Blogs

Senator Leonard Fasano
Legislative Office Building
300 Capitol Avenue – Room #3402
Hartford, CT 06106

October 19, 2018

Dear Senator Fasano,

I received your letter, dated October 17, 2018, asking for a forensic audit of New Haven’s budget. Curiously, I received it after news reporters asked for a response to it, suggesting they received it first.

That aside, I’m pleased you’ve decided to take an active interest in New Haven’s affairs, and I welcome what I’d like to think is your intention to serve as an honorary state Senator representing New Haven. To start, so you’ll have an accurate and complete picture of New Haven’s financial opportunities and challenges, I’ll be happy to arrange a time for my team to provide you with the facts about all it takes to run what is arguably Connecticut’s most successful city in an era of state funding cutbacks.

Please schedule a phone call or visit to my office. Clearly, since you seem intent on helping, we should begin by ensuring you receive all the facts, rather than simply relying on supposition and a couple news articles.

Regarding your specific request, if you’d sincerely like to join Senators Looney and Winfield as an honorary New Haven Senator, I’m prepared to consider your request for a forensic audit as a courtesy if you, in return, are prepared to demonstrate your willingness to help my city with the following acts of good faith:

• Introduce, and shepherd through the legislature in 2019, a 2% commuter tax, to compensate New Haven for covering the costs to provide assorted regional services to North Haven residents, from the use of transportation infrastructure to the public safety, emergency, and other public services North Haven residents use when they work, eat, shop, and otherwise visit New Haven.
• Formally request that North Haven public officials implement affordable housing projects beyond the 10% requirement under CGS 8-30g and introduce legislation at the general assembly to ensure it happens – with applicable penalties moving forward if it is not accomplished.
• Ask the North Haven First Selectman and Board of Selectmen to support budget allocations from North Haven to the City of New Haven for social and human services provided to the town’s residents on a daily basis: i.e. ask North Haven to contribute $250k to New Haven’s homeless services budget, $250k to New Haven’s public health services budget, and $250k for the city’s re-entry programs.
• Introduce and shepherd legislation through the General Assembly requiring the Town of North Haven to forward ECS monies as appropriate as tuition for all North Haven students attending New Haven Schools. In addition, this legislation should include a count of all suburban students so New Haven can recoup education monies from other feeder towns for all their students and have the appropriate resources to serve all students in city schools.

Since I understand you will need North Haven’s First Selectmen and other town officials to assist you while making these improvements to the benefit of our respective municipalities, I have copied them with this letter and look forward to their support of New Haven’s expanded Senate delegation for the betterment of the City of New Haven.

Sincerely,

Toni N. Harp
Mayor – City of New Haven

p.s. Once you’ve completed these items, I trust you to find the money among state funds to pay for the forensic audit you requested.

cc: Michael J. Freda – North Haven First Selectman
William J. Pieper – North Haven Second Selectman
Sally J. Buemi – North Haven Third Selectman

MAYOR HARP, ‘BANK ON’ MEMBERS TO LAUNCH EXPANDED BANK ACCESS PROGRAM TUESDAY

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp and members of the New Haven Bank On Coalition will convene a press conference tomorrow morning at which a new program to expand residents’ access to safe and affordable financial products and services will be formally launched.

Tuesday's  press event is scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m. at The Farnam Community Center – 162 Fillmore Street – in New Haven. 

The Bank On New Haven Coalition is comprised of financial institutions, city agencies, community organizations and community liaisons working together to expand banking access for New Haven residents. The coalition, started in March 2018, has been working to bring the challenges to mainstream banking access to the forefront.

To address these challenges, Bank On Certified Accounts were prioritized for city residents. These include Bank of America’s Safe Balance Account, Chase Bank’s Liquid Card, KeyBank’s Hassle- Free Account, and Wells Fargo Bank’s Easy Pay Card.

Each institution has been working with branch managers and bank staff members to increase understanding and collaboration to ensure they work knowledgeably and effectively with community residents.

