Expanded Community Policing Revitalizes Neighborhood
Luz Garcia, Weed and Seed Site Coordinator
The Hill neighborhood of New Haven has become a much safer
place to live thanks to Weed and Seed and an
expanded community policing program.
The city of New Haven has had community policing in place
for more than a decade. Community residents and police have
regular planning meetings. Neighborhood residents meet with
city officials, police, and the Weed and Seed Coordinator on
a monthly basis to address concerns related to crime, blight,
housing, neighborhood restoration, and illegal dumping, among
others.
Through partnerships among law enforcement officials, social
service agencies, and community leaders, New Haven has expanded
in-kind services and improved the quality of life in the Hill
neighborhood. The project, which began in April 2004, receives
strong support from the mayor's office, U.S. Attorney's
Office, police chief, assistant chief, and local officials.
The project's primary "weeding" goals are
to investigate and prosecute drug traffickers, prevent a resurgence
of gang activity, and crack down on absentee landlords. Weed
and Seed funds have been used to increase foot and auto patrols
in the Hill neighborhood, resulting in an increase of arrests
and prosecutions and a significant decrease in crime.
The first target areas were Frank and Lines Streets. The
area's high rates of crime and poverty and low levels
of pride and ownership contributed to a sense of despair and
urgency that spurred community residents, leaders, and local
officials to take action.
One of the largest contributing factors to the ongoing criminal
issues that plague the neighborhood was the high number of
absentee landlords. Weed and Seed staff began to contact landlords
regarding drug-related issues and illegal activities taking
place on their properties. Landlords, who were held responsible
for compliance with city ordinances, began to file standing
orders of complaint with the New Haven Police Department. These
orders authorized the police to enter private property without
a warrant and arrest anyone committing illegal acts there.
The police department also began to conduct undercover operations
in the area.
Another example of everyone pulling together was when the
community got rid of something unsightly yet seemingly innocent:
sneakers. Drug traffickers would mark their territories with
sneakers hanging from electrical wires. The district manager
partnered with traffic and parking, landlords, and residents
to cut down sneakers, showing drug traffickers that this neighborhood
was taking its streets back.
Because New Haven has expanded police patrols in the Hill
neighborhood, residents are more comfortable walking the streets,
children can actually come out and play, and merchants feel
safer opening their stores every morning. Safer streets have
made residents more trusting of the police and more willing
to work closely with them. And with more police officers on
the streets, residents have joined the effort of taking back
their streets without fear of retaliation. The larger police
presence has allowed Weed and Seed staff to handle a higher
volume of calls and attend to additional quality-of-life issues,
which makes the community a safer place to live, work, and
worship.
The Hill site will soon be embarking on its second year of
activities to support its 5-year strategy. The designated target
area encompasses two policing districts and two neighborhoods,
Hill North and Hill South. Future priority strategies identified
by the Hill community are as follows: increased number of police
walking beats; improved communication among and involvement
of police, residents, and youth; reduction of domestic violence,
loitering, illegal dumping, and illegal sales of tobacco and
alcohol to minors; traffic control; community and economic
development; and affordable housing.
Although community policing through problem solving is found
throughout New Haven, what is unique about the Weed and Seed
neighborhood revitalization project is the direct collaboration
and involvement of social service agencies, residents, and
community leaders and the close relationship between residents
and police officers. Residents have become the eyes of the
police department, and, at the same time, they have become
educated about their rights and resources.
For further information, contact:
Luz
Garcia
Weed and Seed Site Coordinator for New Haven, CT
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