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The City of New Haven Announces Wooster Square Monument Committee

Posted by Bud Mench Media Group -BMMG on June 29, 2020 at 12:51

The City of New Haven Announces Wooster Square Monument Committee

 

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today the City of New Haven announced that it will be forming a committee to formally decide what will succeed the Columbus statue at Wooster Square Park. This past Wednesday, the New Haven Parks Department removed the 4,000-pound bronze statue from its pedestal at the Wooster Square Park. The Christopher Columbus statue is being retained by the City after suffering multiple incidents of vandalism before its removal by the Parks Department. For historical preservation purposes, the City plans to maintain the base of the statue at Wooster Square Park, and the City is currently maintaining the Christopher Columbus statue in a secure location.

 

The Wooster Square Monument Committee will be comprised of members of the community representing the following organizations: Downtown/Wooster Square Community Management Team, Historic Wooster Square Association, New Haven Parks Commission, New Haven Cultural Affairs Commission, Arts Council of Greater New Haven, City of New Haven, Christopher Columbus Parade Committee, two New Haven Board of Alders members selected by the President, American Italian Women of Greater New Haven, St. Andrew Society, St. Andrew Ladies Society, Santa Maria Maddalena Society, Santa Maria Maddalena Ladies Society, St. Paul and St. James Episcopal Church, St. Catello Society, Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Connecticut General Assembly and the Office of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. The Wooster Square Monument Committee will coordinate with the City of New Haven to match public and private dollars and determine an appropriate monument to honor Italian-American heritage in New Haven.

 

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statement:

 

The removal of the statue of Christopher Columbus was emotional for many people in the Italian community in New Haven. While I believe it was the right decision to remove the statue, I also understand the importance of Columbus to the Italian community as a symbol of Italian heritage. We are forming the Wooster Square Monument Committee to decide how to appropriately honor the contributions to Italian-Americans in New Haven through a collaborative community process. I am looking forward to the many conversations surrounding how we can respectfully highlight Italian-American culture and do so as a community.

 

The Wooster Square Monument Committee will be co-chaired by two committee members. Below is a full list of the Wooster Monument Committee members:

 

Carl Babb, Member, New Haven Parks Commission

David Belowsky, Member, New Haven Parks Commission

Frances Calzetta, Member, American Italian Women of Greater New Haven

Frank Carrano, Member, Wooster Square Historian, Branford Resident

Elsie Chapman, Member, Historic Wooster Square Association

Andrew Consiglio, Member, Santa Maria Maddalena Society

Paul Criscuolo, Member, St. Catello Society

Rheta DeBenedett, Member, Santa Maria Maddalena Ladies Society

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Member, U.S. House of Representatives

Frank Gargano, Member, St. Andrew Society

Sarah Greenblatt, Member, Wooster Square Resident

Bill Iovanne, Member, Wooster Square Business Owner

Adriane Jefferson, Member, City of New Haven Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs

Laura Luzzi, Member, Italian Heritage Committee of Greater New Haven

Vin Mauro, Member, New Haven Resident

Charles Murphy, Member, Wooster Square Resident

Dan Onofrio, Member, CT State President Sons and Daughters of Italy in America

State Rep. Al Paolillo, Jr., Member, Connecticut General Assembly

Michael Piscitelli, Member, City of New Haven Economic Development Administrator

Cindy Rosarbo, Member, St. Andrew Ladies Society

Aleta Staton, Member, New Haven Cultural Affairs Commission

Two Representatives from the New Haven Board of Alders selected by President Walker-Myers

Neil Thomas Proto, Advisory Role, Historian

 

 

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Homicide New Haven Connecticut

Posted by Bud Mench Media Group -BMMG on June 28, 2020 at 17:14

New Haven Police Investigate Homicide

 

New Haven| New Haven Police are investigating a homicide.  The deceased is an adult male who was found in a parking lot several hundred feet behind a business near 301 Sargent Drive.  

 

On Sunday, June 28, 2020, at approximately 6:22 a.m., New Haven Fire and Police responded to a report of an unresponsive person.  Arriving emergency responders found a gunshot victim in a commercial parking lot.   The victim was pronounced deceased on scene.

 

NHPD Major Crimes detectives, NHPD Bureau of Identification forensic detectives, and personnel from the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded to the location.  Medical Examiner personnel removed the victim.

