New Haven Independent

Posted by: Chris | July 10, 2008 5:36 PM

Awesome article. So glad that something happened, hopefully it ends the shootings...

Props to the Outreach workers!

Posted by: doug | July 10, 2008 6:21 PM

fantastic. these guys should get hazard pay.

Posted by: Citizen | July 10, 2008 6:23 PM

First, sounds like there may be pending lawsuits against the school system for permitting hurt feelings to occur a la the locker room insults of a suburb recently. Second, to hell with a truce, I want to hear about arrests and solid cases to lock up these idiots. Murder over a myspace post? And we paid to bring computers into the schools!

Posted by: Free From Violence | July 10, 2008 6:58 PM

Um, any arrests? It sounds as if the perpetrators of the shootings and accidental murder were on the scene last Tuesday. Isn't it supposed to be over when the bad guys actually go to jail?

Or is it over so long as the gangs are allowed to carry on their crack and ecstasy business?

A devil's bargain, relative peace in exchange for allowing the drug trade to carry on. Is that the trap America's cities are caught in.

Frankly, I'll take it. Yet the sooner this country grows up about its drug policy the better.

Posted by: anon | July 10, 2008 8:07 PM

Here's a novel idea. Sit in the problem area with unmarked cars. Pull over everyone who drives even 1mph above the 25mph speed limit, runs a stop sign or violates any other traffic ordinance. You'll quickly return order to the streets, and probably catch all the criminals, within about a day or two. Plus, you'll start improving the property values, which are about 1/2 what they would be if the streets were calmer.

Posted by: zulu143 | July 10, 2008 8:35 PM

I think "O.G." means "Original Gangster" not "Old Guy". It refers to a senior member (usually retired) of a gang. The outreach workers would be considered "O.G." if they were ever gang members.

Posted by: THE REAL TRUTh | July 10, 2008 8:40 PM

This is all crazy these street outreach workers arent doing this because they care. Every thing that they do they want like 100 and 1 reporters. If you really care you do it from your heart and show these kids a better way. ...No what about the job that people arent being recognized are doing like the police department and reguular community people. There are people who dont get paid like the street outreach workers but still do the job they do. These workers are all here for personal gain and if the city was smart they would close the program. Yeah they might say well the program has done this but i say no tell me where else do you see them bsides dixwell , newhallville, and thehill...does crime not happen in the 2-5 (manor) and everyehre in new haven...dont all are youth good and bad all over need to be outreached to.....

Posted by: facChek | July 10, 2008 9:03 PM

What an f-end incredible story. this has got to be True lies.... all this within two blocks of waiting police officers, who are in search of gang bangers who admittedly fired weapons a people hit three, while killing one. What.. and the police watch all this.. then are happy a truce has been called. First of all Tyrone Weston is a witness to those who discussed shootings in his presence, these same shooters have warrants out for their arrest.

A woman was killed. We're going to find out who did it. She didn't deserve to die."

Lt. Wasilewski was effusive in her praise for Weston's team.

"This is unprecedented that we have such a collaboration with the outreach workers. They work very hard. We refer a lot of cases the them," she said. "They worked it out on their end. We don't get the details; they called the truce. That's all I need to know. Now we'll work on our end," investigating the crimes.

Incredible story. Do we really need the police???

Posted by: -fairhavener- | July 10, 2008 9:14 PM

"No one signed a truce document. (This wasn't a "signing" crowd, Weston said; With some of them wanted on federal or state charges, they don't like the idea of putting their names on paper.)"

And they were surrounded by police? Nice job. Brilliant indeed. So much for justice for all the people shot and killed (and for whatever else all the "federal or state charges" they are wanted for). Oh, that's right, it's just a game of "tag", no big thang. I mean, that's what the Mayor told us. I believe him.

Hats off to the Outreach Workers team, I know it's not their job to enforce the law and arrest people. Good job at keeping the peace. I may not respect who you try to help, but I do respect you guys. I think it is worth the effort to help people and I appreciate that.

And don't blah blah back about if they (criminals) knew they were going to get arrested they wouldn't show up... Or blah blah about if they were arrested they would never trust so and so again...

Because we wouldn't be here in the first place if...

Posted by: Ned | July 10, 2008 9:26 PM

I so regret ever moving to this city.

