon healthy alternatives, produced by theOutreach Council, in spots frequented bymiddle and high school students. Other,more direct approaches include a “Save aLife”, a mock driving demonstrationplanned for about 200 students in April,sponsored by the Wilton AmbulanceCorps, PTA Council, and Rotary Club.Their educational efforts are also supple-mented by the high school health teacher.

In addition, Lombardo said police areconsidering partnering with the enforce-ment branch of the state Liquor ControlCommission undercover operation to seeif local establishments are providing alco-hol to underage young people as a supple-ment to ongoing local police educationaloutreach to the business community.Wilton does not have any retail stores thatsell alcohol but does have many restau-rants that serve alcohol.

“Through all of these efforts, past andpresent, we’re reaching the community,parents, and most importantly, kids aboutalcohol and drugs, dependency and othermental health issues, and the conse-quences these actions can have,” saidFawcett.


Wilton Task Force—(Continued from page 3)

Name: Lukasz Falkowski Alias: Lucas FalkowskiBirthdate: Dec. 7, 1978 Sex: Male Race: White

Hair: Blonde Eyes: Blue Height: 6’0” Weight: 170lbsLast Known Address: 24 Moulthrop Street, Ansonia, CT

Charges: 53a-371 Sexual Assault 4th Degree -- 4 Counts, 53-21 Risk of Injury to a Minor -- 4 Counts,

53a-172 Failure to Appear 1st Degree

Please contact the Shelton Police Department at 203-924-1544

if you have any questions or updates to the information contained in this report.

WARNING: Do not attempt to apprehend this suspect yourself. If seen, contactyour local police station immediately.

BY THE SHELTON POLICE DEPARTMENTLUKASZ FALKOWSKI

WANTED:

What if you are in school and the firealarm goes off? Ever since we were oldenough to attend school we were taughtwhat to do when a fire alarm starts ring-ing at school. If the fire alarm goes off,

you form an orderly line and walk quiet-ly to the exit. Schools practice it on aregular basis. In fact, the ConnecticutFire Safety Code mandates that schoolsperform a minimum of one fire drill

each month. Long ago, fire officials rec-ognized the damage and death a firewould cause in a school, they recognizedthe threat and developed ways to pre-vent it. They prepared the staff, stu-dents, and parents, and they trained forit, then they developed ways to respondshould a fire occur.

Recent events have brought to lightdifferent threats to our schools that havebeen occurring with greater frequency.On August 24, 2006, the threat to theelementary school in Essex, Vermont,was a shooter who killed a teacher whilelooking for his estranged girlfriend. OnSeptember 27, 2006, the threat to PlatteHigh School in Bailey, Colorado, was asubject who held female studentshostage, sexually assaulted some, andthen killed a 16-year-old. Two dayslater, in Cazenovia, Wisconsin, thethreat was a 15-year-old who shot hishigh school principal. On October 2,2006, the threat came in Central Penn-sylvania as a milk-delivery person killedfive Amish students in a one-roomschoolhouse.

The threats are not limited to ourcountry. In Chechnya, Russia, the threatin September 2004 resulted in the death

of over 300 students, parents, and staffon the first day of school. On Novem-ber 20, 2006, hostages (including somechildren) were taken in a school in Ems-detten, Germany, near the border withthe Netherlands.

With events such as these, it is under-standable why many parents have asked,“What if it happened here? What if mychild were involved? What if I, as a par-ent, have concerns and want to do some-thing about it?”

Unlike the steps taken to prevent orrespond to a fire, school violence is morevaried and not as simple to prepare for.There is no red box on the wall labeled,“Pull Handle in Case of Violence.”School violence can take on many forms,including bullying, fighting, intimida-tion, gangs, shootings, hostage situa-tions, and custody or domestic disputes.Even events not directly involving aschool, such as a police pursuit, canaffect the people in it based upon prox-imity.

As a result of the complexity of theproblem, law enforcement officials,school administrators throughout thearea, and others having a stake in the

Know How to Prepare for School Emergencies

By CAPT. GARY MACNAMARAFairfield Police DepartmentSpecial to The Justice JournalWhat If…?




GET INVOLVED !Join the debate in every issue with ourpoint/counterpoint column, “Versus”

Holding up a restaurant at a drive-thru window can be a tough job,as we have seen. Here is a story about a successful holdup, but the per-petrator did not get away with any money.

An employee of a fast-food restaurant was hurt on the job. Hisfather was angry because the restaurant did not keep its promises topay for the injuries. To vent his frustration, he staged a holdup-not arobbery! He held up the traffic past the drive-thru windows by park-ing two pickup trucks in the way!

The line built up as customers and employees became moreand more angry. Finally, the police came and made the man move histrucks out of the way.

