Blogs

MAYOR HARP ISSUES STATEMENT RE: OVERNIGHT OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp this afternoon issued the following statement in the aftermath of last night’s officer-involved shooting:

“No member of the New Haven Police Department was involved in last night’s shooting incident; New Haven Police officers arrived after-the-fact to help secure and hold the crime scene, allowing investigators from the Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Unit to gather evidence and begin their investigation.”

“At the same time, I remain gravely concerned about what transpired. I called the mother of the young woman who was shot to express my concern and wish the young woman a thorough recovery, and I pledged to work with my counterpart in Hamden and police officials from all three jurisdictions to ascertain exactly what happened, so we can work to avoid it happening again.”

“A conference call to include Mayor Leng, all three police chiefs, and me is scheduled for Wednesday morning to continue the conversation about how this happened and how to prevent anything like it from happening again.”

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NEW HAVEN POLICE ON SCENE OF OVERNIGHT SHOOTING; CSP AND PROSECUTORS INVESTIGATING

New Haven – At approximately 0420 hours, Hamden Police were investigating a report of a possible armed street robbery in that city. During the investigation, Hamden Police officers located a vehicle suspected to be involved in the area of Argyle Street and Dixwell Avenue.

A Hamden Police Officer, assisted by a Yale Police Officer, made contact with the occupants of the suspect vehicle. During this encounter, shots were fired by the police. No members of the New Haven Police Department were involved in this incident.

A female occupant of the vehicle suffered a non-life-threatening bullet wound and is being treated at a local hospital. There was also an arrest made of a male subject in connection with the incident.

The State Attorney’s office has assigned the CT State Police Major Crime Squad to take over the investigation. Any additional information about this incident will be released by The CSP and the State’s Attorney’s Office.

A crime scene is currently being held in the area of Dixwell Avenue and Argyle Street. New Haven Police are on scene to assist with securing and holding the crime scene. The area is expected to be congested while streets are closed during the investigation. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if possible.

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DUI CHECKPOINT ANNOUNCEMENT

The New Haven Police Department Traffic Division will conduct a DUI Checkpoint beginning Friday, April 12^that 7:00 p.m. and concluding on Saturday, April 13^th at 3:00 a.m. The checkpoint location will be on College Street at George Street

Murder Warrant Signed

On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, an arrest warrant was signed for 58 year old John Henry Smith Jr. for the murder of Sherri Ruffin.  On May 4, 2017, the 52 year old victim was found deceased in her Jennings Way residence in the West Rock neighborhood.  John Henry Smith Jr.’s warrant charges are felony murder and strangulation in the first degree. Bond has been set at $3,000,000.  Smith is currently incarcerated on an unrelated case at Osborn Correctional Institute.

Now retired, New Haven Police Detective Chris Perrone and the NHPD Homicide Unit worked this case continuously over the past two years.  Detective Manuella Vensel completed the arrest warrant and submitted it to the court.

Forensic Detective Omaida Nieves and fellow members of the NHPD Bureau of Identification worked extremely hard collecting and processing vital evidence in this investigation.

Homicide Unit Sergeant Matt Merced will be working with Lieutenant Robert Maturo to facilitate the habeas of John Henry Smith Jr

Police chief: Hussle slaying involved personal dispute

Click link to see 2018 Ecfffs

Elm City Freddy Fixer Fashion show 2018

ALL PHOTOS BY BKS PHOTOGRAPHS 

Meek Mill's The Motivation Tour feat Kash Doll & Lil Durk

CONNECTICUT MAYORS JOIN FORCES TO RECOVER DAMAGES FROM OPIOID CRISIS

New Task Force Formed to Advocate for Legislation

New London, CT – March 6, 2019 – New London Mayor Michael Passero, former state senator and current Mayor of New Haven, Toni Harp, Wallingford Mayor William Dickinson Jr. and New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart have announced that they will collectively co-chair a new bipartisan coalition, the Connecticut Opioid Strategy Task Force (COST). The mission of the coalition is to advocate for the Opioid Accountability Act, legislation that will clarify Connecticut municipalities’ abilities to seek damages from the corporations that have caused and are fueling the current opioid epidemic.  Other municipal stakeholders including The Connecticut Council of Municipalities (CCM), Connecticut Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association, Connecticut Association of Directors of Health (CADH), prevention and treatment providers and child welfare advocates are joining the coalition to amplify the message to their legislators.

