Casino news source: Norwich Bulletin - http://www.norwichbulletin.com
Criminals target casino workers
By ADAM BOWLES
Norwich Bulletin
NORWICH -- The top concern for a newly formed Chinese and American cultural group is the safety of Asian immigrants who walk to and from the casinos and are the targets of muggings and other crime.
"I told (Foxwoods Resort Casino) that our guys need protection," said John Wong, president of the Chinese and American Cultural Assistant Association.
That concern became the topic of discussion at an association meeting earlier this month, at which state Rep. Tom Reynolds, D-Ledyard, said he would consider calling a meeting with Montville, Ledyard and Norwich leaders to discuss the issue.
Members agreed to form a subcommittee on safety and said a well-lit sidewalk system in Norwich and Montville would alleviate some of the problems.
Immigrants, particularly Asians, walk at all hours to and from the Foxwoods Resort Casino employee lot on Route 2 in Norwich and Mohegan Sun in Montville.
The association discussed an incident earlier this year during which Chinese pedestrians in Norwich were attacked by people with paintball guns.
Lt. Timothy Menard said he and Chief Louis Fusaro Sr. have met with the committee and plan to work with them to address the safety concerns.
"It is on our radar," Menard said.
He said in response to reports of people throwing things at the walkers and calling them names, his department has stepped up patrols with marked and unmarked police cars in the problem areas -- a move that seems to have alleviated part of the problem.
Menard said many of the victims don't know how to read the license plates of alleged attackers to report their assailants, and many cases go unsolved.
Surveillance cameras
Menard said his department is considering using cameras for surveillance, but the cost may be too expensive. He said Fusaro plans to request the state require sidewalk and lighting upgrades along Route 32 with all new development there.
Montville Police Lt. Leonard Bunnell Sr. said in the last six months, his department has patrolled areas using unmarked cars in response to recent reports of harassment of Asian walkers in the neighborhoods surrounding Mohegan Sun.
Several roads are the subject of concern, including Holly Hill Road, Fitch Hill Road, Gallivan Lane and part of Route 32.
"We have a heightened awareness of the problems they are experiencing," Bunnell said. "We are looking to make inroads with anyone we can to get them to talk to us."
Bunnell said his department has received several anonymous calls from English-speaking individuals regarding harassment and muggings of Asian walkers, but the victims are afraid to complain to authorities.
"We are getting third and fourth-hand information," he said. "We do have a fear that there may be something going on there we may need to get closer to. When (potential victims) see us, they just scurry away from us."
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