PAID ADVERTISEMENT Cohen Quiet While Senate Hopeful Crisci Sounds Alarm on Crime "n many areas of Connecti- cut, concerns about crime have usually been a low-pro- file issue, especially in small rural towns with smaller popu- lations. One area relatively im- mune to high-profile crimes is District 12, which includes ru- ral towns like North Branford, Killingworth, Durham, and Middlefield, along with shore- line towns such as Branford, Guilford, Madison, and parts of East Haven. In recent years, most crimes in these areas have been limited to petty theft and occasional domestic disputes. However, concerns about crime in the state and District 12 have become more pronounced de- spite claims that crime statistics indicate a decline. When asked if they felt crime was decreasing, a Guilford resident stated, "I have always felt safe in Guilford, and fortu- nately, I have not experienced crime myself, but I keep hear- ing about crimes in our area on police blotters and in the news, which makes me con- cerned that things have been changing." Another Branford resident added, "I keep hearing crime is down, but I guess the car thieves haven't gotten the memo because I've had my car broken into twice." Recent weeks have seen sev- eral atypical crimes in District 12. Most notably, last week, News 12 reported a federal raid in East Haven, resulting in what was termed the largest drug bust in the state's histo- ry, involving over a hundred thousand counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. Authorities also confiscated a pill press capa- ble of producing one hundred thousand dangerous counterfeit pills per hour. These pills, dis- guised as popular medications, actually contained fentanyl, methamphetamine, and co- caine-substances responsible for numerous overdoses and tragic deaths. U.S. Postal In- spection Service Officer Ketty Larco-Ward stated, "This op- eration disrupted a significant source of illicit pills destined for our neighborhood." Inves- tigators believe many of these counterfeit pills had already reached Connecticut streets. Senate hopeful Crisci expressed his concerns, stating. This is just one of many issues that the majority leadership in Hartford has put us in regarding crime." He reminded everyone that this was a major reason he decided to run in 2022 and is running again in 2024. "I grew up in the Bronx, New York, during the seventies and eighties when crime was at an all-time high, and never once was I a victim of crime," he noted. "Now, living in Branford, I have per- sonally been a victim of two car break-ins, and my daugh- ter's home was robbed." Crisci pointed out that similar reports have become common in his neighborhood over the past two years. Crisci indicated that it was only a matter of time before crimi- nals became bolder, citing that the acceptance of petty crimes often leads to more serious of fenses like car theft and drug trafficking. "It's becoming ac- ceptable to overlook the signs of what will inevitably become larger issues. Criminals are op- portunistic; if given an inch, they will take a foot until some- one holds them accountable." He highlighted an incident on September 20th when police responded to a robbery at Stop & Shop, where a thief driving stolen Kia Sportage stole an el- derly woman's purse. "It's only a purse snatching until some- thing goes wrong. Are we real- ly going to wait until someone dies?" he emphasized. a not tying the hands of our po- lice." He reminded, "Our towns do not have boundaries. Crime will continue to find its way into every town if we don't do something about it." Crisci expressed that he holds his opponent, Christine Cohen, accountable, stating, "Like her and many Democratic col- leagues, they were warned." He continued, "By supporting de funding the police movements and voting for anti-police legis lation, she has given criminals a green light." Crisci explained that, in 2022, he made it clear that the bar continues to be raised as criminals learn the police are not supported due to flawed legislation. "It's not just drugs and car theft; Crisci also referenced a shock- our police face dangers from ing incident reported by the domestic violence restrictions Branford Police blotter, where as well," he added, referring to three suspects were arrested in an incident on September 9th connection with a violent as- when Branford police respond- sault and torture that occurred ed to a domestic dispute that in Branford on September 1st. endangered their officers due to An unnamed victim suffered the assailant's reckless actions. severe abuse, including being "The crimes I mention are not slashed, set on fire, and sexually exaggerations nor meant to assaulted. "Does anyone see a scare people. They aim to in- disturbing trend?" Crisci asked. form residents that this issue "These aren't just kids steal- will not go away unless we ad- ing candy, they are dangerous vocate for change. Our elected crimes that could happen to any officials have become compla- of us. Yet my opponent, Sena- cent at our expense, and we tor Christine Cohen, is sending need to make a change," Crisci out campaign mail touting her special interest record. It is her advised. job to support law enforcement When asked about statistics by voting for legislation that showing a decline in crime, holds criminals accountable, PAUL CRISCI For State Senate District 12 Still No Politics. Just Common Sense. PCforCT.com Paid for by Paul for Senate, Mann Hasen, Treasurer. Approved by Paul Crisci. he replied, "Our legislators are touting old data. Crime is on the rise." Crisci stated, citing FBI. gov and NeighborhoodScout. com, "While crime reports sug- gest a decline in 2022, there is an alarming increase trending steadily in 2023 and into 2024 with no signs of stopping." He explained that the issues we see stem from the Police Account- ability Act supported by Chris- tine Cohen, which has hindered police departments in recruiting and retaining officers. "Who would want this job when Hart- ford leadership doesn't support them?" he questioned. Crisci noted that according to FBI statistics posted by Neigh- borhoodScout.com, Branford has a crime rate considerably higher than the national aver age, and residents have a 1 in 56 chance of being a victim of either a violent or property crime. Crisci stated, "That's just not okay." In closing, when asked how he would address the rise in crimes sponded, "I would immediately like those mentioned, Crisci re- start by revisiting the Police Ac- countability Act and amending it with thoughtful policies that strike a better balance-ensur- ing that police officers have the necessary tools and support to protect our communities effec- tively while still maintaining proper accountability measures lice sentiment." and without promoting anti-po- PAID ADVERTISEMENT Cohen Quiet While Senate Hopeful Crisci Sounds Alarm on Crime " n many areas