Meriden and Waterbury police are partnering with the FBI on a joint task force to combat gang violence that investigators believe is behind recent increases in shootings in both cities.
Meriden Chief Roberto Rosado and Waterbury Chief Fernando Spagnolo announced the task force Wednesday afternoon and indicated the violence appears to be connected to a small number of individuals affiliated with specific groups based on the suspects they have identified so far.
The FBI already has helped the cities with those investigations, but the new task force will help bring more specialized federal agents and technology to bear on the increase in gun violence, officials said.