New Haven Independent

Posted by: Daniel | July 6, 2009 8:46 AM

I go to the Lewis St. park with my daughter all the time. She loves the slides and the play equipment. One day I brought my family to the park only to find to big human poops behind the short blue wall to the left of the tube slide. Two smaller children had just left them and exited the park as I was entering. I found sticks and an empty chip bag and dealt with it right away but it was absolutely disgusting. These kids weren't more than 5 years old though. Take that in conjunction with the above article and I think what we're dealing with is a much more general lack of respect for neighborhood and neighbors. Lack of parenting, teaching, etc. Policing and possibly neighbor intervention are necessary but lets everyone get involved in our neighborhood organizations such as our various blockwatches and the Chatham Square Neighborhood Association and work on building up a sense of community and ownership within our beautiful but troubled Fair Haven. How can we as catalysts for good become more visible and active but also add to our numbers those who are on the fringes of our community? Also, I have a 12,000 watt spotlight that plugs into the cigarette lighter in my car. What about some of us using something like when we see things going on at night?

Posted by: JZ | July 6, 2009 8:57 AM

Frankly, do you want your kids using a slide and picnic tables that are regularly used for sex and drug use? If those items are left in place, kids shouldn't be using them anyway.

Posted by: angeloreyes | July 6, 2009 9:01 AM

i had the same problem at the end of 442 lexington avenue. no excuses the park is closed after sunset.always call the police ,but these situations will mostly occur durring shift change,
and,or priority first.my advice is call each other
immediatly , also it wouldnt hurt if the city can position a night light without inturpting the neighboring residents.

Posted by: anon | July 6, 2009 9:33 AM

Calm traffic on the street down to 10-15MPH (i.e., the standard speed for many urban neighborhoods in Europe). When people drive slower, they can look around more. That would dissuade criminal activity more than anything else.

When you have a 40MPH speedway running right through the neighborhood, of course these types of problems are going to happen.

Posted by: l | July 6, 2009 10:19 AM

I quote: "It's your community, you need to take ownership. It will fail if people rely only on the police."
Really? We can't do it w/o the help of police and the gov't bec some of the people around us do not teach their children respect and decent behavior. there is a real culture of hate, envy, disrespect and contempt brewing in Fair Haven, and we need the help of the police and schools to combat it. If one of the people who cares tries to confront anyone, he/she will be met with ridicule, harassment and possible violence. I don't know why I am even here anymore sometimes. The city needs decent taxpaying, law-abiding citizens living here to continue to keep New Haven on the up and up. Good luck doing it w/o us. So if you want us, our politeness, our spirit of volunteerism and our tax dollars help us out more here.

Posted by: fedupwithliberals | July 6, 2009 10:38 AM

ANON

Is there any local or world problem that cannot be solved by traffic calming measures? Can we apply your solutions to Iran and North Korea as well?

Posted by: jack | July 6, 2009 10:47 AM

Why anyone would want to try and raise a family in an open air drug market and red light district is beyond me. Fairhaven was lost to the barbarians fifty years ago. Over the decades, I have watched many brave souls try to reclaim it only to realise in the end that they had to move or watch their children be claimed by it. The only real solution would be to buy up all the property,put up gates,and hire private security.And this would only push the problem off to another neighborhood.How do you change the hearts and minds of evil people? It's a problem that has baffled the world since the dawn of creation and is not going away.The biggest mistake was letting it take root in Fairhaven in the first place.

Posted by: Ned | July 6, 2009 10:56 AM

The "culture of hate, envy, disrespect and contempt" is the same all over the city of New Haven - garbage everywhere, used diapers thrown from cars, fast food bags tossed anywhere, pets abandoned, last Saturday I watched a family (of cretins) vandalizing the fence at the summit of East Rock (which looks like a dump too) and then laughing as their vile child threw a bottle over the edge of the cliff - which apparently was very amusing to them. The barbarians are winning hands down.

