New Haven Independent

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | April 29, 2009 12:38 PM

Identify them and let the chips fall where they may.

Posted by: unreal | April 29, 2009 12:43 PM

Whatever happened to cops walking around neighborhoods during their shift? We pay some of the highest taxes in this city and get zero (ZERO) in return from this city as far as police presence. ...

Posted by: lance | April 29, 2009 12:48 PM

If the guy is afraid to walk around his neighborhood he should move, no?

Posted by: Streever | April 29, 2009 1:04 PM

Let's train the dispatchers at 911 to say this:
"I'm going to transfer you to non-emergency. Please only use this number for emergency situations. Thank you." Then we can train non-emergency to say,
"We can't dispatch an officer to investigate this right now, but I will take down all details & give them to the criminal investigation unit. Please give me the following information, and if you'd like someone to follow-up with you, I'll need a telephone number & your availiability."

We can do this! This isn't tough. Let's get the dispatch the training & systems they need.

Posted by: greg | April 29, 2009 1:51 PM

Lance, why should the guy move? You cant walk in public? Where should he move to? Citizens need to confront these situations safely, call for help as quickly as possible, and PRESS CHARGES. Yuo will not help any kid who hasn't been taught right from wrong by feeling sorry for them. Some people learn the hard way, and others just dont learn, but one should be able to walk to the corner store when they choose to, without thugs messing up their day.

Posted by: El Pollo Local | April 29, 2009 2:08 PM

OMG, I'm in need of hormone replacement therapy after reading this story!

My testosterone level dropped to alarming levels as I read about the Screecher being advocated as a possible response to violent marauding. Really now...

Posted by: Samuel | April 29, 2009 2:36 PM

Streever,
Dispatchers don't have the time to take down all that info anymore. They are much to busy with processing all the data for all the tax tows. New Haven's dispatch center has changed from police support services to doing increased data entry for the tax office and Traffic & Parking. These people have a lot on their plate. You want them to take messages too? Cops don't get a secretary. Voicemail would be nice though.

Posted by: ignoranceisbliss | April 29, 2009 2:41 PM

Call the Greers!

Posted by: anon | April 29, 2009 2:50 PM

If he moved outside the city, statistically speaking, he would be at a exponentially greater risk of death and injury. This is due to two factors: 1)high suburban traffic speeds = much higher risk of death and 2) walking less = obesity = much higher risk of premature death.

A better suggestion would be to suck up the very tiny risk of a street crime injury, don't carry things that are particularly valuable, walk the neighborhood more, organize a block watch, call the police more often, and volunteer with local youth.

Posted by: Streever | April 29, 2009 3:43 PM

Samuel,

is that true? Can we get that confirmed by anyone out there?

If so, that's horrible. We need someone at the NHPD to take down citizen information on crimes. Look at the highly succesful programs all around the country in which citizens can call in information anonymously. I have a hard time believing your statement--I really need to see something more credible before I believe we are squandering public safety to make money on towing !

Posted by: funky chicken | April 29, 2009 3:43 PM

Bring back the beat down posse!

Posted by: Sabrina | April 29, 2009 4:07 PM

This is a very good article that poses an excellent question. We do need to know what is the best way to proceed for an appropriate response to a crime. I agree with Streever and do not buy for a second the sarcastic response that folks at the non-emergency number are too busy towing cars and collecting taxes. I have had excellent response every time I have had to call - everytime. I also know to ask for the front desk and will always get the Sergeant on duty if I need to speak to an officer right away. They, too, have always been helpful and I am the first one to complain when things aren't right.

I also think you should be able to call the sub-station, isn't that why they are located in neighborhoods, to be able to respond faster and be there for outreach and programming in the community?

I don't know what a screecher is but the fact that a resident was robbed at knife point ( allegedly they had a knife) for his wallet and felt he needed to buy one to ward off another attack is numbing. Are they so loud as to disable the offenders in a heap until the police arrive? What happens to the ears of the potential victims, they, too, are hurt? Just asking.

If I was a victim of crime from unidentified asssilants, the type of response I would want would be one where there is an immediate police response - which there seems to have been; a number of the officer to contact if other information was remembered, or discovered- which there was here; and the belief that the police are on the look-out for these criminals so that I could have the opportunity to later identify them. I doubt that this poet will be able to strengthen his prose walking outside on a spring day until these criminals are caught. And that is a shame and I am sorry. I hope the police catch them soon.

Posted by: Chris Gray | April 29, 2009 4:34 PM

Considering the number of times that I endangered myself by carrying weapons (never guns), it is amazing to me that I never availed myself of the tools my father gave to everyone he met, for years. I should go get one and assure myself, as I did two years back, that they still work. As a quiet proponent of non-violence, he got them to sell but they did not catch on.

