Police union moves to oust councilman

FRED MUSANTE, Editor July 13, 2006

The Stratford police union this week leveled misconduct charges against Councilman Alvin O'Neal (D-2), who earlier this year accused a police officer of misconduct and brutality. The union also asked the Town Council to remove O'Neal from office.


The inflammatory charges, just days before a scheduled protest rally against alleged unfair treatment of minorities by police, may further strain relations between the town's police officers and African-American residents in the South End.

One of the officers who presented the union's complaint against O'Neal Monday evening, Ulysses Munoz, is a member of a new police unit in the South End that was formed with the hope that it would restore residents' confidence in the police.

The union representatives also said O'Neal was involved in a road rage incident on May 1 in which he allegedly intimidated and verbally abused an elderly resident, John Tabak, 84, of Flora Drive. Tabak reported it to police last week.

O'Neal said the new charge is a slanderous fabrication. "They are doing everything in their power to discredit me," he said.

Town Council Chairman James Feehan (R-9) refused to allow any discussion of the matter, referring it to Town Attorney Richard Buturla because of a question over whether the council has the authority to take any action against O'Neal.

The police union cited several sections of the Town Charter prohibiting council members from interfering with administrative officials in their official duties, and authorizing the council to remove a member from office for a violation.

However, those sections do not appear in the new charter voters adopted in the 2003 election, which rewrote the sections related to the Town Council to accommodate the powers of the newly created office of mayor.

Feehan also cautioned the other council members not to make any statements on the matter, to avoid the appearance of bias in case the complaint does come before them for a decision.

O'Neal accused
O'Neal was arrested on charges of interfering with a police officer and breach of peace on March 21 in a tense, racially charged incident at the corner of Woodend Road and Main Street, when he intervened while Police Cpl. David Gugliotti was attempting to arrest a teenage girl. Gugliotti is white, O'Neal and the girl are black.

O'Neal made a citizen complaint against Gugliotti, claiming the officer punched him and the girl and cursed at him. However, a police department internal affairs investigation ruled that conflicting eyewitness accounts of the incident provided insufficient evidence to support O'Neal's complaint.

Munoz and Police Officer Carlos Castro, both members of the police union's executive board, charged that O'Neal "grossly and repeatedly violated the town charter" by interfering with Gugliotti's arrest.

Regarding the road rage allegation, Munoz, Castro and Police Officer Shawn Farmer, the union president, said they did not know why Tabak waited more than two months to report O'Neal's alleged outburst.

Tabak told police he stopped on Church Street, a narrow, one-way lane in Stratford Center, waiting for another motorist to back into a parking space. He said a driver in a vehicle behind him began blaring his horn impatiently, angrily insisting he move.

Tabak said when he proceeded to the stop light at Main Street, the driver, whom he identified as O'Neal, got out, approached his vehicle in a manner Tabak described as menacing, and shouted repeatedly, "Do you know who I am?" at the elderly man. Tabak reported he was frightened and locked his car doors.

Reached by phone Tuesday, Tabak said he didn't decide to report the incident until he read news reports about O'Neal's plans for the rally at Town Hall.

Tabak told the Star he is angry with the police union for using his report for political purposes. He said he only intended to give police information to use in O'Neal's trial on the interfering charge, and now that he was used as a pawn he would never file a report again.

In response to O'Neal's counter-accusation that Tabak's charge is false, Farmer replied, "Based on his previous statements and actions, this is just what we'd expect from him."

The three police officers scoffed that they had better things to do than invent false charges against O'Neal.

Officer reprimanded
However, the officers now have to field problems of their own. Earlier on Monday, Police Chief Michael Imbro reprimanded an unidentified officer on the order of visibly angry Mayor James R. Miron for harassing Marcia Mitchell-Davis, the mother of the girl O'Neal defended on March 21.

According to O'Neal - and confirmed by Miron - the police officer appeared Monday morning at Mitchell-Davis' Caribbean Delights restaurant at Woodend and Main and ordered her to remove sandwich signs from the sidewalk.

Miron said the signs violate the town's zoning regulations, but police officers normally do not enforce zoning rules.

"How does it look?" Miron asked.

It is the second time police were accused of harassing Mitchell-Davis. Shortly after the March 21 incident, while Gugliotti was on administrative leave pending the internal affairs investigation, Mitchell-Davis said she saw Gugliotti and another officer, Sean Martinez, drive past her restaurant with a video camera.

That allegation was dismissed, along with the other charges against Gugliotti. Imbro said Martinez was on patrol in another part of town when the alleged video drive-by took place.

Mitchell-Davis' daughter, now 15, faces charges in juvenile court of assaulting a police officer, assault in the third degree and breach of peace.

O'Neal was scheduled for a pre-trial court appearance in Bridgeport Monday, but his case was continued until next week.

Rally on Saturday

O'Neal appeared with Miron and an NAACP representative, Wayne Winston, last Thursday to announce that the rally will take place Saturday, July 15, to give town officials time to prepare for traffic and crowd control.

The rally, which will feature state NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile as a speaker, previously was scheduled for last Saturday.

O'Neal said the rally will focus on resolving the racial conflict, not on the alleged police brutality - Miron, in fact, announced he also will be a speaker - but that was before the police union raised the new controversy.

Miron has been supportive of the police and said in an interview last week that the officers feel they have been unfairly attacked in news media reports and under-appreciated.

But the mayor, normally even-tempered and cheerful, was visibly angry with the union officials Monday.

"It's offensive to me that the Stratford police union would take this action," he said before cutting reporters' questions short and storming away.

Miron noted that O'Neal has not been charged with a crime related to Tabak's allegation, and he should be presumed innocent if he were.

New charges by the Stratford police union against District 2 Councilman Alvin O'Neal and a demand that he be removed from office were referred to the town attorney this week along with the question of where some key sections of the Town Charter went.

The police union cited Sections 2.2.14, 2.2.15 and 2.1.4 in its complaint against O'Neal, which prohibit councilmen from interfering with town officials, including police officers, in their official duties, and authorizing the council to remove a violator from office.

Councilmen have no authority to order an administrative official to do something, but they might threaten a budget cut that eliminates the official's job, which is why the provision was there.

When the councilmen looked up the specific sections in their official Town Charter booklets, they weren't there.