Posted by: Bummed out neighbor | July 6, 2009 11:13 AM

I liked Lewis Street Park better before the new and improved came along. My kid could run around, the dog could run around, I could chat with fellow dog owners while our pooches and kids played together (maybe it didn't look as pretty but it was much more community centered).
The lack of fencing was meant to keep dog owners out, as you can see the humans are now pooping in the park and humping each other. Great planning! The "bad" dog owners can still let their dogs run in the park... it's easier for them they just open their door and let the dog go. At least before they had to open the gate. The lack of poop bags makes for fun times when trying to remove giant turds... Hey Daniel been there done that, have gotten good at running to the trash while balancing s*&t on sticks.

Posted by: anon | July 6, 2009 11:35 AM

Fedup, we can't expect to have a civil, healthy society without civil, healthy streets.

If the city won't do it in a timely fashion, I suggest the local DIY activists invest in some shovels, concrete, tree planters, sandbags, oil barrels and bright colored road paint.

Posted by: Henry Fernandez | July 6, 2009 12:22 PM

Our family uses this park and the one behind Strong School with some regularity. There are often other children playing there as well. While we sometimes have to talk about being gentle or making room for the smaller children, on the whole we have found the kids using the parks to be great, and particularly careful with the smaller children.

Part of living in Fair Haven is having to consistently address drug use and prostitution so that it does not over take your little piece of the neighborhood. It is unfortunate to say the least and something we deal with all the time as do our neighbors.

However, the way that this park will become even more safe (and again we have found it to be consistently safe during the day) is by increasing the usage by kids. Addicts and prostitutes don't want to be where there are lots of people watching.

Taking out slides or other play areas will decrease the use of the park which will in turn make it less safe, not more.

At night is a different issue. And I can completely identify with neighbors who have to deal with bad behavior after dark and how frustrating that is. One possibility is to increase the lighting in the park and for the police to get out of their cars and walk the park several times a night. A few busts in the park would send a message for a couple of months.

As to teenagers being amorous after dark, they are all very local kids (and should not get busted for being teenagers). Talking with their parents would go a long way. Even the threat of doing so would be terrifying -- as we will all recall.

Posted by: Libby | July 6, 2009 12:27 PM

I have seen many families enjoying and using the park respectfully, and there is so much going on in our community in Fair Haven that is GOOD. There is the Chatham Square Neighborhood Association, the Quinnipiac River Community Group, the Atwater Street Block Watch, the Ferry Street Block Watch, the Fair Haven Management Team, the Grand Avenue Village Association, great restaurants with great staff like Grand Apizza, El Tapatio, Salsa, etc.; great barber shops and salons, great new stores like Casa Del Deporte Ecuamex, the Quinnipiac River Park with the Cityseed Farmer's Market, which begins this Thursday; our neighborhood library with its great staff, Greenspace, etc., etc. Sure, we have our problems, there's no doubt about it, but what community doesn't? For those of you who live in Fair Haven and aren't supporting local initiatives and businesses, please do so. This is what makes a community stronger and brings everyone together; simply complaining gets us nowhere. This Friday, the Chatham Square Neighborhood Association is showing "Happy Feet" in Lewis Street Park at 8:00. If it's raining, the movie will be moved to 195 Front Street. Please join us and see how many great people live in our community!

Posted by: Hmmm... | July 6, 2009 12:49 PM

Bummed Out, you are probably the only person in the neighborhood that feels that way. I have seen way more people enjoying the park since it was improved than I ever saw before and I look at it everyday. It is not now nor was it ever intended to be a dog park only. Yes there are a few isolated incidents of misuse. That happens in ALL the parks across the city.

Jack, if you are ready to give up then lock yourself up in your house and avoid all contact with people. Your comment offers no solutions and frankly, no hope. So if you take some perverse enjoyment in trying to depress others... IT AIN'T WORKING!!!

