I work on the same block and have a similar concern. The issue is worsening and a new strategy is required to address this. Specifically, I can attest to this individual's panhandling being a particular nuisance.

That guy has been around there for about 20 years. New Haven cares about yale territory, or is that Yale Security? anyway , if your shop is east of Temple St. that's the border between the territory New Haven cares about (west) and the part of New Haven that is turning into ghetto. Gateway college doesn't seem to rate the same respect as yale. Talk to the mayor about that.
I agree that New Haven center has gone way downhill lately, and looks less and less like a college town and more and more like a rundown inner city.

close for now