That is only one of the questions that have landed in the lap of Town Attorney Richard Buturla, a former council chairman.

Buturla said beside the mystery of the missing charter sections, he must determine what powers the Town Council actually has.

The best explanation at this point is that the sections were inadvertently omitted when Section 2, defining the powers of the Town Council, were rewritten in the last charter revision, adopted by the voters in a referendum in the 2003 election.

Council Chairman James Feehan (R-9) said he would soon propose an ordinance to create a new Charter Revision Commission to address numerous technicalities and conflicts between the new powers of the mayor and the council.

A new Charter Revision Commission could reinstate the missing sections. It could also rewrite town history from 2005, when the campaign for the town's first mayor took place, although Feehan said that isn't his intention.

Buturla said the more pertinent question he must answer includes whether the new charter includes any prohibition against a councilman using his office to influence the conduct of a member of the administration in his duties.

He said the town's Ethics Code is too narrow in scope to apply in such a case.

Beyond the question of what the charter says, Buturla said he must determine if any state statutes apply and override the Town Charter.

Lastly, he said he must see if there is any legal case law that affects the situation.

O'Neal was arrested on March 21 for interfering with a police officer, Cpl. David Gugliotti, while he was arresting a teenage girl.

Following his arrest, O'Neal filed a citizen complaint alleging that Gugliotti had punched him and swore at him, and used unnecessary force while arresting the girl.

When a Police Department Internal Affairs investigation ruled there was insufficient evidence to support the complaint, police union leaders called for O'Neal's removal from the council, and on Monday they made formal charges against him.




©Stratford Star 2006

Town Fights Racial Tension

Town Fights Racial Tension
Peaceful Rally Addresses Police Incident As White Supremacists Back Off Threats
July 16, 2006
By FRANCES GRANDY TAYLOR, Courant Staff Writer

STRATFORD -- An anti-racism rally was held peacefully at town hall Saturday despite fears of disruption by a hate group.

A crowd of about 200 gathered on the plaza at noon for a rally sponsored by the state conference of the NAACP that was called in response to complaints by black residents in Stratford's South End of police brutality and harassment.

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In the days leading up to the rally, a white supremacist group left leaflets on lawns in the neighborhood saying there would be a counter-protest on Saturday by Connecticut skinheads, according to press reports. Groups called Connecticut State Skinheads and Connecticut White Wolves sent e-mails to the Connecticut Post vowing to make an appearance at the rally.

Instead, a mixed crowd of black and white residents applauded remarks by Stratford Mayor James R. Miron and local church leaders. Stratford police were on the plaza.

Racial tension has simmered in the town since the March 21 arrest of town Councilman Alvin O'Neal following a confrontation with a Stratford police officer. O'Neal, who is black, was charged with breach of peace and interfering with police after he allegedly interceded as Officer David Gugliotti struggled with 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell outside a South End restaurant owned by her mother.

The girl, who has been charged with assault, allegedly struck the officer when he intervened to stop a fight between girls on the street near the restaurant. O'Neal and the girl's family have claimed that they saw the officer strike the girl in the face.

"People say there is no racism in Stratford," said Sen. Edwin Gomes, D-Bridgeport. "There is racism, just like there is racism everywhere, and it should not be tolerated whether it is 1 percent or 99 percent." Gomes said police officers should respect the people they are supposed to serve.

Miron said the rally is good only if there is a plan for what comes afterward. "We need to know what we need to do to move forward from today," said Miron, who also praised the city's police officers.

The mayor said bringing complaints against officers would be streamlined, that video cameras were being placed in patrol cars, and there will be cultural sensitivity training for town employees. "Stratford is no different than any other community - race is an issue that affects us, and we have to work on that. The issues that I hear about from everybody know no racial or cultural bounds."

Marcia Mitchell-Davis, Titasheen's mother, called for justice for her daughter, saying she believes the girl, who has an upcoming court appearance, has been wrongly charged for defending herself.

"We have some bad officers who need to be rooted out," Davis said. "I think things will change in Stratford; no one should forsake Stratford. I'm sure that the mayor and the [police] chief will work" to make positive change, she said.

Easter Bell, a resident of Stratford for 21 years, said there is prejudice in Stratford, particularly in racial profiling of drivers. "It's time for Stratford to have a change. If you live here, you pay the same taxes as everyone else, and you should get the same treatment."

Contact Frances Grandy Taylor at ftaylor@courant.com.
_________________

Town Fights Racial Tension
Peaceful Rally Addresses Police Incident As White Supremacists Back Off Threats
July 16, 2006
By FRANCES GRANDY TAYLOR, Courant Staff Writer

STRATFORD -- An anti-racism rally was held peacefully at town hall Saturday despite fears of disruption by a hate group.

A crowd of about 200 gathered on the plaza at noon for a rally sponsored by the state conference of the NAACP that was called in response to complaints by black residents in Stratford's South End of police brutality and harassment.

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In the days leading up to the rally, a white supremacist group left leaflets on lawns in the neighborhood saying there would be a counter-protest on Saturday by Connecticut skinheads, according to press reports. Groups called Connecticut State Skinheads and Connecticut White Wolves sent e-mails to the Connecticut Post vowing to make an appearance at the rally.

Instead, a mixed crowd of black and white residents applauded remarks by Stratford Mayor James R. Miron and local church leaders. Stratford police were on the plaza.

Racial tension has simmered in the town since the March 21 arrest of town Councilman Alvin O'Neal following a confrontation with a Stratford police officer. O'Neal, who is black, was charged with breach of peace and interfering with police after he allegedly interceded as Officer David Gugliotti struggled with 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell outside a South End restaurant owned by her mother.

The girl, who has been charged with assault, allegedly struck the officer when he intervened to stop a fight between girls on the street near the restaurant. O'Neal and the girl's family have claimed that they saw the officer strike the girl in the face.

"People say there is no racism in Stratford," said Sen. Edwin Gomes, D-Bridgeport. "There is racism, just like there is racism everywhere, and it should not be tolerated whether it is 1 percent or 99 percent." Gomes said police officers should respect the people they are supposed to serve.

Miron said the rally is good only if there is a plan for what comes afterward. "We need to know what we need to do to move forward from today," said Miron, who also praised the city's police officers.

