Allan Appel Photo
Reyes and Fumiatti speak with concerned Clay Street resident Awilda Lozano
On Clay Street in Fair Haven, interim Police Chief Otoniel Reyes handed a gift pack and a free ice cream certificate to a surprised and delighted little girl.
Just a block away on Lloyd Street, incoming Fair Haven top cop Sgt. Michael Fumiatti, Jr. leaned in as a woman explained how drug-dealing and prostitution on her block are the worst she’s seen in 25 years.
With eight-year-old Angelina Carneiro.
Those were the two poles of the experience Wednesday afternoon ofthe tenth or eleventh community walk —no one was quite sure of the number — organized over the last couple of years by Board of Ed community engagement staffer Daniel Hunt.
Most of the top police brass, former brass now working for the State’s Attorney’s office, Fair Haven Community Management Team (FHCMT) leaders, various city officials, and just plain neighbors, about 30 strong, gathered at the Blatchley Avenue police substation at around 3 p.m.
The goal of the one-and-a-half hour circumambulation of the the Fair Haven neighborhood, Hunt said, was for the neighbors to meet the cops, and to put a true face on community policing.
As the officers and other city employees began the tour, which took them across Clay to Lloyd, down to Grand Avenue, over to Ferry Street, and then back up to the substation, they bore small bags filled with small treats and police badges to give to the kids hanging out on stoops.
They also engaged area residents, testing the waters of what was really on people’s minds, taking notes, and, in the case of Fumiatti, who will be officially introduced Thursday night at the FHCMT’s meeting as the next district manager, giving out his direct phone number.
On Clay Street at the top of Lloyd, Reyes and Fumiatti helped distribute some bags of treats and then ascended the steps of a small wooden house to greet Awilda Lozano, a grandmother of two.
“I have to keep my eye on my grandchildren,” she said. She explained to the officers how she must pick up needles and other drug paraphernalia from the back yard before she lets the grandchildren out to play.
Hunt, Youth Dept. staffer Ronnie Huggins, Asst. Chief Karl Jacobson.
They listened, took note, and then Reyes reassured Lozano the officers would work with her to clean up the problem. “You are not alone,” he said and gave her a reassuring handshake.
What did Lozano think of the visit. “It’s an awesome idea,” she replied.
There was some talk of the large group splitting up into two, but Lt. Mark O’Neill, who is leaving the district manager job to be head of patrol, said it would be better to stick together and to make a stronger impression in the process.
O’Neill said, as the group turned down Lloyd Street, that the centerpiece of his advice to Fumiatti has been to “be accessible to the community.”
By that he said he meant attending community picnics, Thanksgiving turkey give-aways, the kinds of coffee-with-a-cop events that were pioneered by O’Neill’s predecessor, Lt. David Zannelli, and other engagements with residents.
Officers speaking with Maria Rodriguez and her family.
“You can’t just be out there hammering people,” he said. “Events, plus enforcement, you’ve got to do both, a happy medium.”
An outreach event can also yield tips and involve residents in solving the problems that plague a corner or a block. Fumiatti found exactly that mid-block on Lloyd between Clay and Grand Avenue, when the tour arrived in front of the attractively landscaped front yard of Maria Rodriguez’s home.
She told Fumiatti that the prostitution and drug dealing out in the open in front of her house is the worst she’s seen it. She doesn’t even let her 15-year-old grandson shoot hoops in the front yard without an adult being outside with him.
Fumiatti promised to address Rodriguez’s concerns once he becomes district manager. “I know there’s drug dealing and prostitution here,” he said, based on his experience as a beat officer in the neighborhood. He gave her his phone number so that Rodriguez can reach out whenever something is amiss in the neighborhood.
Terrance Hyman, a new resident on Clay Street, was welcomed to the neighborhood by officers.
As the tour moved off toward Grand Avenue, Rodriguez said, “He sounds promising. I’m impressed. I hope he keeps his word.”
After chatting in Spanish with the owner of the Rodeo Grocery on Grand, Reyes came out and told a reporter the woman behind the counter had no specific complaints. On the contrary, she said she was grateful when officers came into the store to check up on things.
Reyes said he is a tremendous fan of the walks and intends to participate in more. “It’s not just support for the community, but to listen. We have these people and there’s buy-in. We learn of complaints, issues. Some people don’t call the police. Maybe they’ll tell us [as just occurred in the context of the walk]. We meet people [literally] where they are.”
For those who might criticize the event as mere photo op, Reyes said, if it were just that, you’d do it once and be done. He finds it full of value for community policing. “We put a face on the department, and it builds trust.”
There’s also value for staffers from the other departments, whose work might not get them out on the streets.
For example, Tanaysia Jefferson, the manager of community development programs for the Community Services Administration, said her experience of the walk is “a different look.”
“I’m noticing the community interaction with the police, the people riding up [to them] on bicycles, it’s heart-warming.”
It was also extremely hot out Wednesday afternoon, with thunder storms threatening. That was why, as the community walkers circled into the last leg of the tour, they also made a point of stopping at the little Catch A Flava ices wagon on Grand Avenue.
Ices in hand, they continued the tour. Assistant Chief Renee Dominguez said, “I got mango.”
Then to a reporter, she added, with irony, “Please write that I’m supporting small business.”
Hunt said that the next community police walk will take place later this month, specific date and neighborhood yet to be determined.
I have a good feeling about our new Chief. No one can do more to heal the divide in this country than police. It will take a sustained effort. I believe he has what it takes.