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City of New Haven Unveils William Lanson Statue

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today the City of New Haven, artist Dana King, Al Marder and the Amistad Committee, State and local elected officials formally unveiled the statue of William Lanson. William Lanson was an historical figure, an 18^th century runaway slave, who was a major property owner in New Haven, provided opportunity for many other people of color in the community, and a master engineer who worked on an array of monumental infrastructure projects that shaped the City into what it is today. The event was live streamed on the City’s FaceBook Page.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said, “Not much is known about Mr. Lanson’s early life, but one thing is abundantly clear: he has made an incredible mark on New Haven. His perseverance and ingenuity has had a lasting impact on our community that we still see today,” he concluded.

During his remarks, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker highlighted some of the great feats from William Lanson that would transform the New Haven community. At the reception just two days prior to the statue dedication, Elicker reminded attendees that Lanson extended Long Wharf in a project that lasted two years (1810-1812), making New Haven’s Long Wharf the longest wharf at that time, which would greatly improve and link the economic hubs in the community. The site of the statue dedication, the Farmington Canal Trail, also holds serious significance, as Lanson was contracted to build the wall of the harbor basin where the canal would empty.

Artist Dana King released the following statement:

I am honored to have taken a prominent role in memorializing William Lanson, who was such an important figure in the New Haven community. William Lanson built an integrated community in what is now Wooster Square, advocated for voting rights for free Black people, building vital infrastructure that increased wealth for New Haveners, yet never received the credit he deserves. He gave everything he had to create a better New Haven and died after having his property taken from him and his reputation deliberately tarnished. Now more than ever, we must honor Black lives, by rectifying mistakes of the past and present. William Lanson represents so much to African descendants: our history, our struggles, and our triumphs. Thank you to the Amistad Committee for giving me this extraordinary opportunity.

 Alder ward 22 Mrs Morrison 

Others in attendance at the event included Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs at the City Adriane Jefferson, former Mayor Toni Harp, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, President Al Marder and members of the Amistad Committee, members of the State Delegation and Board of Alders, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.

For information on William Lanson, read below or visit this link.

William Lanson, a runaway slave: a leader in the struggle for the right of free Blacks to vote; one of the founders of the Temple Street Church (now Dixwell United Church of Christ); harbored runaway slaves; owned Wooster Square.  Lanson succeeded at most everything he aspired to accomplish by pushing open and bravely walking through doors that were closed to him and other formerly enslaved and freemen/women in 19th century America. He did it by turning empty, mostly undesirable land into vibrant neighborhoods filled with housing for marginalized, invisible people. He did it employing Black people in the construction of New Haven’s early infrastructure. And he also spoke out on behalf of those whose voices were ignored. Later in life, the white power structure determined that William Lanson’s time was up. He had become way too powerful for a Black man. When that happened, the system felled him like the deeply rooted tree that he had become.

For more information on artist and sculptor Dana King, read below or visit this link.

Dana King is a classical figurative sculptor who creates public monuments of Black Bodies in Bronze. She studies the strength and resilience of African descendants and create pieces made of clay with her hands that are then cast in bronze. King prefers sculptures because they inhabit space and space is power. She believes sculpture provides an opportunity to shape culturally significant memories that determine how African descendants are publicly held and remembered. Research is fundamental to her work. When digging for threads to weave together stories of the past, there are historically generalized and racist ideologies that demand a wholesale upheaval of the normative misrepresentation of Black peoples’ emotional and physical sacrifices. African descendants deserve public monuments of truth that radiate their powerful and undying resilience created from a Black aesthetic point of view. King’s sculptures link generations by revealing common threads: shared values, experiences, and aspirations. She knows they help those alive today compare and contrast their world with that of social pioneers, both enslaved and free, whose courage and commitment to excellence helped create modern society. Dana King creates memories, hoping you see yourself and those you love in her work.

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Mayor Elicker and Lt. Governor Bysiewicz to Promote the Second Week of Restaurant Week and Officially Open Three New Restaurants in New Haven

NEW HAVEN, Conn. –  Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 23, at 12:30 PM, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and New Haven Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli will host a ribbon-cutting for three new restaurants on Court and Orange Streets and promote the continuation of New Haven’s Restaurant Week.  

The masked, socially-distant event will begin with brief remarks and ribbon-cutting in front of Crafted by Hand Café at 167 Orange Street, followed by a walk to 129 Court Street for brief comments and a ribbon-cutting for Vegan Ahava and Edible Couture.   

