Volume 4 | July 2020
Hi,

We've written about community before and we want to touch on it again this month. It's that important to us. When we think of "community," we think of our clients, neighbors, local businesses, legal partners, law enforcers and our Jainchill & Beckert team. We value all of you.

Wishing you a happy and safe holiday!
Best, 
Aaron and Bill 
"We are fighters who work to ensure that our clients are informed and empowered, so that we can achieve an outcome that provides peace of mind."
JB Law Spotlight:
Jeannette our super talented paralegal
We are proud of our entire team – they've kept us going during these challenging times.

This is Jeannette. She goes above and beyond to make sure our clients have what they need. Besides taking care of clients, she loves riding her motorcycle and doing crafts. She is also a proud new grandma!
The Fourth came early this year
On June 16, the Hartford Courant reported a rise in fireworks complaints across the state. According to Hartford police Lt. Paul Cicero, the complaints started coming in as early as late April. The problem is serious enough that the heads of the city police and fire departments have been meeting to strategize on how to crack down on fireworks scofflaws. 

Often the fireworks have been going off in the middle of the night, and sometimes night after night. Police departments and town officials are turning to social media to urge residents to stay away from illegal fireworks and to report any disturbances to the police. 

“Every night?” New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart asked on Facebook. “Why?” Calling the nightly displays “a big problem,” she implored residents to call the police with the address, and officers will pay violators a visit. 

In Manchester, fireworks complaints increased from three in the first half of June last year to 79 in the same period this year police spokesman Lt. Ryan Shea said. It’s often difficult to figure out the source of the fireworks, but police take the complaints seriously and ask that anyone who knows where illegal fireworks are being launched from, or the identity of those possessing illegal fireworks, call the police. 

Cicero said more people might be buying their own fireworks because many town fireworks have been canceled. But if the complaints started in late April, perhaps it also has to do with being cooped up at home for so long and feeling the need to blow off steam.

In addition to disturbing children, pets and people with post-traumatic stress disorder, illegal fireworks are dangerous. A teenager in the Hartford area lost two fingers after he picked up homemade fireworks in 2018. The hot debris caused by aerial and explosive fireworks can land anywhere causing injuries and fires. 

Fireworks are not allowed by law in Connecticut for use by non-professional, non-licensed users. Only sparklers and fountains that are non-explosive and non-aerial are legal in the state, and one must be 16 or older to purchase them.

For usage complaints, contact your local police department. 
A notoriously dangerous weekend
for drivers
The Fourth of July tops all the other major holidays in the U.S. when it comes to the number of drunk driving fatalities according to research by ValuePenguin, which gathered information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The NHTSA reported 1,192 DUI fatalities on the Fourth of July between 2010 and 2017. The fatality rate was calculated as 42.4 deaths per day. Following this was Memorial Day with a total of 1,105 deaths during that same period and a fatality rate of 39.5. Labor Day was third with a rate of 38.1. Considering all this it's no wonder AAA calls the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day "the 100 deadliest days of summer." The Fourth of July weekend is deadlier than any equivalent span of summer days. During the holiday weekend, the risk for a fatal DUI crash goes up 57%.

Interestingly, the DUI fatality rate fluctuates based on what day the holiday falls on. The Fourth of July leads to more DUI fatalities when it is on a Wednesday than on any other day. The rate rises to 52 deaths per day on a Wednesday Independence Day. On the other hand, Saturdays are the safest with a rate of 36.3. Finally, a bit of good news for us this year. 

We urge you to make safety your top priority whenever you get behind the wheel. For more further reading on this and related topics, check out our articles on jblawct.com.
No checkpoints, but police will be out
State police have no checkpoints scheduled for the long holiday weekend but extra patrols are in effect.

"Connecticut state troopers are preparing for increased traffic and patrols as the long Fourth of July weekend draws near," state police said on Tuesday. "It is anticipated that residents will venture out to visit family and friends after being separated for months due to COVID-19."

State police said they have already seen an increase in the number of vehicles on the highways this week and traffic will increase as many residents have July 3 off from work and will head to state beaches, local barbecues and other activities. Extra patrols will be on I-84 and I-91, state police said.

"Be assured that your Connecticut state troopers will be patrolling state roads and highways during the three-day weekend," state police said. Roving DUI patrols have been slated from the evening of July 1 through the evening of July 5, state police said.

Please practice safety when you're on the roads: don't drink and drive, instead call a friend or an Uber, and stay off the phone. If you find yourself in need of legal assistance, we're reachable by phone 860-351-3552 or email .
Neighbors helping neighbors
The Plainville Community Food Pantry has been been assisting Plainville residents in need for over 40 years, and they're serving more than food. The Community Food Pantry is an outreach agency providing food, energy assistance, clothing, crisis intervention and referral services.

To show our support Jainchill & Beckert, LLC recently donated $500 to the non-profit so they can continue helping the community, especially during this time of increased need. If you're looking to contribute to a local 501(c)(3) organization, please consider your town's food pantry where you'll be making a difference right in your own neighborhood.

More information on the Plainville Community Food Pantry can be found on their website or by calling 860-747-1919.
JAINCHILL | BECKERT, LLC
Personal Injury • Criminal Defense • Workers' Comp
144 West Main Street
Plainville, CT 06062
Phone: 860-351-3552
Fax: 860-351-5442 
www.jblawct.com