Police Enhance Patrols at Connecticut DDS Offices: Malloy

Governor Dannel P. Malloy said that after gunmen opened fire at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, Calif., killing at least 14 people, Connecticut State Police are enhancing patrols.

The Inland Regional Center regulates group homes serving the developmentally disabled.

“In light of today’s events, we will have enhanced State Police patrols at DDS [Department of Developmental Services] facilities out of an abundance of caution,” Malloy said in a prepared statement. “Our hearts are with this community tonight.”

The DDS South Region is located at 370 James St., New Haven, and serves multiple communities, including but not limited to: Clinton, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Lyme, Gales Ferry, Groton, Haddam, Killingworth, Ledyard, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Montville, Mystic, New London, Niantic, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Old Mystic, Pawcatuck, Portland, South Lyme, Stonington, Uncasville and Waterford.

Satellite offices are located in Norwich, Meriden and Wallingford.

The West Region offices are located at 55 West Main Street, Waterbury, Cheshire Center and Southbury Training School, and serves Bethlehem, Middlebury and Woodbury, among other towns.

Malloy and Murphy Respond

“This is yet another heartbreaking situation, and yet another day during which families are holding their breath hoping – and praying – that their loved ones are coming home,” Malloy said in a statement. “And it’s our most vulnerable communities who are suffering today. Unnecessary gun violence is plaguing America, and we must step up and act to protect our neighbors, our families, and communities across the nation.”

“My heart aches for the people of San Bernardino,” U.S. Senator Chris Murphy said in a prepared statement. “I cannot express the profound sadness I feel each time a new community grieves and endures the same pain that brought Newtown to its knees three years ago this month. As we await the facts from the chaos on the ground, I can only pray that America’s leaders will do something – anything – that prevents more communities from knowing this sorrow. Congress’ number one responsibility is to keep our constituents safe, and not a single senator or member of Congress can go back to their state this weekend and claim that they are doing their job.”

Photo of San Bernardino courtesy of Renee Schiavone/Patch