New Haven Independent

Posted by: kris | February 26, 2008 8:21 PM

Destefano asks what is it going to take to solve this problem? Well I can tell you money from the state is not going to solve the problem.Arrest the parents of these out of control kids.Where the hell are the parents?Why is he screaming for money from the state?He should go to the parents homes and scream at them.Blame nobody but the parents.Its got nothing to do with poverty,its about discipline.They need a good ol fashioned ass whooping by the parents.Money doesnt make you a respectable kid but good discipline does.

Posted by: Esbe | February 26, 2008 9:02 PM

If the state won't put up some money to deal with the prison re-entry problem, then I suggest the city charter buses to take the returning prisoners and drop them off in Greenwhich, Madison, Farmington and all the other towns whose reps vote to deny such funding to cities. We could rent out 10 apartments in each of 4 or 5 such towns and offer them rent free to the worst returning offenders. It is really only fair to spread the joy around. I think they will cry "uncle" pretty fast.

Posted by: Wiseman45 | February 26, 2008 9:37 PM

I believe the Mayor should look for ways to cut costs within his own administration. We should all be reminded that several administrators, including the Mayor, received big pay raises and continue to receive big perks that go along with the job. I remember the day when no one went into government service expecting a large paycheck. The entire country is working harder, smarter, and longer for less money, and studies now show that civil servant are now outpacing their peers in the free market when it comes to salary, wages and/or benefits - and with less accountability. The time for givebacks for the sake of the community is long overdue. Stop scapegoating.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | February 26, 2008 10:02 PM

It's time for the chattering class, the blame the state, blame the feds, blame anybody but City Hall crowd to tone it down. Whatever frustration these hand wringers feel is nothing compared to the frustration taxpayers feel that problems the city has been facing for years remain unsolved while we're handed higher taxes and more excuses.

Having said that, prisoners are NOT being dumped in New Haven - they're brought here by choice, their choice upon release. They have family in the area, friends or they came from here originally.

Secondly, the city is incapable of running a garbage transfer site efficiently, accurately or properly - so please explain how with millions more dollars you're going to insert the city into yet another brand new program dealing with very complex issues of prisioner re-entry with no expertise, no history, no skill set whatsoever? This is a disaster waiting to happen. Any new money from the state should be passed directly to the agencies and experts who already deal with these issues. To have it sit with the city will be a complete waste and accomplish nothing except help to plug a $17 million budget hole.

And finally...why is the mayor surprised that violent offenders have rap sheets? Studies have been done on this for at least 20 years. Where has the mayor been? Sometimes listening to his shrill rhetoric, I think he must really be Rip Van Winkle just waking up to reality. Like so many times perhaps the mayor can quit accusing others of shortcomings and instead, spend some energy and time sitting down with people at the state to see what can be done to make re-entry and parole oversight more effective for us. Other cities are facing the same problems and could well benefit from more attention to this.

Posted by: charlie | February 26, 2008 11:12 PM

Violent criminals who have used knives should be put away for 30 years with no possibility of parole. Violent criminals who have committed felonies with guns should be put away for a minimum 90 years with no possibility of parole. These minimums should hold regardless of the age of the criminals. Knifepoint assaults or robberies would get you 30 years, rapes or murders even more. Sentences could be "phased in" over a few years in order to educate people about the consequences of their actions.

This would eliminate the problem, because these criminals wouldn't be coming back to our communities in the first place.

Crime has a huge social impact, in the sense of depressed home values, loss of jobs in city centers, fear of walking in your neighborhood - - it isn't just about the victim. Penalties need to reflect that.

Posted by: Dean Moriarity | February 26, 2008 11:12 PM

ESBE's right on target. As an added plus, they would get beach rights too!

This all is just so sorry. This Mayor must stop his phony charade of caring about illegal immigrant's protection and focus on the people who pay his GD salary. When is enough enough??

Posted by: Chris Gray | February 27, 2008 1:27 AM

Excuse me for focusing another aspect of this problem.

Due to the circumstances of my life, I tend to get some local news from the 11am WVIT and the noon WTNH broadcasts and, being up later than usual writing about BearCats and other non-bomb resistant armored personnel carriers, I only caught part of WVIT's report, but they ended with a reiteration of their earlier coverage of the three shooting incidents.

Switching to our "closer to home" channel, I was shocked to note that no mention of these shootings. The same with their 6pm report and, although I was surfing between CNN, Jon Stewart, and them at 11pm, I got the definite impression that these stories still failed to get covered.

I knew I'd get a more detailed report here than the blurb on Channel 30. Thanks NHI. (No arrest, I gather, in the Ferry St. murder?)

