Blogs

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

City of New Haven Announces Director of Youth and Recreation

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced the appointment of Gwendolyn Busch Williams as the first Director of the Youth and Recreation Department. This inaugural role will ensure the fluidity of recreation activities from the Parks Department to the Youth Services Department, as entailed in the Approved Budget for FY 2020-2021. The New Haven FY 20-21 Budget takes the recreation activities from the Parks Department, and it places them under the newly formed Youth and Recreation Department.

“I am so excited for Gwen to lead this newly formed department and serve the youth of the Elm City,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “Though our City faces many fiscal challenges, we have always maintained services for our youth and populations of need, such as our homeless populations and the elderly. I am looking forward to working with Gwen, serving, leading and inspiring the youth of New Haven,” he concluded.

Mrs. Busch Williams started her career at City Hall in 2007 when the Youth Employment Program was brought back to the City as Youth at Work. Her latest role in City Hall was Program Manager in the Youth Services Department. She will now lead the newly formed Youth and Recreation Department.

“Gwen is a strong advocate, a highly capable administrator, and an enthusiastic leader,” said Dr. Mehul Dalal, the City’s Community Services Administrator, who oversees the Youth and Recreation Department. “She is perfectly suited to lead the newly integrated Youth and Recreation Department,” he concluded.

Mrs. Busch Williams has acquired an undergraduate degree in Interpersonal Communications from the University of Connecticut (UCONN), a Masters Degree in Urban Studies from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), and a Masters of Social Work from SCSU. She is currently completing her Doctorate Degree in Social Work at SCSU. Additionally, Mrs. Busch Williams is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with her State of Connecticut 071 certification for school social work.

“To whom much is given much is required. I am humbled to have been selected as the inaugural Director for the Youth and Recreation Department. Thank you to Mayor Elicker for this honor. I pledge to continue prodigious programming to serve the youth of this City and will not be afraid to give up the good to go for the great,” concluded Director Bush Williams.

###

City of New Haven Announces Director of Youth and Recreation

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced the appointment of Gwendolyn Busch Williams as the first Director of the Youth and Recreation Department. This inaugural role will ensure the fluidity of recreation activities from the Parks Department to the Youth Services Department, as entailed in the Approved Budget for FY 2020-2021. The New Haven FY 20-21 Budget takes the recreation activities from the Parks Department, and it places them under the newly formed Youth and Recreation Department.

“I am so excited for Gwen to lead this newly formed department and serve the youth of the Elm City,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “Though our City faces many fiscal challenges, we have always maintained services for our youth and populations of need, such as our homeless populations and the elderly. I am looking forward to working with Gwen, serving, leading and inspiring the youth of New Haven,” he concluded.

Mrs. Busch Williams started her career at City Hall in 2007 when the Youth Employment Program was brought back to the City as Youth at Work. Her latest role in City Hall was Program Manager in the Youth Services Department. She will now lead the newly formed Youth and Recreation Department.

“Gwen is a strong advocate, a highly capable administrator, and an enthusiastic leader,” said Dr. Mehul Dalal, the City’s Community Services Administrator, who oversees the Youth and Recreation Department. “She is perfectly suited to lead the newly integrated Youth and Recreation Department,” he concluded.

Mrs. Busch Williams has acquired an undergraduate degree in Interpersonal Communications from the University of Connecticut (UCONN), a Masters Degree in Urban Studies from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), and a Masters of Social Work from SCSU. She is currently completing her Doctorate Degree in Social Work at SCSU. Additionally, Mrs. Busch Williams is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with her State of Connecticut 071 certification for school social work.

“To whom much is given much is required. I am humbled to have been selected as the inaugural Director for the Youth and Recreation Department. Thank you to Mayor Elicker for this honor. I pledge to continue prodigious programming to serve the youth of this City and will not be afraid to give up the good to go for the great,” concluded Director Bush Williams.

###

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.

Two New Haven Men Due in Court after Yesterday’s Shooting

New Haven| Two New Haven men are facing criminal charges in Superior Court today after a police pursuit and shooting yesterday.  The incident began just after 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, when a New Haven patrol officer heard gunfire on Howard Avenue in the Hill neighborhood.  Simultaneously, a ShotSpotter alert indicated gunfire in the area of Howard Avenue and First Street.

The officer spotted a car travelling at a high rate of speed from the area of the gunfire.  The officer notified police dispatch and began to pursue the vehicle.  The pursuit went north on Howard Avenue, to Spring Street, to Union Avenue.  As the pursuit passed police headquarters on Union Avenue, additional officers began to follow the pursuit.

