Blogs

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp and Department of Parks, Recreation, and Trees Director Rebecca Bombero announced today a two-week extension of the city’s Open Gym / Open Activities recreational opportunities this summer.

The five-week city-sponsored program was scheduled to end last Friday; it will now operate through Friday, August 11.

These are the extended days and hours for program sites citywide:

Floyd Little Athletic Center fieldhouse:

daily from 4:00 - 8:00 (except Thursdays when it’ll be open from 4:00 - 6:00).

The Hillhouse High School swimming pool is also open daily from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.and Saturdays from 11:00 – 3:00 until August 11.

Open Gym at the John Martinez School:

Monday – Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

The swimming pool is open from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. until August 11.

The Conte pool and the Career High School pool are open from 5:00 – 7:00weekdays and on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. until Friday August 11.

Career/ Ross Woodward outside activities will operate Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on the athletic fields behind the schools through August 11.

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New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will host a ‘mayor’s night in’ from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at City Hall – at 165 Church Street.

Mayor Harp will be available to residents for these public ‘office hours’ during which residents are invited to ask questions, make suggestions, and otherwise address matters pertaining to New Haven and its governance.

The timing of this session is particularly important as New Haven continues waiting for enactment of a state budget; the new Fiscal Year began July 1.

Residents’ questions and comments will be addressed on a first come, first served basis. No advance reservations or appointments are required or necessary.

News outlets are encouraged to help notify city residents ahead-of-time about the plan for this event; likewise, members of the press are invited to attend and cover these proceedings as well.

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New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will welcome special guests from around the state to City Hall Tuesday morning for a joint announcement about a new twist on this year’s ‘Hoop it Up’ three-on-three basketball tournament.

The officials will be joined by New Haven native, 2017 Notre Dame graduate, and imminent Louisville freshman Tremont Waters, regarded by many to be among the nation’s top basketball point guards.

Tomorrow’s joint announcement will be at 11:00 a.m. on the steps of New Haven City Hall: 165 Church Street in New Haven. 

Three-person basketball teams from Hartford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury will travel and compete against New Haven teams; New Haven will host the tournament this weekend,August 5 – 6. New Haven’s Department of Youth Services is organizing the event, meant to foster friendly, spirited competition among young people from all four cities.

The tournament is one more part of a strategy to help keep young people engaged and productive this summer. Complementing the ‘Hoop it Up’ tournament will be a festival of food, fun, and music on the New Haven Green on both Saturday and Sunday.

• ·         Who: New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp, officials from Hartford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury and New Haven Youth Services Director Jason Bartlett.
• ·         What: Announcement of New Haven vs. Hartford vs. Bridgeport vs. Waterbury ‘Hoop it Up’ three-on-three basketball tournament.
• ·         When: Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
• ·         Where: On steps of New Haven City Hall – 165 Church Street in New Haven.
• ·         Why: To announce and promote the scheduled basketball tournament and the friendly, spirited competition it will foster between young people in New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury.

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Tramaine Williams

NEW HAVEN EARNS ‘A-/STABLE’ BOND RATING FROM BOTH S&P AND FITCH AHEAD OF IMMINENT GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND SALE

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp and Controller Daryl Jones today announced results of a recent bond rating agency review: New Haven earned an ‘A minus’ rating with a ‘stable’ outlook from both the Standard and Poor’s and Fitch rating agencies. The bond rating review precedes an imminent General Obligation bond sale set to occur on or about August 3.

“The presence of the city's top two employers, Yale University and Yale New Haven Hospital, provides stability to the economy and continues to attract development and investment from biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and life-science companies,” according to the Fitch report. “Significant new developments have contributed to the city's tax base growth and a number of projects are reportedly in the pipeline and are expected to increase employment opportunities in the city.”

“Additionally, deferred tax payments from properties receiving tax abatements are scheduled to be received in increasing amounts over the next several years,” the Fitch report added.

“These positive reports from bond rating agencies underscore the optimism about New Haven we know exists beyond the financial sector; technology companies, bioscience firms, and development interests all share a belief that New Haven is on a steady, positive trajectory,” Mayor Harp said. “I’m grateful to the city’s finance team and all managers in my administration for keeping the city’s fiscal house in order.”

“These results from S&P and Fitch will translate into lower borrowing costs this year’s sale of General Obligation bonds and those savings will directly benefit taxpayers who underwrite the city budget,” Controller Jones said. “New Haven’s financial standing is improving as a result of the sound management and strict controls that have been implemented – good news for property owners and business operators alike.”

