New Haven Independent

Posted by: Beaver Hill Resident | June 9, 2009 2:51 PM

Assistant Dean Robert Harper-Mangels,
I am very saddened to hear that you were mugged and robbed of your bike on the Farmington Canal. I'm glad to hear you were not physically hurt in a serious way. I hope that the Yale and New Haven police will work to make that section of the Farmington Canal trail safer so that more innocent people will be able to use the trail.

Posted by: nfjanette | June 9, 2009 3:13 PM

This attack was, unfortunately, no surprise to anyone that knows that area of the city. I find it difficult to imagine walking or riding the trail there without some form of active police presence; even then, I would question the safety. This is a perfect example of theory ("green commuting") not matching up to reality (dangerous parts of town).

Posted by: Lifer | June 9, 2009 3:14 PM

It looks like there were 2 incidents there yesterday afternoon:
To the members of the Yale Community,I write to let you know that both the Yale and New Haven Police responded to reports of an assault and a robbery on the pedestrian trail near Division Street around 5:15 p.m. yesterday. Both incidents involved young teen-aged males who were loitering in the area of the trail. A bicycle was taken in the robbery.  Fortunately, no injuries were reported.  If you have any information that would be helpful in our investigation, please call 432-4400.Sincerely,Chief James A. Perrotti

Posted by: Esbey | June 9, 2009 3:26 PM

I have been waiting for that exact crime to happen in that exact spot along the trail. I warned a friend against riding his expensive bike along that segment, but he is fast & thought he could out-ride any attacking kids. Personally, coming south from Hamden I got off the trail at Morse and headed over to Prospect.

What can be done to secure the trial? Obviously, working emergency "blue boxes" would help. What else? Decoy undercover police bike-riders? Cameras? "Fix the neighborhood's problems" is the best answer, but just a little hard to do.

Posted by: Bruce | June 9, 2009 3:34 PM

That really stinks. This was always a concern with the canal trail. I would be very interested in hearing recommendations for making that stretch of trail safer. It would really be a shame if usage suffered because of crime.

Posted by: lance | June 9, 2009 3:55 PM

I was hoping you would post a list of related nhi articles...

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/04/today_new_haven.php

I and many others saw this coming a mile away. While the new haven independent often edits or refrains from publishing my comments entirely, they can't hide the reality of new haven when it jumps out of a bush and takes your bike.

Posted by: anon | June 9, 2009 4:04 PM

This trail has no better or worse record than any of the surface streets in the area. Several national studies have shown that trails have the same or lower crime rates as surrounding neighborhoods.

That said, it would be nice to have more frequent security patrols and better lighting on the canal line, if only to help promote the psychological comfort of the pedestrians and cyclists who use it on a regular basis.

If you feel uncomfortable walking in that neighborhood at certain times of day, you might consider walking up Whitney Avenue or Dixwell instead, as those streets have significantly more activity.

Posted by: TrueBlueCT | June 9, 2009 4:05 PM

The way to make the trail safer would have been to route it down Prospect Street, and not through the heart of Newhallville.

Obviously a lone biker, on a deserted stretch of trail, makes a good target. That's why I always chuckled at the over-zealousness of those who wanted to link the greater trail to New Haven via the 'Ville.

For the record only real way to combat this sort of activitiy would be via a sting operation utilizing a plain-clothes cop on a bike. But NHPD has bigger things to worry about.

How much $$$ was spent on that stretch of the trail? File it away with the heated bus shelters under "Foolish."

Posted by: norton street | June 9, 2009 4:07 PM

There is a surface parking lot on the west side of the trail at its intersection with Division Street.
If that were a neighborhood park, there would be families using this area. There would be more pedestrians and activity that deters crime.
If there were a park here instead of car infrastructure, there could be a connection to Scantlebury Park along the canal trail (also a walking path) that could have rest spots with seating and maybe interesting information on the old Winchester factories or New Haven history in general.
Meaningful design that caters to people instead of cars trumps all else. Until underused (parking) and vacant lots in Newhallville and the rest of the city reflect what the Farmington Canal Trail is trying to do then we will have an unsuccessful city.
When our public spaces are attractive and our car traffic diminished, then the hard working, honest families in this city with emerge once again and take back what terrible 1960's car worship took away: safe conditions for living. Right now, Newhallville, the Hill, Fair Haven, the whole city is full of decent people, they just opt to sit in their homes instead of go outside because we feel its more important to cater to suburbanites than it is to take care of our residents. Bring residents out of their homes, and there will be little need for police presence.
Or of course, we could just send some officers there to stand around and push criminals up the block to commit crimes elsewhere, then eventually return to the same spot once the police leave.

My first suggestion to Robert Harper-Mangels is to live where you work, meaning move to New Haven. If for some reason you cannot, then don't bike alone, get friends to bike with you, help ease the traffic in this city by getting people you know out of their cars. I suggest taking the bus, carpool, or borrow a bike for a month then buy a new bike with the money you've saved from not funding terrorism, I mean buying gasoline.

Posted by: Walt | June 9, 2009 4:23 PM

Too bad, but not unexpected.

The Prof is lucky (and not too bright) that he just lost his bike and had a few bruises.

...