New Haven Restaurant Opening Press Event

Mayor Elicker, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz, Michael Piscitelli, Alders, Business Owners

167 Orange Street

New Haven, CT

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

12:30 PM

New Haven Police Investigate Westville Incidents

New Haven| New Haven Police are investigating a burglary and a shooting which occurred over the past weekend in the Westville neighborhood. 

The first investigation began around 3:12 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2020, when officers responded to a residential security alarm on Birch Drive between Ray Road and Hemlock Road.  Arriving officers met with the homeowners and were told one or more burglars had entered their home as they slept.  The suspects stole several items from inside the house and were in the process of stealing a car from the driveway when the homeowners looked outside and realized what was happening. 

Two men were stealing the victims’ parked white 2018 Volvo S90 sedan which was blocked in the driveway between another parked vehicle and the house.  In making their getaway, the thief operating the car rammed the vehicle in front of him, struck the house behind him, and hit a utility pole as the two men fled out the driveway.  

Additional officers responded to the area and canvassed the neighborhood.  At the scene, officers located additional evidence.    

The second incident occurred several blocks away and two hours later.  At approximately 5:11 a.m., patrol officers responded to reports of gunfire on West Rock Avenue between Whalley Avenue and Yale Avenue.

Arriving officers found a 19-year-old man had been shot in the shoulder after he exited the rear of his house to check on his car alarm.  Detectives believe the victim interrupted two men breaking into his vehicle.  The two men fled prior to the arrival of officers.

An ambulance transported the gunshot victim to the hospital where he has since been released.

Almost five hours after the shooting and just before 11:00 a.m., officers responded to a report of two males running away from a disabled white Volvo sedan in the roadway on Second Street between Howard Avenue and Greenwich Avenue in the Hill neighborhood.  The abandoned vehicle had been stolen in the earlier burglary.

Numerous officers responded to the area, spoke with witnesses, and searched for the suspects.  Officers reviewed video from a nearby exterior security camera that showed the Volvo being driven from Howard Avenue to Second Street as it struck a curb and a parked car. 

For further investigation, officers impounded the vehicle.

The investigations are ongoing.  Detectives are aware of similarities in the two Westville incidents but have not determined if they are in fact related.   

NHPD district manager Lieutenant Elliot Rosa said, “These incidents are not typical occurrences in Westville.  Most of our crimes are those of opportunity.  Residents and visitors are asked to please be aware their surroundings and try not to confront criminal suspects one-on-one.  Phone 9-1-1 for emergency police assistance.”

In light of recent activity, Lieutenant Rosa said NHPD patrol officers will give increased attention to portions of Westville.  He said officers will patrol the area more often.   

Anyone with information about the recent incidents is asked to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Previous 9/19/2020

New Haven| Saturday, September 19, at approximately 5:11 AM, New Haven patrol officers responded to a report of gunfire on West Rock Avenue between Whalley Avenue and Yale Avenue in the Westville neighborhood.

Arriving officers found a gunshot victim outside his W. Rock Avenue residence.  The 19-year-old man had been shot twice.  Emergency medical responders arrived and an ambulance transported the victim to the hospital where he remains in stable condition. 

Investigators believe the man was shot after he exited the rear of his house to check on his car alarm.

For several hours, officers held a crime scene as detectives canvassed the area.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304.  Callers may remain anonymous

Mayor Elicker and New Haven Free Public Library to Make “Fine Free” Announcement

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Tomorrow morning New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, members of the Board of Alders, City Librarian John Jessen, Library Board President Shana Schneider, Library Foundation President Michael Morand, and fellow Board Members and Library Staff will host a press conference on the steps of the Ives Library announcing NHFPL has gone fine free. Many municipalities across the country have implemented fine free protocols, with the Elm City being the latest to implement such a policy.

Under the new policy, NHFPL materials will no longer accrue daily overdue fines. Library members remain responsible for the replacement charges for lost and damaged items and library card replacement fees. Materials not returned for 14 days after the final due date will be considered lost and members will be billed the replacement cost and borrowing privileges will be suspended for cards with a balance of over $20.  At any time, returned materials will have all associated fees cancelled and borrowing privileges for library cards will be restored when materials are returned or balance is paid in full.  Materials that are obtained through Interlibrary Loan are borrowed from other libraries, and therefore may still be subject to fines incurred at the lending library.

