New Haven Independent: Elderly Clamor For Help

Elderly Clamor For Help

by Hernando Diosa/ La Voz Hispana | March 10, 2008 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

The Fair Haven Elderly Apartments complex have become a nightmare for inhabitants, due to assaults, vandalized cars (pictured), and lack of security, not to mention an invasion of cockroaches and mice.

This article, the first of two parts, originally appeared in Spanish in La Voz Hispana.

La Voz Hispana was able to confirm the abuses and difficulties that the elderly of the complex at 25 Saltonstall Ave. suffer daily. This living hell that has united and mobilized the residents of this elderly center to the point that they have created a committee to fight for their rights and try to get someone to sympathize with their plight and listen to their demands.

“A few days ago all of us residents had a meeting and we discussed security for those present. All of the attendees — 47 in total- - agreed that we had to do something about it. It was like that as we went to the legal aid offices at 426 State St., New Haven, where we gave information about the case and it’s up to them to investigate,” began Mr. William Justiniano, one of the leaders of this movement, in an interview.

“What we want is security for the building and its surroundings. A while ago they tried to stab one of the residents of Fair Haven Elderly Apartments at night, and that has put us more on edge,” said Jusiniano.

We attempted to contact the management of the residence in New York in multiple occasions, but were unsuccessful.

It Wasn’t Like This Before

During 13 years living there, William Justiniano has witnessed the many changes and the fate of this residential complex that houses dozens of elderly persons, many of them incapacitated.

“The problems here have been coming for many years, but recently they have come to a head. I only have to say that in the parking lot out back they have broken into many cars,” he explained.

During a tour around the back of the building, he showed us thousands of glass shards strewn all along the asphalt of the parking lot.

Another of the complaints is the lack of specialized personnel to take care of any emergency that could happen in the building. “There have been a few fires here, and when the firemen arrived, they were surprised because there wasn’t anyone in charge of watching out or responsible for these units during nighttime. The firemen know that there are a number of elderly people that would need to be lowered or attended to in case of an unexpected fire,” Justiniano said.

“There was a security system before, but they stopped it. And afterwards — more than a year ago - the representatives form the firm ARCO Management, based out of New York and the owners, had a meeting and promised to put the security system back, but until now they haven’t done anything,” he complained.

A Victim’s Tale

For her part, Maria Rivera has also been left feeling terrified and worried. “We are scared here because we are at the mercy of robbers, especially in the parking area, and also at the mercy of the people that come and go here and that probably don’t come with good intentions. It’s horrible.”

Actually, Mrs. Rivera - who needs a walker in order to get around - was a victim herself. “In my case, last year, around 8 p.m., when I was smoking a cigarette outside next to the door, a guy jumped at me suddenly and grabbed my neck. If it wasn’t for the intervention of Carmen Padilla and her sister, who were coming out at that time, God knows if this wrongdoer would have killed me there, because what he wanted was money. And since there wasn’t any security.”

William Padilla, who has been living in the building four years, recalls the time when he first came to Fair Haven Elderly Apartments. “There was security from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., and there wasn’t so much vandalism. Ever since February 2006 the security was removed, and everything stopped.”

During this time, the representative of ARCO Management came and called a meeting to try to find for a solution to the problem. “We talked there together and they said that they would bring a security guard in a week, and then would start the cameras working. Nothing happened. Up to now the only thing that’s occurred is more vandalism,” asserted Padilla.

“From New Year’s Day to now, there have been 11 vehicles that have been vandalized in that back area. They have broken the windows in the doors, the rearview mirrors, taken the radios and anything inside. Even the super here has had his car broken into on two occasions and the radio and his tools were taken. In other words, vandalism is rampant.”

Almost Stabbed To Death

One of the most serious attacks happened Rafael Pagan, who by his estimations and that of many others is alive only because of a miracle.
“One day, around 10 p.m., as I was going to my apartment, the elevator door opened and there was a guy hiding with his back turned. When I tried to go to the side, he came at me with a knife. Immediately after, the guy ran out, so I couldn’t recognize him. This is the second time that a similar incident has happened to me,” declared Pagan.