Anon, I hate to admit it but I have to agree with FUWL. (don't get cocky, fed. It's only about this one thing. See, us LIBERALS (caps intended because I wear the label with pride) are capable of putting aside our ideological differences and agreeing with a truth when we hear it. Maybe you conserva-nuts (lower case intended) should try that sometimes.)

For those of you who think New Haven is so bad then you have obviously never been to any other city in the country.

Posted by: anon | July 6, 2009 1:15 PM

Hmm, I'm speaking personally - I don't walk down to the park very often given the state of traffic on that street and others near it. If the overall environment wasn't constantly degraded by 40MPH speeders running into homes, I'm pretty sure (based on my conversations with other people in the neighborhood) that people would walk much farther. More eyes on the street = drastically lower crime.

By the way, there are hundreds of examples of how environmental redesign completely eliminated crime from a neighborhood park -- read up on the lit. It's really not just about enforcement or what is in the park itself.

These neighbors are incredibly dedicated and I'm sure they'll come up with a great solution - it doesn't happen overnight!

Posted by: Bummed out neighbor | July 6, 2009 2:05 PM

Hmmmm,
Unfortunately I'm not the only one that feels that way. Speak to some of your other neighbors that also look at the park daily. It's great that the park is getting use and it will be great when the splash pad is installed. I am fully aware that this park was never a dog park (thought that was clear in my post). When using it with my dog I was always very respectful of others and always picked up if necessary, however, my intent was not to take my dog to do its business there nor would we stop if small children were using the park. It's just frustrating to me that this type of activity was going on in the park before and it wasn't a news story and now it is. Why take the slide out and picnic tables away? If you do it just hurts those that use it properly. My point is that this type of knee jerk reaction hurts those that play by the rules. The people having sex in the slide will find another place and we get stuck with no slide and no tables. Way to go! Please think it through before any rash decision is made.

Posted by: angeloreyes | July 6, 2009 2:17 PM

libby lets not forget a new bank (first community bank) arriving in november,a fifties style burger joint coming soon were el charo is ,and peoples laundromat next to the post office, very clean and comfortable serving the community for 10 years,special service district powered by gava and so much more.

Posted by: lance | July 6, 2009 2:21 PM

It's not the tube that's the problem, it's the ungrateful welfare mentality that exists in the area, and lack of proper supervision and discipline. ...

Posted by: jack | July 6, 2009 2:37 PM

HMMMM lets see what you say in five years time. I pray that I am wrong,but can only see what the reality of situation is.

Posted by: DEZ | July 6, 2009 3:28 PM

Lewis Street Park has many champions and will persevere because of it. What needs to take place, as many have said, is greater use. While in the park this weekend I saw many families with older children utilizing the park in a respectful manner. I for one will not stoop to the lowest common denominator in terms of the parks design. The community, with the help of Lowes, chose each aspect of the playground equipment carefully. For those who think their New Haven park has not been "christened" in terms of raucous "adult" activity, don't kid yourself. Matt's idea for a phone tree of neighbors willing to descend on the park when this activity is going on is a good one. Any other takers? The Friends of Chatham Square are planting in Lewis Street Park this Thursday at 6PM as part of the URI Community Greenspace Program. We are finishing the perennial beds along the fence. Show your support for this gem and help edge out "the element". BTW, unfortunately Lowe's could not secure fencing from any of their distributors as part of the "Hero's" program. We had intended for an inner circle of fencing so that dogs could run and not co-mingle with little tots. The old fencing had been removed before this was realized, thus the "open" design that stands. Neighbors interested in a dog park should contact their alderperson. There are a couple of places in the vicinity that would work.