Posted by: 2FACED | July 10, 2008 10:30 PM

The smoke and mirrow game that is being played by the City and New Haven Family Alliance needs to stop! This street outreach team was awarded $600,000 to privide a service. Unfortunately, this service can never truly provide measurable outcomes due the type of work they are doing with so call wanted felons and ect. Community Policing is the key...Each time these street workers are mentioned there are reporters on their tales to take candid shots or to report conducting something as barbaric as hosting a "FAIR ONE". The funding for this poor excuse for gang intervention will be up for review soon...how many taxpayers want to foot the bill for this program? Take a look at this sensational service provider...everything is seldom what it appears to be! OPEN YOUR EYES and guard your pockets taxpayers!

Posted by: blacksmith | July 10, 2008 10:40 PM

great job street team...hopefully the truce will last and the shootings will cease. the responsible for the shootings will be prosecuted and have their day in court.
people criticize and sit back and do nothing- i see firsthand the work that the street team puts in...during and after work hours. they are using mediation and diplomacy techniques in an effective manner. Lt Wasilewski and Hassett are hands on managers who know their areas well. they know what they are up against in dealing with gangs and also extend credit to the street team. Job well done.
those who are critical...volunteer your time and work with these gangbangers before passing judgement.

Posted by: jo | July 11, 2008 1:09 AM

I'm with you ned. I really am.

I am not against the outreach efforts and couldn't care less about the ironies everyone is pointing out. These truces help.

But we are learning that the bloods are now here and that kids are shooting each other over name-calling instead of fighting it out in school yard fashion of, I guess the old days.

These gang shootings are the worst because they hit innocent bystanders all the time, all the time.

Why do I have to be tied to this as a resident like a ball and chain and deal with the collateral damage that I have since I moved here, of a criminal every square inch?

Posted by: Chris Gray | July 11, 2008 2:28 AM

Do not hold out much hope for the investigation, but that conflict resolution could be useful should not be such a surprise. That still leaves the question of where do the guns actually come from?

Posted by: Chris | July 11, 2008 8:52 AM

Don't worry Ned. You can escape. It took me roughly three years of penny pinching and daily resume mailing and quite a few long road trips to far off interviews but I finally got out. I've never been happier. It's like some great dream I don't ever want to wake up from. Always smiling, no more teeth grinding, nobody is telling I can't do this or that or can't own this or that, the nightly news tells stories of crime in some other state and stories of somebody's sheep being killed by a coyote in my state. No lie, top story, coyote kills farmers sheep and some guy the other day got in trouble for 'skimming' his snowmobile across a lake. He got about 2 miles out (it's a real lake) before it sank and his buddy had to go get him in a boat.

Kids shooting each other rather than getting into the fist fights of the "old days"? Hmmm... are those the same old days when anyone and everyone could get a military surplus machine gun mail order cash on delivery for $15.00? Yet kids weren't shooting each other. Just sayin' is all. There are waaay more guns up here than in CT. Guess I should be worried? HA!

Take that pay cut, sell your crap, dump your family if you have to, just get out. You'll be so much happier. The grass really is greener. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.

It's not a ship worth going down with.

Posted by: 2nd Amendment | July 11, 2008 9:18 AM

Chris:

I'm right behind ya. Moved here 8 years ago for "convenience". Biggest mistake of my life. Over-taxed, over-crimed and...over the hill (as soon as possible).

Posted by: Steve Ross | July 11, 2008 10:19 AM

A fine piece of writing, Paul. I say this not to trivialize its content, but to point out how tactlessly it could have been written.

While I can sympathize with many of the feelings expressed thus far, I can't help but instinctually feel that all of this is a good thing, though the overall situation can be greeted with nothing more than ambivalence. My instinct is that everyone crying for mass arrests are being simplistic and those carrying banners of victory are shortsighted. But who am I other than one of many Steve Rosses....

One thing I'm not confused about is my love for this city, its people, its culture, and its personality. If you believe you made a mistake in deciding to living here, I suggest seeking out reasons to stay; they're plentiful. Else, there's a wealth of shoreline towns within ten minutes' drive from here with a lot less crime and a lot more stuffiness. Go there and find something to complain about.

Stop fearing that a criminal lurks behind every corner (an absurd and unhealthy notion at best) and go to a park.

Posted by: lifelong resident | July 11, 2008 10:19 AM

this truce was good on paper but we all know its crap. remember these are kids we're dealing with. what do kids do when adults nag them? they go along with whatever the adults say just to get the adults out of their face and then go back to doing whatever they want when the adults leave. the fist fight that "signed the deal" is bogus too. no one likes to lose and you know that the loser will be back for more. and its crazy that they are trying to stop the violence so that the dealers can go back to getting money in peace. good one. this is really sad that people dont see right through this one. i love this city but this is just....

