Latest news with #MiddletownPolice
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Middletown set to become first CT city approved to use red light, speed cameras
Middletown is set to become the first city in Connecticut to use automated red light and speed cameras. The city's application to use the cameras — which has to be approved by the Connecticut Department of Transportation before a municipality can install them — received the go-ahead on May 23, paving the way for the automated enforcement to be used on three city streets, including two near schools. 'It is designed to reduce the dangerous conditions within our community overall, and at the selected locations specifically,' Erik Costa, chief of the Middletown Police Department, wrote in the application to the state. 'These dangerous conditions contribute to traffic collisions, serious injuries and deaths involving pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and vulnerable roadway users on our roads.' Middletown is the third municipality to receive approval for use of the cameras and the first city in the state to get the green light. Town officials in Washington received approval of their application in December, and an application in Marlborough was OK'd earlier this month. According to the DOT, applications remain pending in Greenwich, Hamden, New Haven, Stamford, Stratford and Wethersfield. The devices could be in use in Middletown as early as July. For the first 30 days, written warnings will be issued, the DOT said. After that, fines can be as high as $50 for the first offense and can jump to as much as $75 for the second and subsequent offenses. The money that is generated must be used 'for the purposes of improving transportation mobility, investing in transportation infrastructure improvements or paying for the costs associated with the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices,' according to the DOT. In Middletown, the three sites where the cameras will be installed include on Route 66 between Woodgate Drive and George Street; Westfield Street between McCormick Lane and Bailey Road; and Country Club Road between Higby Road and Knox Boulevard. The Middletown Police Department includes a two-officer Traffic Unit which is responsible for 42 miles of roads and is 'unable to address all traffic concerns,' the city's application states. 'Controlling speeds through an automated enforcement system will help address certain increased safety concerns.' The speed limit on Route 66 is 35 mph, but police regularly report drivers going more than 70 mph, according to the application. 'Westbound vehicles are on a steep decline as they enter a densely populated area with an apartment complex and active business district,' Costa wrote. 'Additionally, the straight roadway feature entices motorists to accelerate through the area, leading to high-speed vehicles causing near miss crashes for motorists attempting to ingress and egress the residential and commercial driveways located along this path.' A speed study conducted on Route 66 found that, on average, a little more than 30,000 vehicles use the road each day. According to city's speed camera application, a little more than 75% of motorists were found to be going more than 10 mph over the speed limit. Westfield Street falls within a school zone near Spencer Elementary School. The road has a 20 mph speed limit and sits within a residential neighborhood. 'The sidewalks and crosswalks positioned along the roadway are regularly utilized by school children,' Costa wrote. Westfield Street is a heavily traveled road often used by motorists accessing Route 217 and Route 66, the application states. It also sees a heavy uptick in travel during drop-off and pick-up times at the school. A speed study found that an average of about 15,443 drivers use the road each day, with just under 50% of them going more than 10 mph over the speed limit, according to Costa. Country Club Road was chosen as one of the sites because it's a 'winding roadway with minimal shoulder space,' Costa wrote. 'The road landscape and layout make it dangerous for law enforcement to effectively enforce speed limits or conduct safe traffic stops,' Costa added. The road is often used to get to Interstate 91 and Route 3, and by commuters traveling to and from Meriden, according to the application. 'Northwest traffic on Country Club Road leads into the mountains leading downhill and then uphill through the Higby Mountain area,' Costa wrote. 'Vehicles traveling southeast enter two consecutive blind curves that limit sightlines leading to high-speed vehicles and near miss crashes for motorists attempting to ingress and egress the many residential driveways located along this path.' Country Club Road is also used to get to Moody Elementary School and local soccer fields. 'This speed control area is a long straightaway, flanked by s-curves on either end,' Costa states. 'High speed acceleration in this straightaway leads to safety concerns as vehicles navigate the S-curves, parks, school, and cross traffic within this area.' A traffic study on Country Club Road found that it averages about 1,213 motorists each day, with a whopping 99% of drivers going more than 10 mph over the 25 mph speed limit, according to the city's application.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Officer hurt after cruiser gets hit by stolen vehicle
