Chief Asks Public’s Help

Frank it is not just fear of retaliation. It is the lack of response. Go into the more crime active community's across the city and ask them why they do not call anymore. Many police themselves and do not trust the police or at the least believe that they care..after all a large part of them go home to the suburbs when their day is done and I am quoting that! And the few that do care work hard but it takes a team!

I agree with cedarhill on the fear issue but the police officers your speaking to are off base. my friends are city officers who don't live in new haven but have a attachment ie; grew up in the city,still have family in the city etc. here's what there saying; 1st if you don't have a white shirt with in the police department your opinion is worthless. The chief has not addressed the rank and file patrol officers. The new asst. chief did the chief has not. This is where trust in the leader is built,CHIEF LIMON. 2nd the 911 drivin police department will fail as the crime goes up. The walking beat must be a priority . Chief Lewis sold the city a pile of BS by having every cop in a car responding to crime and not knowing the neighborhood that one patrols. The city continues to hire outside of the city ,but makes no effort to have the young officers walk the hood to see how people live that's why their is no trust with officers.The officers rely on GPS systems to get them to calls in neighborhoods that if the officers were walking they could learn a lot quicker. Lewis dumped the pager system that allowed officers to have residents page them with info. Here's a clue chief limon lets start moving with the good ideas!!!

I think the chief is giving the mayor and the public what they are asking for, instead he should be giving the both of them what they need. To allow the police to go for the throats of the want to be gangsters of new haven. We cant have our cake and eat it to. I feel walking beats are useless, it should be us(the public) to come forward and speak up, and not to be afraid of the want to be gangster. If we want this to stop, we must stop being afraid and allow the police to give us what we need rather than what we are asking for.

Hey wait, isn't the assistant chief they brought in from Chicago supposed to predict these incidents BEFORE they happen?

There are a number of people trying to do good, positive things in the Newhall area. Encouraging more positive activities can go a long way to stem the tide of chronic violence. It is horrible that racism and class-ism still play a part in the police hiring process, but we need to do what we can in spite of that situation. We can work on getting fair policing, but we got to get courageous enough to save our children. The police, alone, cannot change our neighborhoods. Racism or prejudice in hiring police is a problem to be addressed, but it does not absolve us, neighborhood residents, from trying to do our part to help curb the violence. Parents must parent. Pay attention to what your sons and daughters are up to. If you know that they've been doing wrong...check them. Angry, violent youth and young adults need our guidance. Innocent children like this 11 year old should not be shot and we not be outraged. We must not be enslaved by the violence perpetrated by our own youth and adults. Enough is Enough.

A community assembly may pull in some people (e.g., female homeowners), but will it engage younger people and men in the neighborhood? I don't think there is enough trust that the assembly would be worth their time.

It's not hard to see why, considering that Board of Education, Science Park construction contractor, and city vehicles speed through the neighborhood every day, and police drive through while talking on their cell phones, disrespecting the local population. Not to mention the potholes, faded crosswalks, lack of bike lanes and late night buses (car ownership is very low) and limited number of summer jobs.

Build up some level of trust and then ask the community to get engaged. Not the other way around. The churches in this area just did a survey and interviewed hundreds of neighbors about what they needed. Why not talk to the churches and try to find out what they found out and what they think, before trying to hold a big police meeting?

Anon, very good points... Where can we get the results of the survey? Sounds like a great starting point.
There's a positive event happening o Saturday, July 3 Block Party at Read & Shepard Streets 12 -5:30 p.m. Food, Fun, books, music, talent showcase. People are trying to make a difference in the neighborhoods.

Eastie.

You don't get it. John DeStefano's mentor, Mayor Biagio Dilieto, was a pioneer in phone taps of citizens during the civil rights and Vietnam War protests of the late 60s and early 70s when he was Police Chief. Now my thinking is that our present mayor is electronically monitoring all of us, and this site in particular. I could be wrong, but I only hope that the FBI is monitoring him as well with their latest high tech equipment. Sorry, Mr Bass. Its not good for your business, but it has to be said. I just wonder if you will publish this.