WARREN Riverview Apartments to get extra police officer for safety

The officer will work from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL SCHOOL
WARREN -- Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority is putting an extra police officer at Riverview Apartments out of concern for the safety of senior and disabled residents.
TMHA director Donald Emerson Jr. said there have been a few problems at Riverview and he wants to make sure the residents feel safe.
Records show police have responded to 49 calls since January.
The complex consists of two high-rises of 150 units each at Buckeye Tod Avenue.
The Buckeye unit is open to senior citizens of low to moderate income and the Tod complex is for seniors and disabled adults of the same income range.
Police said there is an officer at the high rise during the day. The new officer will work from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
"There hasn't been anything major over there but there have been enough calls to make me concerned," said Police Chief John Mandopoulos.
An officer will be moved from another TMHA facility to Riverview. "I'm not sure who will be sent there, but the move will be made soon," Emerson said.
About the program: Federal Housing and Urban Development funds pay for seven officers to patrol TMHA grounds.
The program started in 1990 in hopes that an increased police presence would deter crime in rough neighborhoods.
Lt. Janice Dascoulias, who heads up the TMHA program, said there's been significant improvement in lowering crime rates.
"The TMHA properties are much safer and I believe the extra officer at Riverview will help matters over there," Mandopoulos said.
The chief noted that he would like all officers who work at Riverview to learn CPR and other first aid techniques.
"If someone gets ill or some medical emergency happens, most residents will go to the police officer first for help," the chief said.
"If we can make sure the officers are trained, then maybe they will be able to save someone's life."