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The Democrats running for mayor plan to show up at police union headquarters Monday night asking for support — all except for Kermit Carolina, who called the police “part of the solution” but also “part of the problem” in New Haven.
The occasion is a first-ever mayoral debate sponsored by New Haven Police Union 530. The debate starts at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30) at the Marchegian Club at 226 Cedar St. in the Hill.
The 422-member local said in a release that it’s holding the debate to decide which candidate to support with “on the ground” helpers as well as political action committee money. (Read the full release here.)
Democratic mayoral candidates Justin Elicker, Henry Fernandez, Toni Harp, and Sundiata Keitazulu have all agreed to participate.
Candidate Carolina opted out. He said Sunday he doesn’t wish to “be beholden to any one group,” including the police union.
“The police are part of the solution and to some degree part of the problem in this city,” Carolina said in an interview Sunday.
“They’re doing a great job of reducing violence in city neighborhoods thus far. My hat goes off to Chief [Dean] Esserman in that area,” Carolina said. But, he said, the department also runs up too much overtime. And too many cops — over two-thirds of the force — live outside New Haven “and don’t contribute revenue. … Everyone should have skin in the game.” He said he would conduct forensic audits of all departments, including education, in order to provide tax relief to the public. “Decisions I make will be in the best interests of residents to relieve pressure on taxpayers.”
Carolina renewed his call for a commuter tax for local government workers as part of a larger effort to hire New Haven people for New Haven jobs. (Read a full story on that here.)
Carolina said the public will already have a chance to hear the candidates discuss public-safety issues at a July 16 debate at Metropolitan Business Academy. He plans to attend that one. (More on that debate here.)
Based on Carolina’s remarks, police union President Lou Cavaliere Jr. said Sunday, “I’m not confident” he will become the next mayor.
Cavaliere argued that it doesn’t matter where police officers live. He called the idea of a commuter tax “an insult.”
“Our payment is our life. I don’t think a person should be penalized for living outside the city. We’re cops 24 hours a day. It’s a shame that we’re going to have people who represent the city who feel that way about police,” Cavaliere said.
He also said that in the short term the city needs to pay overtime to keep enough cops patrolling neighborhoods because the force is about 100 officers short from full strength. A series of police academy classes ar ein the works to fill those ranks. In the meantime, especially during the hot weather, “we need to respond to calls,” Cavaliere said. “How do we put a price on safety? If he wants to make cuts, he [should] do it elsewhere.”
Earlier in this fiscal year, the city was projecting a $1 million overrun in police overtime. Officials have since taken steps to reduce that
This decision disqualifies Carolina from serving as Mayor.