Aresimowicz Honored with Legislative Award for Commitment to Public Safety

In five terms as a state representative, Berlin resident and House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz has also made the safety of Connecticut residents his top priority.

When the state was looking for ways to reduce debt over the past couple years, Aresimowicz stood tall against those who suggested using assets seized in police investigations to balance the budget and remained steadfast that a portion of the assets go to local departments instead.

These efforts have now brought Aresimowicz, D-Berlin and Southington, into the spotlight as he was awarded with the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association’s 2013 Legislative Award on Thursday.

“Joe Aresimowicz has distinguished himself over the years as a true champion of the law enforcement community,” said Southington Police Chief Jack Daly, president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association.

“I’m honored to be presenting this award to him as the President of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association—and as the the Chief of one of the two towns he represents. We in Southington are very fortunate to have him representing us in Hartford.”

Daly said the award is given to legislators that have stood out and strongly supported police issues. Aresimowicz was singled out for his leadership in protecting the ability of Connecticut’s local police departments to keep a portion of seized property and assets, he said.

Aresimowicz said that municipal police departments depend on the funds from the seized assets to fight crime and balance their budgets.

“Berlin is fortunate to have Joe Aresimowicz as our state representative. He has a great concern for public safety and has repeatedly demonstrated his support for our department and law enforcement in general,” said Berlin Police Chief Paul D. Fitzgerald.

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