The value of this year’s General Obligation bond sale will be just under $111 million.

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New Haven | In August of 2016, New Haven Police were contacted by a man, through his attorney, alleging he’d been the victim of sexual assaults from early to middle 2000s. The suspect in the alleged assaults is Rabbi Daniel Greer (6-15-1940), of 133 West Park Avenue in New Haven. Greer was the dean of the Yeshiva of New Haven / the Gan School, where the victim was a high school student.

The case was investigated by Detective Kris Cuddy, of the department’s Special Victim’s Unit. After a thorough investigation, Det. Cuddy submitted a warrant, charging Greer with sexual assault in the second degree and risk of injury to a minor. The warrant was signed by the honorable Judge Patrick J Clifford on 25 July, 2017. Greer, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in to authorities at police headquarters this morning. His bond was court-set at $100,000.

New Haven Register photo

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will be joined tomorrow afternoon by local alders, other city and school officials, police department brass, non-for-profit providers, and community activists at a press conference to address recent street violence in the city.

Tomorrow’s event is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. outside the Lincoln-Bassett School – 130 Bassett Street – in New Haven.

NEW HAVEN MAN CHARGED WITH WEEKEND SHOOTING OF THIRTEEN YEAR OLD

New Haven | On July 22^nd, at 2:57 PM, Officers rushed to the area of Shelton Avenue and Ivy Street after it was reported a person had been shot. The victim, a thirteen year old boy, had been shot in his leg. He was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment, where thankfully he remained alert with a non-life threatening wound.

Detectives worked tirelessly on this case and secured a warrant for the arrest of Charles Worthington (7-3-1996), of 39 Lilac Street in New Haven.

Worthington was picked up on Tuesday morning, 25 July, at his home. He has been charged with assault in the first degree, carrying a pistol without a permit and risk of injury. He is being held on a one million dollar bond.

Assistant Chief Achilles Generoso had great praise for those that worked the case. “We had a dedicated crew of investigators on this. We reached out and received the expert assistance from State’s Attorney Pat Griffin and his team as well as the US Marshals Task Force, our Intelligence division, our Narcotics Enforcement Unit and Major Crimes Division. This was an around-the-clock operation that resulted in the speedy arrest of a man suspected to have shot a teenager”, said Generoso.

Head of Detectives, Lt. Herbie Johnson also praised SA Griffin and those involved in the case. “This was a crime solved by not only law enforcement, but by members of our community as well. We place great value on the relationships we have with folks in the neighborhoods we serve”, said Johnson. “The case’s lead investigator, Detective Dennis O’Connell and his supervisor, Sergeant Ron Perry worked this case for three days straight through”, he said. “We are grateful for the arrest made today”.

The New Haven Police department is currently investigating several shooting cases occurring over the last two weeks. Two of these investigations involve minors who have been shot - one succumbing to his injuries.

“News of this arrest underscores citywide determination to hold accountable those who perpetuate violence on New Haven streets and who blatantly disregard the welfare of others,” Mayor Toni N. Harp said. “I’m grateful to the officers and detectives of the New Haven Police Department for their thorough investigation ahead of today’s arrest, and their overall commitment to the safety of all of us in New Haven.”

Chief Anthony Campbell said yesterday; “Although we take all crimes seriously, it is particularly tragic when the youth of our city are the victims of gun violence. This is a situation which cannot and will not be tolerated. This is the time where both the New Haven Police Department and the community can utilize the relationships which have been built over the years to ensure that this type of behavior stops immediately”!

“We strive each and every day to bring justice to those in our community who’ve been wronged. Success happens through collaboration and hinges on working with our community. There is no place in New Haven for those who do not value the safety of every member of our community and the sanctity of life”.

“As a result of these recent shootings the New Haven Police Department has deployed multiple additional resources to the areas which are being affected by this violence. Although this may help reduce the probability of additional shootings, it is imperative that the community step up and work with Police to bring justice to the victims of these horrible incidents. Now is the time for the community to take charge and to join us at the NHPD in a way that it has not done before. This violence must stop immediately”.

“Any and all information can make a difference and information can be provided anonymously at 203-946-6304. We look forward to continuing to work together with this community, our community, the community that we love to ensure that everyone is safe and Justice prevails. Together we can and will make a difference”.

