Kerekes: Hire New Chief

things that make you go hmmmmm

Apr 11, 2010 the mayor


On Sunday night, Mayor John DeStefano said he doesn't think it would be appropriate to call in state police.

"The city needs to police itself," he said. That's why a new batch of rookie cops was graduated last week and why his budget for next year includes even more officers, DeStefano said.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/2_more_homicides/

must say it again...things that make you go hmmm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ib5H5auk-c

Typical Jeffrey-shoot from the hip without investigating the facts.

Smarter deployment of the police force requires changes to union contracts and cannot be unilaterally mandated by the Mayor.

Subpoena power for the police civilian review board requires legislative authority from the State of Connecticut.

The latest "victim" was 20 years old - a bit old for youth at work.

Ella Grasso Boulevard should stop shooting and killing people.

SO TIRED of hearing the mayor invoke reentry every time there's a homicide. Really, the victim used to be in prison? I bet he used to be a whole lot of other things too. Poor? A parent? Under-educated? Barely out of adolescence? (which as everyone knows is a time in which all humans make their best choices) Born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut? If he was 20, I guess he was 2 years old when this mayor came to power. High rates of violence and incarceration have root causes, at least one of which is the absence or failure of basic building blocks of communities: schools, families, businesses, neighborhoods. Dealing with "prison reentry" in a vacuum is a pointless exercise.

Time for a change!

It is unfair to blame the violence in New Haven on the Mayor. It is a common political ploy by those trying to unseat an elected official. Let's face it, Mr. Kerekes may have some good ideas, but I don't believe he's an expert in law enforcement. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those that put their lives on the line to protect this city. DeStefano has rightly allowed the experts to do their work, only getting involved when the situation warrants it. Although mistakes have been (admittedly) made, the District Lt's are extremely responsive to concerns. Most New Haven residents will tell you they feel safer today than five or ten years ago. We all know the prison release and homelessness problems and their effect on the city. Stricter gun laws, stricter penalties and increased funding to support more street officers would go a long way in assisting our city's problems. Simply pointing the finger at the Mayor is irresponsible.

The only candidate who is angry is John DeStefano - he always accuses others of being angry even as he cusses them in private meetings and yells at them in public; holds press conferences accusing them of everything from stealing depositors' banks to being more interested in yachting in Florida than public safety to being a bad corporate citizen and abusing their employees as he did to YNHH as they were seeking to build Smilow Cancer Center to save people's lives.

Sorry - the whole "angry candidate" and angry citizen thing just doesn't wash any more. Empty words from an empty suit.

Fact is we have people dying in the streets every other week - their bodies left at the side of a road just like Mexico or Syria. And this mayor, who claims a police father's mantle of legitimacy for political gain across the last 20 years, can't take responsibility for it or do anything to mitigate it. He is too busy playing cop instead of letting real cops do what cops are supposed to do. How many chiefs have we had in the last 10 years? Now we have one that spends half his time in Chicago and can't find the Ville without GPS.

And just a note about partnerships with other law enforcement agencies - this is new? This is recent? Why in world is that something to brag about? It should have been going on for the last 20 years. We are just now forging these relationships? This is just like education reform - DeStefano touts what he is doing now and ignoring an entire generation of wasted lives that have been sentenced to poverty on his watch.

"Simply pointing the finger at the Mayor is irresponsible."

I don't think that is what happened here.

Rather, there is a long list of concrete proposals here, which have nothing to do with blaming the Mayor.

The main point is that many on the force dislike the Chief. I had the pleasure of taking the Citizen's police academy and doing a ride along. It was amazing to hear how much the police officers on the street feel they are being mismanaged and misdirected, but remember, this is a job where you listen to your superiors (period). Much like the military.

So, although the officers realize the issues and have the skill set and want to make our city better, they are (sorry to use the analogy) hand-cuffed by the power at the top.

On my ride along I heard from multiple officers how they felt that the "turn-around" Chief the city hired really needed to stay on for, at least, 5 years. They really respected him but all agreed 2 years was too little to make big change in a large force.

The big issue is DeStefano. As Mayor, he appoints the Board of Police Commissioners and they are all in his back pocket. They do what he says, therefore. It is the Board of Police Commissioners who should be up in arms and demanding change at the top. As a matter of fact, I believe they can make this change.

Listen to your street officers Mr. DeStefano and make a change at the top. This city is too dangerous for only have 130,000 people. Re-institute the ATV task force, put officers on the street, increase the traffic police presence and make more speeding and red-light stops.

We pay WAY TOO MUCH TAX to not have this be the city's #1 priority. When I call the police they should be responding quickly but often they cannot. Why? Because of mismanagement. Dispatch send officers all over their districts with no real order. Time is wasted driving around creation instead of putting enough officers on shifts to cover mini-areas within each district.

GO KEREKES! Even if his facts are not 100% accurate at least he is being vocal about our city's issues.

Down with the KING!!

Anon:

It is exactly what happened. In case you just skimmed the article here is the quote:

"We do not have safe streets and we will not get them if DeStefano remains in office, the longer he is in office the bloodier it gets for our youth," Kerekes said

Just how is that not pointing the finger at the Mayor? And yes, it's irresponsible and uninformed.

