The Waterbury Times|Commentary|Jan 21, 2024
Last updated Mar 5, 2026 6:32AM
2023 marked a deadly year for the Brass City, with 18 lives lost to murder. The victims included those killed in gang-related incidents, drug-related violence, domestic disputes, and other senseless acts. Unfortunately, this reflects a disturbing trend: the city has recorded 15 or more murders in each of the past two years (2022 and 2023).
A decade ago, Waterbury was a very different place. In 2013, only five murders were reported citywide. Once known more for political corruption than violent crime, the city has seen a sharp rise in deadly incidents over the last ten years. What has changed in Waterbury that has led to this surge in violence? The Waterbury Times investigates.
The Good ol’ days
Between 2008 and 2011, Waterbury recorded a total of 23 murders, averaging about six per year. During this period, the city was led by Mayor Michael Jarjura. While history will judge Mayor Jarjura’s tenure in many ways, most residents today would likely welcome an average of six murders a year compared to the rising numbers the city faces now.
A new sherrif in town
Ironically, the 2011 mayoral election brought Neil O’Leary, former Waterbury Police Chief, to City Hall. His experience during a period of lower murder rates was a clear selling point for voters. During his first two terms (2011–2015), the city’s annual murder rate fell to an average of 5.2 per year.
However, beginning in 2016, when Waterbury’s mayoral term expanded from two years to four, the city saw a dramatic rise in murders. By the end of Mayor O’Leary’s tenure in 2023, the murder rate had increased by approximately 400%. Setting aside opinion, the numbers tell the story.
Shocking Numbers
By the end of Mayor Neil O’Leary’s first four-year term (2015–2019), Waterbury recorded 35 murders, averaging 8.7 per year — nearly double the previous four years (2011–2015), also under O’Leary.
In 2019, Mayor O’Leary was reelected after hiring Chief Spagnola to replace outgoing Chief Riddick Jr. During Chief Riddick’s five-year tenure (2013–2017), the city had 37 murders, an average of about seven per year. Under Chief Spagnola’s first five years (2018–2022), Waterbury recorded 54 murders — nearly 11 per year.
The city reached a historic high in 2023 with 18 murders, the most ever recorded in Waterbury’s history. While the numbers clearly show a rising trend, the question remains: who is responsible — the mayor, the police leadership, or is this a broader systemic issue?
Numbers never lie!…exaggerate..?…maybe.
According to the 2008 U.S. Census, Waterbury had 107,037 residents, with five murders recorded that year. By July 2022, estimates put the population at 115,027 — an increase of roughly 8,000 residents, though the true number is likely higher, as census counts often miss people without permanent addresses. Realistically, the city may have grown by as many as 10,000 additional residents since 2008.
Many of these newcomers have limited ties to family or community, leaving the city a mix of long-term residents and individuals who primarily identify with their address. Waterbury is evolving into a dense, diverse city — a “little NYC” of sorts — where economic challenges, limited community connection, and demographic changes are reshaping the social landscape.
While political leadership and law enforcement play a role in public safety, the rising murder rate appears more closely tied to these broader demographic shifts. Until Waterbury adjusts to its evolving population, data suggest the city may continue to see an increase in violent incidents.
New Waterbury City?
The Brass City may still carry a New England feel and small-town spirit, but beneath the surface, a larger, faster-moving city is emerging. Waterbury’s growth and evolution are accelerating, particularly with the influx of new residents from New York. To keep pace, city leadership and local media need to operate with the sophistication of larger Connecticut cities like New Haven or Hartford rather than treating Waterbury like a small town such as Seymour or Beacon Falls.
If trends continue, Waterbury’s population could rival Hartford within the next five years. Local politics and media coverage must anticipate this shift — staying ahead of the city’s growth and energy — before it shapes Waterbury in ways that outpace planning and public awareness.
So Now what?
Change starts with us. Waterbury residents can play a vital role in reducing crime by acknowledging the reality of where we live — without living in fear. Protecting ourselves, our homes, and our communities is the first step toward reclaiming our quality of life.
Practical measures matter: install security cameras, use motion-detection lights, and look out for one another. While law enforcement is essential, police cannot prevent every crime, especially when entire areas are vulnerable. By leaving criminals with fewer places to hide and fewer opportunities to act, residents make it easier to spot suspicious activity and deter crime.
While no community can eliminate violence entirely, collective vigilance, preparedness, and neighborhood cooperation are powerful tools for improving safety and reducing fear.
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