The mayor said bringing complaints against officers would be streamlined, that video cameras were being placed in patrol cars, and there will be cultural sensitivity training for town employees. "Stratford is no different than any other community - race is an issue that affects us, and we have to work on that. The issues that I hear about from everybody know no racial or cultural bounds."

Marcia Mitchell-Davis, Titasheen's mother, called for justice for her daughter, saying she believes the girl, who has an upcoming court appearance, has been wrongly charged for defending herself.

"We have some bad officers who need to be rooted out," Davis said. "I think things will change in Stratford; no one should forsake Stratford. I'm sure that the mayor and the [police] chief will work" to make positive change, she said.

Easter Bell, a resident of Stratford for 21 years, said there is prejudice in Stratford, particularly in racial profiling of drivers. "It's time for Stratford to have a change. If you live here, you pay the same taxes as everyone else, and you should get the same treatment."

500 City Employees Ordered to MultiCulti Re-education

(When will folks grow a spine and simply refuse en masse to submit to this totalitarian tactic?)

Stratford diversity training starting

The first in a series of cultural diversity training sessions for town employees kicks off next Thursday, with top town officials — including Mayor James R. Miron, Police Chief Michael Imbro and Fire Chief Ron Nattrass — among 25 department heads and supervisors expected to attend.

The sessions, planned for all of Stratford's 500 employees over the next year, are being held in response to simmering racial tensions in the town's South End, sparked by a March 21 altercation that led to complaints of racism and police brutality.

It also prompted an anti-racism rally in front of Town Hall last month attended by nearly 400 people, and could lead to probes by the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice.

The initial daylong session at Homewood Suites in Stratford comes five months after Councilman Alvin O'Neal, D-2, and 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell, both black, were arrested during a melee that erupted outside a Woodend Road storefront in the South End, a largely minority community.

O'Neal and Mitchell contend that Officer David Gugliotti, who is white, used excessive force in making the arrests.

While Gugliotti was exonerated after an internal affairs investigation by police,
Miron quickly announced all town employees would be ordered to attend cultural diversity training sessions, including the 100-member Police Department. The mayor said that while he doesn't believe there is any major racial problem in Stratford, "I'm sure we have employees who can benefit from the training."

Stratford diversity training starting

RICHARD WEIZEL
Connecticut Post Online (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
August 18, 2006


STRATFORD -- The first in a series of cultural diversity training sessions for town employees kicks off next Thursday, with top town officials -- including Mayor James R. Miron, Police Chief Michael Imbro and Fire Chief Ron Nattrass -- among 25 department heads and supervisors expected to attend.

The sessions, planned for all of Stratford's 500 employees over the next year, are being held in response to simmering racial tensions in the town's South End, sparked by a March 21 altercation that led to complaints of racism and police brutality.

It also prompted an anti-racism rally in front of Town Hall last month attended by nearly 400 people, and could lead to probes by the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice.

"Obviously, you have to start somewhere, and this initiative is very important to help make the government closer and more accountable to the people," Miron said Thursday.

The initial daylong session at Homewood Suites in Stratford comes five months after Councilman Alvin O'Neal, D-2, and 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell, both black, were arrested during a melee that erupted outside a Woodend Road storefront in the South End, a largely minority community.

O'Neal and Mitchell contend that Officer David Gugliotti, who is white, used excessive force in making the arrests.

While Gugliotti was exonerated after an internal affairs investigation by police, Miron quickly announced all town employees would be ordered to attend cultural diversity training sessions, including the 100-member Police Department. The mayor said that while he doesn't believe there is any major racial problem in Stratford, "I'm sure we have employees who can benefit from the training."

But some officials disagree.

"I haven't changed my stance and will not attend sessions that are an insult to town employees, particularly the Police Department," said Republican Registrar of Voters Louis DeCilo. "This is just political correctness."

Police Union President Shawn Farmer reiterated Thursday that he and union leaders believe the training is not needed and is a waste of taxpayer money. "As part of state mandates, we take diversity training sessions, so this is not something we need," Farmer said. Meanwhile, an informal survey of the region found no other towns or cities mandate cultural diversity training for all its municipal employees.

Officer sues Stratford over suspension

ahremailtorweizel@ctpost.comrweizel@ctpost.com/a (RICHARD WEIZEL)
The Connecticut Post
STRATFORD — A police officer whose March arrests of Town Council Minority Leader Alvin O'Neal and a 15-year-old girl sparked accusations of police brutality and racism plans to sue the Town Council, Mayor James R. Miron and Police Chief Michael Imbro.

Officer David Gugliotti on Monday filed a notice of intent to sue with the Town Clerk's Office over being placed on a 60-day administrative leave, saying it violated both the police union's collective-bargaining agreement and his civil rights.

After arresting O'Neal, D-2, and 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell, both black, during a fight that erupted between two others girls March 21 in the South End, Gugliotti, who is white, was placed on paid "administrative leave" the following day by the mayor.

Both O'Neal and Titasheen's mother, Marcia Mitchell-Davis, claimed Gugliotti used excessive force and foul language making the arrests.

After a 60-day internal affairs investigation by the Police Department, it was determined there was "insubstantial evidence and conflicting accounts by eyewitnesses" to find wrongdoing, and Gugliotti was reinstated by the mayor.

But according to Gugliotti's lawyers, from the Quinn Law Firm in Milford, they will seek unspecified damages against the town for "failing to give Corporal Gugliotti hearings to determine just cause or any cause to continue his discipline within 10 days," in accordance with the police union contract.

The intent to sue also maintains the mayor tried to influence the outcome against Gugliotti.

"During the internal affairs investigation, the mayor negligently attempted to influence the outcome of the investigations in favor of Mr. O'Neal, including the holding of a 'private' meeting with the two police officers expected to be questioned regarding their observations" of the altercations and arrests.

"Despite repeated requests, the mayor failed to communicate in any way with Gugliotti and prevented him and his legal counsel from participating in the 'private' meetings,' " the letter states.

The town also allowed Gugliotti to be "publicly ridiculed by improperly releasing certain information purportedly from the personnel files" of the officer, involving previous disciplinary actions against him by the Police Department, the officer's lawyers say.

Because of the discipline, the lawsuit notice contends, "Gugliotti and [his wife] Karen Gugliotti have suffered headaches, insomnia, stress-related vertigo, weight gain, anxiety, nervousness, professional and family embarrassment, marital stress, damaged reputations," and damage to their "integrity and careers."