Meanwhile, WTNH did a series of broadcasts some time back exploiting calls for stiffer mandatory sentences, reform of the parole and probation systems and calls for relaxing sentencing for non-violent offenders and also on the disparity between sentences for powdered or rock (man, I'm so sick of the term crack) cocaine and community outrage over prison overcrowding as exemplified by the Whalley Ave. facility.

We can't expect our richer neighbors to press their legislators to support increased funding for DeStefano's pie-in-the-sky new programs or even the more realistic proposals above if some of our state media ignore the day-to-day consequences we suffer from the competing hysterias they fan.

Posted by: Chris Gray | February 27, 2008 2:01 AM

Oh, yeah, I also surfed to Charlie Rose, as well.

Posted by: ericaholahan | February 27, 2008 8:22 AM

Could someone please tell me which specific community groups and/or non-profits are designed to work with youth offenders? I know of Youth Continuum -are there others?

Posted by: True New Havener | February 27, 2008 9:05 AM

Some of the comments here are disgusting.

A man lost his life for acting heroically. And all we get here is people regurgitating their same anti-tax arguments. And one poster saying how the Mayor should stop pretending to care about immigrants and worry about people who pay his GD salary. A man died caring about his fellow man. How many of use would have done the same?

And why does he get no attention, no march for his valor? Because of his place of national origin? SHAME!

SHAME!

SHAME!

This was definitely not on the news. There was a story about two suburban teens who lost their lives LAST WEEK when one wrapped his car around a pole in a mall parking lot. A tragedy but it happened last week. Why were their lives so much more valuable?

Here is a New Haven hero and we get an outraged Mayor and a bunch of whining NHI commenters. Take a look in the mirror!

Posted by: True New Havener | February 27, 2008 9:28 AM

So that we can be clear on how much of a loss this was for our city, here is an excerpt from the Register piece:

Freddy Salinas died coming to the aid of a friend.

Salinas, 27, of 515 Ferry St., was shot in the chest late Monday when he rushed downstairs after he heard his first-floor neighbor calling for help as he was being robbed, his girlfriend, Silvia Bueno, 21, said Tuesday with a friend translating.

Salinas ran down the front staircase, and a moment later re-entered the apartment holding his chest. "He said, 'Please call for the ambulance.'"

"She doesn't know anything else," said Maria Laura Mendez, who served as the translator.

Salinas, an Ecuadorean immigrant, was pronounced dead at about 11:30 p.m. at the hospital, authorities said.

The father of a 6-month-old boy, Salinas had been in New Haven for about 1½ years and worked as a roofer with a Norwalk company, said Bueno.

She found no comfort knowing he died trying to help someone else.

"Nothing helps," she said in a quiet voice that was barely audible.

Posted by: jeffreykerekes | February 27, 2008 9:28 AM

The Mayor will be speaking about the budget tomorrow night at 6pm at the Main Library. It would be worthwhile for you all to attend to raise these questions about funding initiatives in the context of our financial crisis.

Future taxpayers and future budgets must pay City liabilities in excess of $1 billion -- bonded debt, pension fund and health care liabilities (IOUs) that are not funded, etc. This huge liability, estimated at $26,000 per New Haven household, has a real cost to the City since bond rating agencies will downgrade the City's debt, adding to it's borrowing costs. Where will the money come from to pay for these contractual committments? How did the City manage to make these committments without any consideration of these liabilities? Or without informing the public as to their magnitude?

Does getting our hands tied with debt interfere with our ability to respond to crime and crime prevention?

Posted by: Onebyd | February 27, 2008 9:40 AM

Gary, as a resident who lives right down the street from the jail, I can tell you without hesitation that the prisoners ARE being dumped at the Whalley Ave facility and they DO NOT all live, come from, or have family in New Haven. You live in Westville, I believe, so I understand that you are not familiar with our plight here on the Avenue, but you should really do some research before you start talking about things that you dont know. If you were to come to one of the WEB (Whalley/Edgewood/Beaver Hills) management team meetings, you would see the warden of the Whalley Ave jail, as well as (3) of our state reps address our group about the alarming number of prisoners being dumped in our area, and how it is affecting our safety and quality of life. You would hear from business owners who tell stories of how their customers and staff are harrased by some of these prisoners looking for money so that they can get to the bus station or train station or get something to eat or find a place to stay. You would hear the stories from people who work at the Whalley Ave jail who say that they get prisoners from as far away as Danbury and Sommers dropped at Whalley and have no idea where downtown is and then wander through the neighborhoods trying to figure out where to go. Again you do not know all this because you live in Westville, seemingly another world from those of us who live right near and around the jail and who are working with our neighbors, lawmakers, and City Hall to adrress this issue. At our last WEB meeting, state reps Toni Walker, Pat Dillon, as well as Senator Harp were there listening to the community being directly affected by this problem and told us that they heard our concerns, and they are working on a plan for relief, I believe them because if they dont, they will keep hearing from our very vocal management team until this problem is solved. The Whalley Ave jail warden will now be sending a rep or he himself will be coming to our monthly meetings to keep us informed of what is going on and has changed some procdures due to pressure from our group (see the previous NHI article). Trust me Gary, all this WOULD NOT be going on if there was not a problem; I know because I live here and if you want to stay informed, please feel free to come to one of our meetings; we meet on the third Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at the Whalley Ave substation. Take care!

