Description
At the corner of Chapel and Church, and down to Crown, there is the continual presence of males (of a range of ages from younger to older) who loiter throughout the day and evening at corners and on the sidewalks. These males watch pedestrians come and go, particularly women, and some yell out at women, or stare persistently at them. The males do not appear to be homeless. Rather, they appear to not be gainfully employed. Typically, they dress in white tee shirts or tank tops, with dark blue baggy pants and shorts, often wearing baseballs caps. The Starbucks at this location has now become an additional hangout for them. Additionally, these loiterers often move a little further south on Chapel, towards the Blue Nile. Further, they will sometimes squat on the sidewalks near door entrances, and occasionally with female company. It is not the homeless or even the drunks that are the problem. It is the single males who hang around day and night. The loitering is excessive and I wonder why the City of New Haven does not enforce its loitering statutes. More police presence in car and on foot patrols is needed at these locations routinely on all shifts. More routine police presence and enforcement of loitering statutes would greatly contribute to the quality of life in this particular area of the city. But, right now, these male loiterers dominate the scene completely.
12 Comments
Anthony (Guest)
They are making unwanted comments or
Sexually harassing women, what you are essentially saying is you don't want poor people to enjoy the park area.
Anon (Guest)
Anthony, almost every time I have walked through the Green, I have been the target of sexually-charged comments from the same people described above - those who consistently loiter there. Some men have also stood up and followed me for half the block whistling and calling me to sit beside them.
It's disgusting behavior, and obviously I'm not the only person that this happens to. I agree with the original poster - there should be a greater police/park ranger presence on the green. If the men are caught sexually harrassing women, they should lose the privilege of using the Green via a court order of keeping at least two blocks away from the Green with a fine/jail for violation.
If the Mayor and/or Police Chief want the center of New Haven to be a safe and inviting place, then they need to rid the Green of this behavior by strict means. If they want the center of New Haven to be full of the dregs of society, exhibiting sexual harrassment and other crude behaviors - thereby making productive citizens feel very uncomfortable, unsafe and unwelcome, then they can ignore the problem.
theloiterer (Guest)
Anthony (Guest)
E (Registered User)
Rich (Guest)
joseph (Guest)
gone,making them very desperate.
anthony (Guest)
"...Most are convicted felons ,or have plainly done time in prison"
I'd love to know how you know this. Or are you judging purely by looks?
joseph (Guest)
We also volunteer where we know of many,
Anthony Acock (Registered User)
so... by going to starbucks, you can safely say that the people you heard, were the majority of these terrifying people who choose to spend time in public parks?
must have been an awfully long line in starbucks if most of these awful park enthusiasts were all getting coffee at the same time. i really didnt realize the starbucks was that big.
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Please call in to NHPD non emergency number in every instance, and leave a detailed description of the person responsible for harassment.
Other people have tried to address this, by monitoring the area, but NHPD has in every case told them that the person who felt harassed must make the complaint themselves.
If people call this in, and also contact their Alderperson, the Town Green Special Services District, and the City CAO Rob Smuts, about the issue each and every time it happens, it will be addressed. NHPD will consider sending out a plainclothes police officer if they receive enough specific reports.
When we don't speak up for ourselves, we condone this type of behavior.
Closed CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)