A REAL DRIVE-THRU HOLDUPBLOOPERS & BLUNDERS:



ENDANGERED RUNAWAYSAMANTHA JACKSON

DOB: Sep 13, 1990 Missing: Sep 8, 2006 Age Now: 16 Sex: FemaleRace: White Hair: Blonde Eyes: Hazel Height: 5’4” (163cm)

Weight: 130lbs (59kg) Missing From: Bridgeport, CT

Samantha may still be in the local area or she may travel out of the state.She may go by the nickname Sam.

MISSING:

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATIONSHOULD CONTACT:

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)

Bridgeport Police Department 1-203-576-7671

MISSING:ENDANGERED RUNAWAY

MARIA ANJIRAS AGE PROGRESSED

DOB: Aug 10, 1961 Missing: Feb 12, 1976Age Now: 45 Sex: Female Race: White

Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue Height: 5’6” (168cm) Weight: 120lbs (54kg)Missing From: Norwalk, CT

Maria's photo is shown age-progressed to 41 years. She was last seen onFebruary 12, 1976 leaving her home on a blue English race bike. The bikewas later found approximately one mile from Maria's home but she hasnot been heard from since.




This summer the Attorney Generalannounced a multimillion-dollar settle-ment with drug giant GlaxoSmithK-line. The company agreed to pay $70million to provide restitution to indi-vidual consumers and the state of Con-necticut, ending the company’s alleged10-year-long scheme to hike the priceof two cancer drugs. Blumenthal filedsuit in 2003, charging the drug compa-ny that inflated the average wholesaleprices for Zofran and Kytril. Since thestate’s Medicaid program uses thoseprices to set reimbursement rates, thedepartment overpaid for the drugs.

“GlaxoSmithKline reported falseprices in a brazen scheme to soak tax-payers and patients,” Blumenthal said.“The company profiteered at public andpatient expense. This settlement pro-vides Connecticut with full restitutionand compensates patients and others forinflated co-payments. At the same timeGlaxoSmithKline reported artificiallyhigh prices to push up Medicaid reim-bursement rates, it offered the drugs tophysicians at a deep discount. As aresult, the difference between what doc-tors paid for the drugs and their Medic-aid reimbursement increased. The big-ger margin induced doctors to prescribemore Zofran and Kytril, increasing thecompany’s market share and profits.

The alleged fraud took place between1993 and 2003.”

The AG’s office not only protects thepeople from private interests thatthreaten their quality of life, it monitorsthe government to ensure it does notoverreach. In 2005, charging that thefederal government was acting illegallyby not fully funding the No Child LeftBehind (NCLB) Education Act, Blu-menthal took the government to court.Connecticut was the first state to do so,and others have since followed suit.During the summer of 2006 Blumen-thal filed a notice with the U.S. DistrictCourt, stating that Connecticut’s casehad been bolstered by a recent U.S.Supreme Court decision that said thefederal government must be “clear andunambiguous” about any conditions itimposes on states in providing federalmoney. That decision, Blumenthal said,supports Connecticut’s claim that thefederal government has illegallyimposed ambiguous mandates withinadequate funding.

These are the kinds of issues “the peo-ple’s lawyer” deals with on a daily basis. Ifyou have anything you would like theAttorney General’s office to look into,call 1-860-808-5318 or log on tohttp://www.ct.gov/ag/site/default.asp.

Comments or questions for Teale? [email protected]

Law Enforcement Profile—(Continued from page 10) "Two hamburgers, two colas, all

your money, and two cops to go,please!" This is not exactly what they ordered, but it is what they got.

Two men tried robbing a fast-food restaurant through the drive-thru. They did not stop to think about the guy behind them, watch-ing what was happening. In this case, he was also writing down therobbers' license plate number. When it was his turn to pick up hisorder, he handed the cashier the paper with the license plate numberand a description of the car.

Thinking their robbery was a successful morning's work, theydecided to take a lunch break just a few blocks away.

In the meantime, of course, the police were called and given thenumber and description. The lunch break was interrupted by thepolice, and robbers were arrested while munching their stolen ham-burgers and counting their stolen money!

LUNCH BREAK...BLOOPERS & BLUNDERS:



PAY ATTENTIONLook for Cpt. Gary MacNamara’s monthly column

“What If....?”


Mobile Video Recorders: A Different Kind of “Reality TV”

In-cruiser video cameras, or MobileVideo Recorders (MVRs), are nowstandard equipment in police carsaround the country. All ConnecticutState Police patrol cars are equippedwith MVRs, and our troopers arerequired to keep them activated wheninvolved in or responding to an inci-dent.

Unfortunately, these cameras have

spawned an entire entertainment genre.Some television programs consist ofnothing more than replaying incidentscaptured by MVRs from the wind-shields of police cars from New YorkCity to L.A. and everywhere inbetween. Nevertheless, this technologyhas value to law enforcement agenciesand the public far beyond late-nightentertainment.