of Connecti- cut , concerns about crime have usually been a low - pro- file issue , especially in small rural towns with smaller popu- lations . One area relatively im- mune to high - profile crimes is District 12 , which includes ru- ral towns like North Branford , Killingworth , Durham , and Middlefield , along with shore- line towns such as Branford , Guilford , Madison , and parts of East Haven . In recent years , most crimes in these areas have been limited to petty theft and occasional domestic disputes . However , concerns about crime in the state and District 12 have become more pronounced de- spite claims that crime statistics indicate a decline . When asked if they felt crime was decreasing , a Guilford resident stated , " I have always felt safe in Guilford , and fortu- nately , I have not experienced crime myself , but I keep hear- ing about crimes in our area on police blotters and in the news , which makes me con- cerned that things have been changing . " Another Branford resident added , " I keep hearing crime is down , but I guess the car thieves haven't gotten the memo because I've had my car broken into twice . " Recent weeks have seen sev- eral atypical crimes in District 12. Most notably , last week , News 12 reported a federal raid in East Haven , resulting in what was termed the largest drug bust in the state's histo- ry , involving over a hundred thousand counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl . Authorities also confiscated a pill press capa- ble of producing one hundred thousand dangerous counterfeit pills per hour . These pills , dis- guised as popular medications , actually contained fentanyl , methamphetamine , and co- caine - substances responsible for numerous overdoses and tragic deaths . U.S. Postal In- spection Service Officer Ketty Larco - Ward stated , " This op- eration disrupted a significant source of illicit pills destined for our neighborhood . " Inves- tigators believe many of these counterfeit pills had already reached Connecticut streets . Senate hopeful Crisci expressed his concerns , stating . This is just one of many issues that the majority leadership in Hartford has put us in regarding crime . " He reminded everyone that this was a major reason he decided to run in 2022 and is running again in 2024. " I grew up in the Bronx , New York , during the seventies and eighties when crime was at an all - time high , and never once was I a victim of crime , " he noted . " Now , living in Branford , I have per- sonally been a victim of two car break - ins , and my daugh- ter's home was robbed . " Crisci pointed out that similar reports have become common in his neighborhood over the past two years . Crisci indicated that it was only a matter of time before crimi- nals became bolder , citing that the acceptance of petty crimes often leads to more serious of fenses like car theft and drug trafficking . " It's becoming ac- ceptable to overlook the signs of what will inevitably become larger issues . Criminals are op- portunistic ; if given an inch , they will take a foot until some- one holds them accountable . " He highlighted an incident on September 20th when police responded to a robbery at Stop & Shop , where a thief driving stolen Kia Sportage stole an el- derly woman's purse . " It's only a purse snatching until some- thing goes wrong . Are we real- ly going to wait until someone dies ? " he emphasized . a not tying the hands of our po- lice . " He reminded , " Our towns do not have boundaries . Crime will continue to find its way into every town if we don't do something about it . " Crisci expressed that he holds his opponent , Christine Cohen , accountable , stating , " Like her and many Democratic col- leagues , they were warned . " He continued , " By supporting de funding the police movements and voting for anti - police legis lation , she has given criminals a green light . " Crisci explained that , in 2022 , he made it clear that the bar continues to be raised as criminals learn the police are not supported due to flawed legislation . " It's not just drugs and car theft ; Crisci also referenced a shock- our police face dangers from ing incident reported by the domestic violence restrictions Branford Police blotter , where as well , " he added , referring to three suspects were arrested in an incident on September 9th connection with a violent as- when Branford police respond- sault and torture that occurred ed to a domestic dispute that in Branford on September 1st . endangered their officers due to An unnamed victim suffered the assailant's reckless actions . severe abuse , including being " The crimes I mention are not slashed , set on fire , and sexually exaggerations nor meant to assaulted . " Does anyone see a scare people . They aim to in- disturbing trend ? " Crisci asked . form residents that this issue " These aren't just kids steal- will not go away unless we ad- ing candy , they are dangerous vocate for change . Our elected crimes that could happen to any officials have become compla- of us . Yet my opponent , Sena- cent at our expense , and we tor Christine Cohen , is sending need to make a change , " Crisci out campaign mail touting her special interest record . It is her advised . job to support law enforcement When asked about statistics by voting for legislation that showing a decline in crime , holds criminals accountable , PAUL CRISCI For State Senate District 12 Still No Politics . Just Common Sense . PCforCT.com Paid for by Paul for Senate , Mann Hasen , Treasurer . Approved by Paul Crisci . he replied , " Our legislators are touting old data . Crime is on the rise . " Crisci stated , citing FBI . gov and NeighborhoodScout . com , " While crime reports sug- gest a decline in 2022 , there is an alarming increase trending steadily in 2023 and into 2024 with no signs of stopping . " He explained that the issues we see stem from the Police Account- ability Act supported by Chris- tine Cohen , which has hindered police departments in recruiting and retaining officers . " Who would want this job when Hart- ford leadership doesn't support them ? " he questioned . Crisci noted that according to FBI statistics posted by Neigh- borhoodScout.com , Branford has a crime rate considerably higher than the national aver age , and residents have a 1 in 56 chance of being a victim of either a violent or property crime . Crisci stated , " That's just not okay . " In closing , when asked how he would address the rise in crimes sponded , " I would immediately like those mentioned , Crisci re- start by revisiting the Police Ac- countability Act and amending it with thoughtful policies that strike a better balance - ensur- ing that police officers have the necessary tools and support to protect our communities effec- tively while still maintaining proper accountability measures lice sentiment . " and without promoting anti - po-