Posted by: Josh Smith | July 6, 2009 3:40 PM

There's a simple solution to the slide problem. Lighting and cameras can stop the "action" from occurring (pun intended, couldn't resist). Seriously, though, that would both serve to dissuade people from using the slide as their bedroom, and provide video evidence if it was ever needed in the case of a child abduction from the playground or vandalism of the park property (along with all other crimes). There you go, problem solved with added benefits. And before you scream Big Brother, remember that ATMs, stores, and other spaces are already more or less under constant surveillance -- if you're doing nothing wrong, you have no reason to fear a camera recording you, especially in a public place. In public, there really is no reasonable expectation of privacy. But I'm sure I'm opening a huge can of worms with the anti-camera crowd there. In any event, my point is this: At night, good lighting and cameras go a long way in deterrance of all types of crimes. It might be something worth trying, or it might not be. Discuss.

Posted by: Lexi Mankin | July 6, 2009 3:51 PM

bet those slides are slippery... YUK! Won't be taking my kids to that park until the police are able to deal with the drugs and prostitution in fair haven. YUK!

Posted by: anon | July 6, 2009 4:45 PM

Josh, Newark NJ recently installed over 100 cameras. Murders dropped from about 100 per year a few years ago to fewer than 70 in 2008. The cameras have recorded thousands of incidents, leading to numerous arrests.

Posted by: Libby | July 6, 2009 7:30 PM

Angelo, I apologize for the oversights, and I agree with everything you added. I didn't even know about the bank or the burger joint. Yea!

Tonight an unfortunate event happened in the park. I wasn't witness to it, but arrived just as it was wrapping up. News Channel 30 came to the park, and the reporter present was there for 45 minutes, during which time she saw two people sitting and talking while holding hands, doing nothing "inappropriate."

The police came and asked the people for ID, why, I don't know, and a whole situation ensued in which at least one person was arrested in front of his crying children. As I said, I wasn't there and don't know all of the details other than those that I got from a neighbor and the news crew, but there were at least four police cars here when I arrived, which seems excessive. It is likely it will be on the 11:00 p.m. news tonight. I am very disheartened by the police response to a situation that escalated to an unnecessary degree.

Posted by: Lee Cruz | July 6, 2009 7:41 PM

I agree with Libby, Angelo, Henry and others who say this is a great neighborhood. There is no need to assume danger, most people are not a threat. Get to know you neighbors and their children by participating in community activities such as the ones that Libby mentioned or just by saying hello when you meet them on the street. Together we can keep any negative element in our community in check, the police can help but its our neighborhood. If you agree say so by sharing your opinion and by turning out to do at least one thing in the neighborhood; it can be as simple as introducing yourself to a neighbor.

See you in the neighborhood, Thursday, 5pm at the Lewis Street Park clean up and planting or Friday, 8pm for the Happy Feet movie.

Posted by: b o n | July 6, 2009 9:31 PM

Libby, I was walking by as the events unfolded and you pretty much summed it up. Very disturbing to children present and adults too. I don't think this type of situation would have gone down the same way in East Rock Park. Shame on NBC news! NHPD, thanks for quick response but a little more sensitive around the kiddies next time please :) Scary stuff for little ones to take in.

Posted by: gabriela | July 7, 2009 12:37 AM

I have two boys that are three and two years old. I take my boys to the park regularly and I plan to continue to do so. I walk there with them without any problem along Front St. Older kids are generally awesome around my kids. I work and live in the area - today I had to drive around a few times for work, all I saw was families playing and enjoying the park. It was wonderful it made me smile every time. This is something that did not happen last year.
Also I'm working with children from Columbus Academy, their teacher Melissa and other community activist to plan a mural. This is a great park and a great community...

We've just started work on this Park folks, it's not a done deal. Look at how much it has improved already.

One of the major infrastructural concerns that we need help with is appropriate lighting.

Hopefully someone will move into the house at the top of the park and that will provide more lighting.

I love this park and our neighborhood. I see how the work we are all putting into it making a difference.

BTW don't forget that the Q River pics will be on display at City Hall on Wednesday, Farmer's Market first day on Thursday & Free movie at Lewis St on Friday.

