New Haven |After much planning, researching and negotiations, the New Haven Police Department will begin training its officers on the functions and uses of its acquired body-camera system. Training begins this Wednesday.

Police worn body-cameras are meant to increase accountability, transparency and trust. We hope they very well will.

As a general rule of thumb, people tend to behave better when they know they’re being recorded. But that’s not to say this is just a check on police behavior. Citizens who know they are being filmed are less likely to act aggressively as well, as the video removes any opportunity for disputing their behavior.

Results from agencies using body cameras appear to be positive. There are benefits to investigations, evidence recordings and those of having an always present lens-witness to what the officer sees when arriving at the scene of a crime or complaint. Departments that already use such systems have found that the cameras led to a significant decrease in officer complaints as well as a similar reduction in use of force.  

This drop in complaints can also lead to a substantial decrease in the time and resources devoted to investigating complaints and resolving civil litigation. These cameras could also present an opportunity for police departments to highlight the everyday good officers do as well as give the public a better idea of what the day to day life of a police officer is really like. One thing is certain – the question as to how often will a body-camera recording misrepresent what actually occurs might be the easiest to answer; never. That is one of the primary benefits of this technology.

DATE: Wednesday, 1 November, 2017 at 10:30 AM

LOCATION: Police Headquarters, 1 Union Avenue, FL3

WHAT: NHPD kicks-off body-camera training

WHO: Mayor Toni Harp, members of the city’s Board of Alders, members of the city’s Board of Police Commissioners, Police Chief Anthony Campbell, Assistant Chiefs Otoniel Reyes & Racheal Cain, Program researchers and facilitators, Division Commanders and Officers.

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp and the city’s department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism Director Andy Wolf will welcome to the mayor’s office this morning representatives of Wells Fargo Bank, the corporate sponsor of this year’s holiday tree-lighting extravaganza. City officials will receive a donation to help New Haven underwrite costs of the event, scheduled for November 30.

Tuesday ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Floor 2 of City Hall – 165 Church Street – in New Haven. Members of the press are invited to help New Haven gear up for this year’s highly anticipated tree-lighting event.

Mayor Harp said the donation to be received today represents a productive collaboration among the public and private sectors to benefit all those who appreciate the city’s place as the regional center for time-honored holiday traditions.

28 October, 2017 – “WAVY” GAVE UP THE PHONE

At 12:43 AM, Officer Dave Totino headed to the four-hundred block of Valley Street to entertain a robbery complaint.

A twenty-one year old man had gone there to sell an iPhone 8+ to an acquaintance of the nineteen year old friend who had accompanied him. The victims told police they pulled up to the agreed meeting spot. The nineteen year old spotted the man he knew as “Wavy”. He approached Wavy as the twenty-one year old parked the car.

Instead of the agreed upon thousand dollars for the phone transaction, Wavy allegedly pointed a gun at the victim and demanded the phone without payment. The victim said he ran back to the car screaming he’d been robbed. Wavy took off running. The victims called the cops.

Veteran West Hills cop, John Lalli was asked if he knew someone from the neighborhood nick-named Wavy. He did. Wavy is Tyquan Hill (4-21-1999), of 21 Victory Drive in New Haven. That’s where the officers went and that’s where Hill had fled. As officers spoke with Hill’s mother, he descended the staircase. After a brief discussion, Hill told Officer Totino the phone was in his Timberland boots in his room. No gun was found.

After Tyquan Hill was ID’d by the victims, he was charged with first degree robbery and second degree larceny.

28 October, 2017 – NEW HAVEN MAN CHARGED AFTER HE DRIVES STOLEN CAR AT OFFICERS

At 6:06 PM, Officers Robert Stratton, Christopher Boyle and David Santiago were dispatched to the summit of East Rock after Orange, CT police pinged a stolen car from their town at that location.

The cops split up to search the several lots at the top of the park. Hamden police arrived as well. Officer Boyle spotted the car, a sliver Subaru, as the driver hopped a curb and made a run for it. He was heading directly for Officer Stratton’s cruiser which was now blocking the summit lot exit.

Despite gigantic boulders on either side of the police car, the driver kept speeding up. The man behind the wheel opted for a boulder instead of the cruiser. The impact sent it airborne, inverting it in midair. The Subaru landed some thirty feet away in a ditch by the forest tree line.