Miron denied violating Gugliotti's civil rights or the union contract.

"I've always acted in accordance with the law and in good faith," the mayor said Monday. "Officer Gugliotti certainly has a right to file a lawsuit, and it will be decided in court."

Imbro and O'Neal could not be reached for comment.

Mitchell-Davis, however, said despite the internal affairs findings "that doesn't mean Gugliotti didn't do anything wrong. They just said there was not enough evidence, which I still believe is wrong.

"But right now I'm more concerned with my daughter because she's still facing charges of interfering with a police officer," Mitchell-Davis said. She said an offer of probation was recently made by Juvenile Court prosecutors and the girl's family is considering that.

However, she added, "Titasheen didn't do anything wrong."

Meanwhile, both Titasheen and O'Neal were interviewed by the FBI, which has also interviewed Stratford police officers, including Gugliotti.

FBI spokesman Ron Barndollar has confirmed witnesses have been interviewed by his agency, including Titasheen, but has declined further comment.

The arrests and subsequent fallout sparked an anti-racism rally in July that drew nearly 400 people to Town Hall. Meanwhile, the event provoked threats from racist groups who distributed literature and defaced dollar bills in the South End urging people to "kill niggers."

My feelings about this issue...

Police brutality claim
March 23, 2006

STRATFORD, Conn. --A Stratford police officer is on administrative leave after being accused of brutality by a town councilman.


Officer David Gugliotti was placed on administrative leave Wednesday, a day after he was called to break up a fight between several teenage girls outside a Stratford restaurant.

Police and eyewitness statements indicate at least four girls were involved in the fight outside Mitchell's Caribbean Delights. Titasheen Mitchell, 15, the daughter of restaurant owner Marcia Mitchell-Davis, said she was trying to keep the fight away from the restaurant's doors when she got pulled into the fracas.

In a police report, Gugliotti said the teenager tried to hit him as he was breaking up the fight and he struck her arms to defend himself. But Town Councilman Alvin O'Neal, who witnessed the fight, said Gugliotti threw the 15-year-old girl onto his police cruiser and punched her twice in the face. The girl was treated at a hospital for minor injuries.

Gugliotti also arrested O'Neal and charged him with interfering with police and breach of peace. O'Neal said he was arrested when he tried to stop the officer from striking the teenager.

"I told the officer ... to stop punching the girl and he told me to shut up," O'Neal told the Connecticut Post. "When I identified myself as the district councilman, he said he didn't care who the (expletive) I was. Then, I was handcuffed and thrown in the back of the police car and verbally taunted."

Mitchell-Davis said O'Neal should be credited with saving her daughter.


My viewpoint.........
Thank you to everyone, who continue to read my daughter's blog page. For the past nine months, this ordeal have been very challenging for my family. This ordeal have been, even more challenging for Titasheen. Some days I scream for justice for my child. Other days I feel justice will never come for Titasheen. It's hard has a mother to sit back and watch your child face over 10 years in prison, and not wish you could trade places with your child, in order for that child, to have a normal future. May be I am being selfish in my expectation, however, that's the mothering side of me, taking over reality. I still fears the worst.

My daughter is a child and I don't can't even comprehend why she is being prosecuted at all. I just don't understand why is the Police Department doing this to her after what they have already done?

Enclosing, Titasheen is doing well in school. This year she entered the 10th grade. Titasheen has all level one classes. She still would like to go to Florida State University to study medicine. Titasheen trail is coming soon. I will post the trail dates,as I get them. Everyone thank you for your support, keep Titasheen in your prays.

Glod Bless
Marcia Mitchell-Davis

Stratford Police taking right course

Stratford Police taking right course




It seems like just about every Stratford resident has a solution for the racial tensions — and tensions toward the police department — that has been rearing its ugly head in Stratford this year.
But despite all those opinions, the decision on how to address the problem was entirely up to the Stratford Police Department itself. Their solution is the tested concept called "community policing," and it's off to a laudable start in the town.

It's an idea that was embraced with open arms by Councilman Alvin O'Neal, D-2, a key figure at the center of Stratford's police and racial controversies in recent months.

In March, O'Neal, who is black, was involved in an altercation with Police Officer David Gugliotti, who is white, while Gugliotti was attempting to arrest 15-year-old Stratford resident Titasheen Mitchell, who is also black.

Both Mitchell and O'Neal claimed that the altercation was race-related, an allegation that was eventually found to be baseless by an internal investigation endorsed by Stratford Mayor James Miron.

The mere accusation, though, touched off a painfully frank glimpse into the racial climate — and some would argue divide — in Stratford.

To help ease that climate, Stratford Police have launched a community policing effort, aimed at making their presence known in the community in more positive ways.

One example is "bike rodeo" that took place in Stratford last week. The rodeo was attended by two Stratford bike police officers, who brought their 25-speed bikes and even offered some of the children there free rides — an offer that was met with a fair amount of awe by several youngsters.

Police Chief Michael Imbro hopes that the bike rodeo will be the first of many opportunities for the police department to reach out to the community in the coming months.

Deservedly or not, there's no denying that the police in Stratford will have a tough time reaching out to some town residents. But the concept of community policing is a needed one, and should lead to some much-needed healing of wounds.

Stratford Rally Police Brutality Picture 7/15/2006

Photo by: E J Moss
203-915-0702
203-387-4758

Stratford Rally Police Brutality Pictures

Photo by: E J Moss
203-915-0702
203-387-4758

Stratford Rally Police Brautality

Photo by E J Moss
203-915-0702
203-387-4758

Stratford Rally 7/15/2006

Photo by: E J Moss 203-915-0702 or 203-387-4758

Tensions simmer in Stratford

Tensions simmer in Stratford
RICHARD WEIZEL rweizel@ctpost.com

STRATFORD — Even a simple meeting to introduce the Police Department's new community policing patrol in the South End brought controversy Wednesday, with several residents blasting the moderator, Councilman Alvin O'Neal, D-2, for trying "to censor" their comments.
The meeting was held in the Birdseye Municipal Complex. It was O'Neal's involvement in a March 21 melee in front of a group of Woodend Road storefronts that led to a recent anti-racism rally that drew nearly 400 people to the Town Hall green, and to revival of the community policing unit.

