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Middletown police swear in five new officers, outline traffic enforcement and $150,000 anti-violence programming
Summary
Middletown’s police chief announced five new hires—two certified officers and three academy recruits—described Officer Brownstein’s traffic-enforcement results, and said the department will use $150,000 in anti-violence funding (referred to in the meeting as 'SCUFUS') to fund patrols and school-based motivational speakers.
MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Police Department swore in five new officers and outlined steps to bolster enforcement and youth engagement during the commission’s November meeting.
The chief named the new hires as Hugo Rodriguez; Espinosa (first name not specified); Victoria Garrity; Michael Warden; Jonathan Weinrich; and Joshua Rivera. Garrity and Warden were described as already certified officers; Rodriguez, Espinosa, Weinrich and Rivera were reported to begin at the police academy on Monday the 17th in Middletown.
The chief also reported results from a dedicated traffic-enforcement detail led by Officer Brownstein: 28 shifts completed, 360 traffic stops, 426 traffic tickets issued (222 for speeding) and 19 arrests during the assignment. The chief praised Brownstein’s work as part of a strategy to target high-complaint locations using new traffic software and community input.
On community programming, the chief said the department is in its second year of a grant-funded anti-violence effort (referred to at the meeting as a "snug" grant administered through "SCUFUS") that provides $150,000 for focused anti-violence activities. The funding supports summer patrols, hotspot policing and partnerships with the school district to bring motivational speakers from Middletown; the chief named George Vega as one local presenter who has spoken to students.
The chief said the program will reach all four high-school grades and seventh- and eighth-grade students at Twin Towers and Monhagen schools. Sergeant Welch was singled out for leadership of the department’s leadership program, and the chief noted multiple recent trainings completed by staff.
Commissioners heard that promotional interviews for one lieutenant vacancy and sergeant positions will follow; the commission moved into executive session at the end of the public portion to conduct personnel interviews.
The department did not provide written program materials or formal grant documents during the public meeting; the chief described the funding and partner activities by summary.