NHFPL Fine Free Press Conference

Mayor Elicker, Alders, John Jessen, Shana Schneider,

Michael Morand, Library Board Members and Staff

133 Elm Street,

New Haven, CT 06510

Steps of the Ives Main Library

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

10:00 AM

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NEW HAVEN BLACK LIVES MATTER STREET MURAL

The City of New Haven Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs welcomes the first of a series of Black Lives Matter street murals to the City 

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The City of New Haven Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with Black Lives Matter New Haven, community organizers, and local artist Kwadwo Adae welcomed a series of mural projects being implemented in solidarity and support of the Black Lives Matter movement in the City of New Haven. The mural painting and the all-day event occurred Saturday, September 19, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Bassett Street between Dixwell Avenue and Watson Street.

In response to the growing number of Black Lives Matter street murals across the country, New Haven became the latest community to do so. The project aims to support the ongoing efforts of Black Lives Matter New Haven, who is helping shape the larger meaning of the project in the community, as well as provide an opportunity for creative expression and professional development to local artists and community members. The first mural planned for Bassett Street will be a part of what hopes to become a city-wide effort to establish cultural districts throughout New Haven and provide opportunities for Arts & Culture related to economic development through an anti-racist lens.

“I was so grateful to be a part of this celebration of black and brown culture in New Haven,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “I am looking forward to future art installations across the City, and want to thank Adriane Jefferson and the Arts and Cultural Affairs Department, Black Lives Matter New Haven, artist Kwadwo Adae, and all those that came out today to make this such a great success,” he concluded.

The frontline artist, Kwadwo Adae, directed the artistic rendering of the mural with the community-at-large, collectively helping to paint each letter in 1-hour intervals throughout the day. Black Lives Matter New Haven had a series of art vendors, open mic performers, and tables for community organizations, and voter registration throughout the day. All activities will take place across Bassett Street between Dixwell Avenue and Watson Street with the open mic performances happening on the Watson and Bassett Community Greenspace.

“I am overjoyed to see so many public art projects being installed in the City of New Haven during the difficult times we have all been collectively experiencing during the pandemic,” said artist Kwado Adae.

The mural and event were sponsored by contributions from The City of New Haven, Black Lives Matter New Haven, The Arts Council of Greater New Haven, Neighborhood Music School, International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Music Haven, and several private donors.

“We are excited about the Black Lives Matter murals that will be going up around the city and with our partnership with BLM New Haven,” said Adriane Jefferson, the City’s Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs. “This is the continuation of an emergence of art in our City that rethinks public art through an anti-racism lens and centers Black, Indigenous, people of color’s voices. Last month, we were able to install the work of Isaac Bloodworth right outside of City Hall in a beautiful commissioned piece that showcases the importance of Black Joy and amplifying marginalized voices. Today’s event embodied that same message and spirit,” she concluded.

For more information on how to donate, please contact Kim Futrell via email, KFutrell@newhavenct.gov.

About the Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs:

The mission of the Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism is to improve the quality of life for New Haven residents. By celebrating arts, culture, and tourism, it becomes a catalyst for economic development, civic engagement, and spiritual uplift. We assist, promote, and encourage artists, arts and cultural organizations and events in New Haven. Our department serves as the steward for the municipal collection of globally inspired public art.

For more information on the Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs, click the link here and follow on Instagram @NewHavenCultural. For more information on Black Lives Matter New Haven, follow them on Instagram @BlackLivesMatter NewHaven. For more information on Kwadwo Adae follow him on Instagram @KwadwoAdae.

###FACEBOOK LIVE LINK NEW HAVEN BLACK LIVES NH MATTER STREET MURAL

Willam Lanson....The first rich black man in New Haven. He built the long wharf dock, the New Haven portion of the Farmington canal and was a founding member of the Dixwell Congregational church....Including he was the owner of a hotel he built for slaves (former) in Wooster Square...
The event will be held on Saturday 9/26/2020, at 10am to 11:30am 55 lock street

For more Info RSVP click here William Lanson Dedication

The City of New Haven Releases Guidance on Low to High-Risk Sports

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Given the growing concern from the community surrounding sports activities, the City of New Haven today released guidance for low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk sports amid the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. This information will be posted on the City’s COVID-19 hub.

“We know that sports are a vital part of our community and deeply important to many residents. We must be guided by science and the public health parameters set by the State of Connecticut and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). I want to thank our team for putting this together with the health and well being of our residents in mind,” said New Haven Director of Public Health Maritza Bond.

“This decision is difficult and not taken lightly. We know that this has been a frustrating and challenging time for many members of our community,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.  “However, it is the right decision to follow State Department of Health guidance regarding sports to ensure that we reduce the spread of COVID-19 and more quickly return to normality and regular sports seasons,” he concluded. 

