HARTFORD, Conn. -- A group of unidentified Hartford Police officers have sent a letter to the chief, assistant chief and deputy chiefs, alleging that they have been threatened by a city gang.
The officers from the South Patrol Division said that they have been threatened by the Los Solidos street gang. In a letter to the chiefs, the officers wrote that, "South officers have been blatantly threatened by the Los Solidos street gang."
The officers said that the gang members, beginning in three months, "will blow up squad cars" and "shoot any officer who approaches them."
The officers said gang members are in the process of obtaining bulletproof vests.
The Los Solidos, or the Solids, are a mostly Hispanic gang, organized to deal drugs. Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Jamie Roth reported that the gang was especially dangerous during the 1990s. Roth reported that the Solidos is re-emerging in the same neighborhoods that it terrorized during the 90s: the corners of Franklin and Shultas and Park and Zion. Police said officers are being shot at mostly at the intersection of Park and Zion streets.
The South Patrol officers said their information comes from intelligence.
Roth reported that a Hartford officer ducked a bullet at the location in January and a massive manhunt for the shooter followed. "We take the security of our officers very seriously and it is of paramount concern," said Deputy Chief Paul Hammick. "We have taken the necessary steps in the South End and throughout the city to make sure our officers have up-to-date intelligence of any threats to their safety. However, we do not discuss specific strategies as they relate to our investigation of gang activities. |