The brawl included the arrest of 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell and O'Neal, both black, who alleged police brutality by Officer David Gugliotti, who is white.

Gugliotti was exonerated after a 60-day internal affairs investigation by the Police Department found a lack of "substantial" evidence that the officer used excessive force during the arrests.

Police had responded to a fight between two other teenage girls.

On Wednesday, Stratford Police Sgt. Orlando Soto and Officer Ulysses Munoz made a presentation to about 30 community leaders and residents in the South End about the department's revived community-policing effort. "We believe we are making a difference since we started a few weeks ago and hope to gain the trust of the community," Soto said. "We're out there on bikes, walking the streets and in patrol cars. We want people to get to know us and come to rely on us to also take part in things like community cleanups."

Soto said the patrol has already helped to make Woodend Park safe again for children by arresting drug dealers and chasing away gang members.

"It's a park that was not being used by children, and we set out to make it a place for kids again," Soto said. Several residents said they were pleased with the unit, and praised Soto and other officers for helping clean up Woodend Park.

"I couldn't bring my children there; now I feel I can," said Cheryl Butler, a Gregory Circle resident who credited the unit for helping to cut down on "late-night gatherings" by men and teenage boys near her apartment complex.

But when several residents tried to speak out as to why Police Chief Michael Imbro said during last month's community meeting that officers in the 100-member department did not want to patrol the South End, O'Neal jumped to his feet to stop them.

"I just want to know why these officers want to be here when their own chief said no officers would come to the South End," said Marion Perreira, who has lived in the community for 57 years.

"This is not the time or place to be talking about negative things," O'Neal said. "This meeting is just to introduce the community policing officers, and keep things positive."

When Marcia Mitchell-Davis, Titasheen's mother, said the community "should not be discouraged by Chief Imbro's comments," O'Neal interrupted her.

"Again, we are not here to talk about that," O'Neal said sharply. Some residents blasted O'Neal for "being rude."

"Be mindful of how you speak to us," Camille Powell-Rivera told O'Neal. "I don't like how you just spoke to her [Mitchell-Davis], and I don't like your tone. We have a right to speak out."

Perreira said afterward, "I don't know why he was trying to stop people from talking about important issues."

Racial controversy takes toll on new businesses

Racial controversy takes toll on new businesses
RICHARD WEIZEL Rweizel@ctpost.com

STRATFORD — Ever since she was a girl growing up near Kingston, Jamaica, Marcia Mitchell-Davis loved mixing vegetables, meat and spices to conjure up Caribbean culinary delights.

She dreamed of coming to America to open a restaurant.

That dream came true nearly a year ago when her mother mortgaged a longtime Bridgeport home to launch Caribbean Delights Restaurant, a Woodend Road eatery specializing in Jamaican cuisine and American favorites.

But Mitchell-Davis' dream has turned sour.

Four counter stools remained empty at the peak of lunch hour Monday, with only a few customers stopping in for take-out orders.

It's been that way, she said, since her daughter, 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell, was arrested during a now-infamous March 21 fight in front of a group of Woodend Road storefronts.

The melee, which was sparked when two other girls began fighting, engulfed Mitchell and Town Councilman Alvin O'Neal, D-2, both black. They allege Officer David Gugliotti, who is white, used excessive force and cursed at them while placing them under arrest.

Gugliotti was exonerated after a 60-day internal affairs investigation by the Police Department found a lack of "substantial" evidence that the officer used excessive force in making the arrests.

But both local and state minority leaders responded by organizing an anti-racism rally July 15, which despite threats by white supremacists, was attended by nearly 400 people at Town Hall.

The rally speakers included Mitchell-Davis, who delivered an impassioned plea, begging the town not to "forsake my daughter, my family, our restaurant.

"We want peace, but we also want to keep this business running," Mitchell-Davis said Monday, looking over a new Web site she set up to "let the public know the truth of what happened" through her eyes and more than 70 newspaper articles.

The site is, www.justicefortitasheenmitchellpolicebrutality.com.

"Things are very bleak, people are afraid to come here, as the police have tried to harass us and our customers," said Mitchell-Davis, 31, who came to America in 1983 and moved to Stratford in 1997. "We hope we can hold out, but I just don't know if we can."

Police officials have denied they have harassed Mitchell-Davis or her customers.

Mitchell-Davis said she could "make more money right now in a minimum-wage job" than running her own restaurant.

Another entrepreneur who opened up his own "dream" restaurant a few storefronts away from Caribbean Delights a few weeks after the March 21 incident, also said business has been slow.

"I first worked in this very pizzeria 10 years ago, it was my first job where I learned the business," said John Eren, the new owner of Corner Pizza, 1 Woodend Road. "I guess my timing wasn't the best, opening right in the middle of all this controversy. But I'm still hoping it will pass and people will forget."

Back at Caribbean Delights, one customer said he won't stop eating there.

"I love the food, it's unique and made perfectly," said 25-year-old Derin Wilson. "I know a lot of people have stayed away; it used to be crowded in here.

"I plan to come as much as possible because I don't know how much longer they are going to stay open."

Meanwhile, possible probes could be under way by the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice. The FBI has confirmed it has interviewed Mitchell, although she has not been interviewed by Stratford police. O'Neal indicated he has also been interviewed by the federal agency.

Dozens attend meeting in Stratford to discuss police brutality

Dozens attend meeting in Stratford to discuss police brutality
(04/26/06) STRATFORD - Dozens of Stratford residents gathered at the Birdseye Community Center Wednesday to discuss recent allegations of police brutality.

The meeting stems from an incident on March 21 that began when police were called to break up a fight at the intersection of Wood End Road and Birdseye Street in the town's south end. According to Councilman Alvin O'Neal, who was arrested for interfering with police, officer David Gugliotti picked up 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell and slammed her on a car. O’Neal says Gugliotta then punched her in the face twice.

Residents say they are concerned about how the incident was handled, and that changes need to be made. They say they are hopeful police and community members can come together to overcome the gap growing between the two sides.

Police arrest Stratford Councilman O'Neal during altercation

03/21/06) STRATFORD – Stratford Councilman Alvin O’Neal was arrested Tuesday night after he says he attempted to defend a young girl from police officers.
The incident began when police were called to break up a fight between high school girls. While police attempted to separate the girls, O’Neal claims one of the officers threw a 14-year-old against the hood of a car and hit her in the face. O’Neal says he was arrested after coming to the girl’s defense.

