The Newington Town Council has written a letter to its legislative delegation demanding that they take up the ongoing crisis of underage car theft and break-ins.
The release of the letter, which was sent Wednesday via email to state Reps. Gary Turco, Kerry Wood, and Rick Lopes, and state Sen. Matthew Lesser, coincides with more than 100 cars having been broken into in town on Tuesday night.
In the letter, Newington Mayor Beth DelBuono said that over the last several months motor vehicle theft had increased by 92% and that thefts had increased by 69%. In Wethersfield incidents are up 40% and thefts by 49%. And in Berlin motor vehicle thefts are up 256% and thefts are up 298%.
“The offenders are primarily juveniles and young adults. Many are repeat offenders,” DelBuono wrote. “Because of legislated restrictions impacting apprehension, detainment and conviction, these juveniles are soon back on the street, having faced no real sanctions for their crimes and feeling immune to the risk of continued criminal activity.”
DelBuono wrote that the impact of the spike is felt community-wide, including the use of stolen cars to commit more serious crimes; a risk of injury to others by juveniles who drive recklessly; higher insurance costs; higher taxes to pay for police overtime to combat the issue; escalation of threats from offenders who are sometimes armed; and overall quality of life issues.
DelBuono noted that police are also prohibited from engaging suspected car thieves in pursuit for property crimes or motor vehicle theft.
“As such, offenders have no fear of arrest while fleeing from the police in a vehicle. Resources directed toward law enforcement for training, specialized equipment and increased personnel, although welcome, are useless if the pattern of ‘catch and release’ continues,” she said. “The juvenile justice system is not holding these individuals accountable. The system needs reform.”
DelBouno said while the council supports juvenile justice reform and that it has led to positive outcomes for some, more reforms are necessary to address those engaging in escalating criminal activity and that law enforcement alone is not enough. She said that stronger legislation is needed to ensure the apprehension and prosecution of chronic youthful offenders, and that facilities must be available to keep the most vulnerable off the streets where they can’t hurt themselves or others.
“This is a bigger issue requiring strategic targeting of habitual offenders,” DelBouno said. “The state must take some ownership of the problem.”
Newington’s actions received support from officials in other towns.
Rocky Hill Mayor Lisa Marotta said that she applauds Newington’s actions and that town officials stand in solidarity with them.
Marotta said her council is expecting to have conversations with its delegation and ask them to take their concerns to the state Capitol during the January session.
In Wethersfield, Mayor Michael Rell said the issue is affecting almost every city and town in the state.
“We have seen an unfortunate uptick over the last year. Law enforcement has told me that these break-ins are predominantly being done by youths who know our laws no longer have the teeth they had in the past and with COVID shuttering our courts, there is little to no repercussions of their action,” he said “A collective effort explaining to our legislative delegations the dire need to fix these laws is the first step in getting them changed. Legislators will have a full plate this session, we want to make sure this is a priority for them.”
In Plainville, Town Manager Robert Lee said his town had about 10 break-ins, the same night as the incident in Newington.
“Something has to change,” Lee said, adding that police are now reporting that thieves who used to prey only on unlocked cars are now smashing windows if they find the doors locked. “Penalties are too light.”
Courant reporter Don Stacom contributed to this report.
Steven Goode can be reached at sgoode@courant.com.
