Description
It is very sad when going to select a "Category" to post here and our poor little street suffers all the issues but two. There have been a number of posts from a number of people living on this street and nothing has been done to correct ANY of the issues.
I contacted our Alderman via email, phone, and text and have not received so much as a peep. Every single person on this street is sick of the trash, noise, crime (drugs, prostitution, etc), blight, condemned property, that plague our street on a daily basis.
Since my first posting there have been no less than six used condoms in front of our homes (not to mention the piles of drug paraphernalia), on the streets and sidewalks where our children walk and we get out of our cars. I had company over and her son stepped on a used condom and it stuck to his foot and went into their car -- that is unacceptable.
I think a street meeting with some city officials is due.
11 Comments
Lewis St Res (Guest)
Seriously?
Anonymous
An intervention by police is what's needed. Maybe the dynamic duo can swing by.
Mark
"I contacted our Alderman via email, phone, and text and have not received so much as a peep."
Is that a problem elsewhere in the Ward? Maybe the first intervention is needed at that level. Aldermen are supposed to be responsive to constituents.
libbymj
I would have to say that yes, it does appear to be a problem. When Erin Sturgis-Pascale was our alder, she was very responsive, and I felt she made a concerted effort to be fully present in our community. I did not feel that way about Stephanie Bauer, thus, I voted for Gabe Santiago, because I was excited about his apparent enthusiasm and intelligence when he knocked on my door while canvassing. I haven't seen or heard from him since. I really miss Joe Rodriguez, because I felt he was responsive to and involved in the entire Fair Haven community. He is still very involved, and our community is the better for it. Thanks, Joe! As for Gabe, please step up to plate and do the job that you practically begged me to hand to you!
LCI Watcher
LCI staff is working on getting more light on the street. We are tying to get the trees trimmed around the fixtures and brighter light bulbs too.
Matthew (Guest)
I will very likely be running against Gabe for Alderman next round.
Matthew
Matthew (Guest)
Thanks LCI Watcher. We had the trees just trimmed around the lights last summer, or fall (?). It doesn't help at all. The reason being, there is a giant, stone, retaining wall where they park and a vacant lot across from it. There is no one there to see what's happening with all the light in the world. The activity continues 24 hours a day in broad daylight (although more frequently at night). What Would work is having motion sensing lights -- it makes it seem like someone is watching.
XX_New_Haven
I believe the Alderman job is a stepping-stone into politics for those who want the job - or even a way to get personal favors done in the city. They are paid something like $2,000 a year, what could we realistically expect from them?
Mark
Has anyone looked into whether local residents could be hired to help clean the streets? Litter seems to be a major problem in many neighborhoods.
In the past, the City had programs to hire local youth, long-term unemployed, ex-offenders, and others who have difficulty finding jobs in disadvantaged neighborhoods to help clean the streets.
Maybe the unions opposed that? I think our problems are so bad that we need to throw out the old rules, and start making every effort to keep our streets clean and safe, and employ local residents.
Justin Elicker
Hi all,
I just reached out to Gabe. I think the suggestion of having a small meeting to discuss the specific issues and come up with specific action items to address them would be appropriate. (ie. LCI's suggestion about the lighting is a good one.) It seems from this post that people would like to focus primarily on this block of Lewis Street, correct? If that is the case, perhaps one or two of the folks on this post would be willing to help set up a meeting?
Justin Elicker
Ward 10 Alderman
justin.elicker@gmail.com
LCI Watcher
This issue was recategorized from Public Space & Streets to Policing Issue.