Politics & Government

Victims' Families Describe Communication Problems To Sandy Hook Commission

Meeting on Friday saw parents from three families address the commission.

Parents of victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy described of breakdowns in communication with officials at a meeting with The Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, The Hartford Courant reports. It was the first time family members of those killed have addressed the commission.

David Wheeler lost his son, Benjamin, in the massacre and spoke to the commission via Skype. "There was no central clearinghouse for information for the ... affected families set up in any way," Wheeler told the panel according to the Courant, acknowledging the school shooting likely overwhelmed government officials. "There are many times where we don't know who we should be asking for things."

Wheeler praised the actions of the state and Governor Malloy following the tragedy, but criticised the town of Newtown’s response, The New Haven Register reports.

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"In this case there was a communication gap, and the response systems must be prepared to address that communication gap," said Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson, chairman of the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, according to the Courant.

The commission was set up by Governor Malloy to review current policy and make specific recommendations in the areas of public safety. It is expected to publish its report in December.

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