Former resident trooper feels the need's still there in town of Kent

To the Editor:

This spring, the Board of Selectmen need to reconsider the restoration of a resident state trooper in Kent.

While First Selectman Bruce Adams has said the town is satisfied without one, I believe the loss of the trooper is a step backward for our town.

A town hearing on the issue would be very welcome.

From July 1, 1968, to Feb. 28, 1975, I was a signed as the resident state trooper in Kent and, as a result of this appointment, was required to live in town. This was before unions, computers and the 40-hour work week.

I was also required to have a telephone with the same number that rang at my home and in the resident trooper's office. I was also required to be available 24 hours a day and received phone calls at my residence day and night.

I responded to many calls for assistance even when I was off duty. I left the position after seven years on my own accord because of my familiarity with many citizens that affected my objectivity.

Today, resident troopers do not have to live in town and are not required to do so.

However, there is no question the town of Kent still needs a resident trooper to follow up on the numerous criminal and motor vehicle investigations.

We also need a trooper to conduct the DARE program that was eliminated last year.

Last year, the resident trooper program was removed from the budget basically because several local merchants and two members of the Board of Selectman were dissatisfied with our trooper, who had been here for eleven years.

While I personally was not happy with the decision to eliminate the trooper program, I did believe our current resident trooper became complacent and he should have requested a transfer because he was here far too long.

The trooper's expertise is required in order to make a criminal case against the individuals.

Even though I have been retired for twenty years, I am still concerned about our town. Crime will always be around, like it or not.

The Connecticut State Police at Troop L, Litchfield does an outstanding job in responding to our many calls for assistance.

If a major crime occurs, the western district major crime squad would respond and take over the investigation.

I was assigned to the major crime squad from April 15, 1978 until my retirement on Sept. 1, 1989.

During those years, I worked on numerous major investigations that occurred in towns that had resident troopers.

I found that information supplied by the resident troopers was extremely valuable in solving the case because they know their community and the people who live there.

While serving as the resident trooper in Kent, I recall making an arrest on a town ordinance that required peddlers who solicit services to obtain a license from the first selectman's office.

This scam involved out-of-state peddlers who did driveway sealing. The ordinance no longer exists in that form and is not enforceable. It may be time to amend that ordinance and to reinstate the resident trooper program.

We should not return to the 20th century.

Andrew Ocif

Kent