Posted by: Lets get real | July 11, 2008 10:50 AM

I like the idea of this program. I think if strategized properly it has the potential to be successful. The idea of having ex-convicts from the street who have positiviely changed their lives and return to work with these kids is great. They can reach these kids in a way that the polie simply can not not. Do you think the NHP could have put a truce meeting togehter? YEAH RIGHT! they would of been sitting there with the bugs! The bottom line is when you are talking about working with at risk youth - this is not a job that simply anyone can do. It takes special people that can reach these kids, these kids have to feel like you can relate to them, that you understand their lives and most importantly that thy can trust you. These outreach workers have walked in their shoes and that gives them them more leadway at reaching these kids than any cop. Most of these out reach workers knows people in these kids families, knew them as babies so that also gives leadway to listen a lil bit. I do think there are ways to make the program more effective. The staff neds to reach these kids much earlier than they do. Instead of monitoring the violence on myspace, the fights and hear say - thats when you step in for the truce. The truce was needed before lives were lost. You cant sit on this stuff, you have to be proactive with the beefs and not wait to the beef gets crazy. These men have a tough job as well as dangerous. they are putting their lives on the line to help our community feel safer.

Posted by: Joan of Arc | July 11, 2008 11:35 AM

This is an absolutley crazy story. Instead of the police we hire to protect us from these criminals they just sit and wait knowing that one of those gang members killed an innocent women. Not only should the police be suspeneded but they should be fired. Are our police a part of the gangs themselves? Or are they making money from the sale of these illicit drugs? I watch very closely when I see several police cars in hidden areas with regular street cars at early ours in the morning or late at night. What's really going on here?

Posted by: once again | July 11, 2008 11:52 AM

first of all there are no real leaders to these gangs.Everyone one of these kids running around the streets have no respect for each other you really think they are going to listen to these outreach workers or the so called OG's its not going to happen and the nhpd let them fight? For some strange reason i thought fighting was against the law hmmmm i guess its ok if they arent shooting each other.I cant belive the cops let them fight and talk about someone getting killed and no is getting locked up and the out reach workers know who did it! This city is one big joke!!!!!!

Posted by: JZ | July 11, 2008 3:18 PM

I'm glad this story was published because it says something important about New Haven and its inner city culture that many people who live here don't know. Until I starting working in Newhallville & the Hill I didn't know to what extent the drug trade can control an entire neighborhood so completely.

Those O.G.s are in their 20s. The boys on bikes, as I call them, are between 12 and 16, and they're the drug runners. They're armed, reckless and very dangerous because they're young and stupid. The O.G. are in it for the money. The drugs, prostitutes and gangs are all about the money for those on top.

It's bad for business when the cops are coming down hard on your neighborhood. Keep the violence to a dull roar and everyone is allowed to go about their business.

Brokering peace is a good thing. Whole neighorhoods are terrorized when 15 year olds go to war with guns (it's not like they target practice).

I remember about a year ago or so reading something in the paper about the Bloods recruiting in NH (and then there was a denial by a city official). We need a serious gang task force and a true no tolerance policy towards the drug trade. Make life hard everyday for the runners and O.G.s.

Have you been down Dixwell and noticed that the Hamden police pull over many people right there as they cross into Hamden? I've seen full out car searches many times.

Imagine the cops doing that on Winchester in NH?

Posted by: blacksmith | July 11, 2008 3:25 PM

I am not a police officer however i doubt that the police would idly sit by and let a known murderer wander the streets of new haven without prosecution. I'm sure that New Haven detectives are investigating the cases and gathering facts that will lead to an arrest. in the meantime, if this intervention stops the bloodshed, then let it be. we sit and criticize the violence in new haven, then criticize the efforts of a few that seek to stop the violence until an arrest is made. true, fighting is a crime- but i'm sure you would agree that you would rather have kids fighting than shooting each other.
let's get serious people, no one has an end all solution to what's going on here. Connecticut is on the tail-end of a national crisis of gang and drug activity (we haven't even seen the plague of crytal-meth on our streets to a large degree and only recently, have been effected by Bloods and Crips). We know what we need- we need greater educational interventions, work/learn programs, and community intervention.
Kids do have respect- they respect those who foster positive relationships and support. We often forget that...and, most of the kids are good kids, they simply need guidance.

Posted by: Edward_H | July 11, 2008 6:42 PM

ANON

Here's a novel idea. Sit in the problem area with unmarked cars. Pull over everyone who drives even 1mph above the 25mph speed limit, runs a stop sign or violates any other traffic ordinance. You'll quickly return order to the streets, and probably catch all the criminals, within about a day or two. Plus, you'll start improving the property values, which are about 1/2 what they would be if the streets were calmer.