Bad enough at Shelton and Division where this attack happened, but gets more hazardous as you get closer to Downtown as near St Mary's.

Anyone who travels the trail south of Putnam and expects safety, is extremely naive.

Need cops on bikes or cycles continually, but would be too big a drain on budget.

Best bet -- signs saying " You are a damned fool if you bike on this path without protection or Police presence,?

Signs wont protect you but may reduce damage claims against the City, Hamden, or the State by Canal Line victime

Posted by: ROBN | June 9, 2009 4:36 PM

Why would teenagers consider bike robbery to be a serious crime when people in their own neighborhoods nearly let them get away with murdering a neighbor?

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2008/07/post_375.php

Posted by: Confused | June 9, 2009 5:05 PM

Mugging is a daily occurrence in this City, just because it's a loving Yale professor it gets a story? Maybe he should move to division and shelton to better the lives of those who actually live in that neighborhood.

Posted by: Bob | June 9, 2009 5:37 PM

If you dont live in that area, then you dont ride a bike through that area. Its as simple as that. I dont care that it has a pretty name and is adorned with pretty granite entryways and is nicely paved. It passes through one of the worst areas of the city, and to pretty much anybody in New Haven, thats common knowledge.

Posted by: anon | June 9, 2009 6:20 PM

I spend a lot of time in Newhallville - it isn't as bad as most of the suburbanites posting here seem to think (especially the one who wrote "The Prof is lucky that he just lost his bike and had a few bruises" -- as if the kids who stole the bike were actually dangerous wild animals).

At least during the day, I would much rather walk around there than almost any of the suburban towns around New Haven, where you are likely to get run over by a texting teenager's SUV hurtling down the road at 50 miles per hour.

I know of plenty of examples where people were pushed off their bicycles or otherwise robbed in other city neighborhoods, yet somehow the newsmedia didn't see fit to do a profile piece on them. Stereotypes sure are popular though, as evidenced here and on the NH Register's and WTNH's comments section whenever a story runs on a poor neighborhood.

Posted by: Not Surprised | June 9, 2009 7:40 PM

Like many other posters here, I thought it was an invitation to crime when the New Haven section of the bike trail opened. My worry is not just that the section going through Newhallville is dangerous, but now we've connected a bad neighborhood with the northern part of the trail that goes through Hamden and Cheshire. As far as I know that part of the trail had been fairly safe and now I wonder if it will become dangerous too.

Posted by: V | June 9, 2009 7:46 PM

This guy was crazy to ride his bike there. Bike trails and bad neighborhoods don't mix. Unless the neighborhood changes, the rest of the Farmington Canal Trail will remain disconnected from downtown New Haven, except on special event days.

Posted by: angelo | June 9, 2009 8:13 PM

with everyone blaming the location of the canal path, the foolishness of the victim, the lack of lighting (even though it was daylight), no one seems concerned with the fact that groups of young men on bike are taking over this part of town.

Posted by: Ali | June 9, 2009 8:18 PM

I am dismayed by the blame-the-victim mentality. This guy was trying to do something positive, and was doing nothing wrong. Instead of criticizing him for "being in the wrong place", how about focusing on the behavior of the perps? How about talking about the real issues and problems instead of blaming people for "not staying out of bad neighborhoods"?

At what point do we all give up on our rights to be outside and enjoy our city? Should we all hide inside? Perhaps if MORE people were out and about, things like this would be less likely to occur. As someone wisely pointed out, these things happen everywhere, not just in "bad neighborhoods" and THAT is the real problem.

Posted by: Been Called Worse | June 9, 2009 9:25 PM

What Bob says above, unfortunately, is 100% correct.

Something that perhaps I have missed, and would appreciate clarification on, is in the instance of the PCP dealer conviction (not just arrest, mind you) - nickname is given, but not their legal name? Sounds like a questionable practice. Which is why I'm questioning it. Anyone?

Posted by: Carole | June 9, 2009 10:44 PM

This is a perfect example of theory ("green commuting") not matching up to reality (dangerous parts of town).

Bicycle commuting is a reality, not a theory, for lots of people. Some do it for green ideals, some to save green cash. Some have little choice.

My bike was stolen downtown, not in a "dangerous part of town." The only time (in 25 years) that someone tried to steal my car, it was also not in a dangerous part of town, but in a movie theater parking lot. Crap happens. Saying "I could have told you this would happen" -- six commenters so far -- or blaming the victim (that means you, Walt and Bob) merely adds to the crap.

P.S. to Norton Street: If you know where I can buy a bike for what it costs Mr. Harper-Mangels to drive to work for a month, let me know. That sounds like a great deal!

Posted by: Alex | June 10, 2009 12:29 AM

This where the demise of community based policing hurts. If officers had close relations with the people in the area they would readily be able to find out who those kids are that stole the bike. Since the kids have had a high profile in the area I guarantee you the people living there know who they are and where you might find the bike.

Posted by: JMS | June 10, 2009 1:58 AM

"Anyone who travels the trail south of Putnam and expects safety, is extremely naive."

