New Haven Independent

Posted by: on whalley | June 15, 2007 7:56 AM

Yes, yes, yes. I couldnt have asked for a better example of why the NHPD serves little to no purpose fighting crime. I have been told by the NHPD that I cannot hold a criminal for them beyond any greater method than politely asking them to stay, that I cannot force a criminal to a safer location or it would be considered kidnapping and that if I were to ever use lethal force I would find myself in an uphill battle not with the law itself but with the New Haven court system and its interpretation of the self defense laws.

This is just the kind of idiocy that drives me to truly distrust and in many ways despise the NHPD.

What are they suposed to be doing? They cant detain illegals, they dont want us to defend ourselves but they refuse to do it, they no longer have the faculties to police narcotics activity, whats wrong with this picture?

Any other city would have had its mayor hauled into the town center and hung and the chief of police run out on a rail but we just sit here and twiddle our thumbs while the world ends all around us.

I simply dont understand.

Maybe I'll move to Texas where you see some thug stealing your car stereo you're free to shoot him from your bedroom window.

This sort of reminds me of those border agents being imprisoned for doing their jobs. DeStefano must a real big Bush fan since he's running his city much as Bush is running the country.

There truly is no way I can express my disgust well enough.

Posted by: new havener | June 15, 2007 8:06 AM

If officers can't show respect to their own how can citizens expect any? Officer Canace...you don't get respect by simply putting on a uniform. You have to earn it like the rest of us. Shame on you. Shame on the department for tolerating this.

Posted by: AOC | June 15, 2007 9:14 AM

Good point 'Whalley'

The problem starts at the top with the liberal court system that allows criminals to sue AND WIN when they sue viticms of crimes who protect themselves agaisnt them.

Posted by: Edward_H | June 15, 2007 9:20 AM

If this story is true Officer Frank Canace is an absolute disgrace to the uniform. Is there still a wonder why citizens in this area feel the need to patrol the streets on their own. Every day this city gives me another reason to move to one of the safer and saner surrounding towns. If this story holds its water the only uniform Canace should be wearing is a janitor's jumpsuit or a rent -a-cop at the local mall. Although I am sure according to union rules he will get a slap on the wrist if anything.

Posted by: jade | June 15, 2007 10:21 AM

This situation is assenine! The man was clearly protecting himself and his property, he didn't look for trouble! Shame on our police and shame on our judicial system for allowing this and other outrageous things to happen (a burglar suing a homeowner for injuries obtained during the burglary, for example). I am opposed to violence but I am FOR Mr. Copeland and his participation in nabbing a criminal. What are we supposed to do, sit by and watch as crimes happen? Wait (minutes, hours) for the police to arrive? So, NHPD, if we witness a woman being raped or a child being beaten, should we sit on our asses and simply ring you up?

Posted by: Bill Smyth | June 15, 2007 11:17 AM

There are lots of things wrong with this incident. Rather than get into the obvious police-public interaction, lets look at the original problem with Copeland beating the snot out of a misdeameanant. In reading the CT use of force statutes, I think that Copeland used what would be considered "Deadly physical force in defense of person" (himself). I think a conviction would be held because Copeland could have retreated. Its not like this bad guy was in his home, they were out in the street, and Copeland approached the bad guy rather than called police. A bloody head injury is a deadly force situation and is unreasonable. Using a weapon and striking blows with it on an unarmed man is unjustified here.

Another thing to consider is that while the police have discretion, they are also the ones that have to keep the peace at the moment. Officer Canace has to look out for the other neighbors as well, and an arrest of Copeland is not unreasonable. Officer Canace had plenty of probable cause to arrest Copeland. Now the court can decide if self-defense was legitimate.

I don't know about you, but I am not about to risk injury, arrest, or lack of sleep, for protecting a 1992 Nissan.

For the bad guy, I am sure he is just glad the Edgewood Park Defense Patrol didn't find and shoot him.

Posted by: Walt | June 15, 2007 11:21 AM

Hope Copeland gets off OK

I am a Police supporter and my grandson is a suburban cop

Nevertheless I recognize the liberal corruption of Police actions in the City. and the pressures put on good cops by the politically correct, with usually the support of the Mayor and top cops.

Good luck, Copeland

Posted by: Billy | June 15, 2007 11:41 AM

Thats what you get for calling the cops. You've got a perfectly good ax handle, why do you need the NHPD?

Posted by: JBZ | June 15, 2007 11:52 AM

Bill Smyth, why does the value of the car matter? Would it be worth protecting or even "waking up" for if it were a 2007 BMW?

Posted by: packin' | June 15, 2007 11:57 AM

"DeStefano must a real big Bush fan since he's running his city much as Bush is running the country."