First, audio/video recordings can besome of the most effective evidenceavailable to prosecutors when trying acase. Many a defendant has been con-victed of DUI, for instance, based onthe testimony of the arresting policeofficer who observed glassy, bloodshoteyes, slurred speech, and an unsteady

gait. But when the jury is able to see thedefendant sway and stumble as he triesto perform the walk-and-turn test, orthey hear someone say “A, C, D,B…G… Z” when asked to recite thealphabet, sustaining a reasonable doubtas to the defendant’s intoxicationbecomes much more difficult. Similarly,as valuable as a written confession is toany criminal case, how much moredamaging are the same words, in thedefendant’s own voice, recorded by anMVR during a defendant’s moment ofremorse while sitting in the backseat ofyour cruiser? Such evidence is not easilyrefuted, even by the most proficient ofdefense attorneys.

Secondly, the MVR comes as closeas possible to putting a juror in theshoes of a police officer who is facedwith a life-threatening situation thatturns tragic. Most members of the pub-lic will acknowledge that police officershave difficult jobs and are often forcedto make life-or-death decisions in afraction of a second under unimagin-able stress. But being able to show ajuror just how dark it was that night,what exactly a furtive movement lookslike, or just how short a fraction of asecond actually is can be the differencebetween a commendation for valor anda prison sentence for an officer in sucha situation.

Finally, MVRs protect both honest

police officers and members of the pub-lic in situations of alleged improperconduct. Many a citizen complaint hasbeen withdrawn when the complainantlearns of the existence of a recording ofthe incident in question. In addition, inthe unfortunate few instances where anofficer does act inappropriately, MVRrecordings allow the facts to be quicklyascertained and appropriate remedialaction to be taken. This can help limitthe damage to the public’s perception ofthe police department involved and tothe criminal justice system as a whole.

While advances in law enforcementtechnology may have some disadvan-tages, such as the unrealistic expecta-tions that have been created in theminds of a “CSI”-obsessed public, thesubstantial advantages offered by thepresence of MVRs in police cars signif-icantly outweigh the potential down-side. And, of course, they make for moreinteresting television when you cannotsleep at night.

(Commissioner Leonard Boyle, a formerfederal prosecutor and a former East Hart-ford police officer, oversees the operations ofthe State Police, State Fire Marshal ’sOffice, and Connecticut’s homeland securi-ty operations. He was appointed by Gover-nor M. Jodi Rell in 2004. CommissionerBoyle and The Justice Journal thankTrooper Seth Mancini for his contributionto this article.)

By LEONARD BOYLECommissioner,

Connecticut Departmentof Public Safety

Special to The Justice Journal

I am repeatedly asked, “When should Icall 911?” The telephone number 911 isthe police dispatch emergency line. Thisnumber should only be used in a trueemergency where there is imminent dan-ger, and the need for a police, fire, orEMT response should be immediate. The911 system should not be used for routinecalls or to test your telephone service.

When calling the Public Safety Dis-patch Center via 911, you should imme-diately give your location, in the eventthat the call is dropped for whatever rea-son, and then state what the emergencyis. The call takers receive extensive train-ing and are required to ask questions thatwill provide the information for the bestpossible response. Although some of thequestions may not seem necessary to youat the time, they are being asked to assessyour needs and for the safety of theresponding officers. Many times the calltakers will give you valuable informationthat will assist you while the emergencyresponders are on their way to you.

Often, while the call taker is receivingthe information from you, police unitsare also being dispatched to your emer-gency. The dispatcher is concurrentlyforwarding the information you are pro-viding to the responding police officers.Do not hang up until the dispatcher tellsyou to do so. Hanging up right awaywill not make the police get dispatchedany quicker.

In the event of a crime, informationneeded by the call takers includes theexact location of where you are and wherethe emergency is occurring. They needto know what the actual emergency is.They will ask for the caller’s name,description of the suspect(s) and vehi-cle(s), and weapons involved. Descrip-tions of people include height, weight orbuild, age, sex, race, clothing (includinghats, coats, shirts, pants, and footwear),and any other distinguishing features(facial hair, glasses, tattoos, etc.). Vehicledescriptions include the approximateyear, make, model, body style, color, andlicense plate number, if available. It isimportant to state if weapons wereobserved or implied and, if so, what type(e.g., gun, knife, stick, etc.). Giving thedirection that the suspects fled in is alsovery important. While officers areresponding to your location, other unitscan patrol the general area where the sus-

pects fled and attempt to apprehendthem.

If you dial 911 from a cellular phone inConnecticut, your call may be sent direct-ly to the closest State Police barracks. Youwill have to tell the State Police what cityor town you are in so that they can eitherrespond or transfer the call to the localjurisdiction. It is important to immedi-ately give your location in the event thatthe cellular call is lost or dropped.

In some instances the 911 facility in thecity you are in when you call may imme-diately receive the call and answer it, buthere again location becomes important.While cell phones can be tracked (in someinstances) to a certain area, during anemergency, that area may be large, and toomuch valuable time could be lost whiletrying to locate you.