ACTIVISTS TO INTRODUCE FAMILY IMMIGRATION PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

ACTIVISTS TO INTRODUCE FAMILY IMMIGRATION PREPAREDNESS GUIDE TOMORROW

HANDBOOK PROVIDES PRACTICAL, LEGAL, AND EMERGENCY REFERRALS

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will be joined tomorrow morning by the city’s Community Services Administrator, Martha Okafor, immigration advocates, and community activists for the introduction of a New Haven-specific ‘Family Immigration Emergency Preparedness Guide.’

The booklet, meant to help city residents adopt individual family preparedness plans, was assembled, ‘because of the additional challenges immigrant and mixed status families face’ and will be distributed citywide.

Tomorrow’s event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Floor 2 of City Hall – 165 Church Street – in New Haven. Members of the press are invited to attend and encouraged to cover this timely matter.

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pt 2

A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF ANTHONY CAMPBELL ON GUN VIOLENCE

The New Haven Police department is currently investigating several shooting cases occurring over the last two weeks. Two of these investigations involve minors who have been shot - one succumbing to his injuries.

Chief Anthony Campbell said; “Although we take all crimes seriously, it is particularly tragic when the youth of our city are the victims of gun violence. This is a situation which cannot and will not be tolerated. This is the time where both the New Haven Police Department and the community can utilize the relationships which have been built over the years to ensure that this type of behavior stops immediately”!

“We strive each and every day to bring justice to those in our community who’ve been wronged. Success happens through collaboration and hinges on working with our community. There is no place in New Haven for those who do not value the safety of every member of our community and the sanctity of life”.

“As a result of these recent shootings the New Haven Police Department has deployed multiple additional resources to the areas which are being affected by this violence. Although this may help reduce the probability of additional shootings, it is imperative that the community step up and work with Police to bring justice to the victims of these horrible incidents. Now is the time for the community to take charge and to join us at the NHPD in a way that it has not done before. This violence must stop immediately”.

 Homicide, Non-fatal Shooting victims and Shots Fired* statistics from 2011 – 2017 (to date).

*The Shots-fired numbers are significantly down beyond what the numbers indicate. The city greatly expanded its ShotSpotter® gunfire detection system which associates NHPD firing range activity with generated shots-fired calls for service, not to mention those gunfire reports that otherwise wouldn’t be made outside of the ShotSpotter® system.

New Haven/CT - On Monday, July 24, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., Mayor Toni N. Harp will partner with Microsoft to kick off a three-day Coding Camp at City Hall for nearly 100 of New Haven’s youth.  

The camp will expose the kids to many innovative computer experiences such as Hololens (semi-Virtual reality), Paint 3D, Lego Robotics, Arc GIS Mapping and Kinect Sensor showcase. The Microsoft YouthSpark Hub host guest speakers from Connecticut Invention Convention. The New Haven Free Public Library, Yale University Librarian and New Haven Information Technology will also be on hand to provide assistance at the Camp.

This event comes on the heels of the official free Wi-fi on the Green announcement by Mayor Harp this week and continues Mayor Harp’s administration’s vision of digital inclusion, closing the computer science gap and promoting the value of STEM careers by focusing on New Haven youth in addition to promoting the value of STEM careers.

The Mayor along with Microsoft will also host educators to present a potential TEALSprogram that helps schools build and grow sustainable computer science programs through co-teaching partnerships with volunteers from the tech industry. Fewer than 40% of US public schools teach computer science or programming, yet there are currently 500,000 open high-paying tech jobs available for people with this skillset around the country.

Monday’s kick-off will be held on Floor 2 of City Hall in the Aldermatic Chambers– 165 Church Street – in New Haven.

SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

At 1:24 PM, it was reported to police that occupants of two cars were involved in an exchange of gunfire . This occurred on Walnut Street between Wallace and East Streets.

Moments later, State Police relayed information that a shooting victim had been reported on East Street, just south of Water Street, some five blocks away. Officers were sent to both locations and secured two related crime scenes.

The shooting victim is Devin Davis (9-26-1995), of Ivy Street in New Haven. Davis was shot in his face and left arm. Davis was taken by ambulance to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he remains alert and able to talk with investigators. His injuries are reported to be non-life threatening.

Witnesses reported the two vehicles involved were the one Davis was in – a grey Audi station-wagon and a red car. Neither the red car or its occupant(s) have been located.

Detectives have been collecting evidence at both the Walnut Street and East Street crime scenes.

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to phone detectives at 203-946-6304. Calls may be made anonymously.