Our Greenwich

Greenwich Post Report DTC Chair killed in car crash after RTM meeting.  Here is link: Greenwich Post.

Here is GPD release on the incident:

GREENWICH POLICE DEPARTMENT

Police Administration Building

11 Bruce Place Greenwich, CT 06830

Phone (203) 618-8819

Fax (203) 618-8852

Contact: Sgt. John Slusarz

Phone: (203) 622-8015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 9, 2010

GPD Case # 10-090305

FATAL MVA

On Monday, March 8, 2010 at approximately 11:40 P.M., the Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting that a car had struck a building at 1064 East Putnam Avenue. Greenwich Police, Fire, and GEMS were detailed. Upon police arrival on scene it was discovered that a single car had struck the west facing side of 1064 East Putnam Avenue, directly across from Saint Catherine’s Church.

The operator and sole occupant of the vehicle was trapped within the car due to impact damage. The Greenwich Fire Department extricated the operator from the vehicle and GEMS transported him to Stamford Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The deceased is identified as: David H. Roberson, Age 42, DOB- 09/22/1967 16 Hassake Road, Old Greenwich, CT

An at scene investigation has revealed that Mr. Roberson was traveling eastbound on East Putnam Avenue approaching Riverside Avenue when his vehicle went out of control and struck the building. The crash remains under investigation by the Traffic Section Crash Reconstruction Unit.

Dave Roberson speaking last night during the Greenwich RTM meeting at Central Middle School.

Dave's car on the sidewalk next to Greenwich Aquarium.

The accident scene between Greenwich Aquarium and Saint Catherine's Church on Riverside Avenue.

Dave Roberson at left during a L'Escale Democratic celebration last Summer.

Dave Roberson at far left with the Greenwich Democratic Team Election night 2009.

Dave with a political sign at Greenwich Town Hall. Congressman Jim Himes came and spoke about the Healthcare plan.

Dave at an Obama victory party in Greenwich

the same party

When VP Joe Biden came to North Greenwich for a fundraiser Dave was in the crowd. In this photo he is holding the sign that says, " KEEP UP the GOOD WORK" at top left.

According to Greenwich Emergency Services dispatch as monitored on the Internet Greenwich Police and Greenwich Emergency Medical Services have responded to an altercation at Post Road and Overlook (where the GHS “Cardinal Stadium” is located.  It seems as if teenage girls are involved.   GEMS is there because of a report of a hand-injury.

Hear what is going on LIVE….

Listen to Greenwich police, fire and GEMS dispatch live at Tom Alessi ScanGreemwich.com website at this link.

For some time I have been recommending that our readers listen to Greenwich police, fire and GEMS dispatch live at Tom Alessi ScanGreemwich.com website.

Well, the website has a new feature — an archive of some past calls.  The first archived police call occurred last month, involving an armed man in Greenwich and it is an excellent example of the drama faced by our police officers.  Moreover, it is a vivid demonstration of the life-threatening risks our Greenwich police could face at any moment.

Without revealing the entire plot, you can listen to the call coming in, the command supervisor (Car “61″) arriving on the scene, initiating a “Code Alpha” alert to all GPD units, the police mobilizing the GPD nationally recognized and award winning sniper, Chris Girard, positioning a team from GEMS in a staging area near-by, the arrival of police back-up, the Supervising hearing the crack of a gunshot, and the ensuing drama.

It is Greenwich’s own “reality” show — a true life and death story.   It illustrates the professionalism of GPD — the calm, reasoned demeanor that comes with years of training and experience.  It shows the teamwork, the stresses, the instantaneous decision making.

It is worth a listen by clicking here: GPD CALL ARCHIVE.

The following was distributed at the East Sector Community and Police Partnership meeting by Community Impact Officer, James Manning.  It is from the Better Business Bureau.

March 6, 2010 - 2:45 p.m. — According to Greenwich Emergency Services dispatch as monitored on the Internet the two missing 8-year old girls who Greenwich Police were looking for are now safe at home.

Hear what is going on LIVE….

Listen to Greenwich police, fire and GEMS dispatch live at Tom Alessi ScanGreemwich.com website at this link.

March 6, 2010 - 2:36 p.m. — According to Greenwich Emergency Services dispatch as monitored on the Internet Greenwich Police are looking for two 8-year old girls reported missing.  They were last seen around 2 p.m. riding bicycles in the area of Valley Road near Pond Place.