It is not unusual to dial 911 in error,but if this occurs, it is important to stayon the line and speak to the dispatcher,informing them that you have misdialed.In most instances, the 911 dispatch con-sole will register the number and locationfrom which the call is being made. Apolice response will be initiated to alllocations from which a 911 call was made,whether or not the caller talks to thepolice, to ensure that everyone in the list-ed location is safe. There have been manyincidents where the caller barely had the

energy to dial 911 due to illness, health,or an episode of violence where anotherperson disconnects the call.

The police will respond, and in manyinstances, enter and check your home toensure that there are no victims. This isan emergency wellness check, and asearch warrant to visually inspect yourresidence for an injured party is notrequired for police entry. There have beenmany instances where suspects willattempt to convince the police that theycalled and all is well, while another personin the residence is a victim in need ofmedical assistance.

It is important to teach children howto properly use the 911 system. Theymust know not to dial 911 if they are play-ing with the telephone, and to use 911only in an emergency.

You should contact your telephoneservice or carrier to ensure that if you dial911 from your telephone, the call willimmediately route to a local emergencydispatch center. With many computer-ized or Internet telephone companies andservices, the 911 feature is not available.Check for this feature now, and not whenan emergency arises. Do not dial 911 totest your carrier; instead, call your particu-lar telephone service to find out.

Remember, 911 should be used only incase of an emergency.

By ASSISTANT CHIEFJOSE L. LOPEZ Sr.Chief of Detectives

& Community ServicesBureau, Hartford Police

Department

An experienced burglar thought heknew the ropes. He smashed an officewindow, and he cut himself on the hand

when he crawled in. He looked around the office and found a first aidkit. He used it to wrap his hand before he left with a television set.

He barely had time to hook up his new television to his VCR whenthe police were at his door. He had left his bloody fingerprints on thefirst aid kit! The police just compared them to fingerprints on file,and they knew who to go after!

OUCH!BLOOPERS & BLUNDERS:


Understanding 911 Procedures Improves Response


By CHANDRA NILES FOLSOMCorrespondent

We are all familiar with tip programsdesigned to assist law enforcement in therecovery of missing children and appre-hension of criminals. They includeAMBER Alerts, Crime Stoppers andtelevision shows such as America’s MostWanted. While the Internet and mediahave done much to galvanize the nationand have succeeded in promoting a posi-tive image of assisting police, there arestill many occasions where citizens arereluctant to report crimes.

Perhaps the most notorious case wasthe story of Kitty Genovese, who wasmurdered in 1964 on her Queens, NewYork doorstep in full view of dozens ofneighbors and friends, all of whom didnothing as she was stabbed repeatedly.

More recently, accounts of whistle-blowers—especially at corporations andin government, demonstrate that bearingwitness is not always met with approval.

In fact, these instances serve to under-mine or at least send mixed messages about

the importance of being a good citizen.Most states have some sort of statuto-

ry anti-retaliation laws, including protec-tions in the US Constitution, pursuant tothe First and Fourteenth Amendments.In 1989, the Whistleblower ProtectionAct and subsequent amendments werepassed to strengthen the law and in 2002,the Sarbanes-Oxley Act created signifi-cant protections for corporate whistle-blowers following scandals at Enron,Worldcom, Tyco and Merrill Lynch.

However, many of these laws haverecently been eroded and other safe-guards for those who would reportwrongdoing to government officials havebeen considerably weakened.

So is it fear of retaliation that preventspeople from doing the right thing or isthere an inherent psychological factorinvolved?

“We all have some sense of internalmoral or ethical obligation to do the rightthing or to help others,” says ArnoldHolzman, Ph.D., a psychologist withBehavioral Health Consultants, LLC,

located in Hamden. “Some of us have astronger sense of a commitment to helpothers based on an empathic way of relat-ing to others, as well as a sense of obliga-tion to our fellow man.”

According to Dr. Holzman who, alongwith partner Mark Kirschner, has beenproviding psychological services to policedepartments for more than 15 years, peo-ple are more willing to help others ifnobody else is on hand.

“If a relatively large number of peopleare available we individually feel less ofan obligation,” explains Dr. Holzman.“Since we all tend to react with this samedecreased sense of personal obligation, aparadoxical effect occurs when nobodyhelps. The majority of people will tend torespond as a crowd and not becomeinvolved, or step out of their comfortzone to report wrongdoing. Howeverthat is very much situationally deter-mined, based on the degree of the wrong-doing, the personal responsibility some-one may feel, and the potential losses orthreats to one’s well being, among other

factors. This can be applied to the work-place as well.”

In 1991, former financial consultantKeith Schooley came forward to reportinternal misconduct and cover-ups at thebrokerage house, Merrill Lynch.

“I knew there was some risk involvedbut I honestly believed the propagandaespoused by senior management—thatMerrill Lynch insists on the highest levelof integrity,” said Schooley, whosewrongful termination lawsuit went all theway to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.“After a period of time, I simply couldn’tstand by and continue to witness blatantviolations of rules, regulations, and lawsthat repeatedly placed clients in harm’sway, all at a firm that people are supposedto trust with their money. If corporatemanagement knew there were more peo-ple out there who are willing to stand upand be counted, things might significant-ly change for the better.”

