New Haven Independent

Posted by: Anonyme | September 5, 2008 11:17 AM

110 vacant slots?

110 vacant slots!

Well, I remember about two years back the standards were dropped so the slobs that couldn't pass before could. Real good idea. If you can't attract quality accept garbage. Can anyone see me rolling my eyes?

So are we going to lower the standards even more to fill the slots? Hell, these punk kids seem to know the neighborhoods. They already have guns lets just give them badges.

I keep hearing how awful the economy and how nobody can find a job and here we have 110 jobs. It's a great job. Steal all you want and push people around and as long as you announce your retirement before they catch you you're set.

Can anyone see me flipping off New Haven?
Maybe from a satellite?

Posted by: jackie | September 5, 2008 1:44 PM

the park is a natural buffer. let's make sure criminal elements and those who fashion themselves in their image don't feel comfortable in even another square inch of new haven.

because i am sick of looking over my shoulder.

Posted by: Beansie's Mom | September 5, 2008 2:02 PM

Oh Anon Y Me

You're are such an unbelievably annonying person.

New Haven has currently has 55 cadets and hope to seat another class in next year.

That's where the 110 come from.

As for the past two classes that have come from the Academy, any "slobs" get weaned out during the intensive training. I've been impressed with the new officers I've encountered.

Duh!

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | September 5, 2008 2:54 PM

Looks like all the illegal dirtbike and ATV riders went from Newhallville to Edgewood Park! Great police work. This is tantamount to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic!!

Next stop, East Rock.

Posted by: Nan | September 5, 2008 3:23 PM

Great article, Paul, except I would suggest substituting the word "agonize" in place of "fret" in the headline. After all the hard work that FOEP and others have put into making Edgewood Park feel safe to the residents who use it, it is dismaying to have rowdy ATVers and criminals feel that they can do what they want in the park. Thanks for giving us a venue on-line to talk about our parks.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | September 5, 2008 6:42 PM

My son and his friend were mugged by a group of trick bike riding terrorists in this park two weeks ago - lead by several 15 - 16 year olds, some of these kids were as young as 7 or 8 - terrorists in training. They got away with a cell phone and while the police were responsive - bright daylight on a weekend - there was a slim to zero chance of catching them. Maybe we should start carrying guns...

Posted by: Josh Smith | September 5, 2008 8:23 PM

Whatever you do, don't stop using Edgewood Park. To empty out the park in fear is to invite crime in, and that can't be allowed to happen. That is our space, and we have a right to be there and enjoy it. We need to band together and find creative solutions to our problems, rather than hiding in our homes or running away from problems to the oh-so-blah-and-boring suburbs.

Here's something I thought up, inspired by the old Edgewood Park Defense Patrol that patrolled up in the Edgewood neighborhood in past months: I hope to discuss the idea of an Edgewood Park Block Watch (a citizens' volunteer bike patrol through the park) soon with the NHPD and the neighborhood at large, which could operate after business hours and end at sunset, precisely the time Joe and Jane Public would like to use the park -- to take their dogs for walks, to unwind from a stressful day with a little exercise, and to let their kids feed the ducks at the pond. There is also the possibility of patrolling on weekends, if I can get enough volunteers.

For now, it's just an idea, but stay tuned to see if I can get it going like I've got my monthly Westville bike ride going. Only time will tell. :)

Posted by: Chris Gray | September 6, 2008 1:25 AM

Back in '72 Yale was trying to get the o.k. to turn Edgewood into a rowing course, against which I wrote a poem. In retrospect that plan might have helped, what with the cost of effectively policing the park, though it would probably exclude the public.

I spent years picking up little plastic bags just from the corner of Edgewood and the Blvd. and been assaulted in the park by speeding bike riders as early as '87. I'm sure others can testify about much earlier events.

On the other hand, it is wonderful to read of the many other positive uses the park has been host to recently and to my mind it is those events which will discourage further deterioration of the situation. I'm clear that is what John Baringer thought when he ran the New Haven Parks Theatre in the '70s.

Of course, we could always hope for a new round of federal funding for more police with an Obama/Biden Administration.

Posted by: Insider | September 6, 2008 10:45 AM

Mom

You know it's immpossible to change ignorant people's minds, this person and people like him are so fast to judge and condemn because they could never do this job. It's easy to sit behind a screen and toss out insulting comments, quite different to actually confront an aggressor, or run towards shots fired, and take someone down waving a gun.