Do you have any examples of where your idea has been sucessfully implemented? Where has your traffic calming idea risen property values?

Steve Ross or anyone else:

I suggest seeking out reasons to stay; they're plentiful.

I am sriously interested in hearing some reasons to stay in New Haven. What is there in New Haven that cannot be enjoyed by moving to a safer area?

Posted by: Dirty Harry | July 11, 2008 10:05 PM

Thank you, Paul Bass, for this story. It shows that New Haven is in a moral abiss. I take my hat off to Tyrone Watson for his great bravery in trying to get these punks under control. I have nothing but contempt for the NHPD officers that talk him up but dont have the balls to go in and do anything. To scared on there $150000 pay checks with overtime to do anything. One poor lady was killed and one young lady scarred for life. No leadership from the mayor on down. No sense of right and wrong. All those new schools with there wonderful architecture are in vane. Nobody gets taught nothing in them. This city is corrupt. Soddom and Gommorah in CT.

Posted by: -fairhavener- | July 12, 2008 12:16 AM

"Stop fearing that a criminal lurks behind every corner (an absurd and unhealthy notion at best) and go to a park."

Steve Ross, email me at fairhavener at gmail dot com and we will set up a date or two to spend some time proving you wrong. I will stay in the car, you will do the walking. Email me when you got the cojones. I'll be waiting.

"I remember about a year ago or so reading something in the paper about the Bloods recruiting in NH (and then there was a denial by a city official). We need a serious gang task force and a true no tolerance policy towards the drug trade. Make life hard everyday for the runners and O.G.s.

Have you been down Dixwell and noticed that the Hamden police pull over many people right there as they cross into Hamden? I've seen full out car searches many times.

Imagine the cops doing that on Winchester in NH?"

Exactly JZ. That's exactly what needs to happen, but will never happen in NH. Why? My guess has to do with voting.

Posted by: JZ | July 12, 2008 2:20 AM

"Kids do have respect- they respect those who foster positive relationships and support. We often forget that...and, most of the kids are good kids, they simply need guidance."

I'm as liberal as your average New Havener, but give me a break. Force the drug trade out of the city as much as possible and keep the suppliers and dealers on the run. That's as good as any community program you can come up with.

In the end, we can't force parents to raise better children, but we can make sure the pathway to a life of crime and violence isn't dangling in front of their eyes 24/7.

"Stop fearing that a criminal lurks behind every corner (an absurd and unhealthy notion at best) and go to a park."
Sure, how about we meet on the Green at midnight and see who else shows up? Don't carry a lot of cash. We do live in a crime ridden city and it's only those who live in the best neighborhoods who are arrogant to enough to claim otherwise. Must be nice to sleep at night so peacefully. There are many families here who make sure their children sleep in rooms at the back of the house in order to avoid stray bullets from drive bys.

Posted by: terrified | July 12, 2008 11:56 AM

yes i am terrified..i don't live in that part of new haven...but i live in new haven...my neighborhood used to be a pretty good place...little by little the drugs..gang graffiti on stores and private buildings. they leave there marks.....they sit on peoples porches and you know they don't live there...little bags that had drugs in them all over the streets...needles etc..maybe just maybe the new Chief will have the balls to do something..people should not live in fear...

Posted by: PowertothePeople | July 12, 2008 2:08 PM

2Faced said, "Each time these street workers are mentioned there are reporters on their tales to take candid shots or to report conducting something as barbaric as hosting a "FAIR ONE"."

Well duh! The workers are out there for way more hours than they get paid to work. Do you get up at 2 in the morning and go to the hospital when one is shot? Do you walk into the middle of known gang bangers and talk to them? By your statement, are you suggesting that the reporters follow the workers around all the time or that the workers call before doing something? That is just dumb. The reality is that they are doing something all the time and the reports just happen to catch a few of them. Or would you want reports that say, "nothing happened with the street workers today..."

And those of you calling for the police to get very heavy handed in their enforcement will be the same ones criticizing the police when the lawsuits for false arrest and police harassment (not to mention racial profiling) start coming in.

Having said that, I believe that more can be done and want the police to step it up some but had they gone in and tried to arrest all of the kids present it would have been a mess!

I support the street workers. I've been out on the streets and watched them work with kids who I'll admit I would be afraid to approach alone (and maybe not even with the 5th Fleet behind me.) I have seen them diffuse situations that would have escalated out of control had not one or two guys in red jackets walked in the middle of them and talked to them. I've seen it with my own eyes... first hand so my info comes from more than just the newspaper. I'm sure that if any of you are interested they would take you out with them too.