Below are the City of New Haven’s classification of each sport in accordance with state and federal guidance, and a final determination by the New Haven Public Health Department. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance from the State Department of Public Health (DPH), high-risk sports will not be allowed during the fall 2020 season. In addition, moderate risk sports will be allowable only within compliance with State DPH guidelines using mitigation strategies as outlined by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), which can be found here.

In accordance with DPH guidance, pre-season conditioning is a critical safety component for high school athletes and, therefore, will be allowed under the following conditions:

• The activities are limited to those directed at improving athletes’ aerobic conditioning, as well as sports-specific contact drills
• Athlete cohort size should be limited to 10 individuals
• Cohorting of athletes during conditioning and practices should continue through the entire season, when practicable
• To the extent possible, all conditioning and practice activities through the entire season should take place outdoors in areas with sufficient space to allow for appropriate distancing. If indoor gym spaces or weight rooms must be used, they should be limited to use by a single cohort at one time and only used in compliance with the DECD sector rules for commercial gyms (i.e., use of masks, adequate spacing of machines, capacity limits, etc.). Schools that do not have appropriate space or other resources to comply with commercial gym sector rules should limit conditioning and practice activities to outdoor only.
• Sufficient staffing should be available to directly supervise the activities of each cohort of athletes separated at all times
• Face coverings, social distancing, and all other mitigation strategies outlined in the CIAC Resocialization of Interscholastic Athletics & Activities Guidance should continue to be strictly enforced, trained, and reinforced.”

*All of this information is subject to change based on updated guidance from the Department of Public Health and as we continue to closely monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  For more information, visit the New Haven COVID-19 website.

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Mayor Elicker, Gov. Lamont Celebrate 100th Anniversary of New Haven Union Station

Federal, state, & local officials and development partners also on hand for a salute to City landmark, unveiling of the new management agreement, and planned station improvements.    

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Mayor Justin Elicker joined Gov. Ned Lamont, and a delegation of federal, state, and local elected officials and economic development partners to celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of Union Station. The celebration, initially scheduled for April 5, the actual centennial of the station's April 5, 1920 dedication, was postponed amidst the shutdown in response to COVID-19. In addition to celebrating the building itself and its vital importance to City and state, officials used Thursday's event to announce a new partnership agreement to manage the two rail stations in New Haven owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).

"This is not just a celebration of the important place this building holds in the history of New Haven, it is a tribute to the vital role it continues to play in the state's transportation infrastructure and the redevelopment of downtown," said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. "It is not only an architectural landmark, but it is also the gateway to the City and a cornerstone in our ongoing revitalization efforts. Union Station is so much more than a building; it is an essential element of the City's evolution in the century to come," he concluded. 

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Union Station was designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, the creator of the towering neo-Gothic Woolworth building in lower Manhattan. With its 30-foot coffered ceilings, grand clock, soaring windows, and wide wooden benches, Union Station is an architectural gem as well as a busy transportation hub for New Haven and the Greater New York Region. Union Station is the busiest rail facility in the state of Connecticut and one of the most active rail lines in the United States: transporting 125,000 passengers on weekdays, 39 million a year, and driving nearly $50 million of revenue annually into the local economy.

The station is also a centerpiece of redevelopment projects taking shape in the downtown neighborhoods surrounding it. Those projects include Downtown Crossing, a long-term, multi-phase project reconnecting the City's medical district and Hill neighborhood with the central business district. As part of that plan, a section of Route 34 – a limited-access highway connector – is being converted into urban boulevards and new city streets. Construction on Phase 2 - funded by a $21.5 million grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic Development (DECD) and $7 million from a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) - is expected to be completed by summer 2021.

Partnerships with private developers and institutions are also reshaping the downtown landscape, including the construction of 101 College Street, a 500,000 square-foot medical and life sciences office building; Parkview City Crossing, a 148,000 square-foot mixed-use development at 22 Gold Street featuring 600 units of new housing; and the ongoing growth and innovation at Yale-New Haven Health and Yale University fueled by a $400 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

"Union Station is no longer just a commuter hub, it's a focal point of a neighborhood – a welcome mat for New Haven," said Michael Piscitelli, Economic Development Director for the City of New Haven.

Other dignitaries in attendance Thursday included Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti, U.S Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, State Rep. Roland Lamar, Ward 6 Alder Carmen Rodriguez, and members of the New Haven Board of Alders.

