Middletown Public Safety Commission Special Meeting - October 16, 2026

The Middletown Public Safety Commission held a special meeting for the Middletown Police Department in the department's community room and via WebEx, convening at 6:46 p.m. and adjourning at 8:19 p.m. The commission approved prior minutes, heard public comment, received police department updates, and voted to advance a proposed ordinance prohibiting smoking and vaping of tobacco and cannabis on public property. Date note: The summary date supplied is October 16, 2026; the transcript's opening recitation gives the meeting date as Monday, September 28.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the August 17 meeting minutes unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vinny Rufino, 16 Bluegrass Drive, opposed the proposed public smoking prohibition. He argued that America is a free country, that smokers already accommodate others by moving away, and that banning smoking because of odor is a slippery slope; he also asked where smokers would be allowed to go.
• Mary Ellen Shakuru, executive director of St. Vincent DePaul Middletown, expressed 100% support for the ordinance. She said smoking, marijuana use, and related debris on Main Street sidewalks create a nuisance, generate many calls to police, and are unhealthy for downtown.
• Councilwoman Ava Hart, who also serves on the Board of Health Commission, said the ordinance had come to the Board of Health twice and was voted down earlier in the month. She urged clear enforcement language, designated smoking areas, fairness, and dignity for people in the community.
• Councilwoman Hart read a statement from Sandra Russo Driska of the Middletown Downtown Business District. The statement said the district's members support the ordinance and want police to have additional tools to keep downtown businesses thriving and streets inviting.

Chief's Reports: Overtime, Staffing, and Operations

• Replacement overtime is trending 35.6% above last year, tied to the new contract's front-loaded time off; the chief expects it to flatten out and noted last year ended within budget by $46,000.
• The investigations/operations overtime line was up about 28% (27.98%), driven by investigations, court duties, administrative responsibilities, nonprofit obligations, and summer events.
• Staffing: the department is down four positions, with three frozen; in January, one position can be hired, leaving two frozen. The chief estimated four additional vacancies on top of the two frozen positions after January and cited three long-term workers' compensation officers and two FMLA leaves.
• August had 5,200 calls for service, down from July. Body-worn camera footage has reduced and quickly resolved civilian complaints; none rose to discipline.
• The department is implementing a policy to document non-criminal transports of passengers in police vehicles, including juveniles and social worker/homeless shelter rides.

Court Street Pilot and Traffic Enforcement

• Court Street is scheduled to become a one-way street for a 30-day pilot beginning October 1, with UConn helping measure traffic on Court and neighboring streets. Parking will remain on both sides; lines can be removed if the pilot fails.
• Data did not support speed cameras on Route 17/South Main to the Durham line. Washington Street red light camera data collection is planned for next month; the chief voiced concern about pedestrian strikes at Washington/High and Washington/Broad.

Weekend Protest at Washington and Route 66

• Councilman Gennaro forwarded resident complaints about Saturday protesters walking in the roadway, activating the pedestrian signal, and holding up traffic.
• Chief Crossner said protest activity is First Amendment-protected, but deliberately blocking traffic after the light changes is not permitted. Police monitor social media but do not charge people based on posts alone; no arrests have been made on either side. The department plans to station a car in the area during protest hours to prevent escalation.

Proposed Smoking and Cannabis Ordinance

• Police general counsel presented the ordinance, which has two articles. Article 3 would prohibit smoking or vaping tobacco and cannabis on sidewalks, parks, city-owned or controlled property, and in outdoor dining establishments; fines would be $50 for individuals and $1,000 for businesses, with unpaid citations potentially referred to the state's attorney.
• Article 4 would allow the city to pursue civil penalties against people involved in illegal cannabis sales: up to $30,000 per day for aiding/abetting and up to $10,000 per day for property owners/managers who know illegal sales are occurring.
• Chief Crossner and Captain Piro said the police department's original request was focused on marijuana smoke; the tobacco restriction was added at the Board of Health. They emphasized the goal is downtown nuisance abatement and business health, not punishing respectful smokers.
• Several commissioners expressed concern that the public space definition is too broad, that designated smoking areas are missing, and that the ordinance's current form could make smokers feel ostracized. Councilwoman Hart noted the Board of Health had voted the ordinance down and suggested looking at other towns' designated-area approaches.
• The written statement from the Downtown Business District referenced the agenda item as covering indoor sections of restaurants, while the ordinance text described by counsel would apply to outdoor dining establishments.
• Councilwoman Sweeney moved to forward the ordinance to GCC in its current form. After a motion to call the question, the commission voted by voice vote to send it to GCC for further discussion and review.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the August 17 minutes.
• Advanced the smoking/cannabis ordinance to GCC in its current form for further review.
• Confirmed the Court Street one-way pilot begins October 1 for 30 days with data collection.
• No speed cameras will be installed on Route 17; Washington Street red light camera data will be evaluated before any recommendation.
• Police will add a visible presence at the weekend protest location to reduce risk of escalation.
• No additional public comment was offered during the reopened public hearing; the meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.