So does Schooley fit the profile of theaverage whistleblower?

Police Need Citizen Involvement...

...But Advise People to Use Caution(Continued on page 21)

By CHANDRA NILES FOLSOMCorrespondent

Christopher Paris was not exactly acriminal novice when he allegedly robbedthe Wachovia Bank located at 300 MainStreet, in Stamford, last month.

In fact, the transient who also goes bythe name Alvin Paris, Shaka Shabazz andother assorted aliases had already beenconvicted of more than two-dozencrimes before he struck the downtownStamford bank.

Luckily for Wachovia and the public,Justin Quagliani was on the job that day.The 25-year-old financial adviser was nota novice himself when it came to coura-geous behavior. Quagliani, who hadserved four years as a Military Police offi-cer, sprang into action after beinginformed by a teller that his bank had justbeen robbed.

Police say that as Paris fled from thebank and jumped into a waiting taxicab,Quagliani was already hot on his trial.He blocked the cab, forcing it to anabrupt halt as the suspected robberleaped out the back door and raced downthe street, loot in hand, toward the RichForum.

Tackling Paris and wrestling him tothe ground, Quagliani received scratchesto the face before police officers arrivedon the scene and handcuffed the escapee.

Although it turned out the suspectwas not carrying a weapon, it wasreported that he reached into his pock-et in the moments before Quaglianidrew near.

“This young man is certainly a hero,”

said Captain Richard Conklin, of theStamford Police Department. “Hisactions resulted in the capture of a sus-pect and the recovery of stolen cash.”

However, Conklin, who is in chargeof investigations at the SPD, warns thatheroics can be risky business.

“Because Quagliani was in excellentphysical condition, having served as anMP in the Army, he was able to do whathe did successfully,” said Captain Con-klin. “That being said, he risked his wellbeing, had the suspect been armed.”

Since Quagliani was under theimpression the suspect was armed, thehero banker threw a punch after Parisreached into his pocket.

“I didn’t think it through—I justreacted,” Quagliani said, following the

incident. “I had to react fast. If I sloweddown, I thought he might have stabbedme or shot me.”

According to police, the former mili-tary man had also applied a guillotinechokehold to the suspect, although evenwith his expertise, it was not enough tocompletely disable Paris who was fight-ing for his freedom.

“I would not advocate that kind ofaction for those who are not in goodshape, especially when it’s about materi-al goods,” said Captain Conklin. “Now, ifsomeone is being assaulted—particularlya child or an elderly individual, thenmaybe you need to get involved becauseby the time law enforcement arrives itcould be too late.”

Instead, the Captain suggests that

people become good witnesses.“Take mental notes—how tall is the

suspect, what is he wearing, which direc-tion is he traveling, for example,” saidCaptain Conklin.

Also, if the suspect escapes by car, jotdown the license plate number, takenotice of the type of vehicle, color andother details such as whether or not it hasany damage.

“But, if you can follow at a safe dis-tance—and if you have a cell phone, call911,” said the Captain. “Then stay on thephone while the dispatcher asks forupdates.”

According to police, Paris was mostrecently discharged from prison in 2003after serving a one-year sentence on drugcharges. He was previously convicted onweapons charges, burglary, and assaultinga police officer as well as other crimes.Paris was held on a $500,000 bond. He isscheduled to appear in state SuperiorCourt in Stamford, in late January.

“We are very confident the suspect isalso the same man who robbed the FirstCounty Bank on Atlantic Street, onDecember 27,” said Chief Conklin. “Soit’s a two-fer.”

Quagliani, a nephew of West HavenPolice Chief Ronald Quagliani, was treat-ed and released at Stamford Hospital forscratches sustained beneath his left eye.

“He definitely behaved heroicallyalthough we don’t normally advise it,”said Captain Conklin. “It was a personaldecision he made to get involved the wayhe did and the community should beproud of him and appreciate his actions.”

Christopher Paris, suspect in the January 9 robbery of Stamford's Main St.Wachovia Bank, as seen on bank security videotape Dec. 27, shortly before heallegedly robbed Stamford's County Bank, on Atlantic Street.

(Photo provided by Stamford Police Department)

Bank Executive Tackles Perpetrator


By ALEXANDRA WERLEYCorrespondent

Beginning in 1971, the annualSamuel J. Luciano Award has beengranted to graduates of all Connecticutpolice academies who have achieved thehighest academic averages in their class.

Former Westport Police ChiefLuciano was among those who workedtirelessly for passage of Act 65-575, cre-ating the Municipal Police TrainingCouncil which requires strict statewidestandards, including the establishmentof a statewide police academy and amandatory training period for allrecruits. Since the creation of the acade-my, training programs have increasedfrom five to 22 weeks.

Chief Luciano, who suffered a fatal

heart attack in 1970, never lived to wit-ness the results of his efforts. So inhonor of his service, the Samuel J.Luciano Award was established.

