Police and Fire Archives - Norwich Observer

Silent Rejection: Article 11 and the Selectboard’s Inaction

Posted on January 3, 2024 by CTK

At Town Meeting in March 2023, Norwich residents approved Article 11, advising the Town “to consider” the addition of a fifth full-time officer to the Norwich Police Department (NPD). However, the Selectboard has quietly rejected this vote by finalizing next year’s budget without allocating funds for the additional position and more importantly for this post, without any discussion of Article 11. The Board’s rejection of the voters wish to consider the issue, without any kind of explanation, prompts questions about Continue reading Silent Rejection: Article 11 and the Selectboard’s Inaction→

Selectboard puts off discussion of adding fifth police officer until Fall

Posted on April 25, 2023 by CTK

The Norwich Selectboard has “decided” to delay consideration of adding a fifth police officer to the Norwich Police Department until budget season in the Fall. This decision was made at the Selectboard’s meeting on April 12th, where the topic was essentially tabled as part of the agenda setting process. My observations on the topic are at the end of this post, including a task force charge provided by ChatGPT. Background At Town Meeting 2023, voters approved Article 11, which advised Continue reading Selectboard puts off discussion of adding fifth police officer until Fall→

Norwich Police, Speeding Tickets and Community Policing

Posted on July 5, 2019 by CTK

The latest monthly report by the Norwich Police Department contains a good commentary about community policing and speeding tickets. Recall the outcry leading up to and at the June 12 Selectboard meeting about the Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB’s). Several residents suggested a heavier hand by the police in ticketing speeders was part of the solution to increased pedestrian safety. That suggestion has some instant appeal. But the NPD commentary says that statistics don’t tell the whole story. More importantly, heavy ticketing Continue reading Norwich Police, Speeding Tickets and Community Policing→