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Youth Services Department, NHPD, and Dalio Foundation to make winter warmer for kids with plan to distribute 700+ coats

New Haven – The city’s Department of Youth Services, along with the New Haven Police Department and the Dalio Foundation will team up this week for a third annual Winter Coat Project. Last year this project matched winter coats with approximately 700 young people.

Barbara Dalio leads the Dalio Foundation’s work to strengthen public education in Connecticut through collaboration. The Foundation has a strong belief in giving back to youth across the state.  The Foundation also funds the Connecticut RISE Network, the YouthStat Freshman Project, and Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic.

This year, the New Haven Police Department will assist Youth Services and the Dalio Foundation with logistics to store and distribute more than 700 coats donated by the Dalio Foundation. Youth Services Director Jason Bartlett worked to secure arrangements between the City of New Haven and the Dalio Foundation.

Who: A collaborative group of Youth Department staff and the New Haven Police Department will work together to sort, set up and distribute over 700 coats to New Haven Youth to help make winter warmer for them.

Where: 116 Wintergreen Ave., New Haven, Connecticut (The New Police Training Academy).

When: Tuesday, October 16^th, 2018 at 11:30 a.m

CITY EARNS FINANCIAL REPORTING RECOGNITION

New Haven – Mayor Harp today announced the special recognition and award the city received from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

“The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting,” according to a GFOA press release.

“I’m very proud of the thorough and effective work done by Controller Daryl Jones and Acting Budget Director Mike Gormany to manage the city’s budget on behalf of the residents, property owners, and taxpayers of New Haven,” Mayor Harp said. “The city navigates challenging financial circumstances year after year: this award underscores the responsible manner in which this finance team does so.”

According to the GFOA, consideration for this award is done by, “an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program,” and it looks for, “a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story.”

The Chicago-based GFOA works to “enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government financial policy and management.” More information about New Haven’s award is available from Michele Mark Levine, 

10 October, 2018 – GUNSHOTS FIRED AT CAR IN WESTVILLE VILLAGE AS CROWDS LEAVE ROOSEVELT’S BAR

This marks the third gunfire/ shooting event in one year related to a bar in the heart of the quiet Westville Village. At 1:03 AM, Officers responded to calls of gunfire that had occurred outside Roosevelt’s Bar, 883 Whalley Avenue.

An officer had been flagged down at the corner of Fountain Street and Central Avenue by a person reporting a chaotic scene just blocks away. As he approached, the officer heard gunfire and spotted a Subaru Forester leaving the area. He pulled over the car on West Rock Avenue. The car’s windshield had been shot at.

About two hours later, an officer in Fair Haven was contacted by a man admitting he’d fired at the vehicle after its driver sped directly at him. The twenty-five year old Hamden, CT man told police he was leaving Roosevelt’s when a man pulled up to him and addressed him. He said the man drove off, made a U-turn and sped toward him. He told officers he jumped into his own car but couldn’t get it started in time to flee. He said the man struck his car and he thought the man would harm him. He said he fired at the driver, who in turn fled.

Video of the incident, viewed by the officers, generally corroborates the victim’s story. The victim has a valid pistol permit. It appears he was not the antagonist in this incident.

The case remains under investigation. An arrest has not yet been made.

On Saturday, September 22, 2018, Officers, as had become routine, were posted at Roosevelt’s bar to clear out the crowd after closing time. At 1:52 AM, those officers heard gunfire and found the victim in front of the closed business at 867 Whalley Avenue. Tomone Archie Lindsey, thirty-two, of New Haven, had been shot in the leg. He claimed to have no knowledge as to who’d shot him. A parked car was struck as well.

Though Roosevelt’s Bar often hires an Extra Duty officer on weekends, routinely, it takes many on-duty officers to clear out the area after closing.  

UP DATE.  

This marks the third gunfire/ shooting event in one year related to a bar in the heart of the quiet Westville Village. At 1:03 AM, Officers responded to calls of gunfire that had occurred outside Roosevelt’s Bar, 883 Whalley Avenue.