Posted by: confusedbaffled | February 27, 2008 9:45 AM

Interesting... the Stetson library with its limited but helpful staff is one place that has had a tremendous impact on youth, ie providing a place for them to go after school to participate in activities, assisting with homework, and having an overall positive impact on them. This is what the mayor is considering closing - then in the same breath, he wants to complain to the state about the youth not having enough to do? Hmmm, maybe he should have applied his raise toward more youth activities.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 27, 2008 10:00 AM

Esbe
THANK YOU!!!!
We need funding. Alot more than we are even asking for! But we also have people that are not from here being dropped off here. If you were from East Haven you get dropped off in East Haven...Hamden then you are dropped off in Hamden!! That is what needs to happen too!!! These other city's have to start sharing the weight of this to! If you are dropping 25 people a week, 100 a month off fresh of of prison, all in one spot what are the chances of them of finding a starter job in the area. Spreading themout around the state, I think may give them a better chance of starting over.

Posted by: B | February 27, 2008 10:19 AM

I have seen many new homeless faces in New Haven over the past two months. Has the rate of prison drop-offs dramatically increased over the past few months and is this what is causing the sudden rise in homelessness?
You can tell there's a real problem when there's too many to know each by name.
Whatever happened to Country Ray anyways?

Posted by: NewHavenGrown | February 27, 2008 10:24 AM

What's interesting about the Mayor's cries to the state is that his complaint about ex-offenders being dropped off on Whalley Avenue is reminiscent of an article posted on the Independent a little over a month ago where Westville and Whalley residents were outraged by the drop-offs and effects on their neighborhood. I guess he read the article and felt this was a great opportunity to use the complaint to his advantage. What he failed to realize in connecting Monday's shootings to the Probation practice is that only ADULT offenders are dropped off to roam aimlessly throughout the streets, not youth. When is he going to admit that the ongoing corruption of the NHPD correlates with the rise in crime in the city. This includes Fair Haven, where I work, and where we have been victim of burglaries, assaults, and now, a murder.

Lack of a unified, ethical police department, a city economy that is fledging and middle schools that are some of the worst performing schools in the state (despite their beautiful buildings) have played a significant role in the general rise in crime, and out of control youth. Why work hard in school when you don't even have a math book to take home to study with? (I know this first hand from a Wilbur Cross student).

Wake up DeStefano!

Posted by: What? | February 27, 2008 10:40 AM

What are you people talking about? These are stray dos being released from the pound. They are full grown adults who make there own decisions about where they get dropped off, and where they subsequently stay. There are several reason they come to New Haven: 1. Family and friends; 2. access to public transportation; 3. Access to support services (probation, drug treatment, shelter. Dropping them off in Hamden only means that it will cost them bus fare to get into New Haven. No amount of money will change that. Move the supportive services to Hamden, and that's where they will go.

Posted by: What? | February 27, 2008 10:41 AM

I meant to say they ARE NOT stray dogs.

Posted by: Joe Carozza | February 27, 2008 11:10 AM

Salinas wasn't a hero. He was a fool. Why would someone with a 6-month old baby charge someone with a gun? Armed robbers want one thing...money. Give it to them and they leave. Now Salinas leaves a 6-month baby and "girlfriend" who now will drain the welfare system. Nice.

Posted by: Esbe | February 27, 2008 11:31 AM

Joe Carozza, you are a great guy. Salinas hears a neighbor in distress -- hears her screaming -- comes to her aid, is brutally murdered and your response is to criticize the victim.

Do you really know that Salinas understood this to be a "mere" robbery as opposed to the screams of a potential rape or murder victim? You would prefer that your neighbor ignore the screams of your wife, your mother, your child?

Salinas is a hero and you are a _________.

Posted by: True New Havener | February 27, 2008 11:38 AM

Joe -
Here are other fools in your world:
1. Bobby Kennedy -- why would he run for president with kids at home?
2. Martin Luther King -- why would he fight for human rights with kids at home?
3. Any soldier in Iraq -- why would they volunteer for the Army with kids at home?

