New Haven Independent

Carlos Soto said the memorial was dedicated to a good guy and it should stay where it is.

“That’s where he died,” he said. “It would be unfair to the family to make them move it.”

“There’s a place for everything,” said Judith Oliveras, a Trowbridge Square resident and member of Trowbridge Renaissance, a group that spearheaded the discussion on memorials. She lives around the corner from the McCrea memorial. “That’s why they made cemeteries. You mourn there not on the street.”

Their differing opinions reflect a citywide debate over how to memorialize New Haven’s growing numbers of murdered young people — a debate about to hit the Board of Aldermen.

To some these memorials — collections of candles and pictures and teddy bears which have proliferated in town along with murders of young people — are somber reminders of violence committed and a magnet for more trouble. To others they’re reminders of a loved one who shouldn’t be forgotten.

Hill Alderman Jorge Perez and Hill Alderwoman Andrea Jackson-Brooks are preparing legislation that would limit sidewalk memorials to remain in place for 30 days. The ordinance — details of which are still being worked out — would also establish a permitting process. It’s expected to be introduced at the next Board of Alderman meeting.

Lt. Joe Streeto spoke in support of the draftordinance at Wednesday’s Hill South Management Team meeting.

Perez said that the people who want to keep the memorials up are the families of the victims. Otherwise, he said, his constituents overwhelmingly want the memorials removed because they attract mischievous and loud crowds.

Hill resident Shaunda Wilson, on the other hand, called the ordinance idea “bogus.”

“As long as we’re not hurting anybody why does it matter?” Wilson has lived one house over from a memorial on the corner of Davenport Avenue and Orchard Street, pictured, for 11 years.

“That’s all we have left of that person,” she said. “It should stay forever, it’s a sacred marking.”

The memorial on Church Street South can be seen by many. It’s located on a busy street, right by a stairway leading away from Union Station and into the Hill’s Trowbridge Square neighborhood. Oliveras said her main concern is with the effect the memorial has on children. “Kids pass by it everyday,” she said. “It’s not good mentally or psychologically.”

Julio, Melvin and Junior live directly across the street from the memorial. They said it didn’t bother them to have it there.

Oliveras, who grew up in the neighborhood and has led an effort to revive it, said that every month the memorial gets bigger and bigger.

She also said the memorial is for someone who didn’t live in the neighborhood. “It’s unfair for us who have to live here,” she said.

The memorial for “Fat Man,” pictured, is at Sylvan Avenue and Ward Street. Will James was across the street at his parents’ house washing his car. Neighborhood kids were playing in the yard. “I think they should leave it alone,” said James.

“People come through who remember him and pay their respect,” he said.

Oliveras and about 20 concerned Trowbridge residents started on their mission in November. The group met with Alderman Perez, Hill Alderwoman Dolores Colon and an official from the Liveable City Initiative to voice their concerns.

Perez said at the Hill South Management Team meeting on Wednesday that a public hearing would be held and that he expected to hear a lot of mixed opinions.

James agreed. “There are a lot of people with attitude around,” he said. “And a lot of people who want to protect their own.”

Oliveras said if she’s available she has “no problem” lending her voice.