Let them get try, hey Anonyme, since this job is soo easy, put your big mouth to the test, you've heard the saying " put your money , where your mouth is".......Didn't think so, but if you change your mind, let me know how that works out, I'd love to hear your opinions in about a week after hitting the streets.

Posted by: Edward_H | September 6, 2008 5:44 PM

Gary Doyens

Maybe we should start carrying guns...

Normal citizens are not allowed to carry a weapon in Edgewood Park.

See Rules and Regulations

http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/Parks/ParksInformation/edgewoodpark.asp

Another rule that designed to make sure law abiding citizens are without means to defend themselves.

Posted by: Walt | September 6, 2008 6:27 PM

Don't know the laws which allow the City to take title to cars used in crimes etc. but if they are applicable to dirtbikes and ATVs it would be a good source for vehicles for the cops who must catch the miscreants.

Can't do it with the cars or motorcycles they usually use.

Posted by: MORRIS COVE MF | September 6, 2008 7:53 PM

Are no police officers normally stationed in/near Edgewood park during the day? How about at night? Is it part of any beat that would actually be walked? Our kids play soccer there, my friend was just mugged/beaten there, what can a regular person do except live in fear?

Posted by: omerta | September 6, 2008 9:50 PM

Morris Cove MF

The cops that are assigned Edgewood Park have to get there donuts. They go downtown to Chapel Street. No parking there. Big time hassle for them. 4 hours of an 8 hour shift gone. Thank God. Only four hours work now. Less chance to meet up with 8 year olds armed with OOzis. Johnny Boy needs the vote of the Moms and Pops of the 8 year old OOzis. Dont be hard on them. Well get another 110 cops. Well also build expensive schools to make them feel good. They wont learn nothing as we cant buy text books or pay teechers decent money. We got a budget problem.

Posted by: John J | September 6, 2008 11:40 PM

I understand the inherent danger with chasing ATV and dike bike riders through buzy city streets and parks filled with kids, but it seems like the police could get a more little creative then telling us all to find out where these miscreants are stashing their rides at night. That's what we are PAYING YOU TO DO for gosh sakes!!!

By here are a couple of thoughts off the top of my head.

1. A moderate reward of $100, $200 might flush out someone to tip off the cops.

2. How about an undercover police officer waiting along the path with some water ballons and then let sail and wait for these punks to come back for more trouble? Then you can surround them and put on the squeeze play. With some more cops waiting in the bushes. Paint guns even would take them off their rides without too much damage.

3. What about a video camera set up? (I also wonder why they don't attach cameras on those blinking 25 miles and hour sign where people on Chapel through the park cruise by at 45+ miles an hour.)

But back to the dirt bikes and ATV riders... how hard can this really be? After all it is EVERY WEEKEND that this is going on. I also have called the police at least 3 times over the last month.

Chief we hear how tough you are, but you need to start showing us some results here.

Good luck New Haven Police Dept. I look forward to reading something in the NHI that shows progress with this serious issue soon!

Posted by: New to New Haven and Westville | September 7, 2008 12:59 PM

I would like to see the Edgewood Community set up a "Model Mugger" training for residents. I took the training a few years ago and highly suggest it to you. See if the city might pay for residents to have the training. A quick google search would explain what "model mugger" is, but it would allow for more residents to feel safer with such knowledge and training in their pockets.

I would also suggest finding more things for kinds to do. More activities, more programs to keep kids out of trouble.

Posted by: Anonyme | September 7, 2008 2:46 PM

I'll get right on that Insider. I'll put a stop to my career, take a massive paycut, and rush out to babysit other peoples kids, make small talk to drunks and addicts while we wait for the bus to pick them up, stand in the middle of white trash and ghetto trash domestic disputes, etc...

They didnt have to lower the standards to be able to hire more cops for nothin' ya know. It's a job reserved for the high school douchbag who never grew out of his douchbaggery and those naive enough to believe they can actually do any good in their community beyond possibly temporarily removing a thug from the immediate area for hours sometimes days and rarely years.