It's going to be another wonderful week in Fair Haven.

Posted by: jack | July 7, 2009 1:15 AM

What the city needs is a No Tolerance Quality of Life Campaign like the one that brought NYC back from the brink. Anyone who stepped out of Grand Central in 1975 and than again today,can testify to the amazing transformation it brought about.If the city has laws and ordinances on the books,demand that they enforce them.If the city will not do this,file a class-action lawsuit.If a property owner allows drugs and prostitution,or exploits the undocumented by having 10 in a room,seize the house.The city can than turn around and sell these properties to good folks who want to build a home here in NH.Give it to them for $5 with a five year moratorium on taxes provided that there is no criminal activity,they improve the property,and help to anchor the block.Have a lottery to do this giving city residence first shot but allow others a crack at it too.Don't give known drug dealers,crackheads,junkies, whores,or any other criminal an inch.If they spit on the sidewalk,litter,loiter,or jaywalk,issue them a ticket or pull them in. Send these people an unmistakable message that their behavior will not be tolerated,and that they will either have to leave or change.Take back our neighborhoods. I know that all the ACLU types are screaming,but these people have rights! But I think all the hardworking law abiding decent citizens still left here in NH should ask themselves just who's rights are being violated. This would all fit in very nicely with the whole Complete Streets thing

Posted by: Streever | July 7, 2009 12:39 PM

Anon--
you don't walk near that park because you drive an awful lot and live in a different neighborhood.

I did a quick google search to see about your theory (re: lower speed limits in Europe lead to less public nudity/sex). It's odd, I seemed to find exactly the opposite. Just try googling "European sex public" or "Euro outdoor sex" or "Holland parks sex" for a small example.

I know you have a crush on Europe, but it might be easier for you to mvoe there than to bring Europe here.

Posted by: Wicked Lester | July 7, 2009 2:07 PM

"By night the blue tube turns into a tunnel of love and public sex acts".

How is the tube being used for sex? Do people go into it, like Woody Allen's Orgasmatron? Are they fornicating while sliding down the tube? Is the tube being used as a giant dildo?

Just wondering.

Posted by: anon | July 7, 2009 2:17 PM

Streever, many European inner city parks that are famous for trysting are overgrown, remnant villas and not at all visible from the street, so the theory wouldn't apply to them. The city parks that are visible and pleasant, similar to what Lewis Street would be if cars were not constantly speeding by, have surprisingly high activity, overflowing onto the bordering streets, even very late at night - many couples and families having a good time, but very little in the way of illegal activity.

Posted by: juli | July 7, 2009 4:50 PM

anon,

you are failing to recognize that your efforts to connect virtually every possible topic to traffic calming is potentially hurting your cause more than helping.

crying wolf waters down a subject, and pushes potential supporters farther away. from my perspective, it seems there are many residents who generally agree with the concept of making our neighborhoods safer for all road users instead of just asphalt to speed through. they may even want to get involved somehow, even just for that one crosswalk on the way to the park or church, or a better bike route to school. but, your comments make it seem like you want the city to be carless by daylight tomorrow.

i understand that you are hinting at the concept that a denser level of foot traffic in any neighborhood is a great way to make it safer (i like Jane Jacobs too). but your comments seem more and more alarmist. i think you may need to reevaluate where you direct your efforts, especially if you are just pissing everybody off and fueling the fires of your critics.

anxiously awaiting your response in the standard beef story,
juli

Posted by: anon | July 7, 2009 5:07 PM

I've never seen anyone call for a "carless" city, Juli. There are other posters who may have - I don't read every article and some of the handles do overlap - but not that I've seen.

In my opinion, there's no need for anyone here to water down the reality of Front Street or equivocate on what dozens of neighbors in the area have demanded: having a civilized street is the first and primary prerequisite for a civil neighborhood.