Yup. More than thirty years later an unopened Shriek Alarm worked as well as the day Dad bought it! No, it will not reduce an attacker to a piece of putty, or you, on the sidewalk but you won't go unnoticed and your potential attacker will be somewhat unnerved.

As a repeated veteran of such attacks, it could be the edge you need, if used as the officer directed. It could be useless to determined villains. It is safer than having your weapons turned on you!

Posted by: lance | April 29, 2009 4:43 PM

Greg, he should move because he likes to walk yet he is afraid to walk the streets. You asked where should he move to? he should move to a place where he feels safe.

Or he can wait until obama's stolen stimulus cash reaches the ghetto thugs because then past racial injustices will have been avengenged, and white acedemics will no longer deserve to be the victims of street crimes.

Posted by: East Rock | April 29, 2009 5:24 PM

LOL a Shrieker. How defenseless can a person actually get?

The kind of person that would carry around a shrieker (and think it helps)probably fits the exact profile the assailants were looking for.

Posted by: nochange | April 29, 2009 5:40 PM

Police always blame someone else, The 911 system works very well, it fails when the call is given to police D.A's who think they run the cities police department. They determine if the call is going to get dispatched.The 911 personnel transfer non-emergency call to these DA's, 911 is for life and death not for something that happened two days ago.People call 911 because no one answers 946-6316. Get real Lewis, your civilian dispatchers do not run your department.

Posted by: Livin in Westville | April 29, 2009 7:46 PM

In the past ten years we have had bikes stolen, my son's friends have had theirs stolen, and police have always responded after being called. My next door neighbor was robbed and my other neighbor had their car broken into!

The big issue here is not police response time- it is the lack of consistent police presence in the community. Our taxes are high and people walk around nervous. We should actively, VERY actively work to get an increased police presence between the hours of 3 and 8- when teens are free and crime is up. It's not rocket science!

Comments about what you should carry for protection or if you should move will only serve to take away from the critical nature of the underlying issue and prevent constructive action. We should work together to demand better police presence. Period!

Posted by: Streever | April 29, 2009 8:24 PM

What does DA mean? Not District Attorney.... Dispatch Assistant? I don't know.

Chief Lewis has demonstrated that he is aware of the problems with the dispatch--or at least our perception of the problems--because he's asked that we report all problems with date & time and they then review the calls.

I have had mixed response from Dispatch. I've definitely talked to a Dispatcher who thought he or she ran the PD. It's frustrating & makes you feel frustrated instantly.

Posted by: nicetoknow | April 29, 2009 10:07 PM

It would be ideal if the people in the neighborhood were alerted (with a description of the perps please)....maybe last week when this happened? Seems like these guys either live in the vicinity or thing it is a great spot to rob people and have come back for more.

Posted by: Veteran | April 29, 2009 11:16 PM

Don needs to get a permit to carry or move somewhere else.
Having been mugged near my house in Westville 35 years ago at the ripe age of 10 I guess I'm jaded, but it doesn't seem to be getting any better around there.

Posted by: Westie | April 30, 2009 7:53 AM

Will the Westville Pitchfork Brigade now move to close Westville Quality Market, the object to any new tenant the landlord proposes?

Posted by: Selam | April 30, 2009 11:16 AM

Let's Organize!

I am all for organizing our own safety/anti-crime or whatever you want to call it, hands-on neighborhood units like some neighborhoods did or still do!

Posted by: stevesywonder | April 30, 2009 11:48 AM

I also carry around a non-lethal device. It is called the Kimber Life Act, which I purchased at Cabella's Sporting Goods in East Hartford. The device is the size of a cell phone, and it can fire (2) two small pepper balls at an assailant from (15) fifteen feet away. When the pepper ball hits the torso, it gives you enough time to run away, while the assailant is rendered useless by the painful pepper blast that was just released into the air. Thankfully I have not had to use it; it is much safer than carrying a gun, and it is legal in Connecticut. I have never heard of a "Screecher" before, but I imagine that works just as well. So sad people need to carry this stuff around to protect themselves from a few dangerous knuckleheads roaming the streets as the weather gets warmer. If all else fails, I also know karate!

Posted by: anon | April 30, 2009 11:56 AM

A better description of the perps would be helpful. Would be my first question if I were a neighborhood resident and reading this article. 15 year old boys doesn't help narrow it down much.

Posted by: Shabbazz | April 30, 2009 12:21 PM

LIVIN' IN WESTVILLE-

Stop blaming the teenagers and start a community watch, like others have done. Where's the PD?