To mark the 35th anniversary, CPCAhonored all past recipients at the WinterMeeting with a special plaque recogniz-ing them for their achievements. Win-ners shared memories and posed for agroup photograph after the 2006 awardswere handed out.

“It was definitely an honor to be arecipient of this award,” said OfficerRobert Cipolla Jr., who graduated fromthe 307th P.O.S.T. Academy in Meridenfirst in his class with a grade point aver-age of 96.08. “After spending such a longtime there it was very satisfying to finishat the top of the class.”

Academic AchievementRecognized By Chiefs

MISSING:ENDANGERED MISSING

DOREEN JANE VINCENT

DOB: Sep 30, 1975 Missing: Jun 15, 1988 Age Now: 31 Sex: Female Race: White

Hair: Brown Eyes: Hazel Height: 5'4" (163 cm) Weight: 110lbs (50kg)Missing From: Wallingford, CT

Doreen's photo is shown age-progressed to 27 years. She was last seenleaving her home on the evening of June 15, 1988 and has not been heardfrom since. She has double pierced ears and a small beauty mark on herabdomen.




AGE PROGRESSED

MISSING:FAMILY ABDUCTION

ANDREA REYES




AGE PROGRESSED

DOB: Nov 9, 1997 Missing: Oct 5, 1999 Age Now: 9 Sex: Female Race: White/Hisp

Hair: Black Eyes: Brown Height: 3'0" (163 cm) Weight: 30lbs (14kg)Missing From: New Haven, CT

Andrea's photo is shown age-progressed to 7 years. She was abductedby her non-custodial mother, Rosa Tenorio. Andrea has a birthmark inthe middle of her forehead. She also has a lazy right eye and her rightknee turns inward. The abductor may be using the alias first namesRosita or Guadalupe and the alias last name Minor.

The 2006 Luciano Award recipients are:P.O.S.T. Training Sessions:

Robert A. Cipolla., Jr., Wilton Police DepartmentAndrea H. Closson, Torrington Police DepartmentSteven M. Moyer, Glastonbury Police Department

Anthony P. Prezioso, Jr., Westport Police DepartmentBrian J. Yerzak, Shelton Police Department

Satellite Training Academies:Stamford Training Academy, Jeremiah Brussell, Greenwich Police Department

Waterbury Training Academy, Carl Schaaf, Naugatuck Police DepartmentWaterbury Training Academy, Michael DiGiovancarlo, Waterbury Police Department

Hartford Training Academy, Michael Creter, Hartford Police DepartmentMilford Training Academy, Grace Schenkle, Yale University Police

New Britain Training Academy, Pacifico T. Flores, New Britain Police Department

COLD CASE:

Pamela Jerome-Pepper

Case #: B-86-016709 A $20,000 reward is being offered for information lead-

ing to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) guilty of thiscrime.

On January 13, 1986, a Department of EnvironmentalProtection Officer discovered the body of Pamela Jerome-Pepper partially buried in the snow on the BridgeportHydraulic Company property off of Valley Road in the townof Redding, Connecticut.

Ms. Jerome-Pepper, a white female with blonde hair, was found partially nude. Shewas wearing a dark-colored wool-blend coat, a tan turtleneck shirt with maroon andbrown stripes, a pair of tan corduroy pants, and brown leather boots.

The victim was last seen on November 25, 1985, in the downtown Bridgeport area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the ConnecticutState Police Western District Major Crime Squad:

(800) 376-1554, (203) 267-2220

Connecticut State Police WesternDistrict Major Crime Squad Cold Case:


BUSINESSDIRECTORY

“Typically one person may feel thepersonal responsibility or obligation toreport wrongdoing, however if it’s ram-pant and considered common knowledge,no one person may feel personally obli-gated or responsible,” says Dr. Holzman.“Also the sense of guilt is lessened if it’sfelt that many are doing it or at least arecomplicit.”

There was such a case deep in themountains of North Carolina, back in1998.

A group of young people attending awell-known wilderness program, alongwith two program guides, spotted Amer-ica’s Most Wanted Fugitive and collec-tively decided to do nothing.

The escapee—Eric Rudolph, becameAmerica’s #1 fugitive following a seriesof terrorist bombings that included Cen-tennial Park during the 1996 SummerOlympics, a lesbian nightclub and twowomen’s health clinics where abortionswere performed. The bombs, containingdynamite and nails, killed three andinjured more than 150.

Rudolph’s wanted posters had beensaturated throughout the Appalachianswhen the band of aspiring survivalistshiking across the rugged terrain, discov-ered a Caucasian man with bleachedblonde hair wearing light clothing, sun-glasses and flip flops—not exactly thetype of gear one might expect to see inthe outback.

Although they all agreed the face theysaw was one in the same with the face onthe wanted poster, the troop determinedthat interrupting their excursion with avisit to the police station or being latersummoned to pick Rudolph out of alineup was not in their best interest.

One member, who had initiallyargued the case for going to the author-ities, was rebuked and ostracized untilshe relented.