An officer had been flagged down at the corner of Fountain Street and Central Avenue by a person reporting a chaotic scene just blocks away. As he approached, the officer heard gunfire and spotted a Subaru Forester leaving the area. He pulled over the car on West Rock Avenue. The car’s windshield had been shot at.

About two hours later, an officer in Fair Haven was contacted by a man admitting he’d fired at the vehicle after its driver sped directly at him. The twenty-five year old Hamden, CT man told police he was leaving Roosevelt’s when a man pulled up to him and addressed him. He said the man drove off, made a U-turn and sped toward him. He told officers he jumped into his own car but couldn’t get it started in time to flee. He said the man struck his car and he thought the man would harm him. He said he fired at the driver, who in turn fled.

Video of the incident, viewed by the officers, generally corroborates the victim’s story. The victim has a valid pistol permit. It appears he was not the antagonist in this incident.

The case remains under investigation. An arrest has not yet been made.

On Saturday, September 22, 2018, Officers, as had become routine, were posted at Roosevelt’s bar to clear out the crowd after closing time. At 1:52 AM, those officers heard gunfire and found the victim in front of the closed business at 867 Whalley Avenue. Tomone Archie Lindsey, thirty-two, of New Haven, had been shot in the leg. He claimed to have no knowledge as to who’d shot him. A parked car was struck as well.

Though Roosevelt’s Bar often hires an Extra Duty officer on weekends, routinely, it takes many on-duty officers to clear out the area after closing

9 October, 2018 – MAN CLAIMS SELF-DEFENSE IN STABBING. THE INJURED PERSON DISAPPEARED

At 9:36 PM, officers were dispatched to 154 Frank Street after somone reported an assault.

The arriving cops found a pool of blood on the front porch and a trail of blood leading inside to the second floor. There was more blood in a bedroom, but no one was in it.

Suspicious of the noises above, the basement tennant emerged and told the cops he’d seen two women leaving the building after hearing an argument. He said his upstairs-neighbor came outside and was bleeding from his face. He said the women cut him.

Police cought up with the victim at Yale New Haven Hospital. The sixty-six year old told the officers he was in his bedroom, when the door opened and two men entered. One had a “shiny knife”. The blade-wielding man aproached  him. The victim armed himself with a screwdriver and ordered the intruder to stop.

The victim said the man kept coming and sliced his face and hand. The victim said he stabbed the intruder several times with the screwdriver. The last time, said the victim, the screwdriver remained in the man’s chest.

The victim’s wounds – though deep, were not deemed life-threatening. The intruders were not found despite frequent checks for the impaled one – male or female.

9 October, 2018 – HURLBURT STREET RESIDENCE STRUCK BY BULLETS

At 9:13 PM, the city’s ShotSpotter® system alerted to gunfire on the one-hundred block of Hurlburt Street. Officers narrowed their search to a bullet struk home at 109 Hurlburt Street. Bullet shell casings, found outside on the street and front porch, were collected and the house was searched. One of its occupants, Travis Jenkins (3-30-1975), of that address, had two outstanding warrants (larceny 6^th and failing to appear in court) and was taken into custody. His custody was otherwise unrelated to this case.

We’re looking into the who and why and are interested in hearing from anyone who has information on this case. 203-946-6304, if you’re interested in talking. Calls may be made annonymously.

9 October, 2018 – SUSPECTED ASSAILANT SHOT DEAD AFTER STABBING

At 10:00 PM, Officers and EMTs were dispatched to Sperry Street at Goffe Street after an assault with gunfire was reported.

Here’s what police know at this time. According to the victims, one, a twenty-seven year old New Haven man was walking on Sperry Street from Whalley Avenue toward Goffe Street, when he was confronted by an adult black man holding a knife. The knife wielding man said “Happy Halloween” and stabbed the victim. The victim’s cousin, a twenty-four year old Hamden, CT man was waiting in his car. He heard the commotion, got out of his car, and was also stabbed by the assailant.