Hear what is going on LIVE….

Listen to Greenwich police, fire and GEMS dispatch live at Tom Alessi ScanGreemwich.com website at this link.

March 2, 2010.  2:15 pm. — State Rep. Fred Camillo confirmed that he is withdrawing his bill (A.5344) which would have banned the release of the names of those arrested for domestic violence.   He plans to work on strengthening and clarifying the bill for next session.

Rep. Camillo hopes to work in the off-session with police officials, domestic violence experts and victims’ advocates on a bill for next session that accomplishes the same goal, but eliminates the gray area of concern on this bill.

Rep. Camillo, a strong law and order lawmaker, said he was withdrawing the bill for this session at the request of Greenwich Police Chief David Ridberg because there was some misinterpretation of the bill’s language and intent.  The bill was also opposed in its current form by the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association.  Rep. Camillo said, “Why would I continue if the people I really want to help are opposed?”

“Chief Ridberg issued the following statement: “We are sorry for any miscommunication on this issue.  Lt. [Rick] Cochran had been under the impression the proposed bill was only intended to shield the identity of domestic violence victims.  However, the Greenwich Police Department is NOT in favor of shielding the identity of arrested persons.

“We advocate that any information that leads to identifying a victim of domestic violence should not be part of the public record, but I am not sure how that can be effectively legislated.

“We are fortunate in Greenwich that the local media does not generally release information that identifies domestic violence victims and we would urge your organizations to continue that practice.

“We agree with the spirit of Representative Camillo’s bill as it attempts to help victims of domestic violence, but we do not agree that identities of persons arrested for domestic violence should be kept from the public record.”

The recent introduction in the General Assembly of A.5344 by Cos Cob State Rep. Fred Camillo (R-151) is the culmination of years of effort by members of the Greenwich Police Domestic Violence unit.

The hearing on the Camillo bill is this coming Thursday.  One GPD DV Unit member is so concerned about the legislation that the officer, who is having surgery the day before, is considering not taking pain-relievers following the surgery in order to be clear-headed enough for the hearing.  It is THAT important an issue for this officer.

According to GPD Domestic Violence Unit chief, Lt. Rick Cochran, he, together with Suzanne Adams, the director of the YWCA Domestic Abuse Services, met twice with the Greenwich Times and Greenwich Post two years ago in an attempt to change the way they printed their domestic violence arrests.  The editor agreed to stop printing the names of the victims and only print the abusers’ names and addresses.  But that did no good because you can easily deduct who the victim is when they print the name of the abuse.

Lt.  Cochran said, “This is a battle I have been fighting for a long time and its imperative we change this so that more victims will come forward to report their abuse. It is definitely a deterrent when I have to relate to a victim who was abused that the names will be printed in the paper.  The victim will immediately walk out of my office refusing to report the abuse or receive the help/guidance they so desperately need and seek.”

Detective Christy Girard, also a staunch advocate of the legislation, wrote a public letter to the editor of the local paper in January 2009 asking for a change in their policy.   She wrote to the local paper back then:

“I am appalled that you would post domestic violence arrests in the police blotter, especially when listing criminal charges that are obviously committed against the children.  Printing the name of someone who was arrested for assault or risk of injury to a minor after an incident at (his or her) home with the address clearly lists the victim.

“Domestic violence unfortunately is a part of society that will not be deterred by posting the arrests. It will definitely deter a victim from contacting the police for help.

“Who wants to report to the police that he or she is being abused when it will be in the paper for friends, neighbors and colleagues to read?  How do you weigh the rights of victims versus your First Amendment rights to sell more papers?

“I have no problem with listing crimes that don’t obviously name their victims, but domestic violence is not one of them. Many papers refuse to publish domestic violence, arrests.

“When are you going to, help these kids keep their heads up at school? It’s not their fault.”

Her impassioned pleas fell on deaf ears at the local news outlet.  But that was not the case when State Rep. Camillo learned of the situation last July through OurGreenwich.com.  At that time, Rep. Camillo promised to introduce a bill in the next session, and then did so last month without even so much as a reminder.

Let’s hope the General Assembly doesn’t have deaf ears on this important issue.