My guess is that people like you would wonder why no one came to the original victim's help if the victim had been killed, and call it a neighborhood of fools.

Posted by: NLG | February 27, 2008 11:58 AM

It's difficult to speculate entirely on why urban America has faced increasing problems with youth violence, repeat criminal offenders and any number of social ills since anyone started keeping statistics on these things.

In New Haven, I recognize two symptoms (of many) of the larger issue: A seeming increase in "gang" violence (that is, "repping" neighborhoods, as this article so eloquently stated) and 2) an increase in violent crime against vulnerable targets (including the immigrant community).

Regarding the first point, I remember growing up in New Haven the 1990s, and the increase in gang violence was tied directly to the drug trade - Are we seeing a repeat? I don't know enough to say. I also remember the NHPD and the Feds brought down these organizations and ushered in an era of relative safety and revival in the period afterward.

I don't know if these gangs are highly organized operation of earlier times, or if they are just punks, thugs and operators with nothing else to do. Regardless, these groups and organizations need to be targeted and dismantled. This could include cops on the beat, youth curfews, and parental fines, work/trade programs, among other things. Hopefully, the concern of these kids having nothing better to do will be addressed at the same time. The fact is, I don't see a lot of opportunity for kids who can't freely and safely move about a 22-square mile city. That's sad.

Secondly, due to whatever circumstances (truancy, prisoner dumping, etc), there seems to be increasing violence against some of the most vulnerable members of the community. The good news is that the immigrant community is being worked into the mainstream. For reasons including public safety, we need to keep making strides in working and engaging with this community. Mr. Salinas was an unfortunate victim of circumstances, and I feel for his family and friends. I would like to say I would be as good a neighbor. I don't know if I would.

The bigger question left to answer is how the value of life could be so low, that the thief did not think twice about becoming a murderer.

Posted by: on whalley | February 27, 2008 1:33 PM

Hey lay off of Joe. Bravery and stupidity are not mutually exclusive and a brave act does not suddenly negate the stupidity of said act.

I wouldn't have gone rushing to save someone. Not even my own flesh and blood. What I would have done is call the police then unholster my weapon and proceed with caution toward the sound of the screams. If I saw some clown with a gun/knife/fist/threatening look up pointed at a victim I would have shot him then in the interest of preserving even the most vile facet of human life I would have begun administering first aid and CPR (I have professional rescue certification) if need be. First rule is self-preservation, second is stopping the crime, third is the preservation of any third party lives if applicable. I'm sure saving the perpetrators life would result in my being sued or brought up on charges but hey, that's lib city for ya.

I'm not doing myself or my family any good by rushing blindly into a situation and getting myself killed.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | February 27, 2008 3:07 PM

OneBYD: You missed my point or perhaps I didn't state it clear enough. The mayor claims, and I guess the WEB believes that the state DOC just loads up a bus, and dumps these ex-offenders in our city. There are many reasons they're brought here - family, friends, girlfriends, children, some grew up here, some just choose to come here to start over. My point is the DOC doesn't just load them up and dump them. These parolees choose to come here for whatever reason. How are you going to keep them from coming? They've done their time and now they're free.

You know it wasn't so long ago - the mayor was proposing to embrace all the felons, even removing the question from city employment applications.

Now, DeStefano, with no more thought than a wet finger in the wind, wants to launch a multi-million dollar program to address prisoner re-entry issues, a very complex, multi-faceted and multi-generational family and employment issue. He can't even run a garbage transfer station correctly by his own admission. There are people and agencies in this city and state who are better equipped and experienced to deal with this directly.

Additionally, Gov Rell says she's providing money in the current budget to run some programs and be more aggressive with parole violators, tighten the leashes etc. By the way, I'm not removed from the problem nor do I need to attend a meeting to hear the plight of my neighbors. I understand the problem - but unless you can control where these ex-offenders want to go, they will continue to request New Haven and the DOC is obligated to take them here.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 27, 2008 3:52 PM

Gary
My understanding when listening to the hearings was...that some do ask to be dropped off hear...some there family's and friends pick them up. But then there are some that do not have friends or family or anywhere to go....those are the ones that are dumbed here and BPT and Hart.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 27, 2008 4:10 PM

gee the above post sounds so bad... It is not that I don't care....it is that the community's that these people come from should work with them and should be helping them find housing and jobs to.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | February 27, 2008 4:29 PM

If there are those who have no where to go, no family, friends etc. and still get off the bus in an urban setting like New Haven, Bpt - it's because they know we are more likely than not, to have services they need. Let's face it, Madison, Guilford are not going to provide homeless shelters or be very accepting of felons even if they had jobs available. So, I guess they will continue to migrate here because we're urban - the question then becomes what agencies and expertise is already here that can be enhanced to handle more, and handle them better so they have less opportunity and desire to re-offend? My point is the city is totally and completely incapable of handling anything this complex and it is deeply complex and long term.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 27, 2008 7:00 PM