 

Crime scene detectives remained on scene during the day.

 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304.  Callers may remain anonymous or submit tips anonymously by calling 1-866-888-TIPS (1-866-888-8477).  Tips can also be texted.  Text “NHPD” plus your message to short code 274637 (CRIMES).

 

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Columbus statue removed from Wooster square

Posted by Bud Mench Media Group -BMMG on June 24, 2020 at 13:36

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New Haven Parks Dept. Officially Removes Christopher Columbus Statue

 

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Just one week after the Parks Commission voted for the removal of the Columbus Statue in Wooster Square Park, the City has announced it has been removed as of this afternoon. The statue will remain in custody with the City, ahead of planning for it to reside at the Knights of Columbus Museum. The statue holds deep ties to the Italian-American community, as it was first erected in 1892, and later recast in bronze in 1955. Prior to the statue’s removal this morning, protesters for and against the statute removal demonstrated, and some altercations broke out.

 

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statement:

 

The decision to remove the statue of Columbus today was one that was spearheaded by a group of leaders in the Italian community. While this decision for those leaders was not easy, they courageously did the right thing. I support this decision. I want to take a moment to thank those leaders for their support in recognizing the history of colonialism and its negative effects on many cultures, and their help to identify a place where the statue can reside. I know that there are some people who strongly disagree with the decision to remove the statute. People have the right to protest and express their opinions peacefully. We will work collaboratively to ensure we honor New Haven’s Italian Heritage and immigrant history. I look forward to the many community conversations surrounding what we would like to see replace the statue of Christopher Columbus, and how we can highlight other cultural icons for the many Italian-Americans that have made New Haven their home. It is disappointing that some at the protest incited fighting. New Haven has a long history of lively dialogue, but violence has no place in our city. We face a very challenging moment in history. We must work as a community to listen, understand, and have respectful dialogue with each other. This moment, while challenging, is also an opportunity to bring people together.

 

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New Haven Police Chief fires police officer 6/16/2020

Posted by Bud Mench Media Group -BMMG on June 16, 2020 at 21:40
New Haven Mayor Releases Statement on Police Commission’s Decision NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today the City of New Haven held a Board of Police Commissioners meeting where New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes recommended the firing of Officer Jason Santiago after the incident that occurred late last year. Body camera footage released last week shows Officer Santiago kicking a man in the groin, and later punching him in the face while the man was handcuffed. In a 4 to 2 vote the Police Commission decided to fire Officer Santiago. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker voted in support of Chief Reyes’ recommendation to fire Officer Santiago. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statement: I am pleased with the Board of Police Commissioner’s decision tonight. These are difficult decisions to make. I understand Officer Santiago had a good record as a New Haven Police Officer. Even so, we must have a high standard for officer conduct in the New Haven Police Department and ensure officers do not use unnecessary force. Officer Santiago’s actions, punching an individual while the individual was in handcuffs, is clearly an action that goes well beyond what is appropriate conduct. This type of behavior is not acceptable and should have significant consequences. Though we all expect there will not be conduct like this from our officers, it is crucial that when they happen, we hold the officers in question to the highest standard of excellence. Behaviors such as the action of Officer Santiago during this incident undermine the hardworking New Haven Police Officers that pride themselves in maintaining a good relationship with our community and keeping them safe. ###
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New Haven Police Identify Suspicious Death Victim

