In hopes of duplicating the success of law-enforcement groups combating gun violence in New Haven and Hartford, a Greater New Britain Shooting Task Force has formed, and the Berlin Police Department is on board.
In addition to New Britain, Berlin PD will join forces with police departments in Bristol, Newington, Plainville and Southington, as well as officers from Central Connecticut State University and Hartford, state corrections and probation officials, and an inspector from the office of the chief state's attorney.
Although gun violence in Berlin is a rarity, the town will benefit from the partnership, according to Berlin Police Chief Paul Fitzgerald. In the event of a crime such as a serious assault or an armed robbery, like this summer’s hold-up of a Burger King in Berlin, the town can call on the task force for assistance in launching an investigation.
In neighboring New Britain, violent crimes are far more common. Gun violence resulted in five homicides over the last year and nearly 150 reports of gunfire or other gun-related incidents in the past nine months, according to a press release from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.