As I stand at my door tonight watching for dealers and buyers...so I can chase them off....It makes you wonder what jobs does New Haven have??? We have some, but how many different groups are fighting for there rights to those few jobs. Does Guilford ect not have entry level jobs that people in those citys will not do? But a person from jail would be proud to have that job in guilford? Yes we can not handle it even if we get the funds that the state is "saying" they will get us. Why because what is there to offer? Our jobs? I think the state has to be more PROACTIVE and mandate that all citys should have programs and housing, grouping all criminals in a few city's I thinks does NOT give these people a chance to get away from the life. I know people that I grew up with, that were not good people... the ones that left the state..VT and NH Maine ALL OF THEM got there lives together....and these where very bad people. To keep a person in an environment and place that will repeatedly encourage them to go back seems as if we are enabling them in some ways. Who knows maybe I am wrong on that.

I thought that all citys had to have a certain amount of low income housing?? I thought that all citys had a social service department?

By the way Gary I really am a fan!

Posted by: FairHavenRes | February 27, 2008 7:51 PM

Fredys Salinas came to the calls of someone in need. He walked down the stairs and was shot. There were no heroics, simply a human response to another in need.

Joe and others who criticize Fredys action, you weren't there. Cowboy dude, unholstering your weapon, you sound really prepared. But something tells me that as you stand in front of your mirror with your firearm, that you are just not well connected with the world around you. Giddy-up and hi-ho silver.

Posted by: Onebyd | February 27, 2008 10:32 PM

Gary, I did not miss your point at all and unless you are living and dealing directly with this problem, you will never understand it. I read alot of your posts and you always seem to know alot about everything, or at least that is the effect you like like to put out there, but of this you know absolutely NOTHING, and I say that not to be combative, but again because I live this and see this everyday and again unless you are here dealing with the situation, you will not know. We in the WEB know because it is here in our faces everyday, not because the Mayor said so, or we read some article, this is our everyday life and we are trying to come up with solutions to deal with this problem because it is a HUGE problem. You must be one extremely bright, extremely perceptive person Gary because those of us who live around the jail dont understand why we have been chosen as the dump site for all the returning prisoners, and even our state reps are trying to get to the heart of the matter and figure out a better way of handling this problem, so please share with us some of your infinite wisdom since you understand the problem so well. Also, since when dont you need to come to a meeting to understand the plight of your neighbors, do you believe everything you read in the paper, or again is that some of this great understanding that you claim to have? You know I have reached out to my fellow neighbors in Westville to get their support on some issues and invited them to come to our meeting so that they can understand what we are trying to do, and of course they come, because they are compassionate people, and care about what's going on, and want to get some of this understanding that you seem to have so much of. Again, I dont mean to come off as combative Gary, but you can be very patronizing and dismissive in your comments at times, and since you are talking about an issue that I and my fellow neighbors deal with everyday, I have to confront you on it and say enough with your comments already. Also had you come to one of our meetings that you say you dont need to attend to hear the plight of your neighbors (again, why not?) you would know that we as a neighborhood are not trying to deny any one who has served their time and are trying to re-enter the community anything, we just want it done the right way, and the way it is done now Gary IS NOT RIGHT. Again, had you come to one of our meetings, you would have heard the Whalley Ave warden himself, along with our previous and current police district manager say that the current way of dropping off or dumping of prisoners is not working, that is why the warden himself has agreed to change some things and listened to what the community, at our meeting had to say, but I guess we all dont have the 'understanding' that you do, so we will just have to continue to get together at our meetings, talk about the 'plight of our community', and work together to find a solution that benefits everyone. Take care and by the way the invitation still stands to attend one of our monthly meetings, we do more than just type comments out on the NHI website, we actually get together, talk, work on solutions to problems, and build the understanding that you seem to be in abundance of. Have a great, peaceful night!

Posted by: Hope | February 27, 2008 10:40 PM

This is so depressing. The Mayor's response strikes me as a cynical and calculated move to cast blame and evade responsibility. I'm all for calling for more state funding and for the rest of Connecticut to step up to the plate.

But I expect more from the Mayor than just politicking in this moment. As a New Havener (and Fair Havener), I want the Mayor to take responsibility and to find answers. We want to feel safe.

The state can't do that. That's the Mayor's job.

Ultimately, the police department's lack of leadership, rampant corruption at top levels, and failing public trust fall on the Mayor's shoulders.

And he should be working around the clock to fix it.