The twenty-four year old had a pistol on him and shot his assailant in the chest. The shooter has a valid pistol permit and his gun was lawfully registered to him, according to information obtained in a police records check. The shooter has not been charged – though this investigation is active and remains active.

The deceased assailant has not been identified. The stabbing victims’ wounds are not life threatening. The twenty-seven year old was stabbed in the elbow and the twenty-four year old, in his bicep.

Officers and detectives from the department’s Major Crimes and Forensics Division remain on the scene and are investigating this crime and collecting evidence for this case.

Police are asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to phone us at 203-946-6304, the Anonymous Tip Line at 203-946-6296, Text a tip by texting, NHPD plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES) or email at ecic@newhavenct.gov.

AN

• LEADERS OF DOZEN-PLUS DEPARTMENTS TO HOLD ‘CLEAN & SAFE’ TOUR OF HILL NORTH THURSDAY

New Haven – In a continuing series of ‘clean and safe’ walking tours of city neighborhoods, Mayor Harp will send officials from more than a dozen city departments through the Hill North section Thursday morning, to identify quality-of-life issues requiring a comprehensive, collaborative city response.

Last fall the first such ‘clean and safe’ walking tour took place throughout Newhallville; this past spring the Fair Haven section of the city was inspected and in July, department heads zeroed-in on The Annex.

Members of the press are invited to walk along Thursday and document the items flagged by city officials and their first ideas about how those flagged items might be addressed.

Details about Thursday’s ‘clean and safe’ walking tour are as follows:

Hill North – CLEAN & SAFE

THURSDAY, September 27, 2018

Hill North – Thursday, September 27, 2018
Start time 9:00 a.m.
Meeting Location: at the corner of Congress Avenue and Daggett Street

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MAYOR HARP, CITY DEPARTMENTS EAGER TO HOST COLUMBUS DAY PARADE, RELATED EVENTS

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp said today that as the city prepares to take its once-every-six-years turn hosting the Columbus Day Parade city residents will have ample opportunity to enjoy both the parade and related events.

The parade steps off from City Hall – 165 Church Street – at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, October 7, and makes its way along Chapel Street to St. Michael’s Church on Wooster Square. Afterward, the public is invited to attend an Italian Festival to be held in Wooster Square Park.

“I’m so pleased New Haven will once again host the Columbus Day Parade – since we’re part of a six-town rotation this’ll be the first one of these parades in New Haven in the time I’ve been in office,” Mayor Harp said. “I’m particularly eager to congratulate its co-grand marshals, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Enrico Diamantini, and Alphonse Paolillo.”

“It’s also worth noting the Columbus Day Committee privately raised all the funds necessary to cover the costs associated with hosting the parade, and we thank its members for that,” Mayor Harp added.

Organizers say this year’s parade will include groups representing New Haven Public Schools, and it’ll feature family entertainment and cultural offerings.

Columbus Day-related events are scheduled to begin this weekend already, as follows. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

• Wooster Square walking tour September 22^nd at 1:00 p.m. – meet at the Christopher Columbus monument on Wooster Square along Chapel Street.
• Cultural Event September 27^th: Le Feste Italiane, presented by Deacon Dominic Corraro. The presentation will review holidays on the Italian calendar and focus on how Italians celebrate them. St. Bernadette Church Hall – 385 Townsend Avenue – from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• Heritage dinner October 3^rd to honor co-grand marshals: $55 per person to help underwrite parade costs. Anthony’s Ocean View – 450 Lighthouse Road – at 6:00 p.m.
• Film screening October 4^th: The Village: Life in New Haven’s Little Italy. The film tells the story of the city’s Wooster Square neighborhood. St. Michael’s Church – Wooster Square – at 6:30 p.m.
• Wreath-laying ceremony October 6^th at St. Michael’s Church – Wooster Square – from 11:00 a.m. until noon.
• Columbus Day Parade steps off at 1:00 p.m. October 7^th from City Hall – 165 Church Street – and ends at Wooster Square, where an Italian festival will follow.