The terms of the partnership agreement outlined in a letter of intent and signed by the state of Connecticut and the City, include operation of Union Station and State Street Station, capital improvements to the Union Station Campus, and the area around the station. The agreement establishes a new 35-year lease and funding agreement between CTDOT and the City, with two 10-year extension options, that will allow the City through Park New Haven to lease and operate the Union Station Transportation Campus. Improvements include revamping the basement, first and second floors of the station to allow for new retail options, and reconfiguring escalators, elevators, and stairs for better access and use of space.

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Swearing-In of New Haven Police Recruits for P.O.S.T. Academy.  

WHEN: Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at 12:00 PM.

WHERE: 3^rd Floor Atrium of New Haven Police Department, 1 Union Avenue, New Haven.

WHO: NHPD Chief Otoniel Reyes, Assistant Chief Herb Sharp, Assistant Chief Renee Dominguez, Assistant Chief Karl Jacobson, Training Academy Commander Lieutenant Robert Maturo, Training Academy Deputy Commander Sergeant Shayna Kendall, Recruitment Sergeant Dana Smith, NHPD Command Staff, Law Enforcement, News Media, and Invited Guests.

WHAT: Six Police Candidates Will Be Sworn-In Prior to Attending Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy

Mayor Justin Elicker and City Staff Announce Budget Surplus, Despite Ongoing Pandemic 

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today Mayor Justin Elicker,  acting City Controller Michael Gormany, and City staff announced that the City ended FY 2020 with an estimated fund balance surplus of  $17.6 million, an increase of $1.9 million. The City’s annual budget cycle ends June 30, but it takes approximately two months each year to reconcile and report exact year-end budget figures. That process is nearly complete. 

Elicker attributed the bigger surplus this year to a combination of difficult financial decisions made by the City’s budget office, New Haven Public Schools, the Board of Alders and many department heads and hard work by staff of departments that bring in revenue. Reduced expenses related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to the increase.  

“Through various initiatives and expenditure controls introduced early in the fiscal year, The City was able to offset the decline in revenue by reducing expenditures by $5.9 million,” Elicker said. “Our coordinated approach to trimming costs contributed to this positive outcome for City taxpayers, as did lower than expected expenses in health care and other areas. At a time when many municipal budgets are being upended, New Haven has managed through this fiscal year without laying off or furloughing City employees and without a deficit, ” he concluded.

At a press conference Tuesday, Elicker and Gormany detailed the findings of a Pre-Audit Report issued by the controller’s office. The report will be available online later this week for review. According to the report, the City had a projected general fund deficit of $650,000, a significant reduction from the $13-$15 million deficit projected in March. When the general fund deficit is combined with the medical fund, workers compensation fund and liability insurance fund, the City is ending with a $1.9M surplus.

Contributing factors included higher tax collection, building permit, and real estate conveyance tax revenues. The City also collected more revenue from parking tags and meters between June and March. However, that revenue was still less than budgeted.

Cost control measures contributing to the $5.9 million reduction in expenditures over revenue declines include:

• The Board of Education balancing its budget despite a significant deficit earlier in the year;  
• Hiring controls enacted by the Office of Management and Budget and Human Resources departments;
• Switching retirees to a Medicare Advantage Plan, among other measures, that resulted in City  Medical Fund revenue exceeding expenses by $2.2 million;
• Savings from lower medical costs;
• Lower than expected workers compensation claims;
• Resolving outstanding claims within the Litigation Fund budget

“All these factors increased the City’s fund balance from $15.7 to $17.6 million,” Gormany said. “That’s good news for taxpayers and a testament to our ability to find significant savings even in these challenging times. I want to thank City department heads and staff for the hard work they did to help achieve these savings while still maintaining services. That is no small achievement. We can be very proud,” he concluded.  

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Mayor Elicker, Rep. DeLauro to Announce $1M Awarded to New Haven Firefighters

Will Conduct a Live Exercise at the Fire Training Academy

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – On Wednesday, September 9, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Fire Chief John Alson, and City Officials will announce the City has been awarded $920,400 for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, the largest recipient in the state. AFG is administered through FEMA, and these funds will be used to acquire new breathing apparatuses for the New Haven Fire Department.