So--yes, demand the state chip in it's share. But where are the talking points about what HE is doing?

This is a moment for leadership. Step up, Mr. Mayor!

Posted by: abt doc | February 27, 2008 11:20 PM

DOC gingerly owned up to what they have been doing by pointing at the need for programs to soften the landing for their disclosure. There is a need for the programs, no doubt about that.

But the unvarnished truth is that DOC supposedly by law is allowed to leave inmates off in about 4 or 5 cities statewide, one of which is new haven.

They drop off about 25 a week on Whalley Ave. Complaints were rolling in that some of them were being dropped off without coats in winter and without a dime in their pockets.

So, it really suggests a lot of not good stuff about DOC's programs, policies, supposed rehabilitative credo. All a lie really if you are willing to dump someone without a jacket.

Posted by: illegal | February 27, 2008 11:57 PM

The mayor should get his thinking cap on. Listen closely:

Your sentence is done and you are free. Family or friend can pick you up at prison, pick you up at one of the drop off points or you can walk from the prison gate.

Is it really legal to force inmates to get on a bus where they are taken to a drop off point?

Let's face it, once all the family and friends pick them up at the drop off, who's left to wander Whalley? The ones with no one, nothing and who are desperate.

I question the legality of the DOC forcing this, and thus forcing us into the treatment and housing responsibility. WHat about our rights? What about the inmates's rights? Is this a policy or law that the towns of Enfield, somers, cheshire (prison towns) demanded so parolees didn't end up in those towns? Plus they apparently have a policy not to let the inmate have the money in their inmate account when they leave - they have to mail it somewhere? Not sure about that, but if its true, it should be changed immediately.

Can city get a lawyer to look at this?

Posted by: Chris Gray | February 28, 2008 2:32 AM

Onebyd, I lived in the neighborhood years ago. There was no WEB management team then but I attended all kinds of meeting back in the day and even lived for a while with a Whalley guard, so I know a little about inside from his perspective. I also ate frequently at the soup kitchen, so I heard tell from other perspectives. (Gary, no doubt, will look down upon that but, some jobs pay so little, it was necessary.)

I really admire what you people are doing.

As for Mr. Salinas, I admire him as well and mourn him and his family's loss. Foolhardy as it might have been, there were times in my life when I made similar choices.

With no thought for my own safety, I entered a building on Howe Street when it was reported to me, working at one of those low pay jobs (at a restaurant, so I was well-fed, at least) that a woman was screaming that a man had been shot. I did not have to confront the killer, instead ending up cradling the victim - shot between the eyes - in my arms as life slowly ebbed from him until police arrived.

Later, I saw a man at closing time outside Toad's take a woman by the arm and (it is hard to describe) lift her off her feet, spin her up in a full 360 degree arc until she landed on her feet, again. I stepped between them, saying nothing.

His male friend fended him off me saying, "He's just lookin' out for your woman, guy!" Then, the fellow she had been flirting with in the club (it became obvious, later) came out and the serious fighting began, ending in the closest thing to a riot I have ever seen with the owner of a car damaged in the fight joining in, then his friends and, eventually, many police battling a mob.

Still, the next time I saw a man attack his female companion (in the middle of the Green at night) I again stood between them, silently. She ended up joining him at yelling at me.

Then, there was the time I saw my friend Daria walking home to Lake Place with her guitar, dulcimer and purse visible, being stalked by two would be attackers who finally noticed, as they prepared to make their move, that I had veered off Dixwell after them. One said, "You following us, man?" in a threatening manner.

"No," I replied (as Daria noticed all of us for the first time and, with a nod, walked on) "there is someone here much more interesting to follow."

They moved on me, which was when I did something truly stupid. I reached over my shoulders and pulled an illegal hunting knife and a large crescent wrench out of by knapsack and said, "O.K, come on." One yelled, "You crazy, man!" and they shuffled off toward the lot behind the gymnasium and, then, ran off.

Rock, paper, scissors. I was lucky.

Mr. Salinas, sadly, was not.

NLG, I think some of the dumped may be the same gang members busted all those years ago and, of course, some are likely the new recruits we've sent them for training while they were incarcerated.

Posted by: ericaholahan | February 28, 2008 9:43 AM

I would think, though I could be wrong, that one of the biggest problems for New Haven in terms of its corrections and reform system, as well as its budget issues, is the fact that CT is a collection of municipalities, with no true county system of govt.

As New Haven residents, we need to stop whining about our plight and start being proactive advocates of our town to those who have the means, ability, and preference for living in the suburbs.

Until there are more caring suburban citizens who advocate to share some of the stress of challenging social needs in their own towns (and the appropriate city govts. get on board as well), we will continue to be more and more overwhelmed by crime here in New Haven.