Agreed 100%. (Not rocket science)

I have been running that trail for years. I start at Hamden High and head north. Many years before that I biked it to work from East Rock to Cheshire and back daily... before it was ever paved. When I saw the new construction expanding the trail south of Hamden High I was excited because I live in New Haven and deeper access seemed like a great idea. That was until I explored it on foot... once. That was enough. I might run the new section with a group but never solo. Not really sure what anyone was thinking when they approved the funds for the southern expansion without stopping to think about these potential crime/risk factors. Did they think this dressed up greenway would somehow magically dispell local crime?

Sorry about your scrape and your bike Robert. Like many people I am sure you had the best intentions of using the trail as it was intended... a pipe dream really... if not now then certainly as soon as anyone reads this story. Wish it were otherwise.

JMS

Posted by: armed citizen | June 10, 2009 8:53 AM

If a few more citizens decided to carry firearms for their own protection, the [people] that stole the dean's bicycle might think twice in the future.

Posted by: Streever | June 10, 2009 8:55 AM

There is no need to attack Robert. He was doing what many of us do--riding his bike along a bike/walk trail.

Robert, I'm sorry about what happened to you. I hope the NHPD does some targeted enforcement in this area. (I'm sure they will)

Posted by: no change | June 10, 2009 9:07 AM

I AM SURE THERE HAS BEEN CRIME ON THE TRAIL IN HAMDEN AND CHESHIRE. THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCERN HERE IS THE EMERGENCY BOX NOT WORKING.WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS WORKING CONDITION AND TESTING.
THIS GENTELMAN OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN HAVING A MEDICAL CONDITION. DOES THE CITY OR YALE HAVE A LIABILITY WITH THESE EMERGENCY BOXES NOT WORKING ???? I THINK SO!

Posted by: M | June 10, 2009 9:08 AM

To all of you criticizing "suburbia" and "suburbanites"...how many of you have kids? If you do, tell me how happy you are sending your kids to NHPS. Fixing the schools is the most important issue for luring families back to the city. But then again, if that happened, I'm sure you'd all complain about gentrification and affordable housing.

Posted by: JackNH | June 10, 2009 10:28 AM

I thought at the time it very naive to build that trail through Newhallville. It will continue to be a problem. You won't find me on it-- at any time of day, alone or in a group. ...

Posted by: Bruce | June 10, 2009 10:44 AM

Armed citizen,

If he pulled out a gun he might be dead now. At best, he might have killed one of them. Are you really willing to risk your life or kill a child over a bicycle? I'm really curious to know.

Now, if more people knew Kung Fu...

Posted by: JMS | June 10, 2009 10:50 AM

Bruce,

"Now, if more people knew Kung Fu..."

Excellent idea...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qve-THEDTs0

JMS

Posted by: Walt | June 10, 2009 11:34 AM

Ali

Those you cite are not really blaming the victim I think, just pointing out his naiveity (sp?) and ignorance of the world around him.

Ones with the attitude you cite would include Anon if I read his post correctly, and if he was not being facetious,

Anon ,

They stole his bike and beat him up. ... The Prof WAS lucky all they did was steal his bike and rough him up a bit.

Hopefully you are not that dense, merely facetious and I missed it.

Walt

Posted by: Ben | June 10, 2009 11:51 AM

This is the only way progress will be made in communities where outsiders feel unsafe entering.
Rip a whole down the middle and expose its flaws to everyone who gives a damn enough to call the police when a bike is stolen or people are jumped.

Physically avoiding these problems does not solve them.

Yes there will be muggings, but avoiding that trail will only make the problem worse in the long run.

In the short term we will have to rely on our police force to be diligent in protecting our citizens.

I am going to continue riding the trail until it gets better not until it gets worse.

For the record I have been at the corner of Shelton and Division 100 times and have never had a problem.

Posted by: jawbone | June 10, 2009 11:59 AM

Interesting dilemma...on the other hand, you can't let the criminal element run your life.

Posted by: steve ross | June 10, 2009 12:00 PM

"ignorance of the world around him"

Sorry, Walt, I'd contend that this can be seen as "blaming the victim," and in any event it's an assertion that can't be verified. And, given his position and tenure, likely isn't true.

The trail is there for walking and biking, not mugging. To "[not] find [one] on it-- at any time of day, alone or in a group" cedes it to criminals, and more importantly, to our inflating sense of paranoia.

What happened to Mr. Harper-Mangels's is saddening, but it's one incident. Let's keep things in perspective here. And ride the trail.

Posted by: Our Town | June 10, 2009 12:05 PM

I think you all are missing what is really wrong here...this where a trolley line should have been built...All you new urbanists missed this. This was a RAIL line, what better place to put a trolley that you all think is the solution to the car problem? This would actually have served a function of transportation rather than the silly, feel good, tourist, Yalie line on College Street that you would actually have to drive to in order to use.

Posted by: gzuckier | June 10, 2009 12:40 PM

It's the old vicious circle: if it were heavily used, there wouldn't be much crime. As long as there's a good chance of crime, not too many people are going to use it.

Posted by: anon | June 10, 2009 12:58 PM

Our Town, the canal trail was never a trolley line. The trolleys ran on Winchester and Dixwell. The canal line was a heavy railroad with very few, if any, passenger stations. A trolley line can be added alongside the trail in the future (or even better, returned to a parallel road like Dixwell or Winchester that actually has a lot of existing businesses and apartment residents who would benefit from it) once funding is available.