No, he's not a Bush fan. He's a New World Order fan.
He's been doing everything right by the 'how to destry America and create a global society' playbook.

The economic policies of New Haven paired with the inevitable consequences of making the city a sanctuary for illegals (look at what happened with the Poles in England after they joined the EU) and now with the citys stance on desiring an unarmed and helpless victim citizenry DeStefan is setting New Haven up to be the model city for welfare state style globalist socialism.

Unless the city completely removes its current political body voting in a new mayor wont change anything. This is the way the elites (the wealthy and Yale) want it. No middle class means the elite level is secure and ensures a healthy number or laborers for cheap.

I dont believe New Haven is the only city going through this. And at the same time the federal government is doint the same thing only on a larger scale.

DeStefano and his cronies think its best if we're all poor, uneducated victims. This would guarantee government control for generations to come.

"Dont worry, we're the government and we're here to help you."

Posted by: Bill Smyth | June 15, 2007 1:41 PM

JBZ,
My point is, that I am not about to risk injury to myself or even death, nor arrest over stolen property. Simply put, that is what the police are there for.

JBZ you obviously missed the humor.

Posted by: Walt | June 15, 2007 1:56 PM

Good point JBZ

Every car is important to its owner, whether older Nissan or a new BMW , junky or mint

Maybe Smyth is joshing or maybe after changeing spelling from Smith he became a little snobby.

Posted by: jade | June 15, 2007 2:40 PM

So, what if the man who broke into the cars that night happened to be a wanted sex offender/murderer/etc? I think the point is that Copeland was detaining a criminal. He had no idea if the man was an unemployed neighbor or something far worse.

Posted by: Your Tax Dollars at Work | June 15, 2007 5:12 PM

Meantime -- back at the ranch -- after dinner with my wife, our 15-year-old, and his friend, we pulled up in front of ColdStone so the boys could get some dessert. There were no parking spaces on Temple St. So we stayed in the car double-parked while the boys went in. Not 3 minutes later two of New Haven's "finest" pulled up behind us and, without warning, gave us a $20 ticket for "blocking traffic." So my question is: haven't these stalwart police officers got something better to do than give citizens parking tickets for blocking traffic when there's no traffic? At the very least they could be getting some sensitivity training.

Posted by: right | June 15, 2007 5:44 PM

That's very, very similar to what happened to me, and Verelli responded by suppressing the complaint, just like in this instance.

I am shocked that the detective is shocked and already doesn't know about this kind of behavior, and how verelli and higher ups handle it. Seems you would have to be blind. Hearing Verelli dismiss it as totally untrue - how does it feel having your credibility attacked, dismissed, and summarily, gratuitously undermined, with not five minutes of review? Not good does it. I know.

That arrested guy should know that even if his case is dismissed, and "erased" the record will still appear to cops and others for the rest of his life in national law enforcement databases and he will be treated like a crimnal and a suspect for the rest of his life -- there is no law that can remove the record. "Erased" just means segregated and unavailable for most public purposes.

Posted by: right | June 15, 2007 5:50 PM

JBZ-- that's the whole point - the police are not there, I repeat, they are not there. They often won't show up for crimes in progress.

Posted by: right | June 15, 2007 5:58 PM

on whalley and others -- it is not bush and it is not the -- gag -- so-called liberal court system! My GOD.

Let me introduce you to the new haven political machine: The city has known since 1970 that billy white was corrupt. Are you getting it yet? the archives at the public library are enough to prove that -- go read.

Loyalty to each other and to party, not to office or duties is what gets you in. If you happen to have merit, well ok, but it is not a requirement.

Officers like Cacace are not lonely - there are bunches of them just like that.

The city knows this, and knows who they are. they totally know who they are. I can prove it in some instances.

the state's attorney, nice as he is, is complicit and permissive - his standards for integrity for cops and prosecutors is insultingly low.

The degree of cynicism attending their responses to the "scandal" is more disgusting and disingenous than you even want to imagine. Ignorance is bliss in this case, believe me.

Posted by: Tashi | June 15, 2007 6:18 PM

Your're right, YTDAW, police shouldn't enforce laws that YOU're violating, because, after all, you can slander then in a forum in which they can't fight back. Double park some more, we can all use the entertainment.

Posted by: AOC | June 16, 2007 9:48 AM

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BEAT LAW BREAKERS!

The world would have far less crime IF it was acceptable for a man to catch and beat a robber who is found in his house or breaking into his car. IF it was acceptable to beat people who are ruining your property there would be more of a deterant.

Think about it, by the time the cops get there the criminal already gets away. THERE IS NO DETERANT. If a criminal knew he had to face a pissed off homeowner and a severe beating and eventual arresting by the police he probable would not try to steal $2.00 in change out of the ash tray of my car while breakng my window.

