The Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee voted Thursday to refer a mayoral resolution authorizing the city to lease office space at 127–133 Martin Street for a Hartford Police Department Northeast District office back to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation.

The item, introduced by Mayor Anna Lampalom, was presented to the committee by Hartford Police Chief Ravella, who said the location would let officers complete reports in the neighborhood rather than returning to central headquarters. “127, Martin Street is a key, key area in Northeast. It's a great place for officers to do their reports,” Chief Ravella said. He added the site would provide a visible police presence and that the renovation would impose “no cost” to the department beyond furniture and computers.

Why it matters: Committee members said a neighborhood office could speed response and improve community contact in a section of the Northeast district that has seen recent activity. Councilman John Gale asked for a list of existing substations and storefront locations so the committee could compare how the new site would fit the department’s network.

What happened at the meeting: Councilwoman Mallory Rosado moved to refer the lease resolution to council with a favorable recommendation; Councilman John Gale seconded. The chair, Councilman T.J. Clark, called for the voice vote. The record shows Councilwoman Mallory Rosado and Councilman T.J. Clark answered “Aye” and the chair announced the item would be taken up at the next council meeting at the end of the month.

Details from the presentation: Chief Ravella said commanders will supervise the substation and that it will be used by both community-service officers and regular line units. He said the department worked several renovation details with the landlord and that the arrangement would make it easier for officers to “respond to calls far easier than sending them from the police department.”

Next steps: The committee’s favorable referral moves the mayor’s resolution to the full City Council agenda at the end-of-month meeting for consideration.

Sources and attribution: Quotes and attributions are from Chief Ravella and the committee members who spoke during the 10/09/2025 committee meeting.