Column: Connecticut tribes leave casino doors open to criminals

While trying to get a handle this week on how many state police troopers are left at Connecticut's casinos, I called and asked the police press office for a number.

That is information police won't discuss, I was told, for "tactical reasons."

Of course, I now well understand why they don't want to say, for tactical reasons, how many troopers are left in the State Police Casino Unit. Because the answer is none. Zip. Nada.

When you call the casino unit's office, in fact, you get an answering machine.

This is a stunning retreat by state law enforcement at places that, well, frankly, have some appeal for people who might want to break the law. Police made close to 400 arrests at the two casinos in 2012.