If anyone hasn't noticed but the real Chief of Police in New Haven is none other then John DeStefano. He has been the Chief since Nick Pastore was sent packing over his personal issues. The Mayor has controled the Department choosing every Chief and Assistant Chief since then. Years ago Chief Morrone said there is no place in Policing for Politics . He was correct when he said that but was quickly shown the door by the Delieto administration that DeStefano was a part of.
As for Community Policing thats as dead as the 20th Homicide victim. You have different cops in different cars and areas every day. Years ago they had a large book in the Patrol Division with all the car and walking beat boundries in it, but that hasn't been there in years. How is an Officer who has never patroled say Newhallville suppose to know what his beat is when there is nothing to go by.

CMP, you are quoting a press article. If someone simply said that, and then said nothing else, sure, it would sound uninformed. But clearly this issue was presented within a much larger context, including multiple new policy suggestions.

Sometimes, people just don't look beyond the surface -- more often than not because they are afraid to.

Chief Lewis seemed more engaged, seemed to care more about enforcement than Limon does. I agree - we need a real chief in charge to run the FBI's 4th most dangerous city in America. Seriously.

Ignorance Is Bliss:
Every post you make is a defence of the mayor and the status quo. The status quo has never worked and it is now to the point, where the city needs a major transformation of how it does business and addresses the concerns of the people. We want to be safe in our homes and in our streets? What's the mayor doing? Forging relationships he should have had all along. oh, and he's got a top 10 list to arrest. Great. Meanwhile, the bodies are in the streets.

As for smarter deployment of officers - are you really going to hide behind the union contract? That fig leaf doesn't cover much. If the contract needs to be changed, so be it. Why make excuses for not doing it? I haven't heard DeStefano even address that - he's too concerned with dissing the officers and whining about pensions and healthcare that he himself approved and endorsed and embraced.

Proposals from Kerekes are just that: Proposals. If you don't start with an idea, a vision, a plan or proposal for a better New Haven, you get the same old, tired, retread ideas freshened with the stench of with new gimmicks and cheap paint. We're tired of that but given your nick, you must love it.

Ignoranceisbliss> ... When Lewis came in he did one hell of a job and there was no union problem. He knew how to deploy as this chief does not unfortunately. So if subpoena power is needed and it has to be done legislatively we should go back home and suck our thumbs? If a mayor wants an entity in his city to have subpoena power he will use his legislative reps in Hartford to help that along. What Innoranceisbliss??? that is impossible? And what??? lets dismiss this 20 year old murder victim because he is 20? Lets not muddle one issue with the other!
Prison re-entry program is helpful, cannot cure all ills and will not stop the violence in itself.
And lets have a chief that stays in New Haven most of the time and visits his wife in Chicago very little. Let her come to him not pull him away from his work here. I believe in a happy home, but come on now. ... Actually better yet, lets just send him back to Chicago permanently for the sake of good policing once again.
CMP>DeStefano over the past few years never allowed a chief to do his work sufficiently and properly until Lewis came along. That didn't go well because the mayor couldn't stand the fact that Lewis actually was doing a wonderful job without the mayor's meddling. DeStefano is such a control freak and lets not pretend otherwise.
Thank you Noteworthy for your more accurate comments of our mayor!
The finger should be pointed at the mayor, he made a bad choice for a chief and it is going to get worse until the right person is in again. I don't think that is gonna happen while they mayor is mayor. ...
And last, I saw you mayor on the news the other night and ... while another young man has lost his life you are complaining about people mentioning that you are a son of a cop. Hey mayor, as the old saying goes "if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen"!!!

...you know what gets me. I talk to the teens of my community. They can not get in the summer work programs...kids who's family's are (for lack of a better term) really freaken poor! And out of towners take those coveted spots? So these struggling youth in new haven (some not all) hook up with the dealer to get the few dollars to get a soda or an ice cream or a t shirt... never stops amazing me.

We need to stop the re-active policing and start proactive... as shown in the link I posted above...this is not getting better...and when given the chance to bring the troopers in to rein things in the mayor declined.
I do have to say he is right about, it does have to start in community. I am a firm believer of this. But not without police presence in the high crime times.

Restructuring is a MUST... and I think our officers will agree, management is still lacking on many levels. There are many things we can do in the PD to make it better for us, and even better for them.

And although I like the fact that Limone has an amazing narcotic background. I am not sure if I have seen its effect in this city. There can be things in the making so I am not going to pre judge that. And I am a supporter of Jeffrey's big time...but I am not sure if it is limone that needs to go or just destefano's grip on the PD that needs to go.

you can have gallo back.

Cedar, I was with you until you got to the part where you weren't sure Limone should go or just perhaps the mayor's grip on the department.... If the chief cannot hold his ground to run the department as a department should be run (Lewis did), than Limone needs to go. And that is also why the mayor needs to go because of his habitual meddling in that department. What the h_ll does this mayor know about policing anyway. And Limone should take a stand! If he can't he should be gone also. And if he does take a stand and the mayor forces him out, well he goes out with dignity and respect.
I know you mean well Cedar, but you just took a whack a Mr.Kerekes without realizing it. He is a good candidate and lets stay on track here. I 100% agree with Mr.Kerekes.

