Sen. Cicarella Pushes for Expanded Firearm Crime Data Disclosures to Combat Gun Violence

May 24, 2023

Cicarella: ‘Collecting information to make decisions’ a key to public safety.

 

State Sen. Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven), ranking member of the Public Safety and Security Committee, today advocated for increased firearm crime data disclosures to empower law enforcement to combat the state’s gun violence.

 

Senator Cicarella offered an amendment to S.B. 1162 that requires police officers who respond to a firearm crime or fatality to complete an incident report, whether or not an arrest occurs, that includes key information such as: the name(s) of those involved, details about the incident and firearms involved, and other data critical to understanding the cause and effects of gun violence in Connecticut.

 

His amendment, rejected by the Majority, was offered to the underlying bill that funds a pilot program for law enforcement units in certain large cities (Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Waterbury) to combat gun violence and build trust between law enforcement and their communities. The program will be administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP).

 

Also, each municipal law enforcement unit must hold quarterly roundtable meetings, open to the public, with stakeholders to work towards reducing gun violence and crime. The measure also enables DESPP to expand the program to smaller towns if it has the funding to do so.

 

Senator Cicarella said, “We’re trying to put forward a reasonable solution by creating a sound team with resources to address Connecticut’s major gun violence problem. I hope that this endeavor is fruitful, and that there’s collaboration between law enforcement and community stakeholders to address this issue. I applaud the effort, and it is my hope that we can extend this program to smaller towns like those in the 34th District. Gun violence happens everywhere, and all police departments are understaffed. They need to keep families safe and need all resources at their disposal.

 

“Before you can put a plan into action, however, you need to have data. We know there’s a problem, and it is important for us to understand what’s in front of us to make an educated plan to address gun violence. My amendment would have enabled these roundtables to use critical firearm crime data, which would have been gathered, if it passed. I am disappointed that this commonsense proposal was not adopted.”