New Haven Independent

Posted by: FairHavenRes | June 28, 2007 3:33 PM

How long did it take for the police to arrive???
I am guessing about 30 minutes? These kids riding in the middle of the street at all hours of the night. I can not believe we did not impose a curfew in this city!!!

It is going to be a long, hot, and bloody summer. Thanks Chief Ortiz for deploying your forces with such care for public safety.

Posted by: charlie | June 28, 2007 3:46 PM

A large gang of kids has been congregating along that exact stretch of Grand Avenue for many weeks now, biking the wrong way down the road, harrassing passersby, etc. I certainly have stopped driving along there whenever possible. It was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Thank goodness it wasn't worse. But my overall point is that the police should have noticed this problem much earlier and done something about it.

Posted by: Edward_H | June 28, 2007 7:13 PM

At least the driver did not run over one of his assailants, or he would have gone to jail.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2007/06/he_wasnt_taking.php

Posted by: Grand Ave Biz | June 29, 2007 9:06 AM

I work a few blocks from where this happened and have seen the wilding bicycle gangs on the hunt, eyeing and coveting thy neighbors property. My car was stripped there -- wheels, 3 smashed windows, fog lights, radio. They way some of them look at you it's only a matter of time before a customer or I open the shop door and get jumped, loosing hard earned money and maybe teeth, eyeball, motor skills or the final heartbeat to a violent 12 year old.

We can lock our car doors and roll up our windows while driving, leave enough space from the car in front of you so you don't get blocked in at stop lights, carry a cell phone, ride with an attack dog etc. but what is NHPS' recommended procedure when kids surround your car and start trying to get at us? Should we hit the gas and risk running them over? Will the driver be charged with manslaughter? If we happen to have different color skin will it turn into a race riot? Yes, it will if one of these violent thieves (aka child, brother, son) gets dragged down the street by an innocent driver trying to protect his or her self and/or family. Talk about bad publicity for city hall, let alone the tragedy.

We hope the answer isn't to give the hoods what they want and get shot in the face anyway.

If the city and NHPD can't keep them off the streets or do more to protect us then we at least deserve the official protocol. Please respond ASAP, New Haven can't afford to loose more taxpayers to flight or...violent attack or death.

PS: Still waiting for the "Police Records and/or Information" that I bothered to fill out a request form for at the station over three months ago re. the attempted kidnapping near our children's dilapidated elementary school -- the same school that someone was shot in front of last year.

It's finally come to this: NHPD, what is the pistol permit approval time for a citizen with no criminal record or history of mental illness and satisfies all requirements? Looks like CT law allows for as long as long as 12 weeks but can this be expedited?

http://www.ct.gov/bfpe/cwp/view.asp?a=1252&q=254182
Q9. Does the law require that I be given an application form for a permit to carry pistols and revolvers if I ask for one?

A. Yes. Section 29-28a requires that an application form be furnished to you immediately if you ask for it in person at the police station, and if your request is made other than by an "in person" visit to the police station it should be provided not later than one week after receiving your request for an application.

Q10. How long after I make an application must l be notified of the issuing authority's decision?

A. The law mandates that the issuing authority shall inform the applicant that his/her request for a permit has been approved or denied by phone or a letter no later than eight weeks after the application has been submitted.

Q11. What should I do if I do not receive a decision within eight weeks after submitting my application?

A. At the end of eight weeks, contact the issuing authority and inquire about the status of your application. If there appears to be a minor administrative delay, wait an additional two or three weeks for it to be resolved. You may contact the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners to file an appeal if you are not contacted.

Q12. What is the procedure for filing an appeal with the Board?

A. You must write a letter to the Board within 90 days of the date your permit was revoked or denied. The Board will need the date you received notice of the revocation or denial. Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, date of birth, and your signature.

We citizen taxpayers need and deserve at least this simple information that is related to our family's safety in our city.

Posted by: Edward_H | June 29, 2007 1:56 PM

Grand Ave Biz

I received my pistol permit at the beginning of 2005 and did not have any problems. It took just about 8 weeks for all the paperwork to go through. One word of advice. Keep copies of ALL the paperwork you hand into the NHPD just in case something gets lost. This did not happen to me but better safe than sorry. Also at the time I applied the Police department requested that I submit 2 letters of reference stating that I would be a trustworthy person to own a firearm. This is NOT required by state law and I refused to submit any such letter(s). I still was granted my permit even though I refused to comply with this request. Good luck

Posted by: State St. Resident | June 29, 2007 6:15 PM

Could you please include a description of the perpetrators. That way, should someone see one of them, they can try and avoid a possible deadly situation. Maybe a police sketch too.

Posted by: charlie | July 2, 2007 4:43 PM

If these kids perpetrate a violent crime, such as robbery, they should be tried as adults and locked up for 50 years with no parole. Property crime should get you six months and 5,000 hours of community service.

That would get them to stop the shenanigans. Why are sentences so light? Criminals' lives are not worth more than the rest of our health & safety.

Posted by: Edward_H | July 3, 2007 8:45 AM

State St. Resident

Could you please include a description of the perpetrators. That way, should someone see one of them, they can try and avoid a possible deadly situation. Maybe a police sketch too

Young black or hispanic males on bikes. Probably wearing hooded sweatshirts as well.