Puerto Rican Parade Returning to Waterbury & Street Takeover Crackdown

April 24, 2024

For the first time in 24 years, a Puerto Rican festival and parade is returning to Waterbury! Please keep reading to find out when that massive celebration is going to take place in our community.

The House unanimously supported a proposal cracking down on street takeovers. I'll break down how this bill will protect our city and hopefully deter this illegal activity.

We celebrated with the UConn men's championship basketball team on Husky Day at the Capitol! Please look below to see some of the best pictures from that party.

You will find the following sections below:

  • Puerto Rican Parade Returning to Waterbury!
  • Cracking Down on Street Takeovers
  • UConn Champs Visit Capitol

 

Puerto Rican Parade Returning to Waterbury!

Organizers unveiled this year’s full slate of Puerto Rican Parades and Festivals in Connecticut. I am very excited to announce that Waterbury will host its first parade and festival since 2000!

The city is looking forward to a tremendous weekend of events for Borifest on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15.
A Puerto Rican parade and festival will return to Waterbury this year!
I applaud our great state for continuing to showcase Puerto Rican heritage. By attending these events, you will gain a better understanding and appreciation of the impact Puerto Ricans have had in our country. We’re dedicated to honoring the past and embracing the future with our cultural legacy. Please take a look at the list of this year's local events below.

If you can't wait until September to celebrate in Waterbury, you have a chance to attend the first-ever Puerto Rican Day Parade in San Juan! Avelo Airlines is offering special direct flights there on May 16 and May 20 with roundtrip prices starting at $200. CLICK HERE to get your tickets!

San Juan's parade will take place on May 18 at 3:00 P.M.
 
Cracking Down on Street Takeovers

The House of Representatives took bipartisan and unanimous action to help cities and towns improve safety as we voted 148-0 to pass House Bill 5413 to control street takeovers, which have proven to be a concern for many of our residents.

While street takeovers have become a national issue since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am thankful Waterbury has not experienced many issues with this activity. These street takeovers by the illegal use of all-terrain and other type of vehicles pose a significant threat to public safety, endangering participants, innocent bystanders, and law enforcement officials.

HB 5413 seeks to provide more tools to municipalities to combat street takeovers, including:

  • Allowing cities and towns to destroy ATVs, dirt bikes, and motorcycles seized and forfeited for violating a municipal ordinance
  • Authorizing municipalities to adopt ordinances that penalize street takeovers and impose fines as well as the seizure of vehicles
  • Changing and tightening penalties for violating state law on street takeovers, including permanent driver's license revocation for a third violation of the statute
I am glad my bipartisan vote provides additional tools and increased penalties to cities and towns to help deter street takeovers. The bill now moves to the Senate.
 
UConn Champs Visit Capitol

The champs were back in the spotlight as we celebrated UConn's second consecutive national title in the House Chamber. I spoke with men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley for a few moments in the Capitol before the House of Representatives recognized the players and coaches. We gave them a well-deserved ovation. Congratulations on your hard work!

We love the Huskies and hope to do this all over again for a third straight time next spring!