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Is Hartford's Public Safety Complex Safe?

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The city of Hartford is building a new, $77 million public safety complex to help protect its residents.  But, the complex could use some protection itself.  As WNPR's Jeff Cohen reports, thieves have stripped it copper at least five times since May.
 
When it opens in 2012, the public safety complex will be the new home of Hartford's police, fire, and emergency communications divisions. But so far, it's been an open invitation for thieves.
 
David Panagore is the city's chief operating officer.

"I'm not going to say that it's understandable.  It's never understandable when this  occurs. But at the same time, given the size of the site and given folks who may be  dedicated towards getting this sort of copper, and given the multiple number of entry points, you could almost time it."
 
The construction manager on the project is Gilbane.  A call to the company's Glastonbury offices wasn't returned.  Panagore says security is Gilbane's responsibility.
 
According to police reports, more than 1,000 feet of copper piping were taken from the building during two separate incidents in May.  At the time, there was one private security officer on site -- but that officer was only allowed to police the project's exterior.  

Police reported that the lost copper was worth about $7,000, and that the damage was between $40,000 and $50,000. It appears two men were taken into custody as a result.
 
But the thefts kept coming.  In June, 200 feet of copper wire were reported stolen. In early November, a chop saw was, too. On two back-to-back incidents in late November, thieves took copper piping, fittings, and some brass.  The latest theft was November 29 when two security officers were reportedly onsite.

Panagore says the city is frustrated.
 
"We're trying to make sure that it doesn't happen again and that we are buttoned up.  But are we happy?  No, we're not happy."
 
Panagore says the damages are covered by insurance with a deductible.
 
 

Jeff Cohen started in newspapers in 2001 and joined Connecticut Public in 2010, where he worked as a reporter and fill-in host. In 2017, he was named news director. Then, in 2022, he became a senior enterprise reporter.

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