Posted by: nicetoknow | April 30, 2009 1:09 PM

East Rock - nice attitude, just wait until you are "the type" the assailants are looking for.

Again - was this info passed along to the blockwatches, which already exist?

Posted by: toby | April 30, 2009 1:22 PM

Block Watch needs to be in that neighborhood .. they do work....and try the Guardian Angels they are also very helpful...
The only ones that don't want them are the trouble makers..

Posted by: Funky Chicken | April 30, 2009 1:29 PM

SHabaz

What are you talking about. The Police are not committing the crimes and harrassing folks on the street. Young (for the most part) minority teens are. Wake up and deal with reality!

People I live in the city and can tell you if you see a couple of teens that make you nervous, trust your gut and cross the street, go to the closest door and ring the bell or knock on the door the teens will move on to an easier mark.

Also alway take your cell phone when you are on the street. If the kids still follow you take out your phone start to dial 911 and say out loud I am going to call the Police and start giving a description of the teens.

Stay Safe & Stay Real

Posted by: Chris Gray | April 30, 2009 2:01 PM

O.K., witness descriptions are notoriously unreliable. Getting a description, including clothing is a bit more helpful, but clothing can be easily changed. Who has the presence of mind to ask about distinguishing scars?

Police presence is a nice dream in an era of budget cuts and layoffs. Block watches do exist and are very useful.

Still, when it comes to the moment, you are dependent on yourself and, perhaps, the kindness of strangers. Even the human voice works well as a shriek alarm. I've used it to protect literally thousands of dollars late on an Easter night at the corner of Whalley and Ella Grasso Blvd.

Why leave the cell phone at home, if you have one?

Posted by: Westville Mom | April 30, 2009 3:17 PM

A marching band baton seems to have worked quite well for a 17 yr. old girl in California ....

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97SUFS82&show_article=1

... Or was it "girl power"?

Posted by: Alex | April 30, 2009 4:15 PM

Another fine example of bad community based policing. Inexcusable for the voice mail at the substation to be full. When no one is there it should be forwarded to main office. Walking beats are still a good idea in an area where there has been trouble. Just an occasional sight of an officer on foot would help keep perps like this out of the area.

Posted by: v | April 30, 2009 4:18 PM

I run here every day. There's a bus stop across the street.

Note to self. Never live near a bus stop.

Posted by: westvillemike | May 1, 2009 8:52 AM

The bus stop is not the problem, the store on the corner is the problem! They sell drug paraphrenalia and sell beer to underage patrons. (license was suspended in 2006, but the beat goes on). This type of business is exactly what this neighborhood does't need. I've been picking up garbage from this place that blows over to my yard for years because the owner is too lazy to use the dumpster in the back of the building. Instead he uses the small city maintained garbage can on the corner to dispose of the trash generated by his business. Not a good neighbor.

Posted by: west rock | May 1, 2009 9:05 AM

Last night I noticed numerous police cars patrolling the targeted area of West Rock and West Elm.

Posted by: greg | May 1, 2009 9:17 AM

LANCE, WAY TO GO BRINGING RACE AND POLITICS INTO A DISCUSSION ABOUT LOCAL THUGGINGS. JUST WHAT WE NEED ,DISTRACTION FROM INTELLIGENT CONVERSATION. KEEP IT UP! BY THE WAY, ITS ACADEMIC, NOT ACEDEMIC,. MAYBE YOU CAN HELP THE GUY MOVE OUT, MOVE HIS DICTIONARIES, ETC. AVENGENDED?

Posted by: Consti2amend | May 10, 2009 4:43 PM

Is there a time limit to respond to news articles? I sent a post in, but it was NOT posted. I know it may NOT have been from the same side of the fence as most people who posted, but I thought that for an "Independent" news organization, ALL comments would be posted{exceptions may include rude/derogetory/hate speech/personal attacks,etc.}! I made some simple observations on some people's beliefs, and posted my beliefs! Who may I have offended?

Consti2ammend

Posted by: Consti2amend | May 12, 2009 5:22 PM

Why can't we get the NHPD to teach ALL citizens who can morally AND legally own firearms, in the proper use of firearms? This would be a great opportunity for the NHPD to reach out to the community, and reenforce it's position on helping the citizens to cope with the increased crime rate!
Could you imagine, a training program set up for women ONLY? It would be a coup by NHPD to teach women on the defensive use of a firearm! I'll gaurantee there would be an immediate drop in reported rapes/assaults on women! Why? Because the perps would be AFRAID for thier own safety! They will NOT know which women were trained, so they would be leery of thier "objects of desire"!
This is just a short list of some of my ideas. Any questions/comments, post them here!