Hartford’s mayor is defending his response to the recent violence in the city.
That comes after critics say Mayor Pedro Segarra has not done enough in response to the spike.
“I want to make crystal clear, crystal clear that I have been at these locations. I have met with families of victims, with victims. I don’t want to drag out the cameras to record each and every one of these events. I don’t want to seem as if I’m politicizing this issue. That is the last thing that our city or this administration needs,” says Segarra.
On Friday, Segarra held a meeting with community leaders and police.
That meeting was closed to the media.
The mayor says he wants to work with police and community groups to help lower crime rates this summer.
The governor says the state stands ready to help but the city also needs some self-reflection.
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“I think that the city fathers need to go back and examine what are they doing right and what are they doing wrong,” says Governor Dannel Malloy, Connecticut.
Reverend AJ Johnson says he knows all too well about the recent violence in Hartford.
“It’s been a very tough time. We’re at homicide number 12. The city is just in disarray,” says Rev. Johnson.
Rev. Johnson says he knew Alford Grayson who police say died after being stabbed outside a store on Barbour Street Wednesday.
“I think the city is doing the best that they can. Can they do more? Yes. Can the community do more? Yes. Can the police? Everyone can do more,” says Rev. Johnson.
After the past two weeks, five families are now grieving for loved ones lost due to violence in Hartford.