Posted by Bud Mench Media Group -BMMG on June 15, 2020 at 17:37
New Haven Police Identify Suspicious Death Victim New Haven| New Haven Police continue to investigate the death of a woman found deceased in a residential driveway on Arthur Street in the Hill neighborhood. Detectives have identified the woman as 33 year old Nancy P. Rivas of West Haven. On Friday, June 12, 2020, just after 8:15 a.m., New Haven Police and Fire responded to the 911 call of a pedestrian passerby and found an unresponsive Rivas. Emergency medical responders were unable to revive Rivas and pronounced her deceased on scene. NHPD Major Crimes detectives and NHPD Bureau of Identification forensic detectives responded to the location. At the scene, personnel from the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner removed the deceased. When asked about the death at an unrelated Friday afternoon press briefing, Assistant Chief of Investigations Karl Jacobson said the case is a suspicious death investigation. Detectives ask anyone with information to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304. Callers may remain anonymous or submit tips anonymously by calling 1-866-888-TIPS (1-866-888-8477). Tips can also be texted. Text “NHPD” plus your message to short code 274637 (CRIMES). June 15, 2020
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New Haven Announces Over One Hundred Residents Re-Housed Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted by Bud Mench Media Group -BMMG on June 15, 2020 at 17:24
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today the City of New Haven announced that Columbus House, in coordination with the Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network (GNH-CAN), has successfully housed over one hundred individuals that were experiencing homelessness amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Early in the pandemic, the City, along with (GNH-CAN) made efforts to decompress the homeless shelters and warming center by placing undomiciled individuals into local hotels. Today with the help of the State and local homeless services provider Columbus House, the City of New Haven is making strides to house these individuals. Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, data scientists at Columbus House were tracking the anticipated impact of the virus on the homeless population in the New Haven region. These early numbers were of great concern to the Columbus House team. The Columbus House team then quickly coordinated with the GNH-CAN, State Department of Housing, and the City of New Haven’s Community Services Administration (CSA) Office of Housing and Homelessness. They were able to reallocate existing funding for “rapid exit.” Rapid exit is solely from the Department of Housing. Rapid exit is designed to allow an individual to rapidly exit homelessness. These individuals have income but need a boost for things like a security deposit for a place to live, for example. “This is a testament to what community can do even in challenging times,” stated New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “As we are standing together as a community to address police brutality in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police, I want to take a moment to share how grateful I am for the continued partnership between the City’s Office of Housing and Homelessness., Columbus House, the State Department of Housing, and the Coordinated Access Network. We have housed over one hundred individuals who were experiencing homelessness in a time when we absolutely need to maintain services to those populations that need it the most. For that, I am so proud of what New Haven can do even in this time of pandemic, protest, conversation, and action,” he concluded. The Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network (CAN), which is one of eight regions across the state, found that there were over 300 individuals experiencing homelessness in the Greater New Haven region. GNH-CAN partner agencies identified homeless individuals in New Haven with an income of $700 or more a month so that they could be housed. Once the person was identified, Columbus House then matched the client to a landlord that is amenable to renting to this individual, they are interviewed by a housing specialist ahead of signing the lease. “As an early adopter of the ‘Housing First’ model, getting people permanently housed is at the core of Columbus House’s mission. Securing safe, permanent housing for over 100 people in less than 90 days during a global health crisis was nothing short of a miracle. It only happens when we enlist the collective skill and expertise of the entire community. I am extremely proud of the Columbus House staff for their dedication to those we serve,” said Margaret Middleton, Columbus House CEO. In addition to the Rapid Exit Program, clients can be housed through the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) or the Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH). PSH is an intervention that combines affordable housing assistance with support services for chronically homeless individuals. RRH rapidly re-houses individuals and families to permanent housing through a tailored package of assistance that may include time-limited financial assistance and targeted supportive services. This process typically takes about two weeks in total per individual; however, Columbus House aggressively called to identify units and complete any necessary paperwork before signing up individuals for a lease. Therefore, this two-week process was condensed into a single day. Columbus House, on average, was rehousing four to five individuals per day in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 1, 2020, they had their highest housing rate of twelve individuals that day. As of today, 117 individuals—and counting—have been housed through rapid exit. Cathleen Meaden, the Director of Housing Services at Columbus House, released the following statement on their role in this housing effort, “What COVID-19 has shown us is a reminder that housing is health care. If people are housed, they are safer, and our community is safer. We must not forget this when the pandemic is over. There is no problem that being housed doesn’t improve. If you are homeless, your health is at risk; if you are homeless, your mental health is at risk, if you are homeless, your substance abuse disorder could be at risk. Housing is healthcare, and we need not forget that.” ###
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Remove Christopher Columbus statue from Wooster Square Park