AFG Announcement and Live Burn Demonstration

Mayor Elicker, Rep. DeLauro, Chief Alston, Rick Fontana, Alder Antunes, City Officials

New Haven Fire Training Academy

230 Ella T. Grasso Boulevard

New Haven, CT 06519

Wednesday, September 9

1:00 PM

Speakers will include New Haven Mayor Elicker, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, New Haven Fire Chief John Alston, and Emergency Operations Director Rick Fontana. Following the speakers, New Haven Firefighters will conduct a live burn on-site to demonstrate the proper use of the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

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City of New Haven to Cover Digital Divide Ahead of 10-Weeks of Distance Learning for Students

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – With the recent announcement of the Connecticut State Department of Education allocating $100M in funding to local schools from the CARES act, the City of New Haven and the State of Connecticut will announce that every child will have access to the internet and to a device to facilitate online learning. Given that New Haven Public Schools will start the school year with online-only learning, the City, New Haven Public Schools (NHPS), and the Board of Education are working to provide access to all students that would have been left behind in the digital divide by expanding WiFi internet access in neighborhoods of need, providing devices for students and families that need them for distance learning, and additional connectivity support.

Mayor Elicker, Superintendent Dr. Tracey, and others will host a press conference tomorrow morning in the parking lot of Career High School to outline plans for NHPS to cover the digital divide while meeting residents in line for their devices.

City of New Haven Press Conference Addressing the Digital Divide

Mayor Elicker, Superintendent Dr. Tracey, BOE COO Mike Pinto, Sabina Sitaru

Hill Regional Career High School

140 Legion Ave., Orchard Street Parking Lot

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

10 AM

New Haven Police Announce Drag Racing Initiative 

New Haven| On Saturday, August 22, 2020, the New Haven Police Department began enhanced enforcement of motor vehicle laws for drag racing.  The enforcement was aimed at those motor vehicle operators and participants who engage in street racing, reckless driving, and illegal obstruction of city streets.

During the effort, which began at sunset and went into the overnight, uniformed and plainclothes officers and detectives monitored areas of the city where drag racing has been reported or known to occur.  Law enforcement personnel shut down motor vehicle traffic and took enforcement action whenever racing started.

Assistant Chief of Operations Renee Dominguez said, “Our efforts are in response to citizen complaints and public safety concerns for other motorists, pedestrian spectators, and the drag racers themselves. This weekend’s enforcement resulted in no reported injuries to the motoring public, racers, or our officers.”

One city resident complainant from the Foxon Boulevard (Route 80) and Quinnipiac Avenue area recently wrote, “But when you can’t have a conversation on the side porch in the afternoon because of the frequent roar of loud cycles and cars, and then the weekend late night noise that disrupts the peace and quiet of the area, we believe it is our obligation not to surrender our streets.”

While officers monitored Foxon Boulevard and other locations this weekend, most of enforcement was conducted when racers gathered near a Sargent Drive gas station; on a portion of Ella Grasso Boulevard in the Hill section of New Haven; and near Fort Hale Park.

Whenever possible, officers made arrests by issuing misdemeanor summonses rather than by making custodial arrests.  This weekend’s enforcement resulted in the following:

• 16 misdemeanor summonses.

• 18 infraction tickets.

• Nine vehicles towed.    

• Two custodial arrests.  

• One arrest warrant served.   

• Five drug arrests.  

NHPD Chief Otoniel Reyes added, “We are committed to addressing this quality of life issue in a safe manner that fits within our department policies and holds violators accountable. We will increase our enforcement efforts to include use of noise meters, window tint meters, and additional speed enforcement devices

Off-Duty New Haven Firefighter Injured By Saturday
Night Gunfire
New Haven| An off-duty City of New Haven firefighter remains hospitalized
in stable condition after being shot Saturday as he walked near his home.
The shooting happened Saturday, August 22, 2020.
At approximately 7:15 p.m., New Haven Fire, American Medical Response,
New Haven Police, and Hamden Police responded to a 911 call of a person
shot outside a residence on Shelton Avenue between Read Street and the
Hamden town line near Goodrich Street. Arriving emergency medical
responders treated the gunshot victim on scene and an ambulance
transported the 28 year old New Haven man to Yale New Haven Hospital.
New Haven and Hamden officers located evidence of gunfire in the roadway
and on the sidewalk. Officers held a crime scene on a portion of Shelton
Avenue in New Haven and Hamden. NHPD Major Crimes detectives canvassed
the neighborhood Saturday night and Sunday morning. The streets have
since been reopened.
As of Sunday morning, the victim remains hospitalized with non-life
threatening injuries.
New Haven Fire Chief John Aston said, “My office was notified immediately by
the Dispatchers at the Public Safety Access Point. We were shocked to hear
of the incident and are grateful for the rapid emergency medical service . 

provided to our member. A special thank you to the members of NHFD
Engine 8, NHPD, PSAP, and Hamden Medic Matt Kellick.
The members of Engine 8 were placed off-duty after this ordeal, to assist
them with processing the stress and trauma of responding to a critical
emergency involving one of our own. This highlights our concerns and
frustrations with gun violence in our city.
We are grateful our member is stable. We are here to support him and his
family during this trying time of trauma and healing. Our prayers are for a
speedy recovery.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the New
Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304. Callers may remain anonymous.