Posted by: Blackdog | June 17, 2007 3:03 AM

Ok, tax dollars, seems like you were driving downtown on what, a Thursday? Surely you noticed the horrific traffic. Apparently the city design was completely messed up years ago, so traffic is a horrible problem downtown on the weekends. I'm guessing the City's economic development folks are behind enforcing parking regs and whatnot, to keep people coming downtown and spending $$.

Obviously I'm not suggesting that economic development is a higher priority than public safety (though I would suggest thinking about what it really means to fight poverty and the root of crime...). I'm very confused (and growing more so by the day) about what to think of the police in this city, but traffic citations are hardly the best evidence of incompetence (or worse).

For what it's worth, I know how you feel. I was in the exact same situation a few years ago in Cambridge, MA: double-parked outside a popular ice cream place b/c no parking for blocks, we go in to get cones, come out and have $60 parking ticket. I was the one who insisted on getting the family ice cream at my favorite place, and when I saw my dad's face, I honestly thought I might be responsible for his impending heart attack and/or murdering some Cambridge cop... ;)

Posted by: Dana Frazier | June 17, 2007 11:48 AM

One reason this Country is like it is now, with a high crime rate (larceny, murder) is because the criminals have more rights than the individuals they are committing the crime against. Every now and then you have to stand up for yourself and property because those who are suppose to "Protect and Serve" don't care because its just a job to them. Instead of him going to Copeland's home and taking care of the matter at hand, breaking and entering, he sees alittle blood and makes the criminal the victim and the victim the criminal. Copeland shouldn't have been arrested for protecting his property, he was threatened twice and who's to say the man didn't have a weapon to put that threat into action. Canace didn't even include the threats in the police report. Police do what Copeland did every day, protecting themselves before the matter gets out of hand. Officer Canace was wrong for disrespecting Det. Kilpatrick in front of all the people that were there, and of course the Supervisor didn't see anything wrong with the way things were handled because it all happened before he got there!

Posted by: Edward_H | June 17, 2007 4:02 PM

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK

haven't these stalwart police officers got something better to do than give citizens parking tickets for blocking traffic when there's no traffic?

Probably, but if you were not blocking traffic maybe they could have continued on their patrol. I suppose you would have preffered if the police would have driven right by you and waved hello in view of all the passerby while you were in clear violation of the law? Lots of people in New Haven are tired of the lax enforcement of traffic laws. I find it hard to believe there was no traffic. Even if what you say is true you gambled when you decided to block traffic on one of the busiest streets in the downtown area. You took a chance and lost. My wfe and I have gone to Coldstone and had the same problem. You either circle until a spot opens or you park further away and God forbid WALK.

At the very least they could be getting some sensitivity training.

Sensitivity to what? People who like to park illegally while grabbing some ice cream.

Reading these posts by BLACKDOG and YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK make me think there is some type of exception in the parking laws for getting ice cream that I am unaware of.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | June 18, 2007 4:13 PM

Edward-H
Is There A Exception For Police Who I Have Seen Block Traffic Downtown In New Haven And Go To Get Icecream At Coldstone And Go To Subways And A Sgt
Was One Of The Officer.Double Standard!!

Posted by: slander | June 18, 2007 6:58 PM

Slander is a terrible thing to do. I don't think you have evidence that any of the comments on the board are slanderous.

There is, however, plenty of evidence that Connecticut police SWEAR to reports over their signatures that are fabrications against innocent people -- just go to the courthouse and read. Then follow up on whether they still work there. The mayor and chief think it is perfectly all right to employ officers who commit this particular crime.

In fact, I heard an officer say somewhere in print, that those lawsuits don't count, even when evidence of criminal behavior by cops is presented and proven beyond the civil standard of preponderance of the evidence. Even when it is proven beyond a reasonable doubt, or even beyond all doubt, even when it is confessed on the stand.

Now, swearing to false reports is criminal, and a far worse violation of human beings than slander -- and I think slander is heinous.

Posted by: Diane | June 19, 2007 11:14 AM

Regarding Tashi's post June 15th at 6:18. You can only do your best to uphold the laws as they are written.......and the police don't write them. Last night I saw two people in my backyard and it wasn't the first time. My family and I live in a suburb of New Haven, and although this has been a recurring issue, no one has entered my home or attacked one of us. I called the police each time, and they showed up promptly each time....once with a K-9 unit. Last night when I called, I began to fume when they took a long time to show up. When the officer arrived, she told me they had detained two youths in the area who were suspected of vandalism. So, perhaps when the officers are delayed in getting to your house, it's because they have already protected you! Or maybe there's an incident that is immediate and emergent....like a hostage situation or an officer down. I am very thankful for the PD.....they are willing to put their butts on the line for us, and they DO - every day!
D