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EMERGENCY SERVICES OPERATION

At 5:40 PM, police were notified of a barricaded person at a private single-family home on Tolli Terrace in the city’s Morse Cove neighborhood. It was soon learned the barricaded person is a veteran New Haven Police Lieutenant, with eighteen years with the department, and currently assigned to the Patrol Division.

Officers were dispatched minutes after the call coming in and the SWAT team and Hostage Negotiators were summoned at 5:51 PM. Mutual aid was requested from the Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Division. Members of that department responded quickly and served as a back-up to the New Haven PD Teams.

Communications by phone were soon established with the despondent department member. He requested help and agreed to come out peacefully. Once Emergency Services personnel, including EMTs from the New Haven Fire Department and American Medical Response, were in place, Townsend Avenue was closed to traffic and neighbors were reached and informed to remain in their homes.

Thankfully, the department member surrendered without further incident and was removed to the hospital. Members of the man’s family had been able to leave the home prior to the response and sought refuge at a neighbor’s home nearby. They were medically evaluated and are in the care of the department.

The Lieutenant will be afforded all available resources, as would anyone in such a situation. A full review of the incident is under way. Criminal charges are likely but have not been filed. The investigation and consultation with the CT State’s Attorney’s Office will determine such matters in the future.

The operation saw no one injured and has concluded. The investigation continues.

This report is made with a heavy heart, as the subject of the investigation is a soft-spoken and highly respected member of our police family. As would any family so affected, they and the members of the NHPD, would expect the courtesy afforded to them as they and we handle the investigation of one of our own.

The New Haven Police Department is not naming the officer until such time the investigation has uncovered more. All further information, as it is related to this case will be released to the public and the press pool, at large, and not upon individual request.

Chief Anthony Campbell said, “I am so thankful that the training and professionalism of all those who performed in such an exemplary fashion today. When officers train, they never know what situation they’re entering into and what it may truly involve – especially those involving a brother or sister officer”. “Today proved that with the right training and the right mindset, officers can perform their duties compassionately, no matter the circumstances, regardless of personal feelings”. “I am pleased with the peaceful resolution and that our officer will now be afforded the care he so desperately wants”., said Campbell

94.3 WYBC GOES LOCAL AND INTRODUCES ‘THE JUAN CASTILLO MORNING SHOW’

New Haven, Connecticut – Yale Broadcasting Company’s Urban Adult Contemporary 94.3 FM WYBC “The Rhythm of The City” is excited to announce a brand new local Morning Show hosted by New Haven radio veteran Juan Castillo. “The Juan Castillo Morning Show” will make its debut on Monday September 10th and will air weekday mornings from 6am-10am.

The Juan Castillo Morning Show replaces the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, which has been the morning show on WYBC for over 20 years. Tom Joyner has announced he will retire from radio effective December 2019. 

“It’s been over 2 decades that an Urban Contemporary Radio station has had a local morning show and the time is now,” says Juan, who also serves as WYBC’s Operations Manager and a leader in the community. “As much as I loved the Tom Joyner Morning Show the only negative was that there was not enough room for local content and to that end we will aim to super serve the state of Connecticut and the New Haven region with great local content.  I am excited to embark on this journey with our local listeners.”

The Juan Castillo Morning Show will feature news, weather, traffic, entertainment news and R&B music plus plenty of laughs to get your morning started. The show will feature co-hosts Kandy Williams, a longtime New Haven resident and former personality at WYBC, and Rahsaan Langley, a national recording R&B artist with national and regional hits on the charts.

The weekly skits on The Juan Castillo Morning Show will include “The Barbershop Chronicles” featuring celebrity barber Majesty on Monday, “Movie Mike” Talk Show host Michael Howard’s film review on Tuesday, “Wealthy Wednesdays” with television and radio host Roberta Hoskie, “Throwback Thursdays” with Bobby and “Fantastic Friday” to get the weekend started.

MAYOR HARP, OFFICIALS TO TOUT OPENING OF NEW DIGITAL CODING SCHOOL TUESDAY MORNING

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will be joined by school and other city officials Tuesday morning to celebrate the opening of theHolberton School, a software engineering school at The District. A ceremonial ribbon cutting will punctuate Tuesday’s event.