Officers Boyle and Santiago pulled Armando Rodriguez (7-10-1993), of Dover Street in New Haven, from the overturned car and handcuffed him. Officers from the Orange, CT police department arrived to conduct their part of the investigation.

Rodriguez complained he was in pain and was taken to the hospital.

Locally, Rodriguez was charged with criminal attempt to commit assault in the 2nd degree, criminal attempt to commit assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer, engaging in a pursuit, reckless driving. reckless endangerment 1st degree and operating a motor vehicle without a license.

Rodriguez faces charges by OPD relating to the vehicle’s theft (the details of which, I’m not aware of).

29 October, 2017 – COPS NAB TWO ROBBING A BODEGA

At 7:30 AM, Officers responded to Kimbi’s Market at 35 Kimberly Avenue. The 911 call-taker was told there was a white man and a white woman holding up the clerk and the man may have a gun.

Arriving officers established a perimeter and spotted the two inside. Officers entered and arrested the would-be robbers. As it turned out, neither had a weapon. The clerk wasn’t harmed.

William Hauck (9-22-1981) and Jennifer Brocco (1-20-1997), who both reside on Spring Street in New Haven, were charged with criminal attempt to commit robbery, criminal attempt to commit larceny and conspiracy on both crimes.

(Note: As neither have been processed yet, photos aren’t yet available)

29 October, 2017 – SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

At 3:51 AM, Officers responded to the area of Arthur Street near Lamberton Street after gunfire was reported. Officers located the victim, fifty-two year old Randy Cooke, of Waverly Street in New Haven. He’d been shot in his shin while riding a bicycle. His assailant approached Cooke on foot, fired several times and fled in a white car. Nothing was taken from the victim.

Cooke was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment. His injuries are not life threatening.

The victim told police he believes his assailant was an Hispanic or white man but wasn’t able to further describe him.

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

The New Haven Police Department strongly endorses the following Halloween Safety Tips

Walk Safely

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.

• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. 

• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.

• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.  Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.

• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Trick or Treat With an Adult

• Children under the age of 16 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

Keep Costumes both Creative and Safe

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.

• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.

• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. 

• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

• In light of recent social-media “CLOWN” concerns – we recommend an alternative costume.

Drive Extra Safely on Halloween

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.

• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.

• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.

• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Added information from the New Haven Police Department

Who’s at your door?!

• Although many adults dress in costumes and participate in Halloween, Trick or Treating IS A CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY.

• You may open your door for anyone you wish BUT if you are suspicious of people at your door (especially older teenagers, adults without children and those without costumes or just masks), don’t open it.

• Make sure you have a clear view of who is outside. Keep porch lights on.

• If you don’t want to entertain Trick or Treaters, post a note covering your door bell.

• Report any criminal, suspicious or unruly behavior to Police, your Block Watch and your neighbors. The New Haven Police Department phone number is 203-946-6316.

The New Haven Police Department will have additional patrols assigned in residential neighborhoods during the Trick or Treating hours. The patrols will consist of both Uniformed Officers and Plain-clothed Officers and Detectives.

Happy Halloween!

photo nbc ct

New Haven – City officials will be joined by sponsors, representatives of community groups, and others at noon tomorrow when they welcome to the New Haven Green the just-harvested, soon-to-be-decorated huge holiday tree.

Tomorrow’s welcoming observance will be on the Lower Green, across Church Street from City Hall.

This year’s holiday tree will serve as the focal point for many of the city’s annual holiday traditions. Among them, an elaborate tree-lighting celebration – complete with music, entertainment, and celebrity appearances – is scheduled for Thursday evening, November 30.

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Trees Director Rebecca Bombero , and other officials will officially open a newly rebuilt basketball court and athletic field on Wilmot Road tomorrow.

Thursday morning ceremonial ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the Winslow-Augustin Park – 200 Wilmot Road between Wayfarer Street and Brookside Avenue – in New Haven. 

The new facilities complement Mayor Harp’s ongoing initiative to provide productive outlets for young people in New Haven. The basketball court to be re-opened tomorrow is the latest in a comprehensive renovation plan that resurfaced basketball courts citywide this past summer.

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