Some of you will say I live in a fantasy world-that suburbanites live in the suburbs to escape the problems of city life-better schools, more open space, safer streeets.

But never doubt that there are smart, comitted, caring and concerned people willing to tackle some of these issues, in all of the towns surrounding the city. There are public and private coalitions doing good things to bridge the gap already.

There were several unnecessary and terrible tragedies that occurred recently here in New Haven. Let's honor the life lost and sadness over escalating youth violence, and the targeting of immigrants, and challenge our resulting anger for positive change.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 28, 2008 10:03 AM

Very well put ericaholahan!

Posted by: Heights Resident | February 28, 2008 10:13 AM

Hey New Havener, you see it, the petty nonsense that people go into and overlook the life of this man ( Freddy Salinas ). He came to the aid of a neighbor, ( love thy neighbor ), and not only does he get victimized, but his name gets sullied, by cowards who would rather hide then extend a hand to someone in need.

Shame on you Joe, and what's with the welfare comment, do you know there personal finances?, if not maybe you should look inside yourself before you jump to conclusions.

The mayor should look into the gang's that are popping up all over the city ( Bloods, Crips, Tray, Latin Kings, M.S.13 ), and set up a task force like the one that was in place in the early 90's, and rid this city of these parasites.

By the way I think Billy White headed that unit, I could be mistaken, but I think I read that somewhere.

Posted by: Ned | February 28, 2008 11:14 AM

What I always find remarkable about these conversations regarding helping people in New Haven, is that there is nothing stopping anyone from taking in an excon, homeless person, convicted rapist, poor family, teaching someone to read, giving someone a coat, etc., but there are always lots of "we" statements, that is "we" or "the community" have to do something. I've never met Ms. Community, or Mr. We. Politicians get elected over and over and over again, by a small minority of people who apparently think it's the government's job to take other people's money and labor and give it to someone else - deserving or not and any contrary opinion is seemingly characterized as morally offensive or "shameful", etc., which I guess works on some people - but apparently not on the minority of people who cause the majority of the problems. Really, if you're losing sleep over someone getting out of jail, without a jacket, go to the Good Will, and buy some jackets and meet the f*ing bus outside the Whalley Ave. jail. Go to your neighbor's house and demand they give you ten bucks for you to give to someone of your choice - what's the difference between that and taxes???

Posted by: Gary Doyens | February 28, 2008 1:29 PM

ONEBYD: You're not being combative - you're insulting and attacking me personally. I don't mind really, but let's be honest and call it what it is. If you're going to do so, post under your own name. It would show a lot more courage.

I'll agree with you that I can get snarky and at times worse when it comes to some of these discussions about public policy, city spending, taxes and accountability. More often than not, it sours my stomach to witness the dishonesty, the secrecy and the outright lies that are used to sell public policy, raise taxes, justify spending and avoid blame for all of it while casting unending aspersions on others.

Is there a nicer way of saying what I believe? Sure, but it wouldn't be nearly as direct or pointed. I don't do nuance - it can be interpreted and manipulated. But rest assured in this: I post here, speak at public forums and advocate for positive change out of grave concern for this city and everybody in it, not the least of which is my own family and the future of my kids. Take this to the bank: There are a lot more people than you may think who agree with what I say, however bluntly.

More directly to your points:
*I do live in Westville - it's the working section in between Fountain and Ray Roads. It's a mixed race neighborhood filled with teachers, cops, city employees, entrepreneurs, students, trades folks and the like. The only millionaire I know of in my neighborhood is the mayor. My house needed a lot of work when I bought it and I've done most of it myself. It's less than 1800 square feet only because of the addition I put on. It has a single car garage I can't use because it's an oversized storage unit. My garage and car have been broken into - my recycling bin is routinely picked through every week and some of those ex-cons and others you're worried about have knocked on our door looking for pick up jobs. Registered sex offenders live a stone's throw away. It's hardly the home of the hoi polloi or the uninformed.

Being informed doesn't require the attendance at meetings of the WEB. If I recall, the WEB got its knickers in a knot because the Edgewood Patrol, tired of meetings and phone calls, loaded their guns and began to walk and bike Edgewood to beat back crime. Eli and Company took action and crime went down dramatically even as some of the WEB members were calling for a "dialogue project" complete with a mediator. Now, the WEB can be useful, maybe even effective. But don't put down those of us who tire of meetings or have no time for another meeting to discuss what to do.