Tuesday’s festivities are scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.; The District is a successful brownfields reclamation project at 470 James Street in New Haven. 

As digital technology assumes a greater and greater role in the lives of Connecticut residents, there will be a greater and greater demand for those with the ability to write code and program computers and other digital equipment.

This new school, housed among other entrepreneurial and tech start-up companies, is meant to fill the jobs pipeline with skilled, experienced, digital code writers and trouble-shooters

Go, New Haven Go for the 2018 Challenge to Live CarFree!

Mayor Toni N. Harp will help goNewHavengo launch its fifth-annualCarFree Challenge THIS MORNING at 11:30 on the steps of City Hall – 165 Church Street.

The CarFree Challenge isgoNewHavengo's annual month-long event to support movement by individuals and organizations toward healthier transportation options. The 2018 Challenge will explore through a series of events the role of art and design in creating effective alternative regional transportation networks.

Joining Mayor Harp THIS MORNING will be Joanne Cavadini of CT Rides and the city’s Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking Director Doug Hausladen.

This event will celebrate many recent improvements to the local transit network, new options available for commuters, and information regarding the many events in September that will promote car-free living. These will include a September 11^thTransportation on Tap discussion at BAR titled “Art & Motion; Exploring the Creative Connection between Commuting & Art”, as well as a celebration of National Parking Day at the Grand Avenue Parklet.

GoNewHavengo will also debut the You Can Get There From Here map project that highlights multimodal transit options for all members of the community. Bike New Haven will offer special bike share promotional codes for all attendees. There will also be a mobile demonstration CT Transit bus bicycle rack on hand for those who want to practice using a bus bike rack.

goNewHavengo is a sustainable transportation coalition that encourages healthier, cleaner, and cheaper travel in Greater New Haven through contributions from its partners: The New Haven Leon Sister City Project, CTRides, The Yale Office of Sustainability, Bike New Haven, CT Transit, The City of New Haven, and The Kennedy Center. These groups work with other organizations and individuals to support active and alternative transportation, leverage institutional relationships with employees to promote alternative transit use, and help create a healthier, more sustainable region.

MAYOR HARP, SUP’T BIRKS TO WELCOME STUDENTS THURSDAY FOR FIRST DAY OF NEW SCHOOL YEAR

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp and New Haven Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol Birks will greet students at Co-op High School first-thing tomorrow morning to welcome them back to class for the 2018-19 school year.

Mayor Harp and Dr. Birks will be joined by other school officials and community leaders beginning at 7:00 a.m.; Co-op High School is at 177 College Street in New Haven

15 August, 2018 – OVERDOSES (UPDATED – 3:35 pm)

Between last evening and the current time, city EMS providers, AMR (ambulances), Police and Firefighters, along with the New Haven health Department, Sponsor-Hospital officials and the city’s Office of Emergency Management have responded to the New Haven Green and the immediate area to aid patients who’d overdosed on drugs.

There are no available numbers of patients, but it is likely as many as thirty have been treated and/or transported to area hospitals. At this time, none have resulted in a fatality and all have resulted in non-life threatening illnesses.

The New Haven Police Department has made an arrest of a local man, believed to be connected to at least some of the overdoses. The man was arrested within the last hour by members of the NHPD Intelligence Unit. The identity of the man arrestedWILL NOT BE RELEASED until such time he’s been positively identified by any probable victim so as not to taint the investigation.

Any current reporting of an arrestee’s identity is NOT CONFIRMED as the perpetrator sought in these cases. It is only that of a PERSON OF INTEREST, who had a Violation Of Probation warrant and who had drugs on his person.

Initial Release:

Regarding reported overdoses in New Haven: Though police investigate the sales, origin and criminal dealing of illegal drugs, overdoses are medical issues and would be addressed by either the City of New Haven Fire/ EMS Department, Office of Emergency Management and/or Department of Health.

