On the agenda: West Hartford Public Safety Committee — Automated License Plate (Oct 6)

West Hartford Public Safety Committee Meeting
This Committee Meeting will be available for live viewing on the WHCi
YouTube Channel. Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM
1. Call to Order
A. Call to Order
2. Business Items
A. Approval of Minutes - September 1, 2026
B. Update on the Police Department's Automated License Plate Reader Program
C. Overview of Connecticut's New E-Bike Regulations
3. Communications
4. Staff Reports
A. Fire Dept. Update
B. Police Dept. Update
5. Future Agenda Items
6. Adjournment

Anyone requiring auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or
modification of policies or procedures to participate in a meeting, service,
program, or activity of the Town of West Hartford should contact Yeraida
Reinheimer, at [email protected] or (860) 561-7440, as
soon as possible, preferably seven days beforehand.

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Public Safety Committee
Virtual Meeting Minutes
The committee meeting was aired on the WHCi YouTube
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM
1. Call to Order

This meeting was called to order at 8:01 AM.
Present: Committee members: Councilor Barry Walters, Chair; Councilor Tiffani McGinnis; and
Councilor Gayle Harris. Councilors: Deputy Mayor Deb Polun, Councilor Lisa Lazarus, Councilor Ben
Wenograd, and Councilor John Lyon. Staff: Town Manager Rick Ledwith; Fire Chief Greg Priest;
Assistant Fire Chief James Silver; Police Chief Vernon Riddick; Police Assistant Chief Larry Terra;
Assistant Chief Robert Riccobon; Assistant Fire Chief Robert Grimaldi; Lieutenant Miele; and Fire
Marshall Robert Grimaldi.

2. Business Items
A. Approval of Minutes— The minutes of the August 4, 2026, meeting were approved
without objection.

3. Communications
A. No communications were provided at this time.

4. Staff Reports
A. A Fire Department Update from the Chief Priest was provided along with a presentation
of the Fire Marshal’s Office Inspection Program.
B. A Police Department Update from Chief Riddick was provided.

5. Future Agenda Items
A. No future agenda items were proposed at this time.

6. Adjournment
This meeting adjourned at 8:59 AM.

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POLICE DEPARTMENT

VERNON RIDDICK, JR

OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF

CHIEF OF POLICE

To: Public Safety Committee
From: Chief Vern Riddick
Date: 10/6/2026
Subject: West Hartford Police Department Update
Hiring and Retention:
o 2 vacancies
Pistol Permits:
o September 2025 – 15; September 2026 - 17 (12 men, 5 women) YTD 2026: 171
Notable recent police activities:
o September 2025 - The Town experienced 190 motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and
811 motor vehicle stops. In September 2026, there were 206 MVAs and 577 motor
vehicle stops. From January 1-September, 2026 we have had 6,487 motor vehicle
stops, for the same time period in 2025, we recorded 6,936 motor vehicle stops.
o During the month of September 2026, the Emergency Reporting Center received
2,056 “911” calls and 4,980 “routine” calls for service. YTD through September
2026, 95.4% of the “911” calls were handled in less than 10 seconds.
•

Patrol Division
▪

September 1-#26-42230: On this date a caller reported that a FLOCK camera was
on fire. FD responded and extinguished the fire and determined that the flame did
not appear to have been fueled by accelerants. The pole had been cut down; and
the resulting force of hitting the ground may have contributed to the equipment
igniting. No arrests made at this time

▪

September 11-#26-44320: Officers responded to a complaint that a vehicle failed
to stop for a crossing guard and made contact with the crossing guard’s sign. The
investigation yielded a suspect vehicle/operator, evidence of the incident, and
resulted in enforcement action. Vitalia Hrybanau was issued an infraction ticket
for failing to stop for a school crossing guard.

West Hartford Police Department
103 Raymond Road
West Hartford, Connecticut 06107
Phone (860) 523-5203 Fax (860) 570-8964
www.westhartfordct.gov/police

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POLICE DEPARTMENT

VERNON RIDDICK, JR

OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF

CHIEF OF POLICE

•

▪

September 13-#26-44320: Units were dispatched to a report of a
collision, where a male and female were seen walking away. Both
persons were located and were uncooperative and intoxicated. The individuals
were assaultive and interfered with officers, resulting in a use of force. The
investigation revealed that the female drove through a red light (causing a
collision), after striking a Hartford Fire Department truck in Hartford, and also
evaded that scene. The male was found to be in possession of a large quantity of
marijuana. Hector Aguilera was arrested and charged with Interfering, Sale of
Marijuana, Assault on Police. He was held on a $75,000 surety bond. Kiara
Almedina was arrested and charged with DUI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Stop at
a Red Light, Evading, Interfering, Assault on Police. She was held on a $75,000
surety bond.

▪

September 20-#26-45503: Officers responded to a report of an emotionally
disturbed person who was non-med compliant, under the influence of alcohol
and/or drugs, and had threatened to harm his family & himself. It was also
reported he poured gasoline on family members’ vehicles. He later barricaded
himself in his room and was reportedly armed with a pellet gun (which he later
pointed out a bedroom window). After an extensive and extended negotiation
effort/incident management, he was taken into custody and shipped to an area
hospital. Pellet gun and ammunition was seized.

Detective Division
▪

Update #26-25651: In the late-night hours of May 30, 2026 into May 31, 2026, an
assault occurred at the Elbow Room, 986 Farmington Avenue. It was reported that
the male victim may have sustained an orbital fracture in his eye after being sucker
punched by an unknown individual. The case was assigned to the Detective
Division for further investigation. After numerous interviews, photo lineups,
social media and other open-source searches, a suspect was developed. Detectives
were able to obtain a confession from the suspect for the assault. The warrant was
approved by the court. Brian Rackliffe was arrested on September 2, 2026 for
Assault in the Second Degree and Breach of Peace in the Second Degree. He was
issued a $7,000 bond set by the Court.

▪

September 25-#26-46639: On this date detectives were in the area of Prospect
Avenue/Capitol Avenue and observed a suspicious vehicle traveling between
nearby gas stations. A motor vehicle stop was conducted and detectives observed
a white-powdery substance in plain view. The occupants of the vehicle were asked
to step out of the vehicle, and while being detained, the passenger reached for his
belt line and began to resist detectives. A Polymer 80, 9mm pistol (ghost gun) was
West Hartford Police Department
103 Raymond Road
West Hartford, Connecticut 06107
Phone (860) 523-5203 Fax (860) 570-8964
www.westhartfordct.gov/police

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POLICE DEPARTMENT

VERNON RIDDICK, JR

OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF

CHIEF OF POLICE

▪

(cont’d) recovered. In addition to the illegal firearm, crack cocaine and
ecstasy pills were located in the vehicle. Jevon McMillian was arrested
and charged with the following: Failure to Display Lights, Criminal Possession of
a Firearm, Carrying a Pistol without a Permit, Weapons in a Motor Vehicle, HighCapacity Magazine, Failure to Obtain Serial Number, Possession of a Controlled
Substance-2nd Offense (three counts), Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell
(three counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Interfering with a Police Officer,
and Assault on a Police Officer. McMillian was issued a $750,000 Surety Bond.

West Hartford Police Department
103 Raymond Road
West Hartford, Connecticut 06107
Phone (860) 523-5203 Fax (860) 570-8964
www.westhartfordct.gov/police

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