The critical point is that the land was preserved as a linear public space -- and it's not like that was an easy thing to do. Residents from all over the region worked for 20+ years to get it to happen. The canal trail is a major asset to the city. Have you ever been out on a nice day on completed sections of the trail and seen how many thousands of people use it for transportation and recreation? A group of citizens did a survey a few years ago and found that a very large proportion of these individuals had traveled from dozens of miles away just so they could find a safe place to walk, roller skate or bike for the afternoon. (Ed: Unfortunately, the city doesn't have the resources to do surveys of its own, which makes it impossible to set public policy in a constructive way on just about anything)

In terms of the proposed light rail line on College Street, how are you so sure that it won't serve a transportation function? Do you realize how many car trips in our city are from one place in downtown to another? Also, will the line just be on College Street, or is it going to connect to other places, like Union Station, Whalley Ave, Route 34, and Science Park, where tens of thousands of people work and live? Until someone knows this for sure (and nobody does right now), I'm not sure where your criticism comes from.

Posted by: Our Town | June 10, 2009 2:45 PM

AANON

Do you read posts or just make up everything...I said it was a RAIL line in CAPS. No, I have never seen thousands of people on the trail in New Haven and neither have you, unless that is the cumulative total from day one.

I have seen the plan for the trolley. It's basically to serve Yalies. (I have nothing against Yalies.)

As a true transportation corridor to the downtown, the Canal Line would have it's own right-of-way and would not interfere with existing utilities and the unsightly overhead wires would not be added to the streetscape.

Oh, and do I realize how many trips are made from one place in downtown to another...no, and neither do you.

And, I can't wait for your first post after a trolly runs over a pedestrian.

Posted by: anon | June 10, 2009 4:59 PM

Our Town, you were proposing a new trolley system on the canal (old rail line), which is why I pointed out that the canal trail never was the trolley route. Trolleys used to run on routes that made a lot more sense (Winchester, Dixwell, Whalley, etc.), while rail ran on the heavy industrial corridor. To your other point, surveys have been done - thousands of people use the trail. I'm happy that you haven't seen a thousand people on the trail, because nobody here claimed that they are all in one place at one time or only on the short, only recently-opened New Haven section that doesn't yet connect to anything.

How have you seen the plan for the new trolley/light rail system when it doesn't exist? Concepts aren't even close to a final plan. Certainly none of the concepts presented to the public have the thing running on College Street only.

You are worried "unsightly overhead wires would not be added to the streetscape." That may be a valid point (and I agreed with you that a trolley could be added on the canal right of way if people really wanted it there instead of, say, on Dixwell or Winchester), but what about cross streets, sections of the trail next to streets, and backyards? What about noise? Trolleys are less noisy than buses, but unlike wider streets like Dixwell, the canal trail right of way goes right by homes. Seems like we agree there are trade-offs with either approach - so I hope that you'll be involved in a more thoughtful dialogue when the first public hearings are held.

Posted by: Hood Rebel | June 10, 2009 5:44 PM

Come on folks, I know some of you know better than getting on this insane bandwagon.

NHI reports plenty of robberies all over New Haven -- EastRock, Prospect St, Orange Street Whitney Avenue, Bishop St, downtown and the hood.

What's with this narrow response due to yale dude being robbed in Newhallville?

I have lots of folks (all ethnic backgrounds) who don't live in my neighborhood, yet show up at my house on bikes. Other than my usual advice of having them park their bikes in my backyard or back porch --rather than try to lock them on to a tree or utility pole--we've had no problems.

In fact this afternoon I spotted families pedestrians, bikers, and lots of folks of all ethnic backgrounds (perhaps even some yalies) walking and riding along the trail and riding through the hood.

Keep it real folks.

Posted by: jawbone | June 10, 2009 7:27 PM

Well said Hood Rebel.

Posted by: jack | June 10, 2009 11:03 PM

I can't cicyle the New Haven section of the canal in safety? Who knew?

Posted by: myhood | June 10, 2009 11:57 PM

What a bunch of chumps, hiding behind your keyboards and taking shots. If you don't feel comfortable in my neighborhood, stay out of my neighborhood. Stay in your own neighborhood and snicker in the editorials about things you know nothing about.

Common sense should tell you that if you decide to ride your expensive bike in an isolated area in hard times, you have to accept the risk that comes with it. Of course, no one in the suburbs or in so called good areas ever commits a crime.

Move to guilford, where all you have to worry about are cameras in dressing rooms.
Say cheese!

Posted by: davidk | June 11, 2009 12:48 AM

Are you going to let a bunch of culturally deprived kids take over the bike path? What a bunch of wimps!

Posted by: Josh Smith | June 11, 2009 1:09 AM

I've been on that trail a few times (as well as down near Long Wharf, and on Edgewood from Westville to downtown), and I've never had a problem. The worst I've had to deal with are psychotic motorists getting their panties in a bunch and passing me too closely (probably intentionally), just because I'm riding safely in the middle of the lane, instead of squeezing between moving cars and car doors. They must think I ride that way just to piss them off or something. Hell, no... the last thing I want to do is piss off someone in a two-ton steel box. I just want to get to my destination safely, that's all.

