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2 Police Forces, 1 Connected Community
by Thomas MacMillan | Feb 3, 2012 10:01 am
(14) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author
Posted to: Immigrants, Fair Haven
When Ecuadorian activist Dixon Jimenez helped deliver 400 protest tacos to East Haven mayor’s office, he and fellow advocates crossed the border to do so. When East Haven’s Ecuadorian immigrants want to pray or play soccer, they cross the border back into New Haven.
On paper, New Haven and East Haven are separated by a bright town line. The line marks two quite distinct overall municipalities.
The boundary blurs when it comes to the municipalities’ burgeoning Ecuadorian populations. The storm of controversy that has ripped through East Haven in the past days and weeks has revealed that nuanced relationship. The emergence of a new immigrant community, it seems, doesn’t always conform to rigid traditional borders.
In some ways, the two towns share one unified contiguous fast-growing community of Ecuadorian immigrants; the border often seems not to exist. Ecuadorians go from New Haven to East Haven to shop. They come to New Haven to worship at St. Rose of Lima church in Fair Haven or to play soccer in New Haven’s Ecuadorian soccer league. When it came time to press East Haven Latino business owners’ and shoppers’ and neighbors’ complaints about police harassment, a church and a law clinic based in New Haven brought the cause. And many of those East Haveners had deep ties to that church.
In other ways, the town border is a clear dividing line. The majority of East Haven’s Ecuadorians came there directly from the neighboring provinces of Morona-Santiago and Azuay. Most New Haven Ecuadorians hail from elsewhere in the country, including a contingent from the town of Puerto Quito.
Both local populations are growing fast. An after-school cultural education program started. A big annual parade courses through downtown streets, as festive and iconic as the St. Patrick’s Day, Columbus Day or Freddie Fixer Parades for the longer-established Irish-American, Italian-American and African-American communities. Meanwhile, in East Haven, Ecuadorians have been a prime force behind the rocketing of the local Latino population from 1 to 10 percent of the overall town in just a few years.
An estimated 3,000 Ecuadorians live in New Haven, 800-1,000 in East Haven, according to Raul Erazo of the consulate—which opened in New Haven in 2008.
Most distinctly, the border marks the dividing line between two types of policing, two sets of expectations for Latinos walking or driving in the towns. As New Haven has taken up a pro-immigrant mantle and become a “sanctuary city,” East Haven is wracked with racial scandal after a federal probe found that cops there have for years been targeting, harassing, brutalizing, and falsely arresting Latinos and lying about it.
While New Haven’s Mayor John DeStefano instituted an immigrant-friendly ID-card program and ordered New Haven cops not to ask anyone about his or her immigration status, East Haven’s Mayor Joe Maturo, in the face of his officers’ arrest and a continuing federal probe, said he might help Latinos in his town by eating tacos. (He later apologized for the statement.)
It was that comment that led to the delivery of 400 protest tacos to Maturo’s office on Jan. 26. Carrying a tray of tacos was Jimenez, an activist in New Haven’s Ecuadorian community. He’s one of several Latinos who this week shared their varied perspectives on the New Haven/East Haven split.
“There is no division” between the Ecuadorian communities in the two towns, Jimenez said.
While New Haven has more Ecuadorian people than East Haven, East Haven has more Ecuadorian businesses than New Haven does, Jiminez said. Many people go to East Haven to send packages or money home to Ecuador, he said. But many other activities take place in New Haven, he said.
“The only difference is the authorities and the police,” said Jimenez.
New Haven has an active Ecuadorian soccer league with several teams from East Haven, said Elio Cruz, part of the leadership of Virgen del Cisne, the New Haven Ecuadorian organization. Like Jimenez, he’s from Puerto Quito.
People are attracted to East Haven because the streets are safer—apart from the police—than New Haven, Cruz said. That comparison has prompted some people to move over the border, in both directions.
That’s true of Edith Sanchez, a 34-year-old Peruvian woman who initially settled in East Haven, then was driven to Fair Haven by police harassment, she said. Just a couple of months ago, she moved back to East Haven, where she said she feels safer from crime. Since the federal investigation became more public, she and others have noticed a ramping down of police harassment.