The pursuit continued north on State Street and eventually turned right onto Ferry Street and into the Fair Haven section of New Haven.  From Ferry Street the pursuit turned onto Fox Street which is a dead end street.  The pursuit ended as the pursued vehicle made a U-turn to face the pursuing police vehicles. 

Officers conducted a felony traffic stop and removed the occupants from the vehicle.  30 year old passenger Kenneth McCauley had two loaded handguns in his pants.  31 year old vehicle operator Troy Mitchell had a bullet in his sweatshirt pocket.  Officers detained the New Haven men without further incident and transported them to police headquarters.

Around the time the pursuit ended, a gunshot victim from Howard Avenue arrived by private vehicle at Yale New Haven Hospital.  As of Thursday morning, the 32 year old New Haven man remains hospitalized in critical condition with life threatening injuries.  The shooting investigation is ongoing and the two men arrested for the pursuit have not been charged for the shooting but only for weapons and pursuit related violations.

Kenneth McCauley is being held in lieu of $310,000 bail and is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Interfering with an officer.
• A domestic violence arrest warrant.

Troy Mitchell is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail and is charged with the following:

• Criminal possession of ammunition.
• Interfering with an officer.
• Engaging police in pursuit.

• Additional motor vehicle violations.

This morning, officers transferred both men to the Superior Court at 235 Church Street.

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.

##

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

###

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.

##

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 

New Haven| The New Haven Police Department Special Victims Unit (SVU) is investigating the drug overdose of a New Haven child.  The investigation began Saturday, August 8,2020, at approximately 12:40 p.m. when New Haven Police and Fire responded to a 911 call of an unresponsive child at a Norton Street residence.

Arriving officers learned the 17 month old girl had likely ingested adult medication.  An ambulance transported the victim to Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital where she remains in extremely critical condition in the pediatric intensive care unit..

SVU detectives responded to the hospital and Norton Street.  Officers notified the state Department of Children and Families (DCF). A DCF investigator and NHPD Bureau of Identification forensic detectives also responded to the Norton Street home.

The investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with additional information is asked to contact detectives at 203-946-6304

New Haven Police Provide Update On Recent Gun Arrest Charges   

New Haven| The New Haven Police Department and partner agencies recently arrested nine individuals on weapons related charges.  The circumstances leading to the arrests are included in yesterday’s attached press release.

25 year old Carlos Lopez of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Assault second degree.
• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Threatening second degree.
• Breach of peace second degree.

18 year old Antonio Allen of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Altering a serial number on a firearm.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Possession of a controlled substance.

26 year old Jaquan Gray of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Theft of a firearm.
• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Interfering with an officer.
• Two failure to appear arrest warrants.

26 year old Denzel Suggs of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Interfering with an officer.

27 year old Angel Viera of New Britain, Connecticut is charged with the following:

• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Altering a serial number on a firearm.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Loaded shotgun in a motor vehicle.
• An infraction offense.

27 year old Joshwua Figueroa of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Altering a serial number on a firearm.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Loaded shotgun in a motor vehicle.
• An infraction offense.

28 year old Brandon Mendoza of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without a permit.
• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• An infraction offense.

23 year old Paul Witherspoon of Hamden, Connecticut is charged with the following:

• Weapon in a motor vehicle.
• Possession of a sawed off shotgun.
• Loaded shotgun in a motor vehicle.
• Risk of injury to a child.
• Possession of a controlled substance.
• A motor vehicle violation.

18 year old Marquay Foster of New Haven is charged with the following:

• Carrying a pistol without.
• Criminal possession of a firearm.
• Theft of a firearm.
• Criminal possession of a high capacity ammunition magazine (two counts)

New Haven| Over the past week and a half, New Haven Police Investigative Services
Division detectives, Task Force officers, and Patrol Division officers seized eight guns and made
nine arrests in areas where recent violence has occurred. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also
federally adopted new gun cases which led to federal arrests this week by the Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms (ATF) and FBI.
07/26/2020.
Patrol officers responded to a Clinton Avenue home for a report of a domestic dispute where a
weapon was used. The victim told police she had an argument with her 25 year old husband Carlos
Lopez and he stuck a gun in her mouth. He then fled the area in a silver Toyota Corolla. Officers
developed information that Lopez may be headed to Grand Avenue. Officers went to Grand Avenue
and located the car and Lopez. Consent was granted and inside the trunk of the vehicle, officers
located a P80 9mm handgun. Lopez has a misdemeanor handgun disqualification. Officers arrested
Lopez and charged him accordingly.
07/28/2020.
Members of Shooting Task Force noticed 18 year old Antonio Allen sitting in a Cadillac in the
parking lot of the Valley Street Townhouses which has no trespassing signs. When Allen noticed
police presence, he exited the vehicle wearing only one shoe and walked away at a fast pace. He
refused to stop and reached into a Honda Civic which then fled the area without him. Officers
detained Allen without further incident. In plain view in the parked Cadillac was a clear bag
containing marijuana and a black handgun on the passenger side floorboard. NHPD Bureau of
Identification responded to collect the firearm which was a Ruger .380 caliber handgun with an
obliterated serial number. Allen did not have a valid permit and was charged accordingly.