Professor, I'm sorry you were assaulted and robbed. I've ridden all over the city and never once been threatened, so it must have just been very bad luck (and bad, or a complete absence of, parenting on the part of the kids' parents). If my bike was stolen there, I'd still ride. I ride a bike I bought for $25 at a garage sale and fixed up, so I wouldn't be too dissuaded from cycling... as long as I wasn't physically hurt, I'd just buy another clunker and fix it up. And yeah, I agree with those who say it's never a good idea to pull a weapon out if you don't intend to use it. Three possible guns against my one gun don't make for very good odds of me surviving.

Posted by: Chris | June 11, 2009 1:16 AM

What is real is that there are as you say:

"plenty of robberies all over New Haven -- EastRock, Prospect St, Orange Street Whitney Avenue, Bishop St, downtown and the hood."

I had actually never looked but was shocked to see three breaking and entering just on Monday in East Rock no further than a block or two from where I live.

So, "keeping it real" seems to say get the hell out of this town which is overidden with crime which seems pretty real to me.

BTW My bike was stolen on my first day in New Haven, from my back porch, in East Rock where my rent could by a friggin house. Man what am I doing here...

Posted by: nfjanette | June 11, 2009 1:00 PM

Bicycle commuting is a reality, not a theory, for lots of people. Some do it for green ideals, some to save green cash. Some have little choice.

I was referring to the use of the trail for bike commuting. As for "lots of people", that depends on whether one judges by the disproportionate number of activists found in the comment sections of NHI vs. the reality of the actual number of people that use various forms of transportation along various routes. Compared to buses and cars, cyclists are a tiny minority. That's a fact, not a judgement on the form of transportation or the people who choose it.

My bike was stolen downtown, not in a "dangerous part of town." The only time (in 25 years) that someone tried to steal my car, it was also not in a dangerous part of town, but in a movie theater parking lot. Crap happens. Saying "I could have told you this would happen" -- six commenters so far -- or blaming the victim (that means you, Walt and Bob) merely adds to the crap.

The accusation that my comment is blaming the victim is inaccurate and a diversion from the issue - the unsafe route created through a dangerous part of town that has no active police protection. "Crap" happens everywhere, but it happens more often in known bad locations.

Posted by: robn | June 11, 2009 1:21 PM

Yes, the very thought of the danger imposed upon visitors by this very violent demographic in this dangerous area sends chills up my spine....that a young white male can enter a major national museum in Washington DC and shoot somebody is terrifying. Oops...am I commenting on the wrong thread?

Posted by: Hood Rebel | June 11, 2009 1:55 PM

Unfortunately, nfjanette you are talking from your own invalid perceptions about a particular population.

Clearly you're just talking off the top of your head when you say muggings and burglaries "happens more often in known bad areas" in New Haven. That is factually incorrect!

Before you spout off about what you THINK go to New Haven Independent crime log on robberies and burglaries and get your info straight.

Meanwhile, good to see the bikers and pedestrians on the trail today..and hell no, we won't let disconnected kids take over.

Posted by: Michael | June 11, 2009 2:06 PM

Robn, your young white male was 88 years old. Just FYI - I'm not really challenging your point.

Posted by: robn | June 11, 2009 3:24 PM

MICHAEL,

The Oklahoma City bomber certainly was a young white male...oops, wrong issue, sorry.

Posted by: nfjanette | June 11, 2009 6:38 PM

Unfortunately, nfjanette you are talking from your own invalid perceptions about a particular population.
Incorrect - I know that area reasonably well, having worked in Science Park for several years. I watched the trail being built and shook my head at the foolishness. I only wish the danger wasn't quite real - it would be a wonderful trail ride for a family.

Posted by: jmc | June 11, 2009 10:14 PM

This afternoon about four while riding the canal trail south (in the direction of downtown) I encountered two Yale police officers. This was at the trail's intersection with Munson Street. I asked one of them how far north they were allowed to patrol; she said as far as Division Street. And she acknowledged the two of them were there in response to the recent attacks.

Posted by: Consti2amend | June 11, 2009 10:19 PM

JOSH SMITH

"And yeah, I agree with those who say it's never a good idea to pull a weapon out if you don't intend to use it. Three possible guns against my one gun don't make for very good odds of me surviving."
This just means you are NOT practicing enough!

Anon
"Residents from all over the region worked for 20+ years to get it to happen."

The plus (+) is absolutely correct! The trail was FIRST proposed back in 1971! It was brought to the attention of then Representative Larry DeNardis. This was when the "first rail to trails" linear parks were being converted. It was suggested by a young man from Cheshire. It had been reported in a now defunct, local magazine at the time.

Also, the "Canal Line" has quite a lot of historical posts for all to read. BUT there is one AMAZING sight that has been overlooked! Did you know that there is, outside of "Lock 13" in Cheshire, a really neat passing zone? It had been brought up on more than one occasion, during bike tours through the area, but no one seems to have cared!
But then again, I have not ridden on the trail in some time, so it could be there now.

Posted by: Consti2amend | June 11, 2009 10:26 PM

I'm sorry I hit "post" first, by accident.

I'm sorry for your injuries and bike loss Robert. It is good that you reported the theft! IF, IF the police look for and apprehend your assailants, they will probably just be let off. The important thing is, it can be a start for a criminal record! It gets the perps name into the police blotter, and they usually will be looking for them again. Your actions can either stop a career criminal from happening, OR alert the police to a potential "CC". Either way, the system "could" work {LOL}!