Cops are and always have been part of the problem the nation over. On the off chance a cop actually gets to catch a criminal between naps in the cometary, reading the paper in a parking lot, stealing from businesses, making traffic stops and raping the drivers at gun point, etc... all the cop may have done is make it a possibility that the criminal will get a chance to justify his lifestyle, earn street-cred and spend some time with his buddies at their own publicly funded resort where he will hopefully be killed due to some petty prison dispute and never return to the outside world but more likely will become more hardened, more angry and more dangerous.

Thanks officer.

Posted by: JSJ | September 7, 2008 6:40 PM

I'm with you, Jackie. Edgewood Park is a natural buffer and people should respect that boundary.

It's crazy, how many times I've been in Edgewood Park minding my own business, and along comes some blonde kid on an overpriced tricycle, his adoring mom trailing behind and calling out the Latin names of native flora and fauna to young Schuyler while she wrangles a Bugaboo Bee, a black lab and a Starbucks Grande Mocha Light Frappuccino (with soy milk, of course).

Seriously, though, speaking as an Edgewood resident from the other side of this "cherished boundary", I'm dismayed at the idea that the trouble belongs on "my" side of the park and had better not dare cross that line to "your" side. Believe me, we're sick of looking over our shoulders, too. I've been here long enough that I've got a wicked bad permanent neck-ache.

So let's all do something about it. I don't claim to have all the answers, but a citizens' patrol might be a good start. Or a "Take back the park" day. Call for more police presence, but don't disparage the cops who are already overworked and overwhelmed.

But please don't dump this problem on your neighbors across the park.

Posted by: -fairhavener- | September 7, 2008 10:32 PM

Where have all the cops gone? I remember after Lewis took over they were everywhere, but suddenly they have all disappeared.

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | September 8, 2008 6:16 AM

FAIRHAVENER

It's Lewis and DeStefano's new version of Community Policing. They rotate police to a different community every week.

Posted by: Steve Ross | September 8, 2008 10:46 AM

I'm dismayed by the crime in the city. I fear for the people I love. But I'm equally dismayed by the condescending, bigoted, cardboard-cutout opinions so often demeaning the NHI comments boards. I can't believe that so many of you find it acceptable to offer such unreasoned filth to your community as answers or explanations. It's puerile antics and posturing and I'm calling bullshit.

Josh, you have my sincere thanks for thinking about this issue logically. I wish you the best on your efforts.

Posted by: Josh Smith | September 8, 2008 12:24 PM

Steve, you're very welcome. I may be stretching myself a little thin with this idea, seeing as I am already working with Elm City Cycling, trying to help advocate for better conditions for cyclists here in the city, but a bike patrol will be a positive way that I can use my enthusiasm for cycling in a way that can help the greater good.

I encourage everyone posting on this site to do some research and find something you're passionate about restoring, preserving, or advancing in this city, whether it's related to education, economic development, recreation, transportation, the arts, or anything else. Then, once you've found it, go out there and volunteer. If there's one thing I've learned as a member of the Libertarian Party, you can't rely on the police and government to fix all your problems, nor should you expect them to. They can only fix a limited amount, and the rest is up to the community, as it should be. Let's bring back personal responsibility.

Posted by: jackie | September 8, 2008 7:18 PM

JSJ--You said, 'I'm dismayed at the idea that the trouble belongs on "my" side of the park and had better not dare cross that line to "your" side.'

*I'm* dismayed at *your* assumptions, which--with the exception of an occasional starbucks trip (just coffee, thanks. never tried soy milk. is it good?)--were totally wrong and far more egregious. Not how my mom and dad raised me, sorry. And you don't even know in what part of town I live. Capisce? (That one's just meant to confuse.)

The key to my post was "let's make sure criminal elements...don't feel comfortable in even another square inch of new haven."

My metaphor was perhaps inept, so let me explain. (A "square inch" is not a good crime-reporting unit, after all, and metaphors are subject to abuse.)

Clearly, this story was written to explain a new development (aka, "news"). The "new" thing here was, sadly, a "spread" of crime, into an area that apparently previously/recently had not been affected by that particular type. So for me to suggest that I don't want it to spread farther is hardly controversial.

Trust me, there's plenty of crime where I live. A close friend was recently held up at gunpoint near my place.