All pending municipal suits were dismissed or stayed in January, making Connecticut the only state in the nation where municipalities have been denied the ability to seek damages from the corporations that they believe are responsible for the crisis in their communities. In response to this ruling, legislation has been proposed that would clarify that the injuries borne by municipalities fighting the opioid crisis are cognizable and, if proven, recoverable in court. This legislation would not upend Connecticut law or overturn precedent, nor would it have any impact on the State of Connecticut’s case. That suit could take years to resolve and, in the meantime, this legislation would simply provide Connecticut municipalities the ability to seek injunctive relief and damages.

“Every state and federal court in the nation currently adjudicating opioid cases is allowing municipalities’ claims to go forward – except in Connecticut,” said New Haven Mayor Toni Harp. “It is fundamentally unfair that this is the only state where taxpayers are forced to bear the costs of the opioid epidemic with no ability to seek recourse. Even if Connecticut eventually reaches a settlement in its suit, there is no guarantee the monies will find their way back to where the block-to-block battle to contain this epidemic is being waged. The only way to guarantee restitution on a local level is for municipalities to sue on their own behalf.”

“Connecticut communities are being crushed by the direct cost of the crisis through the increased investment in services and resources required to deal with the epidemic,” continued Mayor Passero.  “This means critical financial and personnel resources are being diverted from programs designed to meet the needs of the rest of our citizens and the entire community suffers.”

“With 50,000 people dying every year and 1,000 overdoses a day, there is no denying that this is national public health emergency,” said Mayor Stewart. “Connecticut municipalities are simply asking, as are the hundreds of other municipalities across the country that have filed suit, that the drug companies and pharmaceutical executives who made billions in profits, while leaving devastated communities in their wake, be held accountable. “

“It is important to note that this is a bipartisan issue that cuts across political, geographic and social lines to impact every community in our state,” added Mayor Dickinson.  “We encourage municipalities, fire and rescue organizations and concerned individuals to contact their representatives and encourage them to support the Opioid Accountability Act.”

To join COST or learn how to reach your state representatives, please visithttp://www.opioidscostct.com/

About the Connecticut Opioid Strategy Task Force

The Connecticut Opioid Strategy Task Force (COST) is a bipartisan coalition of municipal stakeholders advocating for legislation that will allow Connecticut municipalities to seek damages from corporations involved in the manufacture and distribution of the pharmaceuticals that are fueling the current opioid crisis in their communities. To learn more or to join the coalition please visit http://www.opioidscostct.com/

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The R&B Princess of Los Angeles, Nikia teams up with Wo Billz on her latest single, "Truth Syrum"

 

At the age of 16, Nikia released her first single "Wanna Get with You" and made some waves in the industry. She went on to write and release a Spanish crossover album which made a big hit overseas. A couple of years later, Nikia decided to broaden her horizons and take her talents across the states. During that time, she releases three albums, two EPs and five singles.

Mayor Harp to Join Students, United Way, Yale New Haven Health to Kickoff Region’s Largest Read Across America Event

NEW HAVEN—Join us this Friday morning (March 1, 2019) for a brief photo opportunity and celebration with local elementary students, Mayor Toni Harp, and officials from United Way and Yale New Haven Health. In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, over the next week, United Way is matching volunteer readers with classrooms at eight schools across the towns of Branford, Hamden, New Haven, Orange, and West Haven. Our goals are to foster a love for reading in these children at a young age, and to make reading fun!

WHAT: Kickoff press conference in New Haven

WHEN: Friday, March 1, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Strong School, 130 Orchard St., New Haven, CT

WHO: United Way of Greater New Haven, Strong School Students, Mayor Toni Harp, and Yale New Haven Health

OUR 2019 READ ACROSS AMERICA SPONSORS AND PARTNERS: Yale New Haven Health, Comcast, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Ion Bank Foundation, Marcum, Quinnipiac University, Start Community Bank, The Children's Museum, Tyco Print and Promo, City of New Haven, Town of Hamden, Town of Branford, City of West Haven, and Town of Orange.

About United Way of Greater New Haven:
At United Way, we bring people and organizations together to create solutions to Greater New Haven’s most pressing challenges in the areas of Education, Health, and Financial Stability. We tackle issues that cannot be solved by any one group working alone. Learn more at uwgnh.org. 

