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Newsroom >
August 8, 2005
NCCEV Press Releases
For immediate release: August 8th, 2005
Expanded Community Policing Revitalizes Neighborhood
Luz Garcia, Weed and Seed Site Coordinator
Article from:http://www.ncjrs.org/ccdo/in-sites/welcome.html
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
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