Pedro Gutierrez, the owner of Guti’z bakery on Main Street in East Haven, sold his home in Long Island and moved to East Haven four years ago after visiting his son there and seeing the opportunity for a business.
Gutierrez is from Sucúa originally, in the province of Morona-Santiago. Marcia Chacon, who owns My Country Store on Main Street with her husband Wilfredo Matute, is from the neighboring province of Azuay. She came to the area 17 years ago because of family connections. For 12 years, she and her husband have had their store in East Haven.
Chacon said she feels no division between the East Haven and New Haven Ecuadorian communities. They’re joined together by St. Rose of Lima Church, the center of the larger community, she said.
Not everyone agreed that the church is the center. Luis Rodriguez, owner of Los Amigos grocery store, said he doesn’t attend St. Rose. He said he’s trying to organize Latino business owners in East Haven to meet with the mayor—a first sign that the institutional Ecuadorian base that rests predominantly in New Haven may migrate in part to East Haven now, too.
On Thursday, Rodriquez stopped by to discuss the plan with Esdras Marin, the 28-year-old owner of La Bamba restaurant, across Main Street from Los Amigos.
Marin said he came to East Haven directly from Ecuador nine years ago because of a family connection. His clientele is more than just Ecuadorian, he said. Customers are from Puerto Rico, Argentina and other parts of Latin America he said.
Latinos from East Haven go in the evenings to dance in New Haven where they know they won’t be harassed by the police, he said.
As Marin spoke on Thursday afternoon, his restaurant was empty. He said it would fill up later in the evening with people from surrounding towns, but only those who have their papers in order, he said. East Haven cops have frightened the rest off, he said.
Speaking of cross-border visitors, Rodriguez said one group he doesn’t like seeing is New Haven activists who organize marches. It’s better to maintain public order and show that Latinos are good people through everyday actions, he said.
Post a Comment
Comments
posted by: And the Band Played On on February 3, 2012 10:21am
Oh please join the East Haven soccer league! Maybe with a united front of children becoming the best soccer teams around, we can begin the healing process. There is nothing like good soccer to unite people.
ehys.org
posted by: Morris Cove Mom on February 3, 2012 11:58am
This is so sad, living in one place and driving to another to participate safely. I guess I should be glad I live on the New Haven side of Tweed, and that I am a lightskinned Hispanic.
I hope that Mayor Maturo sees this incident to be a chance to help fix the ethnic relations in his town, and not take another cheap shot at us (tacos comment). We are hardworking and proud, and don’t need to feel unsafe or unwelcome in our own neighborhoods.
BTW - I hope that people do realize that a lot of the head chefs/cooks in East Haven and new Haven restaurants, including a few famous pizzerias, are Ecuadorians.
posted by: Bill on February 3, 2012 12:03pm
So the immigrants move to East Haven because it’s safer than New Haven, but then criticize the police in East Haven that make it safer. I can believe I’m reading this.
posted by: Carlos Galo on February 3, 2012 1:04pm
Bill wrote: “So the immigrants move to East Haven because it’s safer than New Haven, but then criticize the police in East Haven that make it safer. I can believe I’m reading this.”
Bill, if in making it safer, four East Haven police officers are arrested after a “grand jury indictment [that] describes the heads of arrestees being smashed against cell-block walls; an arrested man on the ground, handcuffed, being kicked by a cop; and other arrestees being slapped and struck in the face while handcuffed,” then yes, there are many, many, communities that are not only complaining, but outraged.
posted by: South West on February 3, 2012 1:52pm
Mr. Rodriguez stated he dosen’t like seeing New Haven activists who organize marches, because it’s better to maintain public order and show Latinos are good little people through everyday actions. Ok activists the man just said he don’t want you to help defend his honor. It’s statements like these that make one wonder why help fight for justice when they don’t want to fight for themselves. They actually belive if they ignore it, it will get better just like people believe when they are in an abusive relationship. “Give me a break”“”
posted by: Bill on February 3, 2012 5:01pm
Carlos, the fact that the immigrants prefer East Haven is evidence that what is being alleged must be in fact false. Otherwise why wouldn’t they stay in Sanctuary City? Please I can’t wait for your explanation.
posted by: spin doctor on February 3, 2012 5:48pm
If the sentiment put forth by those interviewed is reflective of the larger Ecuadoran community then I believe resolution to the problem, both real and perceived will come sooner than later.