Posted by: anon | June 11, 2009 11:26 PM

Nfjanette, there is a difference between perceived and actual safety. Both need to be addressed, so in a sense, both sides of the argument are right here. However, I'm with Hood Rebel, Ben, Steve Ross and others that the level of true "danger" is fantastically exaggerated -- based on the comments made by some here, an outside person reading this thread would think that the neighborhood is inhabited primarily by paramilitary death squads, not by ordinary hard working families.

Posted by: jack | June 12, 2009 7:30 AM

another cyclist robbed on the canal,that's two in a week,this time a woman threatened with a large knife! what the hell is going on! will someone have to be murdered before anything is done about this?

Posted by: William Kurtz | June 12, 2009 10:13 AM

Anon's right, in that everyone's right. Or everyone's wrong. I get confused. Anyway, there's usually a wide discrepancy between the things that are likely to be dangerous to us, and the things that we perceive as being dangerous. This then leads us to devote attention and resources in in effective ways. We worry about swine flu, but not about ordinary seasonal flu; we fear salmonella in our peanut butter or spinach, but think nothing of the health problems inherent in the rest of the high-fat, high sugar foods we eat. 3,000 people die tragically in a terrorist attack and we spend billions to go to war, see thousands more die, and cut the Constitution to the bone, but 40,000 die in car crashes every year and people bitch about being slowed down by speed bumps or rotaries and refuse to stop talking on the cell phone. Oh, and then we don't want tax money invested in the bus system that would hopefully take some of the unlicensed/uninsured drivers off the streets.

The answer to the problem of opportunistic crime in an area is more people using it, not fewer. If you ask me, the Yale Police should take on more responsibility for patrolling the trail; that would seem to be a better use of their time than essentially being a second police force on downtown city streets.

Hope you're doing well and that you don't stop riding, Professor.

Posted by: cordalie | June 12, 2009 11:34 AM

Please use the trail. A nice used bike can be bought from Devil's Gear. The more trail users, the fewer criminals.

Posted by: Melissa VT | June 12, 2009 12:12 PM

This doesn't just happen on the trail. I was riding my bike down Whalley and a kid (who was with a group of kids) at a bus stop grabbed my arm as I was slowing down for a red light at Whalley and Sherman and said "come here". Although it seemed harmless, I wonder now if this was one of the kids involved in the mugging since this occurred to me the day before. The strange part was that I was on a very busy street.

Posted by: robn | June 12, 2009 1:01 PM

Tip for all from Officer Joe Avery...if accosted by a would-be criminal, pay close attention to their shoes...they're usually very distinct and unlikely to be ditched.

Posted by: Ned | June 12, 2009 3:28 PM

I used to ride the trail, but after encountering all of the garbage and broken glass, in Hamden, and that particularly depressing sewage pond @ Skiff St., and stopping and turning around to avoid a group of hostile "youths" on my way back to civilization, aka, New Haven, I'll let the rest of you be the martyrs (masochists) for social progress. In addition, the fencing makes me feel like I'm riding in a pen. The trail isn't plowed in the winter, and the flooding, under the Trumbull / Prospect St. bridge has never been addressed. Ever tried to lock a bicycle anywhere at Hamden Plaza? Dodging muggers not so great either.

Posted by: Walt | June 12, 2009 3:44 PM

What is your guess re the new mugging report at about the same location yesterday?

Maybe the woman faked it to make those above, who tout safety of the Canal area in New Haven, look silly.

Maybe it really happened because she mistakenly believed the safety - touters and thus became a new victim.

Will we know? Probably not.

Posted by: Lisa Fernandez | June 12, 2009 5:32 PM

The crime on the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, however unfortunate and sad, is extremely rare. And while I empathize with the Assistant Dean's response to avoid the trail, we must not all follow suit. When crime occurs in places of idyll like parks and protected open space such as the new trail, people tend to remember it more because such action is so at odds with the purpose of such places. Crime on trails is more rare, in fact, than crime on city streets and homes, statistically speaking. Does nobody walk down Whitney Avenue any more because of the muggings and purse snatchings that occurred there last fall? Do we all stop driving cars because drivers are killed in automobile accidents every day? Please remember that users move abusers out. If we stop using the trail because of a rare incident of violence, this welcome addition to a part of town desperately in need of attractive, positive open space will indeed become yet another sad artifact of well intentioned urban renewal gone astray. We must not let this happen. In this era of belt tightening and new consciousness about the climactic, human health, and economic benefits of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, it makes sense for us all to take to the trail for carbon-free commuting and for fun recreational exercise.