Being informed does require driving around and getting to know people in all parts of city and while doing so, keeping your eyes and ears open. It's amazing what you can learn by listening, watching and reading. For example, do you know there's a convenience store on a corner of Grand Avenue that sells glass tubes and packing so you can make your own crack pipe? A block away you can buy the rock. Two blocks away you can hire a hooker not far from the police substation which is at the beginning of another block famous for general mayhem. In the midst of all this, there is a well-known community center that shines like a beacon in the night giving hope, comfort and a safe haven for the many kids who pass through its doors and by this misery every day. Meanwhile, the cops have to stand in line at the substation to use the computer because they don't have technology in their cars so the public can really communicate with a community policeman.

Specifically, the rest of your points are:
*Your customers, employees and family members are accosted by parolees looking for money. Every time I'm downtown New Haven - I get accosted too. Sometimes, I even give them money.

*"Dumping" is the right word - you say it's not family, friends, hometown etc. I disagree and think the word "dumping" is being specifically used to intentionally inflame the public, make it appear there is no plan, no reason why they're brought here and to build the mayor's case that it is somehow the state's fault even though he's sat on his hands since 2005 at the very least.

Here's a quote from your previous WEB meeting of which you think so highly: Harp said. "One of the things we need to think about is, why are we one of the major sending towns?" She said the reason New Haven gets so many ex-offenders is that they always come back to their hometowns, "or the city they say is their hometown."
Mark Strange, a district administrator with the Department of Correction ...with the Whalley Avenue jail warden Bob Correa ...explained that 45 days before inmates are released, they work with a counselor on discharge issues like housing, jobs and transportation." Kind of takes the wind out of your sails doesn't it?

Here's the bottom line: You're trying to re-build your section of Whalley and you don't want these ex-cons dropped off in your neighborhood. Period. You want them dropped off in somebody else's neighborhood like those poor slobs who live around the cop shop and listen to sirens and Route 34 traffic all night long. I'm sure you feel bad for them, but hey, you don't live there. Just be honest about it - tell the DOC what you want; enlist the help of Toni and the rest of the New Haven delegation. For New Haven's sake, don't give cover to DeStefano - he's ignored you on crime and on the ex-cons for years. While your taxes are going through the roof, the mayor gets a $16,000 raise, a $4,000 closet and he's passing out pay raises like hotcakes even as he he "thinks outloud" about closing libraries and raising fees and taxes through a new garbage authority scam.

For you to repeat his phony talking points about "dumping" only gives this pass the buck, blame the state, big spending emperor clothes. It may not be pretty, but I'd rather he be naked and you be honest.

Posted by: Onebyd | February 29, 2008 8:58 AM

Gary, you need a hug!

I refuse to ready your posts anymore as they are condesceding and insulting to me and my community.

This will be my last response to you directly and then I will just continue to read the NHI as I have been, and comment as I see fit with people who are open-minded, compassionate and actually want to listen and work with other members of their community to make real change and not pontificate on the blogs of the NHI.

I dont feel the need to explain myself any further to you because you have obviously already made up ypur mind about my community and our problems, and even though you have never met me, know nothing about me, you claim I lack courage, wow! So I will just say good luck to you and your family and your community and best wishes for a bright and prosperous future.

Myself and my neighbors will continue to stay active, work for change, and do what we can to make our community better.

Peace out :o)

Posted by: 2faced | February 29, 2008 10:03 AM

Gary, I applaud you for consistently providing the masses with a dose of GOOD OLD FASHION TRUTH!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 29, 2008 10:11 AM

Heights Resident
I agree on the gang task force! They don't work out of homes or on corners, they have the kids do all that for them. They set up a business in our community's! They welcome our less fortunate children in and let them play video games and make friends. Then then turn the kids out. The problem with ID the gangs is the lack of colors they don't alway were red or blue... it is white or black or a certain brand of sneakers now. I am going to sit back and watch my thoughts on were they are set up now and how that the cops to just that. In the mean time let the feds and statey's know of any splace you think they are set up. They do listen. And keep a record of all the calls and people you have talked to in the city and police department. So when they do take the bad guys down you can show the people that would not work with you! I am

Posted by: Dan | March 3, 2008 5:58 PM

Unfortunately dumping millions of dollars into reform programs will probably not resolve anything either. It will be just one more avenue for someone to line their own pockets because it seems like you can never have enough check and balances when people are in charge of a lot of programs.

Many criminals are like alcoholics....unless it is in them to change they won't. Spending money on them will not change the behavior. Maybe I am naive, but I believe there are services available for those that want to change.

Obviously having a record will make it difficult for many to get jobs. But how many have been fortunate enough to get jobs only to quit them because they feel like they should get more money or are feel they have to work to hard for the money. Or better yet, how many have been fortunate enough to get jobs only to commit a crime on the job and end up getting fired again?

I think the problem is far more complicated than a lack of services.