The girl was charged with assault of a police officer and released. O’Neal is being charged with breach of peace and interfering with a police officer. His court date is scheduled for next week.

Stratford officer placed on leave after scuffle in town's south end

03/22/06) STRATFORD - A Stratford police officer accused of using excessive force has been placed on paid administrative leave and a town councilman has been arrested.

The incident began when police were called to break up a fight at the intersection of Wood End Road and Birdseye Street in the town's south end. According to Councilman Alvin O'Neal, Police Officer David Gugliotti picked up 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell, slammed her on a car and punched her in the face twice. Mitchell's mother says she had to take her daughter to the emergency room.

In his police report, Gugliotti noted that he was just defending himself after Mitchell punched him in the mouth. The report also says O'Neal was arrested for interfering with the officers and disobeying their commands. The department, however, has not commented on the case.

Stratford Police Union pushes for ouster of Town Councilman

Stratford Police Union pushes for ouster of Town Councilman


07/10/06) STRATFORD - Embattled Stratford Town Councilman Alvin O’Neal locked horns again Monday with the Stratford Police Union, which is accusing O’Neal of interfering with an arrest and victimizing an elderly man in a road rage incident.

Police are asking that O’Neal be removed from the Town Council because he broke the law. In March, the councilman allegedly interceded in the arrest of a 15-year-old girl and was charged with breach of peace and interfering with police.

A second allegation against O’Neal involves a May road rage incident in which police claim O’Neal exited his car to scream at an 84-year-old man. The motorist has refused to confirm that the incident occurred.

The councilman has defended himself against the police charges, claiming they were “all made up.” Jury selection has been delayed.

Stratford storeowner says business is down after altercation involving councilman

Stratford storeowner says business is down after altercation involving councilman



07/25/06) STRATFORD - Some storeowners in Stratford say business is down ever since the melee between a councilman, a police officer and a Stratford teen.

Four months ago, Town Councilman Alvin O'Neal, 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell and Stratford Police Officer David Gugliotti were involved in an altercation. O’Neal says Gugliotti used excessive force while arresting Mitchell, however, an internal police investigation cleared Gugliotti of those charges. Mitchell's mother, who owns a restaurant in the area, says since the incident it's been a fight to keep her business afloat.


While some storeowners on Woodend Road agree that there has been a drop in business, others say it's business as usual. Most agree they have had enough of the media attention stemming from the March 21st incident.

A rally against racism and police brutality filled the Town Hall

You have to wonder

FRED MUSANTE, From the Catbird's Seat July 13, 2006

You have to wonder (I did) if the police union's executive board members ever stopped to think about what they were doing before demanding that the Town Council throw Alvin O'Neal out of his seat.

Here's the problem: on Saturday there will be a rally at Town Hall, which the police officers will be assigned to manage. By manage I mean they will provide protection, traffic control and crowd control.

The officers won't be there to decide who comes or what they say. They'll be there to keep people and property safe.

Mayor James R. Miron will be there because, as he said this week, "I am the Director of Public Safety, and [the police] better learn that." In other words, their boss will be right there, and their union executive board has put him in a bad mood.

It is a good bet that the union leadership put a fair number of the other people who might show up at the rally in a bad mood too. That means the officers assigned to the rally are going to be surrounded by unhappy, unfriendly faces. And their boss, who will stand there and watch them the whole time, is not happy.
When the police say they often have to make people unhappy by doing their jobs, I know what they mean. Sometimes I have to make people unhappy by doing my job.

So if I think that's going to happen, I try not to make my boss mad at me at the same time.

I will give the officers some credit on one account: I have had to write things about them that probably didn't make them happy, but not one officer has blamed me or treated me discourteously.

Blaming the messenger for the bad news is natural. Sophocles wrote a play almost 2,500 years ago in which the messengers ran for their lives after delivering bad news.

You also have to wonder if Louis DeCilio thought things through before he declared he will not attend the cultural diversity training Miron ordered for all town employees.

DeCilio, the Republican Registrar of Voters, an elected official, so even though he's on the town payroll, it doesn't mean the mayor is his boss. Miron can't order him to take the cultural diversity training.

For the record, Democratic Registrar Richard Miron, the mayor's father, said he will attend the cultural diversity training, and the mayor said he will go too. Not that I thought the son would order the father.

But all that's beside the point. If I were in DeCilio's shoes, I would insist on taking it with the mayor, as if it were my role to make sure he did what he said he would.

When DeCilio gets on the topic, he lets it run away with him. Not even a minute passed before he was in high dudgeon. The cultural diversity training "is political correctness at its worst," he declared; O'Neal "plays the race card every chance he gets," the racism issue is like "Communist re-education," and so forth.

DeCilio is not a bad guy. He doesn't get along with O'Neal, but there's no state law that says he has to.

"This rally that they're supposedly holding is to protest police brutality, which I don't believe exists in Stratford." And there's no state law that says he has to.

"In the 1950s, to discredit someone's reputation you called him a Communist. Today, you call him a racist."

Another reporter stoked up a "so's yer ol' man" exchange between DeCilio and O'Neal that ended with O'Neal calling DeCilio a racist. DeCilio doesn't like it, but if a reporter dangles bait, there's no state law that says you have to bite.

The controversy even caught the attention of the New York Times, which ran wrote an editorial taking both officials to task.

The rising gorge we've seen, especially during this past week, strikes me as entirely unnecessary and very ill-conceived.

You have to wonder what's going on with the Greater Bridgeport NAACP. Since we're on the topic of folks aiming bullets at their own feet, it's hard to let that group slide.

I wrote an article two weeks ago in which I identified a board member of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP, Wayne Winston, as its representative in the rally planning. Then I received an e-mail from its first vice president, Rev. E.L. Smallwood, chiding me for inaccuracy. Winston does not represent the Greater Bridgeport NAACP, he said.

At Smallwood's suggestion, I called the organization's president, Carolyn Nah, and wound up more confused than ever. She said O'Neal isn't a member, nor is anyone in Stratford a member. "Why should I put my neck on the line if [O'Neal] won't support the cause of civil rights?" she said.