To reiterate the (apparently not so) obvious. The geographical boundary of the park is, well, geographical and also real. Although crime belongs nowhere, it is already prevalent in some places. It's not fair for it to be anywhere, but the world won't be fairer if we let crime spread to places it isn't already, even if I don't live there.

Can we please concentrate on protecting each other now? "Take Back the Park" sounds nice. But so do potatoes shoved in the tailpipes of rogue ATVs. Now, I'll only go to "Take Back the Park" if I can bring my old(?) Volvo full of bandana-wearing golden retriever puppies and some money from my trust fund -- Or wait, did I screw up who I was supposed to be? the "soy" part left me guessing!

Posted by: -fairhavener- | September 8, 2008 10:26 PM

"...you can't rely on the police and government to fix all your problems, nor should you expect them to."

When you pay through the teeth for their services you should expect that. If this was a Libertarian government in office in New Haven I'd agree with you. And I definitely agree with you about personal responsibility regardless of who is in office. Sorry, but we are not getting what we pay for.

Posted by: Josh Smith | September 8, 2008 11:24 PM

Let me just preface this comment by saying that I'm not trying to attack anyone on this comments board or "stir the pot" -- this is what I really believe to be true, and I'm sorry if you don't agree with me.

I don't believe the police can be everywhere at once, the same way the fire department can't put firefighters all around the city standing near hydrants with the hoses ready. Nor can we have an ambulance waiting at every street corner to take someone to the hospital.

The job of the police is to respond to crimes, console those who were victimized, follow up and investigate the crimes, and help get justice served to those responsible -- not to walk around protecting citizens from crime all day. Though that is one part of their job, when taken to the most basic level, it is up to each person to defend himself or herself. I believe we are getting what we pay for -- some of us just aren't happy with what we're getting, that's all. Instead of defending themselves and their personal property, people wait for police to wave a magic wand to erase crime.

Something's got to change, and I doubt very seriously that it'll be the police budget, so let's focus on how we can prevent crime rather than constantly bitching about it. Always be sure to lock your car and house doors. Do not ever, ever, EVER leave your car running, no matter how short of a walk you're taking (like going into a store or gas station). Lock your bike up (using a cable and U-lock so both wheels and the frame are locked up). Install bright motion-activated lighting around your house. Common sense stuff goes a long way towards staying safe. I'm sure there are many other strategies that you can use to keep yourself safe in this city. Stop whining to the police to "do something about the crime", and ask yourself what you can do to minimize risk of crime against yourself. Furthermore, let's start thinking about how we can be of service to the police. How can we help them police the city more effectively and keep us safer? Come on, people. Think, discuss, act, achieve.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | September 9, 2008 8:23 AM

Last word from Josh - "achieve".

Education = Freedom for all of us.

Posted by: anon | September 9, 2008 9:23 AM

Edgewood park isn't getting more dangerous - that's how it's been. PD has told me for years that the park isn't safe for a woman alone in daylight. I tried it only once, on roller blades, and was harassed from end to end on the road running through.

if I'm alone, I go on weekends only to one end of the park, near the tennis courts because there are lots of people around then.

I live a block from the park and considered it an asset to moving to this house. But it hasn't been - I get almost no use from the park because it is just too dangerous.

this article sort of makes it sound like this is a recent development. Not true. This has been the status quo for that park for as long as I have lived here.

to the NY transplant -- yes, New Haven is more crime ridden. you moved to, not away from the crime.

as to the ATVs moving from newhalville. Not true - the valley/Westville/Whalley has had its own ATV problems. they are totally out of control.

Posted by: Shellye | September 9, 2008 5:37 PM

In response to the last comment from Anon, I am a NY transplant, but I've lived here before. I moved back because personally, I felt safer in New Haven then I did in NY. And that statement remained true until I fell victim to a crime two blocks from my home one week ago. Yes, it was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but that doesn't make it ok and it certainly doesn't make it my fault (in reference to moving to an area of crime).

Posted by: Josh Smith | September 20, 2008 9:24 PM

If anyone is still following this article/issue, there is a Friends of Edgewood Park meeting at the Ranger Station at 6:30 p.m. on October 6th. The station is a small building just south of the southern end of Hobart St. I will lay a plan out for everyone on exactly how and when the "Edgewood Park Block Watch" will operate and then ask for questions and comments. So, be there. :)