New Haven Independent

Casanova made the pledge at last Thursday night’s well-attended Fair Haven Management Team meeting at the Blatchley substation .

Robberies and burglaries were down by 50 per cent over the previous month, violent crimes were up, and significantly so, Casanova reported. But “within the last 28 days, 20 people were shot, at least four in Fair Haven, with one fatality.”

“You know,” Casanova said, as he looked up from his report, “I used to be so proud that violent crime was not on the upswing here. Believe me, if Fair Haven fails, I fail.”

“We’re a hundred cops short” in the police department, he pointed out, and “overtime is down. But the new narcotics unit coming online in February will make a difference, as will the first class of new cops coming aboard in December.”

In the meantime, Casanova asked neighbors to understand that he might not be able to get back to them as promptly as he used to. He importuned people not to call him, for example, about traffic reports. “That number is 946-5262,” he said as he passed out a sheet with frequently called police numbers.

He said he gets 12 calls a week for accident reports. Would the time saved from having to deal with that really make a difference?

“Look,” he said, as if announcing what everyone was going to have to get used to. “We have to prioritize in order to have at least the same level of service, with less.”

When a resident, who preferred not to be identified, asked why a drug-selling hot spot on Clinton is not getting police attention, Casanova said, “I do a lot for you.”

“Yes,” replied the man, “but that block has gone to hell.”

“I have 23,000 people to deal with in Fair Haven,” said Casanova. “When I have seven people around here shot in two days, I ask you to understand, and to work with me.”

“A group of women walk every morning around Chatham Square Park,” Casanova continued. “They don’t confront people, but they’re there, and I guarantee you, when they are out, nothing bad happens around the park. More of your visibility will help.”

“We just want to come home,” another resident pleaded, “and have a normal life without drugs and disturbances.”

“I’ll do the best I can,” said Casanova. “I love this place. I’m only one guy.”

After the back and forth Casanova received polite applause.

Then he pointed out all the police numbers on the sheet. “There you see 946-6316, the non-emergency number. If they don’t get back to you, try the communications supervisor, 946-6321.”