The project to convert the abandoned rail corridor to a greenway aspires to take back what belongs to all taxpayers. And because of the hard work for decades of many dedicated people with vision and persistence, that aspiration is now a reality. In a few short months we will celebrate the connection of the New Haven section of the trail with its extension north into Hamden and Cheshire, creating 15 miles of continuous offroad greenway, connecting Connecticut's cultural capital New Haven with the state's ex-urban central woodlands: a real, not symbolic, connection of diverse and vital communities. It belongs to all of us who care about creating and maintaining a high quality of life in our urban centers. And most of all, this trail belongs to the good people of Newhallville and Dixwell, who must take ownership of the trail, use it, and celebrate it. It is a beautiful ribbon of open space that can contribute in many wonderful ways to the quality of life in our fair city. Two concrete suggestions: the trail is an extension of the yards of many residences and churches in the area, who I would like to invite to adopt the trail to keep it beautiful and remove litter and graffiti, much as businesses adopt highways berms. Also, can we find money to hire the youths just about to get out of school for the summer to conduct walking and biking tours of the new section of trail? I'd like to work on these challenges. Won't you join me?

Lisa Fernandez, President, Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association, an all-volunteer 501(c)3 working to create an 84-mile offroad greenway from New Haven CT to Northampton MA. www.farmingtongreenway.org (offline for reconstruction)

Posted by: anon | June 12, 2009 7:02 PM

How about extending the Town Green District's walking, biking and trash removal "clean and safe" program up the Canal Line to Hamden? It worked really well in Downtown, and was extended to several other parts of the city (State Street, Upper Chapel, etc), so it could work well here too.

Paying the parks and police departments to keep it "clean and safe" would be 10 times more expensive. The Town Green District should do this out of their desire to get more people to visit Downtown businesses from the suburbs.

Posted by: Frother | June 12, 2009 10:27 PM

Funding that part of the trail was always a waste of money, but the typical enviro-cyclist mentality insisted on it anyway. A few more muggings and nobody will ride it -- it will fall to disrepair.

I'm a liberal guy, but this expenditure was a product of naivete -- wishing against practicality.

Posted by: Matt_in_exile | June 12, 2009 11:20 PM

"So, "keeping it real" seems to say get the hell out of this town which is overidden with crime which seems pretty real to me.

BTW My bike was stolen on my first day in New Haven, from my back porch, in East Rock where my rent could by a friggin house. Man what am I doing here..." -Chris

3 mos. out of New Haven and counting...
It's still weird to see people leave their doors open and car windows down, or bicycles leaned against the fronts of stores. Oh, and I'm only a 15 min. drive, 30 min. cycle from New Haven, so I don't have to miss the food.
I hope the mayor reads this comment, because I am one of the last of about 100 people I know, all 30-something professionals, to move out of New Haven in the past year. (Of course, two of 'em just got tax bills from NH for their cars and they've been out for a few years, so no real deterrent there.)

Posted by: Consti2amend | June 13, 2009 2:32 AM

"Tip for all from Officer Joe Avery...if accosted by a would-be criminal, pay close attention to their shoes...they're usually very distinct and unlikely to be ditched."

For those of us who wish NOT to become a victim:

A tip for the right, err, rest of us "concerned citizens": "pay close attention to your FRONT sight!" It should be "very distinct and unlikely to shake". Only hits will save you!

Why should WE have to be worried about some ne`r do well? Why should WE have to change OUR routines for the likes of criminals? Wheather you wish to travel in groups or alone, PLEASE do not stop doing what you want to do! If you do, you succumb to the "cretins and fools" on the wrong side of the law. Then, by our desire not to "go to the dangerous place", we have given a small part of OUR rights over to the criminals. They win!
I say NO! Just GO!

p.s. If you are FORCED into using self defense, remember to let Officer Joe Avery or his assignee, know their shoe size/type/style,etc. This, because the perp will still be where YOU were FORCED to leave them!

It will make for an easy ID of the perp! "Yea, they are the ones face down, and oh by the way, I moved them to the side of the trail so as NOT to block it for other cyclists."
See, I still have some concern for my fellow trail users!

This is NOT "PC", but somewhere along the way, some of you people have got to STOP thinking about the rights of the perps, and start thinking about the rights of the HONEST citizens!!

As I have heard frequently, "RIDE IT"!

Posted by: Robert | June 15, 2009 4:02 PM

I'm the guy who was assaulted last weekend. I just discovered this thread.

My thanks to the well-wishers. I'm fine, I was only hit once. It was pretty clear from their body language that they were prepared to beat me if I fought, but as long as I let the bike go, they would leave me alone.

Not sure I understand the 'blame the victim' posts. I was naive for thinking that I could ride the trail at 5:30 in the afternoon (this was only the second time I've been on the trail). I've paid the price for that. Now I've flipped to jaded. This upsets me more than the loss of the bike.

Maybe the crime is not as bad as is being suggested, and people should not give up on the trail, but I don't intend to start carrying a weapon, and I no longer feel safe on the trail. Besides, I don't have a bike anymore! So I wish you all luck with the trail.

Posted by: Ali | June 15, 2009 7:04 PM

Glad you physically fine. I understand your not feeling safe on the trail anymore and it's too bad.

I hope you will reconsider calling yourself naive as it could have been anyone, anywhere in this city. Either that or we all are naive for walking, biking or even living anywhere in this city.

Posted by: Hood Rebel | June 15, 2009 9:10 PM

Hey Robert,
Glad to hear from you and learn that you're physically well. Sorry about that awful experience on the trail.

Will be looking out for your bike in the hood..which if spotted might lead to capturing the perps. Could we get a description?

Posted by: matt_in_exile | June 15, 2009 9:41 PM

"Either that or we all are naive for... living anywhere in this city."