07/31/2020.
A FBI Task Force officer received information there were several males from the “Exit 8” group
carrying guns in the parking lot of the Essex Townhouses on Quinnipiac Avenue. As police officers
drove into the housing complex, officers observed approximately 15 people in the lot immediately to
the left. Once the people in the parking lot saw police, some began to run into the center of the
complex. Officers began a foot pursuit and one male was apprehended in the center lot. He was later
identified as 26 year old Jaquan Gray.
Gray had a fanny pack strapped across his chest. Gray began to struggle with officers when he was
taken to the ground. Gray kept his right hand on the fanny pack. Eventually, officers unsnapped and
seized the fanny pack. Inside of it was a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun stolen out of Hamden.
While officers were detaining Gray, a large crowd began to approach officers and several times
officers had to be push the crowd back. The crowd was not compliant with officers’ commands and
continued to approach.
Detectives apprehended a second man who ran from officers. This male was identified as 26 year old
Denzel Suggs. Officers detained Suggs without further incident. Suggs had a handgun in his front
right pocket, a Taurus (Model PT-22) .22 caliber handgun. Officers transported both men to
the NHPD Union Avenue Detention Center. Both Suggs and Gray are convicted felons and were
charged accordingly.
08/02/2020.
Detectives and Task Force officers conducted crime suppression in the Hill area where a homicide
had occurred earlier in the morning. A Task Force Officer (TFO) developed information there were
two males in a car on Greenwich Avenue with a shotgun in the car. Officers began canvassing the
area and located two males sitting in a black KIA sedan on Greenwich Avenue at Third Street. The
males, later identified as 27 year old Angel Viera and 27 year old Joshwua Figueroa were removed
from the car and a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun loaded with seven shotgun shells was located on the
passenger side floorboard. Additionally, three shotgun shells were found in Viera's pocket. Viera and
Figueroa are convicted felons and were charged accordingly.
08/02/2020.
Later in the evening, an ATF Task Force Officer developed information there was a male in a white
sport utility vehicle (SUV) with a gun inside the vehicle in the area of Greenwich Avenue. Crime
suppression units located the vehicle double parked on Greenwich Avenue near First Street. The
vehicle drove away but officers conducted a motor vehicle stop at Howard Avenue and Second Street
where the operator was found to be 28 year old Brandon Mendoza. A search of the vehicle revealed a
Norinco Model 54 pistol with 7.62x25 caliber rounds in the ammunition magazine. Mendoza is not a
convicted felon and was charged appropriately. Mendoza refused to cooperate when asked to be
interviewed but did say that the recent homicide victim was a friend of his and that he had dropped
him off the night prior to the homicide.
This arrest and the other listed 08/02/2020 arrests helped stop retaliation for the
homicide which occurred earlier in the area on the morning of the same day.

