It’s Not Us, It’s Hartford

The big news of the day is Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts shirking police responsibility and basically blaming the citizens of Hartford for the never-ending wave of crime we seem to be wading under in the city.

Some of the more sensational incidents among the dozens piling up is the savage beating of former Deputy Mayor Nick Carbone at Capitol Avenue on his way to breakfast on Monday, and the hit and run of Angel Arce Torres last Friday on Park Street while witnesses stood around, gawking and pointing without actually helping the man. No one called 911, and the man is paralyzed. Roberts stated:

“There was a time they would have helped that man across the street. Now they mug and assault him,” he said. “That’s not a police problem. We no longer have a moral compass. Anything goes.”

Colin McEnroe has two excellent pieces expounding the outrage over Roberts’ comments, as well as the ad nauseous “miserable, ass-covering, loutish approach to law enforcement” and politicking of Mayor Eddie Perez.

Update [6/6/08]: Apparently, the first report by the Courant was wrong–people did call 911 and the website has audio clips.

Update [6/8/08]: Link to the video: “Hartford Police Release Video of Hit and Run“