And in my opinion, there's plenty of room for different opinions on a community site like the Independent. Some of the best discussions have seen hundreds of comments. Instead of criticizing ideas, how about posting a few of your own?

Posted by: anon | July 7, 2009 5:32 PM

I agree 100% with Gabriela - lighting is a must, Melissa is incredible, and this is such a great community of people!

Please ignore all the East Rock / suburban superciliousness in the comments here, mostly from people who've never been to more than a few "real" Fair Haven meetings in their lives... and keep working to build a better neighborhood!! :)

Posted by: Free Speech | July 7, 2009 6:26 PM

Libby and BON, i was there when the incident occured the other night. Although he knew or was was the parent of one of the teenagers, when the police were questioning the kids, he continued to interupt saying, "dont say nothing to cops, they are pigs!!" witnessed by ME! he deserved to get arrested, we cannot condone this mess, isn't this the issue that's being discussed here, we need to educate not enable sloppy parents!! What those kids witnessed by their father was god awful! the next time a police officer questions them they will behave the same way their father did, and they will get arrested for interfering. I dont understand, first you complain about no police presence, then you call the police about inappropirate activity going on, when a police officer turns up to investigate you guys turn on the police....Pleaseeee, make up your mind or move over an pick your battles!

Posted by: angeloreyes | July 7, 2009 11:06 PM

anon
now thats a promise i can keep

Posted by: Libby | July 8, 2009 12:24 PM

Free Speech, I made it quite clear that I wasn't present in my post. I was simply relating what a neighbor and the reporter told me about the incident. I am aware that my neighbor called the police "pigs," of which I don't condone or approve. However, be that as it may, it does seem that four cruisers and multiple officers was a bit excessive for the situation, which I did witness personally.

As for me personally, I have never called the police for "inappropriate" activity and feel that being an engaged and involved member of my community is a more positive, proactive way to get involved and try to involve others in making Fair Haven a wonderful place to live.

Posted by: CH | July 8, 2009 10:41 PM

Too many problems very little solutions One question I will suggest for our selves. What we (me) as an individual can do to change this attacking of ideas? Complains for all the negative is happening in Fair Haven and please watch you're self if you are talking laud all of this negativities and your kids are listening to you?

Posted by: B O N | July 9, 2009 10:56 AM

Free Speech,
I did not hear the individual refer to the police officers in such a disrespectful manner. You are absolutely correct, it is unacceptable. Believe me, I was happy that the police came, I just haven't seen a response like that for more serious issues that happen around here. 5 squad cars for teenagers making out seemed a bit much but I'll take it. I didn't mean to come across as ungrateful that they showed up but what I witnessed was small children crying Daddy as he was man-handled into the squad car. I had to answer a number of questions from my very scared child on the walk home. I hope you understand my point of view.

Posted by: Streever | July 9, 2009 12:30 PM

Anon,

you have to admit that your comments are pretty funny. Every single problem of an urban city can be solved by "simply lower the speed limit to the common speed limit of 10-15". Last year it was "common speed limit of 20-25" until someone pointed out that it already is 25.

This from the same guy who said speed limits don't matter. Ahhhh. Enough already.

While it is no doubt that better planning and design improve communities, the constant first-post about how "simply" lowering the speed limit to 10-15 will fix (insert problem here) sounds almost desperate.

Why don't you go write an article for one of your 25 blogs instead of endlessly repost the same comment here?

Posted by: k | July 10, 2009 1:02 PM

I'm with Jack, as a NYC-transplant here. Once the city started giving tkts to quality-of-life violators and to subway turnstyle (stile?) jumpers, they started nabbing all sorts of criminal types. Case in point just this wk in NH: 4 Nabbed On Drug Charges
Officers Roy Davis and David Zaweski made four drug-related arrests this week during traffic stops in the East Shore neighborhoods. During three traffic stops Tuesday and Wednesday, the cops found at least 40 bags of heroin and 11 bags of marijuana.