Dedicated to Protecting Our Community

phone (203) 946-6333 fax (203) 946-7294 website www.cityofnewhaven.com/police
07/31/2020.
A FBI Task Force officer received information there were several males from the “Exit 8” group
carrying guns in the parking lot of the Essex Townhouses on Quinnipiac Avenue. As police officers
drove into the housing complex, officers observed approximately 15 people in the lot immediately to
the left. Once the people in the parking lot saw police, some began to run into the center of the
complex. Officers began a foot pursuit and one male was apprehended in the center lot. He was later
identified as 26 year old Jaquan Gray.
Gray had a fanny pack strapped across his chest. Gray began to struggle with officers when he was
taken to the ground. Gray kept his right hand on the fanny pack. Eventually, officers unsnapped and
seized the fanny pack. Inside of it was a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun stolen out of Hamden.
While officers were detaining Gray, a large crowd began to approach officers and several times
officers had to be push the crowd back. The crowd was not compliant with officers’ commands and
continued to approach.
Detectives apprehended a second man who ran from officers. This male was identified as 26 year old
Denzel Suggs. Officers detained Suggs without further incident. Suggs had a handgun in his front
right pocket, a Taurus (Model PT-22) .22 caliber handgun. Officers transported both men to
the NHPD Union Avenue Detention Center. Both Suggs and Gray are convicted felons and were
charged accordingly.
08/02/2020.
Detectives and Task Force officers conducted crime suppression in the Hill area where a homicide
had occurred earlier in the morning. A Task Force Officer (TFO) developed information there were
two males in a car on Greenwich Avenue with a shotgun in the car. Officers began canvassing the
area and located two males sitting in a black KIA sedan on Greenwich Avenue at Third Street. The
males, later identified as 27 year old Angel Viera and 27 year old Joshwua Figueroa were removed
from the car and a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun loaded with seven shotgun shells was located on the
passenger side floorboard. Additionally, three shotgun shells were found in Viera's pocket. Viera and
Figueroa are convicted felons and were charged accordingly.
08/02/2020.
Later in the evening, an ATF Task Force Officer developed information there was a male in a white
sport utility vehicle (SUV) with a gun inside the vehicle in the area of Greenwich Avenue. Crime
suppression units located the vehicle double parked on Greenwich Avenue near First Street. The
vehicle drove away but officers conducted a motor vehicle stop at Howard Avenue and Second Street
where the operator was found to be 28 year old Brandon Mendoza. A search of the vehicle revealed a
Norinco Model 54 pistol with 7.62x25 caliber rounds in the ammunition magazine. Mendoza is not a
convicted felon and was charged appropriately. Mendoza refused to cooperate when asked to be
interviewed but did say that the recent homicide victim was a friend of his and that he had dropped
him off the night prior to the homicide.
This arrest and the other listed 08/02/2020 arrests helped stop retaliation for the
homicide which occurred earlier in the area on the morning of the same day.

Dedicated to Protecting Our Community

phone (203) 946-6333 fax (203) 946-7294 website www.cityofnewhaven.com/police
08/05/2020.
At approximately 8:00 p.m., members of the Shooting Task Force were traveling on Henry Street
towards Dixwell Avenue and were directly behind an older model orange/red colored Chevrolet
Cavalier. A registration check revealed the license plate came back to a 2008 tan Chevrolet Impala.
The Cavalier continued on Henry Street and turned onto Dixwell Avenue and pulled over. Detectives
pulled directly behind the car and activated their emergency lights. The driver, later identified as 22
year old Paul Witherspoon of Hamden, exited the car and began to walk towards the sidewalk.
Detectives told Witherspoon to walk back to the driver`s side of his car because they were stopping
him because the plate on his vehicle did match the car he was driving.
When asked for license, registration, and proof of insurance, Witherspoon told detectives everything
was at home. Witherspoon opened the glove box and attempted to find any paperwork for the car.
While Witherspoon searched his car for paperwork, detectives observed marijuana in the car.
Witherspoon told detectives marijuana was the only contraband in the car. Detectives had
Witherspoon remove his young child from the back seat of the vehicle. After closer inspection,
detectives saw the butt end of a shotgun on the front passenger side floorboard,
The Bureau of Identification arrived on scene to collect the shotgun. It was determined the shotgun
was loaded and the front of the firearm was sawed off to make the barrel shorter. After removing the
shotgun from the car, detectives conducted a further search. Located throughout the car were
multiple shotgun shells as well as 7.62 ammunition. Paul Witherspoon is not a convicted felon and
did not have a pistol permit. He was placed under arrest for the appropriate charges. Family members
arrived on scene and took custody of Witherspoon’s child. Detectives arrested Witherspoon without
incident.
08/05/2020.
After a federal investigation, Drug Enforcement Agents and NHPD detectives and officers executed a
search warrant at 1341 Chapel Street. Arrested was 18 year old Marquay Foster who was found in
possession a loaded black firearm HK VP 9mm with a tactical light; thirteen 9mm rounds in the
attached ammunition magazine; one empty black high capacity (32 round) ammunition magazine; one
clear zip lock back containing eleven 9mm rounds; one clear zip lock bag containing ten .40 caliber
rounds; and one loose 9x19 ammunition round. Officers arrested Foster on state charges for the
firearm.
In 10 days, there have been eight guns seized with nine arrests over this period of time from
07/26/2020 to 08/05/2020. Prior to this 10 day period, from July 1, 2020 to July 25, 2020 another 12
guns were seized. According to Assistant Chief Karl Jacobson, “These gun arrests helped stop
violence and saved lives. Detectives and officers are working extremely hard to assist in efforts with
community members to stop violence in New Haven. We ask that community members contact the
police department when illegal guns are being displayed. In many of these cases, community
members called the police and officers were able to safely take people into custody and get the guns
off the streets. These actions save lives and I want to thank the efforts of the detectives and the
officers as well as the assistance received from the community.”
NHPD Chief Tony Reyes wants the community to know that “We will not tolerate gun violence. We
will continue to work in collaboration with our state and federal partners to arrest those responsible
for violence in our city.”