The Police Department is aware of a high number of patients that were treated since last night, including as many as six currently. The majority of cases are centered on the New Haven Green. Thus far, thirteen patients have been transported to area hospitals for overdose related illnesses. One patient was non-responsive to Naloxone – a drug used to treat narcotic overdoses in emergency situations, and is “very sick”, according to Rick Fontana, the city’s director of the Office of Emergency Operations.

According to Fontana, the Sponsor Hospital Medical Director is coordinating with hospital and Health Department staff to coordinate efforts. With the exception of one patient, thus far, the illnesses are largely not life threatening and concentrated to a portion of the New Haven Green.

Any physical evidence and gathered intelligence, including patient testimony is considered when trying to track down and arrest those who deal illegal drugs in our city.

Any further communications regarding these cases would come from either the City of New Haven Fire/ EMS Department, Office of Emergency Management and/or Department of Health.

Press inquiries should be directed to Rick Fontana atrfontana@newhavenct.gov

(New Haven, CT) – At 12 p.m. on Thursday, August 9 at the Flag Pole on the New Haven Green, Puerto Ricans United, Inc., Mayor Toni Harp and Members of the New Haven Board of Alders, will hold a ceremonial Flag Raising Ceremony in anticipation of Saturday’s Third Annual Puerto Rican Festival of New Haven!

The festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 11, from 1 p.m. to

 9 p.m. and will include live music (six bands), food trucks and arts & crafts. This year’s festival theme is “Unidos En Una Sola Voz” (United in One Voice) and will feature Latin recording artist Oscar Serrano from Puerto Rico.

*This event is Rain or Shine

WHO

Members, Puerto Ricans United, Inc.

Mayor Toni Harp, New Haven

Members, New Haven Board of Alders

WHERE

Flag Pole

Downtown Green

New Haven, CT

WHEN

12 p.m.

Thursday, August 9

6 August, 2018 – FATAL HIT-AND-RUN

At 10:37 PM, Officers were dispatched to a reported crash between a motorcycle and car at Whalley Avenue at Central Avenue.

At the point of impact, the motorcycle operator was thrown into the air. He landed on top of the car’s hood. Witnesses said his head went through the windshield. The car took off eastbound on Whalley avenue at a reportedly high rate of speed. When the car reached Fitch Street, the driver turned left (north) onto Fitch. The maneuver caused the victim to dislodge from the windshield and crash to the ground. The car fled up Fitch Street.

The car’s grille was found at the point of impact. A check of the part number shows it was for a 2002 Mercury Sable. Witnesses said it was a dull finished light grey in color (perhaps primer). The registration is unknown. The car has front-end damage and a substantial hole in the windshield.

The driver was not described, nor were any passengers (if there were any at all). The Mercury was exiting the parking lot adjacent to the intersection of Whalley and Central Avenues.

The NHPD Crash Investigation Unit was called out at 11:06 and is en route to take over the investigation.

The identity of the deceased MC operator is unknown. He reportedly had no pulse at the scene and one was not regained.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or with information on the whereabouts of the offending vehicle, its operator or passengers (if any), is urged to phone the NHPD Traffic Division at 203-946-6316. Calls may be made anonymously.

TRAFFIC: Whalley Avenue will remain closed, likely for hours, between Central avenue and Jewell Street. Central avenue is closed for the moment beginning at Fountain Street. Depending on the needs of investigators, Whalley Avenue may also be closed inbound (eastbound) from Blake Street in the Westville Village

6 August, 2018 – CRASH INVESTIGATION

At 11:37 AM, Firefighter/ EMTs were dispatched to Howard Avenue at First Street regarding a reported pedestrian/ vehicle crash. Police responded to conduct the investigation.

Daycare workers had tried stopping traffic to allow the children in their care to cross Howard Avenue. Two children (believed to be between 3 and 5 years old) were struck by a motorist as they tried to cross.

The motorist stopped and has cooperated with the investigation. The children have been taken to the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Both have remained conscious and alert.

The investigation is on-going. No conclusion has yet been determined as to fault