Fortunately for Pagan, the knife of his assailant missed its mark. It only cut through his jacket. It’s only thanks to that strike of luck that he can tell his story today.

The residents also informed us of an additional assault suffered by another ex-resident of the residential complex. This person was thrown on the floor and beaten in the back of the building. The poor man had to pack his bags and move because he could no longer withstand the situation in the building. Fear devoured him.

Cars Left In Street

Due to the instability and the dangerousness of the place, many of the residents of this residential complex have opted to park their cars in the street, running the risk that something worse could happen to them there.

“Seeing what was happening, the owners of the building put some signs up in the parking lot saying that whoever leaves his car there, does so at their own risk, and that are not responsible if the criminals steal or damage the cars,” declared Maria Rivera.

This warning causes panic in the residents, since no guarantee is being offered to these elderly people. All the while, the Fair Haven Elderly Apartments administration has not taken any responsibility and has done nothing to help them.

It is unfortunate that at this point in their lives, these elderly people- many of whom are not able to take care of themselves on their own- have to spend their nights locked in their apartments in fear since they lack the protection of the administrators of the place. Among those who live in Fair Haven, the residents of these apartments are known as “the forgotten.” This is no exaggeration since the place reeks of isolation, and the problems abound everywhere.

This article, the first of two parts, originally appeared in Spanish in La Voz Hispana.

Comments

Posted by: on whalley | March 10, 2008 1:21 PM

Plenty of family members into their 80's and beyond are still scoring high in some IDPA shoots. Just thought I'd mention it. You don't need a black belt to pull a trigger.

Also, if this were Texas you'd be able to pop the heads of those smashing your car windows from your apartment window.

One week of that and you'll see a nice solid drop in crime. Hell, start doing that and I'll look into getting a room there.

Posted by: DAFeder | March 10, 2008 5:30 PM

There are some blocks on Whalley that feel safer and some that feel more dangerous, but one thing I am sure of -- I am getting afraid to walk past ON WHALLEY's house.

Dude, you must have a really bitchin' car stereo to make it worth a person's -- even a thief's -- life. Or an errant shot hitting a pedestrian. Or a ricochet hitting a pedestrian. Or someone stealing your gun and, well, you know.

David

Posted by: Your Tax Dollars at Work | March 10, 2008 5:49 PM

So where is LCI in all of this? What happened to LCI's vaunted "landlord license" legislation passed last year by the BOA? Who really owns this property? What subsidies did they get when they built it? What are "New Haven's Finest" doing to enforce the law and prevent crime here?

Paul Bass: You really need to dig up some facts. There's nothing in this article aside from the fact that these people have bad troubles. There's a potential scandal here. Get on it!

Posted by: wondering | March 10, 2008 7:28 PM

more importantly - how can we help? who is in charge? publish their names and phone numbers why don't ya? really...seriously.

Posted by: on whalley | March 10, 2008 10:38 PM

Fundamental difference of perspective there David.
The more neighbors I discover are armed the better I feel. Why not feel safe walking past my home? Are you going to smash my car up looking for crap to pawn? Are you going to be forcing your way through my front door? If I'm sitting on the porch I may invite you up for coffee. You wouldn't have a cup because there might be a gun in the house?
A cultural divide perhaps? Is it learned fear or ignorant fear?

My stereo is certainly not worth a life. Its an AM only with no cassette or CD player. The window smashed and the time to replace it are worth much more. That's a serious pain in the ass. The whole panel has to come off. But where does the petty crackhead stealing stereos stop? He just steals mine and is done? Is he done after stealing every one on the street? Is he done after he mugs you or a loved one? How about after he makes a "mistake" and "accidentally" stabs somebody to death for $6? Is he done then? Every time some serial killer gets caught people get up in arms about how he should have been stopped when he was playing with roadkill in grandmas basement but nobody ever wants to stop the petty thief. Even after he rapes and murders the outrage is never connected to his gateway crimes or escalating criminal past.