Personally I love this city. I CHOOSE to live here. I CHOOSE to be active and hopefully part of the solutions and not a sideline sitting Monday morning quarterback whose civic engagement is posting rants on a website. I'd DIE if all I had to worry about were coyotes and sheep. If that's what you're into then the gods bless you and I will help you pack your stuff to get you out of town. (I won't even comment on the strange tail-like appendage stuffed firmly between your legs.)

And BTW - Fairhavener... never mind... it's not worth the breath to point out how ridiculous and hatred laced your statements are sometimes. I pray the surgeons are able to find and remove that bug up your ass that must be causing you much pain.

Posted by: queenie | July 12, 2008 2:40 PM

Joan of Arc, you are ignorant! If you believe every cop show on television, fine. Reality is, crimes don't get solved in an hour (including commercials). Why put the time into an investigation if you rush and omit things or make errors? Maybe you should really sit down and think for a minute, or go to a murder/shooting/serious assault trial and see just how much time is devoted to one of these cases. So quick to point fingers and to continue to be part of a problem. NHPD is still working to help the city, but they cannot do it alone. The members are trying to move on from what has happened there (where only a very small percentage of the dept was doing anything wrong)yet people like you continut to jump to ASSumptions. Think before you convey your feelings on a blog. You said nothing of relevance or importance. Regarding other statements, I was in a position in the school system that enabled me to mediate. Yes, it was time-consuming, but our kids are worth it. I don't necessarily believe that you have to be an ex-convict to teach kids, but their lessons can help our youth at risk. It takes a village, but parents and community leaders HAVE to step up to the plate and assume THEIR responsibilities too!

Posted by: jackie | July 12, 2008 4:52 PM

Smuts in another article (or was it Redding? Both?) said we can't "arrest our way out of these problems."

Well, when you don't actually make any arrests, I'd say that's 100% correct.

--
Also:
"But we are learning that the bloods are now here and that kids are shooting each other over name-calling instead of fighting it out in school yard fashion of, I guess the old days."

We don't need a gang task force to tell us that. Anyone who can see the color red knows that it suddenly became fashionable about 3 years ago in NH--just by looking at what people are wearing.

Fairhavener said (re: pulling people over) "Exactly JZ. That's exactly what needs to happen, but will never happen in NH. Why? My guess has to do with voting."

I'd put money on it. I can't think of any other explanation. Well, if that's the way they want it--they can have it.

Posted by: outcast | July 13, 2008 11:27 PM

This story is so unreal,I can't believe that we are paying for new Police Officers to come on the streets with our tax dollars to sit on the street corners to watch OG's solve crimes.

Maybe we need to rethink this over, If the OG's bring back the old days fight by banging it out between two gang members, then we need to hire them for cheaper pay. That way our taxes can become much lower and we only have to hire less people to get the job done.

These outreach workers reached over 40 people at one time who is wanted by the states and the feds.

Our wonderful Mayor should first start cutting the Police Department and laying off workers for not doing their jobs by not arresting these criminals and putting these workers in harms way.

I am shame to live in this city where im not protected.

Posted by: KAMB | July 14, 2008 8:10 AM

A truce?! How stupid. Lets lock-up these animals who have no second thoughts about pulling out guns and shooting each other over name-calling. WHAT A JOKE!

Write a letter to the new police chief and the mayor over the outrage of these young gang bangers and let the police go out and drag these hoodlums to jail (old school style).

Uncuff the police and let them do their job ! No more tax-payer funded programs for these gun slinging-drug dealing-animals ! The city is as violent as it ever was. LOCK'EM UP!

Posted by: Steve Ross | July 14, 2008 1:51 PM

"Steve Ross, email me at fairhavener at gmail dot com and we will set up a date or two to spend some time proving you wrong. I will stay in the car, you will do the walking. Email me when you got the cojones. I'll be waiting."

You'll be waiting quite a while, Fairhavener, though I appreciate your warm invitation. Amidst all the horror and violence, at least we have people like you, who are so wholly gracious and abiding as to teach ignorant savages like me a lesson in real-world dynamics.

Your altruism is noted.

PS: I've been a pedestrain in this city, all over this city, for several years; but, please, continue to enjoy the saftey of your cage.

Posted by: Edward_H | July 16, 2008 1:10 AM

I would love to hear the mayor's spin on this truce between knuckleheads. Why is he spending taxpayer money to negotiate truces between urban terrorists?