Posted by Bud Mench Media Group -BMMG on June 15, 2020 at 17:21
New Haven Mayor Releases Statement on Wooster Square Statue NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker recognizes the ongoing conversations with residents surrounding the Wooster Square neighborhood’s Christopher Columbus statue. Residents are calling for it to be removed out of respect for the cultures, lives, and societies damaged from the atrocities of colonialism, as the statue was a long-time vestige of Italian-American heritage in the Wooster Square neighborhood. Mayor Elicker released the following statement: I’m proud of the many leaders in the Italian Community who have taken proactive steps to decide to remove the Christopher Columbus statue from Wooster Square Park. The Christopher Columbus statue for many Italians is a celebration of Italian heritage. But the statue of Christopher Columbus also represents a time of colonialism and atrocities committed. It is the right decision to remove the statue. After the statue is removed, I believe it is important that we, as a community, have a conversation about how to best honor the heritage of so many Italians who have made New Haven their home. ###
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New Haven Connecticut coronavirus update 6-15-2020

Posted by Bud Mench Media Group -BMMG on June 15, 2020 at 16:23
New Haven Announces Over One Hundred Residents Re-Housed Amid COVID-19 Pandemic NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today the City of New Haven announced that Columbus House, in coordination with the Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network (GNH-CAN), has successfully housed over one hundred individuals that were experiencing homelessness amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Early in the pandemic, the City, along with (GNH-CAN) made efforts to decompress the homeless shelters and warming center by placing undomiciled individuals into local hotels. Today with the help of the State and local homeless services provider Columbus House, the City of New Haven is making strides to house these individuals. Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, data scientists at Columbus House were tracking the anticipated impact of the virus on the homeless population in the New Haven region. These early numbers were of great concern to the Columbus House team. The Columbus House team then quickly coordinated with the GNH-CAN, State Department of Housing, and the City of New Haven’s Community Services Administration (CSA) Office of Housing and Homelessness. They were able to reallocate existing funding for “rapid exit.” Rapid exit is solely from the Department of Housing. Rapid exit is designed to allow an individual to rapidly exit homelessness. These individuals have income but need a boost for things like a security deposit for a place to live, for example. “This is a testament to what community can do even in challenging times,” stated New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “As we are standing together as a community to address police brutality in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police, I want to take a moment to share how grateful I am for the continued partnership between the City’s Office of Housing and Homelessness., Columbus House, the State Department of Housing, and the Coordinated Access Network. We have housed over one hundred individuals who were experiencing homelessness in a time when we absolutely need to maintain services to those populations that need it the most. For that, I am so proud of what New Haven can do even in this time of pandemic, protest, conversation, and action,” he concluded. The Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network (CAN), which is one of eight regions across the state, found that there were over 300 individuals experiencing homelessness in the Greater New Haven region. GNH-CAN partner agencies identified homeless individuals in New Haven with an income of $700 or more a month so that they could be housed. Once the person was identified, Columbus House then matched the client to a landlord that is amenable to renting to this individual, they are interviewed by a housing specialist ahead of signing the lease. “As an early adopter of the ‘Housing First’ model, getting people permanently housed is at the core of Columbus House’s mission. Securing safe, permanent housing for over 100 people in less than 90 days during a global health crisis was nothing short of a miracle. It only happens when we enlist the collective skill and expertise of the entire community. I am extremely proud of the Columbus House staff for their dedication to those we serve,” said Margaret Middleton, Columbus House CEO. In addition to the Rapid Exit Program, clients can be housed through the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) or the Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH). PSH is an intervention that combines affordable housing assistance with support services for chronically homeless individuals. RRH rapidly re-houses individuals and families to permanent housing through a tailored package of assistance that may include time-limited financial assistance and targeted supportive services. This process typically takes about two weeks in total per individual; however, Columbus House aggressively called to identify units and complete any necessary paperwork before signing up individuals for a lease. Therefore, this two-week process was condensed into a single day. Columbus House, on average, was rehousing four to five individuals per day in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 1, 2020, they had their highest housing rate of twelve individuals that day. As of today, 117 individuals—and counting—have been housed through rapid exit. Cathleen Meaden, the Director of Housing Services at Columbus House, released the following statement on their role in this housing effort, “What COVID-19 has shown us is a reminder that housing is health care. If people are housed, they are safer, and our community is safer. We must not forget this when the pandemic is over. There is no problem that being housed doesn’t improve. If you are homeless, your health is at risk; if you are homeless, your mental health is at risk, if you are homeless, your substance abuse disorder could be at risk. Housing is healthcare, and we need not forget that.” ##
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