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NORWALK, Conn. A state plan to cuts costs by moving all criminal cases as well as serious motor vehicle and housing hearings from Norwalk Superior Court to Stamford would be a "nightmare" for the department and residents, Police Chief Harry Rilling said.
It would be a "ridiculous decision that would place an enormous burden" on the police department, Rilling said. It would spend more time and money to transport prisoners a longer distance on Interstate 95, often jammed with traffic.
State officials say the plan could be implemented by September as one of 13 court closures and consolidations statewide under a $38.5 million cut to the Connecticut Judicial Branch. The cuts stem from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's recently revised budget to close a $1.6 billion budget shortfall.
The Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District serves Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton.
"It's a very bad idea that would certainly place a heavy burden on our department, our residents and everyone else who uses the Norwalk court," said Rilling. "Hundreds of people use the court every day, and I would like to say I'm cautiously optimistic the state will find some other way to make cuts than all but closing an essential court."
Rilling said the plan would force at least two Norwalk police officers to spend an extra couple of hours transporting prisoners to Stamford for criminal matters, as well as forcing residents to drive or take trains or buses to Stamford for court appearances.
"We all know I-95 is already a nightmare," said Riling. "Making hundreds more residents and jurors use that road every day will make the traffic even worse, not to mention the environmental impact. For Norwalk residents who don't have cars, a simple bus ride would become an all-day excursion to get there and back by train and or bus."
State officials say they realize the plan would impact police departments and residents. But by the end of July, more than 450 layoff notices will be sent to court employees including 10 in the state's attorney's offices in the Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District. Three of those are Norwalk Superior Court prosecutors, officials said.
What is your reaction to the planned move of most court cases from Norwalk Superior Court to Stamford by September? Let us know in a comment below.
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