itCity of New Haven Announces Community Crisis Response Team

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, Community Services Administrator Dr. Mehul Dalal, Project Fresh Start Coordinator Carlos Sosa-Lombardo, Police Chief Otoniel Reyes, Fire Chief John Alston, City Staff, and community partners hosted a press conference at City Hall announcing the launch of a process to create a Community Crisis Response Team. In response to the New Haven Police Department fielding thousands of calls for service during the year, the Community Crisis Response Team program will be aimed at providing a more holistic approach to certain service calls that may not require Police. The vision for the mobile crisis intervention unit is that it will be made up of teams with expertise in harm reduction, mental health, substance use, and other social supports that will be dispatched to appropriate calls through the 9-1-1 call center. Mayor Elicker and others unveiled the vision for the crisis response team, the process the City has begun to undertake to create this group and outlined other details of the program goals at the press conference.

“Our goal with the Mobile Crisis Response Team is to ensure the people with the right expertise and skills respond to the right calls. Currently, our Police Officers are often required to respond to many calls that might be better suited for someone with other expertise such as mental health or substance use. The vision for the mobile crisis response team is to respond to lower acuity calls so Police can focus on violence prevention,” stated New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “Our Police Department is working hard to ensure public safety in our community, but we must be more thoughtful about what it means to keep our community safe. The Mobile Crisis Response Teams are intended to reduce the strains on our Police Department and improve the outcomes of 911 calls,” he concluded. 

The proposal calls for the creation of mobile crisis intervention units that will be dispatched through the 9-1-1 call center. These units will be staffed by a social worker, nurse, or EMT to field service calls to lower acuity situations. The City of New Haven has learned from other programs in the country that have worked well in emphasizing de-escalation, harm reduction, and connection to City services. These findings from similar programs will assist the City in uniquely implementing a plan for the context of social issues in New Haven.

One program that the City learned from was called Crisis Assistance Helping Out On the Streets (CAHOOTS) program implemented by the White Bird Clinic in Eugene, Oregon. CAHOOTS relies on effective communication, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction. The goal of this program was not to fix an issue, but rather to connect the person in need with immediate services from the City. CAHOOTS also aimed at emergency room diversion and jail diversion for individuals. Early estimates of the CAHOOTS program indicate it saves Eugene, Oregon, about $8.5M annually. Another program, Denver Support Team Assisted Response (STAR), was spearheaded by the Denver Justice Project, and also aims at re-envisioning police response in the community. The STAR program was actually based on Eugene, Oregon’s CAHOOTS, and launched on June 1 or this year. STAR specifically diverts some 9-1-1 calls from the police department to mental health services by re-envisioning public safety using harm reduction models.

“There are so many ways in which the Community Crisis Response Team can help alleviate the calls for service to our first responders,” stated Community Services Administrator Dr. Mehul Dalal. “We have learned from many municipalities and local governments different ways to address issues residents are facing, but without impacting our limited resources,” he concluded.

The City’s vision is to implement the creation of the Mobile Crisis Response Teams in three phases. There will be a planning phase of approximately six months. During the planning phase, we will collect community and stakeholder input, and establish a strong collaboration with relevant city agencies and service providers to implement the program. During the first phase, we will pilot the program on a smaller scale, potentially with limited hours of service and geographic limitations within the City. The subsequent phases will scale up operations until the third phase, where the City hopes to implement a 24/7 service provision covering the whole City.

“Connecting residents to critical services in the City will greatly improve the work we do at City Hall,” said Fresh Start Coordinator Carlos Sosa-Lombardo. “Working directly with the reentry community has its challenges because many are caught up in a vicious cycle that leads them back to jail or prison. This program will seek to break that cycle. Having a program in place to link residents with services during the moment of a crisis is a step in the right direction to re-envision how local government serves our residents,” he concluded.

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City of New Haven to Announce Community Crisis Response Team

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Tomorrow afternoon New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, Community Services Administrator Dr. Mehul Dalal, Project Fresh Start Coordinator Carlos Sosa-Lombardo, Police Chief Otoniel Reyes, Fire Chief John Alston, City Staff, and community partners will host a press conference at City Hall announcing the launch of a process to create a Community Crisis Response Team.

