New Security Vans Hit The Street (Fall 2006)

There’s a new pair of eyes and ears on Hartford streets this summer.

Since April, a brand new security van can be seen patrolling the major corridors in South Hartford between 5 pm and 1 am. Staffed by the Hartford Guides, the mobile patrol unit’s mission is to enhance public safety. A second van will soon hit the streets as well.

The security van initiative was organized and funded by the South Hartford Community Alliance, a group of businesses, residents and organizations in South Hartford working together to address issues relating to public safety and quality of life.

In development for the last few years, the South Hartford Community Alliance recently acquired its not-for-profit status.
With the help of Senator John Fonfara and the City of Hartford,
the Alliance received an organizational grant, which they dedicated to launching the security van initiative.

“We’re just trying to get the ball rolling,” said Vincent Carbone, South Hartford Community Alliance President. “We hope to see the security vans become a cutting edge program in the city - with more vehicles on the road to assist the police and make people feel safe.”

To welcome and aid this new mobile patrol, SINA invited the Alliance and Guides to its summer security chiefs meeting; quarterly meetings that facilitates communication and cooperation between the Hartford Police Department and the security teams of the Southside institutions.

“SINA rolled out the red carpet for us,” said Fran Reale, a lead organizer for the Alliance. “To be included in that meeting was very good for us. Doors usually don’t get opened that easily. What SINA did in networking us with those security forces would have been difficult for us to accomplish as quickly and readily.”

Joining the Hartford Police Department and Southside Institutions at SINA’s meeting were Fran Reale and Paul Mozzicato from the South Hartford Community Alliance, as well as Hartford Guide Executive Director Austin Jordan and Hartford Guide Jose Allende, who has been driving the first van.
 
“Communication is power. That’s the bottom line,” said Fran. Indeed, the meeting enhanced the power of South Hartford security by facilitating essential communication and collaboration. Discussion at the meeting focused on areas of responsibility and ways of integrating the Alliance’s mobile units with existing security teams, from coordinating efforts and sharing cell phone numbers to brainstorming about new communications networks.

The meeting concluded with anticipation for the mobile units’ impact and future.

“SINA helped us push it to the next level,” Fran expressed. “Money can’t buy that kind of support and bridge building.”

“That’s what SINA does,” said SINA’s Director of Government and Community Relations John Bailey. “We act as a catalyst.”

“SINA helped us push it to the next level,” Fran expressed. “Money can’t buy that kind of support and bridge building.”