A Middletown police officer was injured after being involved in a crash with a stolen vehicle. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police were on patrol Sunday around 1 p.m. when they spotted a stolen vehicle in the area of Winona Drive and N. Verity Parkway, according to Middletown Police. TRENDING STORIES: 'Murdered right in front of our eyes;' Family of man who died in jail custody calling for charges 19-month-old girl drowns in Ohio pond Area Kroger locations to celebrate senior shoppers, offer discounted groceries The officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to comply and drove off. Police said the driver was going northbound on Tytus Avenue when they tried to turn left onto Eldora Drive and collided with a Middletown Police cruiser. Both people in the stolen vehicle got out and ran away. One of them was later taken into custody. The officer involved in the crash was transported to Atrium Medical Center for treatment. Their injuries were described as minor. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Gary Bender at (513) 425-7735, via email at garyb@ or reach out to our Police Dispatch Center at (513) 425-7700. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Report: Number of traffic stops in Connecticut increase by 14% in 2023
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — The Connecticut Data Collaborative released their 2023 traffic stop data on Tuesday, showing a 14% increase from the year before. There were 358,000 traffic stops conducted, making 2023 the third consecutive year that the total number of traffic stops increased. Despite the increase, the amount of stops still remains below pre-pandemic levels, with 513,000 stops reported in 2019. Middletown Police runs traffic stops for people with autism Only 21% of law enforcement agencies across the state reported more traffic stops in 2023 than 2019. The municipalities with the highest increase compared to 2019 were Avon, Weston and Southington, with Avon increasing a staggering 167%. Sixty three percent of traffic stops were for male drivers, and more than half of them were for White drivers. Black and Hispanic drivers accounted for 19% of the stops. Most stops were safety related (57%), followed by administrative and equipment related, the organization said. Of the safety-related stops, the most common reason for people being pulled over was speed, accounting for 35% of all traffic stops, the report said. Overall, 62% of stops led to verbal or written warnings. Thirty one percent resulted in infractions and 4% led to misdemeanors. 5,317 vehicles were searched, accounting for just 1.6% of stops worldwide. Searches occurred in less than 1% of stops involving Asian, American Indian and non-Hispanic drivers. Stops of Black drivers resulted in a search of 2.7% of stops and Hispanic drivers in 2.9% of stops. The report said that contraband was found in 21% of vehicle searches. Vehicle searches occurred in the highest percentage of traffic stops in Waterbury, West Haven and Bridgeport. See the full report here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Middletown Police runs traffic stops for people with Autism
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH) — Middletown Police officers held a traffic stop practice for people on the spectrum. Officers demonstrated how the DMV's 'blue envelope' works and why it is important for people with Autism to use. The envelope carries the driver's insurance card, driver's license and registration all in one packet. 'They could see that getting pulled over by the police doesn't have to be scary, kind of know what to expect so it makes them more comfortable if it happens in real life and also gives us a chance to learn from them, too, so it's really good for both people,' Lt. Dan Petrulis said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Uber driver charged with indecently assaulting teen in Dauphin County
DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — An Uber driver in Dauphin County was accused of making unwanted sexual advances to a teenage girl passenger. While he was giving the girl a ride, Frantz Fleureme, 32, of York, allegedly made sexual advances and grabbed the girl, the charges filed by Middletown Police show. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The victim, police said, rode in the back seat of the Uber from Mechanicsburg to Middletown around 1 a.m. on March 1. According to the charges, the teen forgot her phone charger, and the Uber returned to Mechanicsburg. The teen then sat in the front seat to charge her phone when police say Fleureme started making inappropriate remarks. Homicide-suicide declared after bodies found in Dauphin County house fire Felureme allegedly asked the girl if they could get a hotel room, despite her telling him that she was not of legal age, the charge state. He is also accused of grabbing her arm and pulling her towards him in a sexual manner. Police found Felureme after getting a description of him and the vehicle he was driving, a 2010 Dodge Journey, when they spoke with the victim. Felureme allegedly admitted to talking about sex with the girl when questioned by police. Felureme faces a felony charge of unlawful contact with a minor and multiple misdemeanors, including indecent assault and corruption of minors. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now He is in Dauphin County Prison with his bail set at $10,000 by Magisterial District Judge Dave Judy. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