Yep.

Posted by: myhood | June 15, 2009 11:08 PM

Shouldn't be jaded Robert, your colleagues did you a disservice by not warning you about the facts of city life. Every bike I have ever owned in and around New Haven has been stolen, 6 so far! And I consider myself street smart having lived here my whole life.They are easy to steal, easy to hide, and easy to sell. I have learned over the years to buy $50 Huffys to ride around on and never leave it out, not even locked up.(did you know that there are wire cutters made just for bike locks? I found that out the hard way.) You could go up Winchester without a problem, Dixwell or Prospect and hit the trail in Hamden. The Canal line is a great idea and we can't let a few punks ruin it. Just be aware of your surroundings, look people in the eye and nod when you pass them and leave your Blackberry and your large bills at home if you decide to ride in an isolated area.Also, taking a picture of your bike and etching an ID tag on the frame will help the police locate it.

Posted by: Josh Smith | June 16, 2009 12:45 AM

Just re-reading the article, I see that you're an assistant dean and not (necessarily) a professor, like I called you in my first comment, whoops. But anyway, that's great news that you weren't hurt. I hope you keep riding around New Haven, if only to go out for lunch or to run errands in the middle of the work day. I can't ride too much now that I'm living in a rural area (for now), but I hope to move back into a city or a compact suburb pretty soon and start riding my bike or the bus every day again instead of driving. Man, how I wish all of our towns were compact and walkable and bikeable, with trains and buses going into them...

Posted by: Walt | June 16, 2009 6:45 AM

Robert

Glad you are OK and that you agree that you were naive .

Of course the blame lies only with those creeps who attacked you,

None of those described as "blaming the victim" really did so, they merely pointed out that what you were doing was dangerous.

Haven't seen facts that that area is as safe as Whitney or Dixwell, just statements without backup, but maybe they are right,

I've been as naive as you in the past, telling my 12 year old that it was fun fishing from the Third Bridge (A bit north of Orange St. on the Mill River). He and a friend tried it and had their fishing rods stolen at knife-point,

Never went again.

The pollyannas here might say the same thing could happen elsewhere just as often and the kids should go back there again, but from my point of view I'm happy that they were sensible enough (I think) to avoid that area in the future.

Dont let your fellow bike folks taunt you back into bad areas alone , Your intent to be wary is right,

Posted by: Bill | June 16, 2009 7:35 AM

These kids that mugged this man have chosen to be losers. Instead of taking part in some school activity, club or sport they decide to mug someone. Instead of going home after school and doing homework, they mug someone. They will be in and out of prison and on the public dole the rest of their lives. These are the people we are supposed to feel sorry for when in 10 years they can't get a job. These are the people we are suppose to feel sorry for who don't have health care. These are the people who we are supposed to excuse for being criminals because the can't get a job.

It's their choice and I don't and won't feel sorry or responsible for them.

Posted by: Wicked Lester | June 16, 2009 9:04 AM

How about a 'critical mass' style ride on that part of the trail? What are they going to do? Mug all of us?

Posted by: Walt | June 16, 2009 10:10 AM

Lester

Makes much more sense than most of the bicyclists' comments above.

Posted by: Josh Smith | June 16, 2009 1:25 PM

Critical Mass actually did go through there, last Halloween! At least, part of the trail, anyway. Then we rode down Dixwell, through SCSU, and then up Whalley, and on Edgewood into town again. No bike thefts, no injuries, no casualties. :)

Posted by: Nan Bartow | June 16, 2009 2:04 PM

Josh, On your next critical mass ride through SCSU, please pass through Beaver Pond Park on the South Side of Fournier St along the access road that leads to Bowen Field. Ride behind the grandstands to the parking lot off of Munson St and on to Crescent St. Turn down Norton Parkway, go across cross Whalley. Shortly you will run into Edgewood Ave. It's a very green and lovely ride almost all the way. Beaver Pond Park is beautiful. You will pass right through our Greenspace area.

Posted by: Josh Smith | June 16, 2009 5:41 PM

There aren't fixed routes for the CM ride each month, and no one controls where it goes except for the people who are up front at the time, but thanks for the invite. I've heard that park is nice.

Posted by: DAFeder | June 17, 2009 4:34 PM

Thanks Bill -- now it all makes sense. Poor people are all criminals! Why didn't I see that before?

David

Posted by: nfjanette | June 17, 2009 4:49 PM

I have some issues with CM rides on city streets, but it sounds like a great idea to organize rides on the canal rail trail!

Posted by: Walt | June 18, 2009 6:15 AM

Bike guy riding in front of me with flashing red (strobe?) light on his backpack.

Great idea for safety, but first time I've seen it.

Posted by: Streever | June 18, 2009 8:45 AM

Walt:
did that merit a press release? Thanks though ;-]

Nan: We'll see what we can do about a crit mass route near there :D

Posted by: Bill | June 18, 2009 11:50 AM

DAFeder, excuse I forgot it was Bush's fault that there are poor people.

Posted by: Jim | November 2, 2009 4:06 PM

What New Haven needs is some good old gentrification and a Rudy Giuliani-type administration. You'd see the city blossom and revitalize, like a mini Manahattan, inside of a few years.