In response to the New Haven Police Department fielding thousands of calls for service during the year, the Community Crisis Response Team program will be aimed at providing a more holistic approach to certain service calls that may not require police. The vision for the mobile crisis intervention unit is that it will be made up of teams with expertise in harm reduction, mental health, substance use, and other social supports that will be dispatched to appropriate calls through the 9-1-1 call center. Mayor Elicker and others will unveil the vision for the crisis response team, the process the City has begun to undertake to create this group, and outline other details of the program goals at the press conference.

Community Crisis Response Team Press Conference

Mayor Justin Elicker, Dr. Dalal, Carlos Sosa-Lombardo,

Chief Reyes, Chief Alston, City Staff, and Local Partners

New Haven City Hall

165 Church Street, 2^nd Floor Atrium

New Haven, CT 06510

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

5:00 PM

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City of New Haven Issues New Guidance on School Sports

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today the City of New Haven Health Department issued guidance on school fall sports for the upcoming school year surrounding safety with the COVID-19 pandemic. Director of Public Health for the City, Maritza Bond, issued a letter to New Haven Public School parents.

“I know how important sports are to the lives of so many students and families. I can assure you that this decision was not made lightly. We must ensure the safety and health of our students and community so that we can overcome the virus and get back to normal life sooner,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

New Haven Public School Superintendent Dr. Ilene Tracey released the following statement, “New Haven Public Schools takes the health, safety, and welfare of all our students seriously. I know how sports have become an important fabric of school and community life and culture.  However, with the COVID 19 pandemic still here, we want to be confident that we educate our students in a safe way. The State and local Health Departments have determined that contact sports are not safe for our students at this juncture. I want to thank them for taking this action on behalf of our students and families,” she concluded. 

The following letter from Health Director Maritza Bond reads:

August 14, 2020

To All Parents and Guardians of Student Athletes

The City of New Haven Health Department continues to closely monitor COVID-19 activity and trends in our community and across the country.  In collaboration with the New Haven Public Schools, this data is reviewed so that we can take whatever action is necessary to protect the health and safety of all students and staff.  Under these challenging  circumstances, it is necessary for the City to make decisions regarding the wisdom of allowing for school sporting events involving  both moderate and high risk sports to be held at this time, particularly given the recommendations of the  Department of Public Health that such activities be postponed for until Spring 2021. 

Moderate risk sports fall into three categories: (1) those that involve close, sustained contact, but with protective equipment in place that may reduce the likelihood of respiratory particle transmission between participants or (2) those sports that involve intermittent close contact or group sports or (3) those sports that use equipment that cannot be cleaned between participants.

Examples of moderate risk sports as defined by the CDC guidance and under the Reopen CT guidance include: volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, water polo, gymnastics, ice hockey, field hockey, tennis, swimming relays, pole vault, high/long jump, girls lacrosse, crew with two or more rowers.

High risk sports are those that involve close, sustained contact between athletes without significant protective barriers, creating a high risk that respiratory particles will be transmitted between participants.  These sports also require shared equipment and gear which can cause the virus to be transmitted.  Social distancing is also difficult to maintain during games/practices/scrimmages for these sports. 

Examples of high-risk sports as defined by the CDC and under the Reopen Connecticut guidance include wrestling, football, basketball, boy’s lacrosse, competitive cheer, and dance.

Therefore, the City of New Haven will only permit conditioning training for high risk and moderate risk sports. Following the issued August 13, 2020 letter from the Department of Public Health recommendation letter, games or practices that involve physical contact will not be allowed at this time.

We recognize that this decision will come as a disappointment to many parents and students. We will continue to monitor the status of the pandemic and keep families updated as information becomes available.

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Hamden Man Due In Court After Wednesday Night Stabbing  

New Haven| A 40 year old Hamden man is facing criminal charges in Superior Court today after a stabbing incident last night. Edward Dingle is charged with stabbing a New Haven man multiple times outside a Davenport Avenue residence.  Dingle is also charged with punching a person who tried to break up the dispute between Dingle and the victim.

The stabbing victim remains hospitalized in stable condition.

NHPD patrol officers arrested Dingle near the scene.  An ambulance transported Dingle to the hospital for a medical evaluation and officers later transferred him to the NHPD Union Avenue Detention Center.

This morning, officers transferred Dingle to an arraignment hearing in New Haven Superior Court at 235 Church Street.  Edward Dingle is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail and is charged with the following:

• Assault first degree.
• Assault third degree.
• Carrying a dangerous weapon.
• Breach of peace second degree.

The investigation of the stabbing is ongoing.  Detectives are asking witnesses and anyone with security camera video of the area to contact the New Haven Police Department at