There is no issue within the police department that cannot be fixed.
Right thinking East Haveners will embrace the federal report, and contrary to out of town characterizations, as has the current mayor.
There are however differences between law enforcement standards, community standards really, that will continue to exist between New Haven and all its surrounding suburban towns.
The first is enforcement of motor vehicle regulations. This should and will not change. Violations that you can get away with in New Haven are caught in the surrounding towns. The impression is given that this constitutes harassment, it isn’t, its just the standard created by an inner city police force that cannot maintain that standard of enforcement.
The second is illegal immigration and enforcement. My suggestion would be to put this discussion aside for now. While the safe harbor proponents in New Haven may have economic realities fueling their side of the argument, those supporting hard line enforcement have the reality of the law on their side. It would be counter productive to the common goals of both communities to make this a central issue in any discussion right now.
One other point about the bar owner….i think both Ecuadoran and Italian East Haveners may agree that everyone, especially the residents of the West End of Main Street, regardless of ancestry, would be immeasurably better off if that bar moved out of town. Its a magnet for problems.
posted by: Curious on February 3, 2012 6:57pm
My question is why do Ecuadoreans prefer East Haven as their town of choice to live and to set up businesses? If the police force and mayor are really corrupt as the Ecuadoreans claim then you would thinkt that they wouldnt want to move to East Haven to live and conduct business…right or wrong?
posted by: bjfair on February 3, 2012 9:26pm
I have to keep reminding myself this is 2012. How many more years before we get it?
posted by: Livesinfairhaven on February 6, 2012 9:19am
....
A basic thought. Out & out racism is deplorable intelligent people agree. But why are we trying to force “sanctuary city” model on East Haven? That’s what this boils down to in my mind. If East Haven is unfriendly to certain groups, why would that group want to insist on living/working/playing in that particular place? You try to force things on people and it goes wrong just about every time. I’m white and my background is more or less “WASPy”. I wouldn’t move to certain neighborhoods in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn because it’s all Hassidic Jews. Conversely, East Haven, CT is mostly Italian American. Although I’m sure they have no real problem with anybody else, they like it that way. Just be real, that’s all
posted by: bjfair on February 6, 2012 9:44am
The MOST BASIC thought is that we are ALL human beings and have the right to live wherever we choose. Now if others don’t want to live around us then do as you have been doing for years..move and keep moving.
posted by: Livesinfairhaven on February 6, 2012 10:42am
There is a name they use (I noticed in Atlanta most recently) for what “just move” is in this case: White Flight. I don’t think that is the answer. Again, why would somebody want to live someplace where they are not appreciated? Of course people have the “right” to live anywhere they want. Just because one has the right to something doesn’t mean it’s good for them…
posted by: Mister Jones on February 6, 2012 12:22pm
Some of the commenters speak as if there’s a border checkpoint between New Haven and East Haven. These neighborhoods are all connected, right down the street or in some places across a bridge. To me, this cross-border expansion is a sign of a healthy, vibrant community, as is the divergent opinions among its members.
Meanwhile, I enjoyed a tasty breakfast pastry from Gutiz Bakery this morning. It’s really heartwarming to see this family business thrive with its happy customers. The American Dream coming true for another immigrant group, it boggles my mind that there are folks in East Haven that find something wrong with this picture.
posted by: westville man on February 6, 2012 3:57pm
liveinfairhaven
They move there because they can afford to and because it’s a natural progression from where they are in Fair Haven nearby.
We, as whites, have alot of places available to which to move; they dont.
Everywhere they go they’ll face a certain amount of racism. So they’ll look to neighborhoods near families and friends and with affordable housing.
Black folks have known this forever- trying to decide what neighborhood is both safe and affordable ,and yet where they can move about freely and be accepted. It’s not an easy choice sometimes. But it is the story of being an “ousider’ in America due to racial intolerance.