The Greater Bridgeport NAACP has been battling for years with the Bridgeport police over alleged civil rights abuses. ("Alleged" is newspaper lingo that means somebody said something happened but the reporter didn't see it take place so he has to indicate an element of question.)

Nah seemed to feel the same way about O'Neal's complaint against Cpl. David Gugliotti, the police officer who arrested him last March.

"The cop said he didn't do it, and Alvin said he did," Nah commented. "That's a disagreement between two people. One happens to be a police officer and one is a councilman."

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I'm still surprised that Nah and DeCilio are on the same page.

I don't know if Nah is right that no one in Stratford is a member of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP, but if she is, this suggests the reason why.

My ear is to the ground. The Greater Bridgeport NAACP had a Board of Directors meeting last Thursday, and there was no vote for rally representation from the local chapter, which covers Stratford as well as Bridgeport.

The Greater Bridgeport NAACP has a general membership meeting at 7 tonight at Messiah Baptist Church in Bridgeport. Perhaps the subject will come up.

This column reflects the opinion of Editor Fred Musante and does not necessarily represent the views of Hometown Publications.




©Stratford Star 2006

Rally peaceful, mayor outlines plan

Rally peaceful, mayor outlines plan
By: TRISTRAM DeROMA, Bard

A rally to stamp out racism in Stratford went off without a hitch Saturday as about 300 residents gathered in front of Town Hall to hear several community and church leaders speak.

A rally to stamp out racism in Stratford went off without a hitch Saturday as about 300 residents gathered in front of Town Hall to hear several community and church leaders speak.

Most of the speakers, which included the president of the Connecticut chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, referred to what sparked the rally in the first place, the controversial arrest of an African American teenager in Stratford in March as well as the arrest of Councilman Alvin O'Neal, D-2 who tried to intervene in the girl's arrest.

O'Neal, who's also African American, was notably absent from the rally. O'Neal is facing charges of breach of the peace and interfering with an officer in relation to the incident. The girl is facing charges of assaulting a police officer, third-degree assault and breach of the peace.

According police reports, the girl, Titasheen Mitchell was allegedly interfering with police during an arrest that was happening next to her mother's restaurant. As she was trying to get the crowd that had gathered to see the arrest away from the entrance to her mother's store, she got into an argument with Stratford Police Officer David Gugliotti, and things escalated from there.

When Alvin O'Neal who was at a tobacco shop nearby, walked up to Gugliotti to ask why she was being arrested, the girl, according to Gugliotti, tried to get away and hit Gugliotti in the mouth, prompting him to hit her in the face and "rough her up" to get her back under control, according to some witnesses.

In his March report, Gugliotti said he never hit her, as a later two-month long Internal Affairs investigation later backed up. Department officials came to the conclusion that since eyewitness statements varied widely as to Gugliotti's guilt or innocence, charges against him had to be dropped.

That didn't stop the rally however, planned by O'Neal and others to bring attention to what they said was a culture of brutality that has existed in the Stratford Police Department for far too long.

"We are gathered here today to address the injustice and unfair treatment," said Rev. John Gamble of Friendship Baptist Church. "We are here to say that we will not allow our black boys and black girls to become desensitized to this type of treatment, because it is not okay... Stratford is beautiful town, but we must stop the ignorance and hate and come together as brothers and sisters. Only then will this town become one town."

CTNAACP President Scot X. Esdaile said "We cannot tolerate little girls being hit in the face by a police officer, we cannot tolerate trumped up charges by police against an elected councilman, and we can no longer tolerate acts of racism and brutality by the Stratford Police."

Though Mayor James Miron said in the days before the rally that one was not necessary and that work was already beginning to address racial problems, he showed anyway to announce his plan.

"The rally can only be good if something good comes out of it," he said, adding that steps are already taken to address Stratford's racial divide.
In August, he said all town employees, including police, will be taking cultural required cultural diversity training, audio and video equipment will be placed in all Stratford police cars and that a Citizen's action committee is being formed "to be his eyes and ears."

Before the rally, there were reports in the press that racist group known as the White Wolves may attend, but people interviewed at the rally said that none showed. The only sign that they were there was a scattered pile of 8x10 pieces of paper with "Thank You Gugliotti," "Most of the South End sucks" and "Goodbye O'Neal" scrawled on the front.

Racial controversy takes toll on new businesses

Racial controversy takes toll on new businesses
RICHARD WEIZEL Rweizel@ctpost.com

STRATFORD — Ever since she was a girl growing up near Kingston, Jamaica, Marcia Mitchell-Davis loved mixing vegetables, meat and spices to conjure up Caribbean culinary delights.
She dreamed of coming to America to open a restaurant.

That dream came true nearly a year ago when her mother mortgaged a longtime Bridgeport home to launch Caribbean Delights Restaurant, a Woodend Road eatery specializing in Jamaican cuisine and American favorites.

But Mitchell-Davis' dream has turned sour.

Four counter stools remained empty at the peak of lunch hour Monday, with only a few customers stopping in for take-out orders.

It's been that way, she said, since her daughter, 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell, was arrested during a now-infamous March 21 fight in front of a group of Woodend Road storefronts.

The melee, which was sparked when two other girls began fighting, engulfed Mitchell and Town Councilman Alvin O'Neal, D-2, both black. They allege Officer David Gugliotti, who is white, used excessive force and cursed at them while placing them under arrest.

Gugliotti was exonerated after a 60-day internal affairs investigation by the Police Department found a lack of "substantial" evidence that the officer used excessive force in making the arrests.

But both local and state minority leaders responded by organizing an anti-racism rally July 15, which despite threats by white supremacists, was attended by nearly 400 people at Town Hall.

The rally speakers included Mitchell-Davis, who delivered an impassioned plea, begging the town not to "forsake my daughter, my family, our restaurant.

"We want peace, but we also want to keep this business running," Mitchell-Davis said Monday, looking over a new Web site she set up to "let the public know the truth of what happened" through her eyes and more than 70 newspaper articles.

The site is, www.justicefortitasheenmitchellpolicebrutality.com.

"Things are very bleak, people are afraid to come here, as the police have tried to harass us and our customers," said Mitchell-Davis, 31, who came to America in 1983 and moved to Stratford in 1997. "We hope we can hold out, but I just don't know if we can."

Police officials have denied they have harassed Mitchell-Davis or her customers.