I'll forgive your ignorance of physics for the time being and simply ignore the ricochet fear of yours. Stealing my gun? Not very likely if you're breaking into my car and I'm in the building. Even if I'm outside of the building why would I get within arms reach of you? Errant shot? I seriously pity the handicapped individual who couldn't hit the mark from 15 yards. Lord knows I haven't missed anything under 50 yards since I was 9 and shot a .30-06 for the first time. I don't know how far away you park but my car is right in front. Even if I missed it's on a direct course for the ground. Porch, 1st floor, 2nd floor I'm always above my vehicle.

If it's not yours don't touch it. I don't care if it's some junkie looking for a fast buck or some Danish reporter wandering around aimlessly. Not yours don't touch it. Not your land don't walk on it.

With regards to all the pedestrians. Nobody has walked past my house in 4 hours. Not even the shopping cart guy. Come to think of it shopping cart guy is pretty regular. Gee, I hope he's okay. Maybe he forgot to spring ahead.

Posted by: Ned | March 11, 2008 7:54 AM

Everyone over to Dafeder's house; while you're there do or take whatever you want - he's completely defenseless. Wondering - the muggers are cowering right now at the prospect of - someone's name being published! Could you please pull that knife out of my throat while I make a phone call? LOL LCI? Thelma Ragsdale does appear to be someone who can take care of herself though I don't know that she's Wonder Woman.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | March 11, 2008 8:23 AM

Ned
Not sure if is that Thelma's area???

And not sure if LCI really has any say so over this. Crime and security guards has nothing to do with the physical conditions of the building...heat...roof leaks, plumbing, and cleanliness. But it is not to say a stare in the right direction from them may be helpful to the residents or at least a little note to whom ever from LCI might help.

But "Your Tax Dollars at Work" made a very important point... this is an elderly home... they must get state and federal and maybe even local money...and with that money comes agreements and contracts.... are they standing by those??

Posted by: Your Tax Dollars at Work | March 11, 2008 9:13 AM

Guns are never the solution. Guns create violence.

What is needed is a functioning government doing what it's supposed to do and an investigative press raising the issues.

Posted by: on whalley | March 11, 2008 9:42 AM

Guns create violence.

I have to say, that's news to me. It's the fault of guns every time a woman gets beaten within an inch of her life by her "boyfriend?" Guns are to blame every time some fanatic blows a car up on a crowded street? It's the fault of guns that some mountain lion jumped out and attacked that 10 year old at his birthday party? It's the fault of guns that some guy held up a bank with a rock?

I better turn on the "nanny-cam." Lord knows what my guns are up to while I'm at work. I bet they're torturing infidels, burning crosses, lynching homosexuals, beating women and holding up banks right now.

Sorry, but as chicken/egg statements go that one was remarkably stupid.

Posted by: Ned | March 11, 2008 10:17 AM

Your tax dollars at work: Guns and violence create governments. Would there be a United States without American colonists shooting British soldiers? An American Empire without American military bases scattered all over the globe?

Posted by: Edward_H | March 11, 2008 11:19 AM

DAFeder

Dude, you must have a really bitchin' car stereo to make it worth a person's -- even a thief's -- life

It is the thief who decides a stereo is worth his life when he chooses to steal. Don't steal, you won't get shot by the item's owner. Simple.

Your Tax Dollars at Work
Guns are never the solution.

I guess you think during the Civil War the North should have equipped the Army with wine and cheese in an effort to fell the Confederate Army with the gout? Or perhaps you would have preferred Pres. Lincoln to let the South secede from the United States and hope the Confederate States of America eventually come around to freeing their slaves on their own? Do you think getting involved in WWII was a mistake as well? I guess you would have liked the world to talk Hitler out of his destructive plans?

( ROBN I hope you forgive me for reusing your quip above)

Guns create violence.

Can you explain how guns create violence? Should I beware the Taurus 66 sitting in my safe? Is it going to unlock it self and pistol whip me one morning? Is it going to walk out of my safe pick up a knife and stab me?

New Haven Independent

Elderly Clamor For Help

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