Ora I don't see it as a wack..I am out everyday helping Jeffrey...We need him in office. But I do not have alot of understanding of the PD. And the one thing I do know is Our mayor has had his hands in it for way to long...Letting Ortiz keep his spot even when the rank voted him out, letting Billy White stay on even when he should not of. The repeated request for redistricting. The fact that the leadership is not our officers but out of towners. 100's of community member begging for troopers and him say we do not need them. The list goes on.... I can name several LT. that should be in the top of New Haven's PD. I do not think the mayor should have as much say so in the PD. He is not an officer. People in that capt. seat have to follow the same rules that other city staffers follow (johnny's keep your mouth shut rule)...not having the right to speak their minds , not informing the public of what are the true and full facts. Hiring people that are not qualified but are someones family or friend.
All of this is the mayor. So I see him being problem number one in the PD.
And the only reason I did semi defend Limone is because narcotic cases take anywhere from 6 months to a year to develop and make meaningful arrests. So as a citizen I am hoping and praying what we see with Limone is not all there is...I mean can he be that bad?? If he is god help us.

ps I concur I miss Lewis! I emailed him a few times about issues and he always got right back to me....someone he did not know...that impressed me.

... I have lived in Fair Haven For twenty seven years.I have seen my share of shootings and such. Do you know what they do to you when you are shot,You don't want to know but spend a few hours in the Yale ER on a weekend and find out before you engage the pie hole.This is not Kansas Dorothy and there is no yellow brick road.How many more of our youth have to die ? Your attitude is it is part of life , well shame on you and yes the people of this city are mad and rightfully so.He has complete confidence in the upper management of the PD-He appointed them-Enough said.Oh and how do I know what they do to you ,I am a city firefighter who has taken care of more than my share of these victims.Don't tell me my business,I know my business all too well unfortunately

Hey CMP ... Tell your side to the families who lost people to this violence.Have you ever been shot or know someone who has? Who laid off the cops ,I did'nt did you.The next time you call 911 and there is a delay and someone is trying to come into your home you think about who you are going to blame .You have a right to your opinion,but you are so far off the mark on this one.

Need not to remind you that the FBI's crime statistics place New Haven as 4th most dangerous city in the US!

Who is ultimately responsible for our City's security? someone who replied to the statistic "I don't believe in numbers"; someone who's had plenty of time to know our city and to act upon the problems that we face, someone who's been busy overspending in the wrong places, keeping his buddies in office, enjoying a hefty salary, and ruining our city, someone who doesn't have the character to admit his faults and mistakes, which we all know are more than what we can take anylonger: Destefano.

I say bye bye DeStefano...I say hello Jeffrey!

To: Sal Consiglio - Independent Candidate for Mayor

Please post the link to your campaign material so I could review all of your proposals & opinions on change. I looked on-line and was unable to find anything other than posts on this website.

Thanks.

New Haven Independent do me a favor stop taking out half of what I write.I asked Mr. Joseph where he lives to prove a point and you took my point right out of my comment.You may be afraid of this administration I for one am not. I only write the facts.If it is untrue by all means edit .But leave the meat and potatoes in my comments please. Thank you! What you took out looks like I was asking the poster's on here what it is like to get shot and I was not I was asking Mr.Joseph. First amendment protects us all .Stop being afraid to stand up for what you believe in .If that is the case than shut this site down.Thanks.

@ignoranceisbliss

Sigh. Directly from the Youth @ Work website: "The program targets in-school youth, ages 14-21, who are New Haven residents and/or attend New Haven public schools."

So, yes, at 20, Darrell Mitchell would have been eligible for Youth @ Work.

From the article: "The city and the NHPD are working with our state partners in corrections and parole to identify soon to be released individuals and begins positive interactions prior to their release."

Sigh, again. There's a pot of funding called Second Chance. There's this agency, called Easter Seals Goodwill Industries (at 95 Hamilton Street), who received the funding for their Community Re-Entry Services and to establish the New Haven Re-Entry Service Center. Part of that program has staff going into prisons before release.

So, it's not so much that this stuff is in "talks," but that it's actually happening. Just because Project MORE didn't get the money doesn't mean that another agency didn't and isn't working on this.

I know I'm probably not commenting on a thousand other things here, but I just wanted some facts straight.

Last I checked, the State of Connecticut applied for, received and awarded those Second Chance Act funds (although a misleading article in the Independent quoted mayor's staff suggesting otherwise). Where has the money gone that the city got from the feds for reentry? Hint: not far from where it landed, and not to the people providing the services. Now that's something to sigh about.

As for Youth at Work, the program should be credited for recognizing that "youth" is a category that goes beyond age 18. But if the city continues to squander the limited money it has, that program will serve fewer and fewer youth every year.

The Blood of these Black men are on your hands.

5 Police chiefs? Do we really need 5 people earning over 100k per year? The mayor and his meddling and political vendetta against the NHFD, has cost the taxpayers over 5 million dollars. John has been in office too long and needs to go......NOW.