Mitchell-Davis said she could "make more money right now in a minimum-wage job" than running her own restaurant.

Another entrepreneur who opened up his own "dream" restaurant a few storefronts away from Caribbean Delights a few weeks after the March 21 incident, also said business has been slow.

"I first worked in this very pizzeria 10 years ago, it was my first job where I learned the business," said John Eren, the new owner of Corner Pizza, 1 Woodend Road. "I guess my timing wasn't the best, opening right in the middle of all this controversy. But I'm still hoping it will pass and people will forget."

Back at Caribbean Delights, one customer said he won't stop eating there.

"I love the food, it's unique and made perfectly," said 25-year-old Derin Wilson. "I know a lot of people have stayed away; it used to be crowded in here.

"I plan to come as much as possible because I don't know how much longer they are going to stay open."

Meanwhile, possible probes could be under way by the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice. The FBI has confirmed it has interviewed Mitchell, although she has not been interviewed by Stratford police. O'Neal indicated he has also been interviewed by the federal agency.

Business down since arrest, says restaurant owner

If she hasn't done so already, restaurant owner Marcia Mitchell Davis plans on filing a complaint against a group of Stratford police officers for harassment. The bizarre incident is just the latest of Davis' woes.

If she hasn't done so already, restaurant owner Marcia Mitchell Davis plans on filing a complaint against a group of Stratford police officers for harassment. The bizarre incident is just the latest of Davis' woes.

Davis is the mother of Titasheen Mitchell, the 15-year-old African American girl that was involved in a controversial dispute with a Caucasian police officer in March. Davis and others at the scene accused the officer of roughing up the girl as he handcuffed and arrested her for interfering with another arrest happening next door to her mother's restaurant.

Though the officer, David Gugliotti, was cleared of all charges following an internal affairs investigation, Mitchell still faces charges of resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.


Davis said the latest incident involves a group of uniformed police officers coming to her door and telling her to remove the signs advertising specials as well as a planned civil rights rally organized by Councilman Alvin O'Neal, D-2, who happened to witness the girl's arrest.

At the time of Mitchell's arrest, O'Neal went up to Gugliotti and demanded to know why she was being arrested as she was being put into the police car. When Mitchell allegedly tried to break away, a scuffle ensued between O'Neal and Gugliotti, and O'Neal was promptly arrested too. He was charged with interfering with police and breach of the peace.

Due to the mayor's orders, the rally was cancelled (See related story)

Though Davis received a lot of support from the community shortly after the arrest, she says business at her restaurant, "Carribean Delights" located at the corner of Woodend and Main Street, has gone down sharply as people have been staying away. She said half of her customers are afraid of being harassed by the police and others are upset with her for bringing unwanted attention to Stratford's racial problems.

When the officers showed up at her store, O'Neal was again also there, and he promptly started calling town officials about the matter. According to her, the Zoning Office was contacted, and though they told her there is a law against sidewalk signs, it's a matter that's always enforced on a case by case basis through Planning and Zoning, not through the Stratford Police Department.

"They (Planning and Zoning) wanted to know why the Stratford Police Department was doing their job," said Davis. "If signs are not their job, what does that seem like to you?"

She also said one of the officers directed what seemed like a threat at her.

"He told me to remove the signs, or else," she said. "It's not so much him telling me to remove the signs that bothered me, it's the 'or else' part that scared me," she said.

As of press time, no official report exists documenting the incident, but Police Dept. Spokesman Capt. Harvey Maxwell says that's not unusual as police officers go about their daily patrols.

However, the officers were spoken to about the incident as well as reprimanded, he said.

"It's something that shouldn't have happened, especially in light of the ongoing situation," Maxwell said.




©Stratford Bard 2006

Excessive force arresting Councilman Alvin O'Neal

Stratford Connecticut Officials Review Police Brutality Report After Using Excessive Force Against Councilman Alvin O'Neal And A Child

2006-07-19 STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT — An internal probe into complaints that a veteran police officer used excessive force arresting Councilman Alvin O'Neal and a 15-year-old girl is finished, but officials are reviewing the report before making it public next week.

"Much of the information still has to be thoroughly reviewed and a recommendation made to me by police on the officer," Mayor James Miron said. "This may be taking longer than people want it to, but it is a matter of such significance that we have to take our time and make the right decision." Miron said he would not necessarily go along with the Police Department's recommendation on discipline, if any, regarding the allegations against Officer David Gugliotti, which will be released with the report next Friday.

"I have to weigh all the evidence, the internal affairs report and what all the witnesses had to say and consider the department's recommendation, too," Miron said.

During a March 21 melee outside a South End restaurant, O'Neal contends Gugliotti punched him in the chest when he tried to stop the officer from hitting and "slamming" 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell against a car after the teen allegedly resisted arrest. The incident occurred outside the Caribbean Delights restaurant at Main Street and Woodend Road, which is owned by Mitchell's mother.

Witnesses say Gugliotti punched the girl, who was resisting arrest after a fight between two other girls, and then she allegedly struck the officer. O'Neal said he was arrested and punched when he intervened and asked Gugliotti to stop hitting Mitchell.

Gugliotti, a 12-year police veteran, was placed on paid administrative leave, though the police union wants him back on the job.

Mitchell recently appeared in Juvenile Court in Bridgeport, where she was advised she could be facing between 10 and 15 years in prison, according to her mother, Marcia Mitchell-Davis.

Mitchell's attorney, Gary Mastronardi, said Friday that both he and the state's attorney's office are awaiting the results of Stratford's internal affairs probe before talking further about her case.

"I think talk of any prison time for my client is very premature at this time," Mastronardi said. "She is the victim in this case, not someone who should be charged with a crime."

The girl's mother said she still fears the worst.

"My daughter is a child and I don't can't even comprehend why she is being prosecuted at all," Mitchell-Davis said. "Why is the Police Department doing this to her after what they have already done?

"Even the parties who were fighting told police she was not involved in the fight, but that all fell on deaf ears," she said.

Mastronardi said "nothing is being ruled out" concerning a possible lawsuit against the Police Department and town.

O'Neal's attorney, Charles Kurmay, said he found it "curious" that the town didn't notify him of the mayor's meeting with police officials, or of the report's impending release.

"We hope the investigation is fair, and look forward to the outcome," Kurmay said. "I assume the result is going to be significant, one way or the other."