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Lawmakers speak out against bill that stops police from crossing town lines

A bill which would prohibit local police officers from crossing town lines to enforce municipal ordinances has been approved by the state House, and awaits action in the Senate. 

 

The legislation was prompted by an incident involving former Major League Baseball player Doug Glanville who was approached by a West Hartford officer while shoveling his own driveway and accused of door-to-door solicitations.  Glanville said he simply met the description of a black male in a dark coat with a shovel, soliciting work.

 

While the offenses don't warrant high-speed pursuit, Bethel Representative Dan Carter says there should be some accountability.  Every police officer in Connecticut has standard training and has the seal of the state of Connecticut on their badge.  Carter says if someone violates the law, there should be some mechanism to enforce that ordinance.  He says it doesn't make sense, for the sake of resources, to have an officer from another department follow up on the inquiry.

 

New Milford state Representative Cecilia Buck-Taylor questioned the sponsor of the bill about what he was hoping would come from this.  Representative Matt Ritter told Buck-Taylor the goal is better relationships between police and the community, and that he has growing concerns about where the country is headed.

 

But she says she doesn't believe this bill in any way fosters better relationships between police and certain segments of society.  Buck-Taylor said on the House floor: "I don't think we're being necessarily honest about what's trying to be accomplished".

 

Monroe state Representative JP Sredzinski says it could have a negative impact on law enforcement.

 

Republicans Mitch Bolisnky of Newtown, John Frey of Ridgefield, Steve Harding of Brookfield, and Redding's John Shaban were also among those voting no.

 

 

Danbury Democratic Representatives David Arconti and Bob Godfrey along with Republicans Jan Giegler and Richard Smith of New Fairfield approved the measure. 

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