Allan Appel Photo
Outgoing Fair Haven District Manager Lt. Luiz Casanova used to argue with Sgt. Herb Johnson about who loves Fair Haven more. As Casanova passed the baton to Johnson, the new district manager is returning to where he walked a rookie beat.
A hundred people came out Thursday evening to say goodbye to Casanova (at left in above photo), who has become the citywide evening shift commander, and hello to Johnson (at right), who used to patrol the Saltonstall and Poplar Street area between 1998 and 2003. Each received a ceremonial toy patrol car from Fair Haven Management Team president Diane Ecton.
The occasion was the second annual Fair Haven Picnic for Safety organized by the neighborhood management team and event coordinator Ruffina Durazzo .
They turned the grassy field between the rear of the Columbus Avenue Family Academy and the Blatchley Avenue substation into a festive green.
There were hot dogs, face painting, and community activist Kevin Ewing (right) expanding the repertoire of his talents as he sat in with Tatchol Camara (center) and the New Haven School of African Drum and Dance, there to play for the celebrants.
Wearing the T‑shirt du jour, Johnson has been on the job already for about a month. He said he understands clearly that the plummeting crime statistics that Lt. Casanova achieved in Fair Haven resulted from building relationships.
Casanova underlined that point in his valediction, which was interrupted with applause and hoots of approval. In accepting the toy patrol car and gratitude of the residents, he said, “I will still be here [in Fair Haven through my new job]. The congratulations should be for the good work you did.”
Lt. Casanova and many faces who remembered the young Patrolman Herbie Johnson, who went on to become a detective in the major crimes unit, said Fair Haven was being placed in good hands.
Abdul Saleem certainly thinks so. He’s a former Fair Haven resident who knew Johnson as a young cop, and afterward. Saleem is the brother of Lonnie Chatman, who was killed at Whalley and Carmel in a hit a run on Aug. 22. The police are still looking for any leads, Saleem said.
Johnson invited him to the picnic in the hope that some word might emerge that would be useful information.
“All day long, he’s the best,” Saleem said.
“I had loved working here. I was walking the beat. I just loved the community,” Johnson said of his five years in Fair Haven.”
He said that was in his heart when he heard that Lt. Casanova’s position was going to be open. “I said to him, ‘You got my job.’ He said back to me, ‘Sergeant., that is my job.’ I really always wanted this.”
Old friend Regina Helland came by to say hello. She owns a house on Poplar. “He’s the best you can get, because he’s aggressive and motivated,” she said of the help he provided in dealing with drug dealing plaguing her block.
When area activist Lee Cruz buttonholed the new district manager about the importance of engaging businesses and finding local leaders and the success and the renaissance of the Chatham Square Park area, Johnson replied, “I used to walk from Q Terrace and go sit on the bench in the park during my 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift.”
Of the positive changes in Q‑Terrace and all of Fair Haven since 1998, Johnson said he was impressed.
So was Casanova, with Johnson. Casanova said a turning point was when Johnson said to him, “’Lieutenant, it’s gonna be hard to keep your numbers.’
When Casanova asked him what he was going to do about it, Johnson replied, according to Casanova. “I’ve got my own plan.”
That did it for the departing district manager. “He was a supervisor of major crimes. His passion for Fair Haven is great,” he concluded.
Johnson declined to be specific about what those new plans were or if they included any departures. “I’ve been here only a month. I’m reviewing.”
Perhaps most importantly he added, “I’ve always wanted this job.” (Click here for a brief profile of Johnson as a hockey player in the recent Chief’s Cup game.)
Others there to thank one district manager and welcome another included the city Chief Operating Officer Rob Smuts; retired Police Chief Stephanie Redding; and area Aldermen Maureen O’Sullivan-Best and Joey Rodriguez.
Congratulations to the great Sgt Herbie Johnson. I know you will do a great job as district manager, as you have done a great job throughout your career.
(A good starting point would be right in front of the substation, we need to eliminate all the crackheads and drugdealers that are hanging out right across the street at Lou's. If people pull up to a substation and see all this "crap", they will wonder how after so many years these same people are selling drugs so close to the substation...just an idea)