Rudolph was captured on a Saturdaymorning by a rookie police officer fiveyears later in Murphy, North Carolina, atown a few ridges from where he hadbeen spotted by the group.

“People do not get involved for anumber of reasons,” says Dr. Holzman.“There’s the fear of being different fromeveryone else, fear of retaliation, andother inconveniences or threats of loss.For many people there also occurs aclouding of the boundary between whatis actually right and wrong, in order totolerate what they are witnessing.”

But keep in mind that law enforce-ment is not ubiquitous—nor would wewant it to be.

“It relies upon the eyes and ears of thepublic to identify and report criminalbehavior that would otherwise go unde-tected,” says Dr. Holzman. “The rela-tionship between law enforcement andthe community needs to be a partner-ship, working together towards a com-mon goal of reducing crime.”

Citizen Involvement—(Continued from page 19)

Please support these businesses. They have joined the fight to make our communities safer!


“Going back 30 years, before I had mychildren, I had a friend who lost a babythat way (to SIDS), although they didn’tcall it that. It always stuck with me,because there was minimal support. Iremember when Kim and Brian lostChristian there still wasn’t much sup-port. They left the hospital and that waskind of it,” she said.

Gredinger, a social worker, felt hertraining in grief and bereavement couldhelp other families dealing with a baby’sdeath. “We are available on an on-callbasis if there is a sudden death of aninfant in the Fairfield County area. Thefamily calls the hotline, and then a vol-unteer calls us, and we contact the fam-ily. Our services differ from some griefsupport groups because we make homevisits. We know that when a family goesthrough this they are immobilized. I getsatisfaction knowing I offer help to fam-ilies in need. I have two grandchildren,and I couldn’t imagine going throughthis alone,” she added.

The journey for a SIDS family isn’teasy. The second tragedy in the wake ofa SIDS death is often that families fallapart. According to the National SIDSClearinghouse Information Exchange,the divorce rate among bereaved parentsis anywhere from 40 to 70 percent.

Brian described the grief as so deep,he and Kim were paralyzed. They could

not eat, they could not sleep, they tookone day at a time, and they cried everyday for an entire year. Then, little Arian-na smiled. “(She) brought us back,” heexplained.

Kim and Brian had another child twoyears ago, and since SIDS can run in

families, special care is taken with sib-lings. Most SIDS deaths occur betweentwo and four months, so Noella was onan apnea monitor to observe her breath-ing for the first few months of her life.She is now a healthy two-year-old.

Christian remains very much a part ofthe family’s life, his sisters know allabout him, and he is in their lives. Thefamily takes comfort from the words of

Rev. Osborne, the priest who wouldhave baptized Christian but insteadeulogized him, “Christian and his beau-tiful heart and peaceful soul are with useven now, because he is with God andGod is with us.”

For more information, visit TheChristian Meehan Hope Foundation forSIDS website, www.chfsids.org, or callthe HOPELINE at 1-888-616-HOPE.

Dealing With SIDS—(Continued from page 5)

(Courtesy the CJ Foundation,www.cjsids.com)

New autopsy data provide thestrongest evidence yet that SuddenInfant Death Syndrome is not a“mystery” disease but has a concretebiological cause. In The Journal of theAmerican Medical Association( JAMA), researchers at Children’sHospital Boston documentabnormalities in the brainstem – amajor part of the brain that regulatesbreathing, blood pressure, body heat,and arousal – in babies who died fromSIDS.

SIDS is the leading cause of post-neonatal death in infants in the U.S.Although studies have identifiedSIDS risk factors, such as puttingbabies to sleep on their stomachs, therehas been little understanding ofSIDS’s biological basis or causes.

Neuroscientists Hannah Kinney,MD, and David Paterson, PhD, atChildren’s Hospital Boston examinedbrain autopsy specimens from 31infants who had died from SIDS and10 who had died acutely from othercauses, obtained from the San DiegoChief Medical Examiner’s office. Dr.Henry Krous, a pediatric pathologistand SIDS expert, played a major role

in this study as well. Examining thelowest part of the brainstem, known asthe medulla oblongata, they foundabnormalities in nerve cells that makeand use serotonin, one of over 100chemicals in the brain that transmitmessages from one nerve cell toanother.

Based on their findings, Drs.Kinney and Paterson now hope that adiagnostic test can begin to bedeveloped that could identify infantsat risk for SIDS. They also envisionsomeday a drug or other type oftreatment to protect infants who haveabnormalities in their brainstemserotonin system from sudden death.

(Note: The CJ Foundation forSIDS, which provided funding for thisresearch project, is a national nonprofitorganization dedicated to supportingthe special needs of the SIDScommunity through funding SIDSresearch, support services, and publicawareness programs. Recognized asthe leading SIDS organization in thecountry and the largestnongovernment funder of programs,the CJ Foundation was co-founded in1994 by Joel and Susan Hollander inmemory of their daughter, CarlyJenna, who died from SIDS in 1993.)

