Jordan Ashby Photo
Peter Markle and Stacy Spell of Project Longevity.
Stacy Spell recognized 13 law-enforcement and community members with awards Tuesday morning for their work in a community program to reduce gang gun violence — then ended up honored himself as he wrapped his own role in the program
The program, Project Longevity, has since 2012 worked to reduce gang gun violence through a collaborative approach between the New Haven Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Stacy Spell, a retired police detective, U.S. army veteran, and community leader, has helped direct the program for eight years as a program manager, focused on reaching out to young people in trouble with help to turn their lives around. Spell has decided to leave the program as of Thursday.
For the fourth year, Spell organized the community awards program Tuesday, held at the police academy in West Rock.
As Spell handed out awards for participants in the program, every person who took the stage turned the focus back to Spell and thank him for the role he has played.
“No one competes with Stacy’s commitment to the mission of ProjectLongevity, to his unflagging effort to change lives, improve lives, and save lives,” said former Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Markle.
“Stacy became and remains the epitome of a project manager that all others try and fail to replicate. I, to be honest, worry about New Haven Project Longevity post June 30,” Markle said. “Although the success of any one project should not rest on one person, but I would submit that in New Haven, we have violated that tenet, and we have relied heavily on Stacy. Stacy has risen to the occasion and given the initiative its strong foundation forged on relationships that make it a national and international model of excellence.”
When asked why he was leaving the position, Spell said, “I shouldn’t have to battle people to help people.” He’s looking forward to having time to tend his garden, fish, and continue working to prevent gun violence in his community through Fed Up, a gun violence prevention program for middle schoolers. (He declined to elaborate on his reasons for leaving.)
Spell also received this award from the New Haven Police Department for his work.
The New Haven Police Department brought its own award to Tuesday’s event, for Spell.
Project Longevity features “call-ins” of members of gangs involved in gun violence for presentations from the mayor, police chief, chief of detectives, an “OG” who has turned their life around, someone who has lost someone to gun violence, and providers of social services. They are also offered resources for drug treatment, employment, etc. If the violence persists, “they will get the full force and attention of law enforcement.”
In sum, Markle said, “if you want help, we will help you get that help. If you don’t want help engaging gun violence, we will go after you full force. We provide or have to enforce.”
Project Longevity hosted four call-ins last year and one so far this year, with each call-in reaching 17 – 25 people.
Mother of Joshua Castellano accepted the award on his behalf.
Among the recipients of Project Longevity Award Tuesday was Joshua Castellano, an off-duty cop who was killed in a car crash last year. His mother accepted the award on his behalf.
The other recipients included NHPD Officer Derek Huelsman, NHPD Detective Bleck Joseph, NHPD Detective Orlando Crespo, NHPD Marcin Podsiad, NHPD Detective Paul Vakos, The Urban League of Southern Connecticut, ATF Special Agent in Charge Scott Riordan, NHPD District Manager LT. Michael Fumiatti, NHPD Detective Allyn Wright, volunteer call-in speaker Celeste Fulcher (who lost a daughter to gun violence), Daniel Veale of the FBI, and Ray McGrath of the DEA.
Stacy is one of New Haven's essential people. We need many more like him.