Police report: stolen-vehicle numbers down; sick-leave accrual changed July 1

Chief and department staff told the Simsbury Police Commission that stolen-vehicle reports have "gone down significantly," and that the department's year-to-date total for stolen vehicles is five, which the chief said is "back to the pre pandemic numbers." The chief urged residents to secure key fobs and avoid leaving valuables in plain view. Commissioners asked about what appeared to be an increase in other categories year to date; staff explained some month-to-month variability and pointed to a recent uptick in April and May but said the situation improved by July. Staff also told the commission that a contractual change to sick-leave accrual took effect July 1. "The sick leave did change. Effective July 1, there was a contractual change, on that accrual system as opposed to the existing system that we've had for decades," the chief said. On overtime, the department reported it was "on key with where we are in the budgets" and noted the fiscal position is sound one month into the year. Commissioners and staff discussed part 1 versus part 2 offenses for reporting: staff explained that part 1 offenses are the federal-designated groups such as homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson; "all the other offenses are part 2," staff said. No formal policy or ordinance changes were proposed during the discussion.