NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Monday, February 23, 2004

PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS CAUSE HARTFORD POLICE, FIRE AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS TO INSTITUTE N0-PARKING ZONE ON SOUTH SIDE OF ALLYN STREET.

(Hartford) - Hartford Police Department Central District Commander Captain Michael Fallon announced today that due to numerous public safety concerns of the City of Hartford Police, Fire and Public Works Departments, a NO-PARKING ZONE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF ALLYN STREET, IN DOWNTOWN HARTFORD, WAS BEING INSTITUTED DAILY AND ON WEEKENDS BETWEEN 6 P.M. AND 6 A.M.

This action, a joint decision by the City of Hartford's  three primary public safety first responders is reflective of  concerns with respect to numerous side-swiping accidents due to traffic congestion on the narrow street, the inability of emergency vehicles to navigate in the heavily congested nightclub area, and the overall accessibility of the area to emergency first responders. 

In announcing the No-Parking Zone action, Captain Fallon stated, "Much has changed with respect to first responder access since the nightclub fire in Rhode Island and 911, which has required our assessment of heavily congested areas of the city.  In the event of a fire in one of the multi-storied nightclubs, often times at capacity,  or a building incident, we have to be able to get people and resources where they are needed as quickly as possible.  Creating a No-Parking Zone on the South side of Allyn Street between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., a very narrow and heavily congested street in the city, we believe will enhance public safety in the area, help prevent accidents, and potentially save lives." 

On and off street parking is still available in the area, and both surface and parking garages are readily readily available throughout the downtown area.

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
Visit www.hartford.gov for more Hartford Police News.
End.