Research Breakthrough ShowsSIDS May Have a Biological Cause

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The Meehan Family: (left to right), Noella, Kim, Brian and Arianna

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problem have developed a variety ofplans and procedures to try to keep ourschools safe and to respond should aproblem happen.

Should parents also develop a multi-tude of plans and procedures to react to aschool violence incident? No! If parentswant to become part of the solution, theycan start by understanding two words:awareness and communication.

Awareness that an incident can hap-pen is the first step. It likely will nothappen, but it could. Search the Inter-net and you will find that incidents ofschool violence have occurred in placessimilar to those in our area. The role youcan play in prevention, preparation, andresponse, should an incident happen,will affect its outcome.

With awareness comes concern, andwith concern comes action -- action tolearn all you can about school violence.Learn what it is -- from the bullying tothe killings and everything in between.What are potential causes and what aresome solutions? Research and readabout the incidents of school violencethat have occurred. How did they start?Why did they start? What stoppedthem? Did someone have informationthat might have prevented an incident?Did school safety plans work? This willprovide you with information so you, as

a parent, have a better understanding ofthe problem and ways to prevent, pre-pare for, and respond to an incident.

The information you gather is noth-ing more than thoughts -- unless youcommunicate them. Talk to your chil-dren about school violence. Start byasking about fire alarms. Do they havedrills? How often? Then ask themwhat they think about school violence, ifthey ever experienced it, or if they evertalked about it with their teachers.Chances are your child has heard aboutincidents in the news or has beenexposed to it in a video game, so whynot talk about it? Focus on mutualrespect, anti-bullying, and the value of asafe environment in which to learn. Fortips to help you discuss the topic,explore the National Youth ViolencePrevention Resource Center website,www.safeyouth.org.

The 2002 Safe School Initiative, aU.S. Secret Service study of schoolshootings and other school-basedattacks, found that prior to most incidents,other people knew about the attacker’s ideaand/or plan to attack. Urge your childrento tell someone if they ever hear a fellowstudent talking about committing vio-lence at school. The study also found:

• Incidents of targeted violence atschool rarely were sudden, impulsive acts.

• Most attackers engaged in some

behavior prior to the incident thatcaused others concern or indicated aneed for help.

• Most attackers had difficulty copingwith significant losses or personal fail-ures. Moreover, many had considered orattempted suicide.

• Many attackers felt bullied, perse-cuted, or injured by others prior to theattack.

• Most attackers had access to andhad used weapons prior to the attack.

• In many cases, other students wereinvolved in some capacity.

• Despite prompt law enforcementresponses, most shooting incidents werestopped by means other than lawenforcement intervention.

Share this information and inquireabout what resources the school is pro-viding to prevent violence. Do they haveanti-violence classes, conflict resolutionclasses, or other means to address issuesbefore they become big problems? Dothey work to enforce rules, preventgangs, and prevent access by unautho-rized visitors to the school? Discuss pre-vention and planning programs with thePTA and teachers. Prepare yourself andyour children for an incident. Encourageresidents around schools to be watchfulof suspicious persons and activitiesoccurring in and around the school andto report the activity to police.

Discuss with administrators the fol-lowing three things you as parents needto know about the school your child

attends:1. Do they have plans and procedures

in place to protect the children? 2. How are they going to notify par-

ents of an incident? 3. How can parents be reunited with

their children should an incident hap-pen? Knowing this prior to an incidentwill help you prepare should an incidenthappen and help avoid a rush to thescene by parents seeking informationand reunification.

Finally, if you want to help preventschool violence, it helps to understandthe ongoing battle between “conven-ience” and safety. It may not be “con-venient” to wear a seat belt every timeyou drive, but it helps keep you safe.Well thought-out school security plansmay not always be “convenient,” but theyare designed to keep your children safe.Do not sacrifice school safety for “con-venience.” School safety plans, like firedrill plans, are designed to keep yourchild safe -- learn about them, commu-nicate them, and above all, follow them.

(Capt. MacNamara heads the Fair-field Police Department EmergencyServices Unit which includes the Spe-cial Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)team. He trains school personnel inregard to emergency responses to crisissituations, and was the lead negotiatorduring the 2001 Fairfield Universityhostage crisis.)


What If...? —(Continued from page 16)

• MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES are the No.1killer in America for children under 14 yearsof age. Proper child restraint systems canreduce fatal injuries 71% of the time forinfants and 54% for toddlers.

• IN 2005, 43,443 PEOPLE were killed inmotor vehicle crashes. This is the leadingcause of death for Americans between theages of 4 and 34.

• IN 2005, 2.7 MILLION PEOPLE wereinjured in motor vehicle crashes.

• THERE ARE NEARLY as many fatal carcrashes involving 16 and 17 year olds from 3-5pm Monday through Friday as there areon Friday and Saturday nights.

• TEEN DRIVERS aged 16-19 have a fatalityrate four times that of drivers ages 25-69.

AAA CT MOTOR CLUB FACTOIDS:CT AAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

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