School Bus – Pedestrian Struck Accident

On Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 7:14 a.m., New Haven police officers were dispatched to Sherman Parkway at Munson Street for a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a student struck by a school bus. The 14 year old student suffered bruising and swelling to a foot after the school bus had earlier driven over his foot. 

The accident occurred on Ellsworth Avenue when the student walked into the roadway as the school bus approached.  The injured student boarded the school bus and traveled for several blocks before alerting the bus driver to his injury.  

The student was transported via ambulance to the hospital where he is expected to be released soon

MAYOR HARP, YOUTH DIRECTOR TO ANNOUNCE EXPANDED STREET OUTREACH INITIATIVE AT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON PRESS CONFERENCE

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp and Department of Youth Services Director Jason Bartlett will be joined by Leonard Jahad of the Connecticut Violence Intervention Program, Inc. Wednesday afternoon to announce an expanded street outreach initiative in the city – enhancing a program already credited with ‘marked reductions in community violence.’

Wednesday’s press conference is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. on Floor 2 of City Hall – 165 Church Street – in New Haven. Members of the press are encouraged to cover this description of an innovative, effective approach to violence mitigation among young people.

The program premise treats violence as a preventable health epidemic – one that can be addressed using evidence-based practices. More specific goals include one-on-one case management and mentoring services to help high-risk students improve attendance, advance to the next grade, and reduce in-school discipline and out-of-school suspensions.

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Telephone Scam Alert

On Monday, February 25, 2019, several people contacted the New Haven Police Department  and reported a person calling misrepresenting himself as a New Haven police officer stating he was trying to serve warrants for jury duty.  In another instance, the telephone caller claimed to be a New Haven police lieutenant trying to serve a subpoena for a grand jury indictment.  Several people complained of receiving additional telephone messages with instructions to meet this past weekend at a police substation. In most instances, the calls and messages stated money would be needed. 

The New Haven Police Department is investigating each reported telephone call as a fraud complaint.  The department does not solicit money for warrants, subpoenas, or related matters and anyone who has received such a request should contact the police department.

The investigations are ongoing and anyone with information or a complaint is asked to call the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6316

MAYOR HARP, CITY OFFICIALS: RALPH WALKER ICE SKATING RINK SET TO REOPEN LATER THIS MONTH

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Trees Director Rebecca Bombero, and City Engineer Giovanni Zinn announced today the planned reopening of the Ralph Walker Rink, set for Saturday, February 16.

Phase I of a thorough renovation of the facility will be complete by that time. Today, as city officials prepare to begin laying ice once again, they announced the rink will re-open in time for February break. 

Grand Re-Opening Celebration

Saturday, February 16, 2019

1:30 p.m. – Reopening Ceremony with Mayor

2:00 p.m. – Police vs Fire Hockey Scrimmage

Open Skate times to follow:

~ 4:00 p.m. (starting after scrimmage ends)

6:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

Phase I renovations include:

Expanded Roof & Ice Length – now regulations size

New Views of East Rock Park

New Dasher Boards

New & More Efficient Compressor System

Updated plumbing to service existing bathrooms

The newly renovated rink will stay open through mid-March, when Phase II renovations will begin.  Phase II renovations are scheduled to include locker rooms (one to serve as the home of the new Division III Albertus Hockey team) and a new concessions building with a separate party room.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/ralphwalkericerink/

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City of New Haven plans activation of Severe Cold Wx ProtocolFROM THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN OFFICE OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS:

Due to extremely low temperatures – including dangerous, below-zero wind chill factors – forecast for later this week, Mayor Harp has directed New Haven’s emergency operations team to activate the city’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol. This activation will be effective tomorrow, Wednesday January 30^that 8:00 AM, through Friday morning 10:00 AM.

All city libraries will serve as warming centers during business hours, as will each of the city’s three senior centers, for seniors only. The public’s assistance is appreciated throughout the cold snap as these forecast, dangerously low temperatures and wind push down from Canada.

Outreach workers and members of the NHPD will help ensure homeless individuals are advised of the health risks and the availability of extended shelter hours for warming. Shelter requests can be forwarded to the State 211 info line or 911.  Please see the attached New Haven flow chart for any shelter or warming needs. Thank you.