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Community Mediation, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to promoting peace and justice by enabling individuals, groups and communities to resolve their conflicts themselves through mediation and other nonviolent means. They provide staff, trained volunteers and other resources to resolve disputes.
Community Mediation works with the New Haven Police Department, especially District Managers and Family Services Division personnel, to identify and resolve conflicts involving adults, youth, and families to prevent conflicts from escalating and requiring further police involvement. They provide the following services:
Outreach - Staff attend Management Team meetings and community agency meetings to publicize its services, in order to get direct referrals of conflict before the police are involved.
Intake and Case Development - Staff handles cases referred by the police. They clarify and determine the problem through the use of telephone, letters and home visits.
Mediation and Conciliation - Staff arranges full mediation involving the disputing parties, volunteer mediators from the community, and a Community Mediation staff person. Mediations are held at their office, at police sub-stations or other sites as appropriate. All mediation is kept confidential.
Training - Staff provides presentations to New Haven Police Academy students, sworn police personnel and members of the community including management teams and block watches.
The Housing Authority of New Haven works closely with the police department to incorporate community-policing principles into the management of their housing developments. A supervisor is assigned as liaison to the Housing Authority to develop and improve safety protocol and provide extra duty police coverage as necessary. In addition, every effort is made to increase safety and decrease drug traffic and other criminal activity in and around subsidized housing.
Officers in Residence Program
The Officers in Residence Program was adopted by the Housing Authority of New Haven and waives income guidelines and rent requirements to New Haven police officers in an effort to encourage them to live in public housing. An officer is provided a rent-free apartment for a minimum of 12 months with the agreement that he or she becomes a willing and enthusiastic member of the public housing community. The Officer in Residence serves to reassure residents on safety issues, serves as a role model, interacts with residents, and attends tenant meetings. There are currently five New Haven officers living in five senior citizen housing complexes.
Officer Next Door Program
The Office Next Door Program offers HUD-owned, single family homes to law enforcement officers at 50 percent discount. This program helps prevent crime and promotes neighborhood safety and security by encouraging law enforcement officers to become homeowners and residents in economically distressed communities. Under the program, HUD offers homes located in revitalization areas. Revitalization areas are typically in low and moderate income neighborhoods, have many vacant properties and often have high crime rates, but are considered good candidates for economic development and improvement.
Officers must live in the property as their sole residence for at least three years after purchase. Although not required, law enforcement officers are encouraged to purchase a home in the community they serve.
The Livable City Initiative is a city department that preserves and strengthens New Haven's neighborhoods by ridding them of abandoned and deteriorating housing. LCI and the Department of Police Services work closely on issues of this nature. Collaboration for enforcement of the State's Nuisance Abatement laws recently resulted in the closing of four properties. In addition, LCI and the NHPD join forces to board vacant properties and conduct code enforcement 'sweeps' in all city neighborhoods. LCI Neighborhood Beautification projects have been coordinated with Neighborhood Services and the Block Watch Association.
In the late '80s and early '90s, New Haven began to experience a serious increase in gang related activity, especially violent behavior. In response to this activity and alarming trend, New Haven police initiated a partnership with state and local authorities. In 1992, the New Haven Gang Task Force was created. It brought together New Haven and State police, DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), U.S. Marshal Service, U.S. Attorney's Office, and New Haven State's Attorneys Office to focus efforts on drug gangs and associated violence in the City of New Haven.
Utilizing federal tools, with assistance and cooperation of state agencies as well, enabled the task force to dismantle major local drug gangs. Their efforts continue today, to help eliminate the threat of violence and increase public safety to maintain peace and tranquility in neighborhoods.
In 1993, the New Haven Gang Task Force was awarded special recognition as an outstanding example of federal, state and city cooperation by the New England region OCDETF (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force), at their annual conference. It was also highlighted as a national model and prototype by Attorney General Janet Reno.
How To Prevent Gang Membership
Gang membership extracts a terrible toll from the lives of all who are in contact with the member. Family members often have to concern themselves with their safety because of a son's, daughter's, or sibling's affiliation with a gang. A lasting impact is that inducted gang members often retreat from the positive influences in their community including friends, family, schools, and community organizations. They find their only friends are active gang members who become part of their extended family.
These are some steps that parents, community members and educators can take to steer young people away from drugs, crime, disorder and gang membership:
- Talk to your teenager. Discuss the consequences of becoming involved in a gang or hate group.
- Involve your children in family and outside activities.
- Take an active role in your child's education and progress.
- Become acquainted with the resources available to you such as PAL (Police Athletic League), Mentoring Program, Board of Young Adult Police Commissions and other activities and programs coordinated through the Family Services Unit of the New Haven Police Department. Many community-based organizations offer services geared toward positive youth development as well.
- Work with your community and government, including the police, in identifying and intervening in gang and hate group activities before they become a major problem in your neighborhood.
- Respond quickly in removing graffiti, a means of gang advertisement, and repairing vandalism in your neighborhood. A prompt response signals we have pride in our neighborhoods, and that we will not relinquish our communities and quality of life.
- Report suspected gang activity immediately. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1. For non-emergencies to report problems, call 203-946-6316. Also in a non-emergency situation, you can contact the department's Narcotic Enforcement Unit at 203-946-6287, to provide information that may be beneficial to police in investigating illegal behavior.
For More Information, Contact:
Assistant Chief Bryan Norwood at 203-946-6266
The New Haven Guns Project is a partnership between various local, federal, and state law enforcement agencies, offender serving agencies and the community. As one of five cities in the country selected to participate in a National Institute of Justice program, New Haven chose illegal gun possession, gun violence, and perceptions of safety as its project. The Gun Project concentrates on individuals or groups that have a history of violence or that have participated in previous gun-related incidents. Alternatives to violence (education, employment counseling, drug treatment and other services) are offered for both prevention and intervention purposes. Specific attention is paid to the most dangerous players using case management techniques so that their influence on others can be diminished. Prosecutions proceed where indicated: federal and state prosecutors determine in which court system to proceed and seek the longest sentences possible. One prosecution of note was the conviction of a previously adjudicated felon based on the possession of two bullets.
In the Summer of 1999, the New Haven Gun Project implemented several new strategies to attack violent gun crime in the City of New Haven.
The selection of strategies relied in significant part on extensive research into the specific nature and dimensions of incidents of murder, assault with a firearm, armed robbery, the unlawful firing of firearms and unlawful firearm possession. Data from this research, conducted by Spectrum Associates of Farmington, Connecticut, was presented to a wide array of law enforcement, government and community representatives in order to solicit ideas for strategies to reduce violent gun crimes and illegal gun possession. Some of the data presented included:
A large percentage of offenders and victims were 15-21 years of age.
Most offenders had serious criminal histories.
One fifth of offenders had been arrested for a prior gun offense, and three-fifths had a history of drug charges.
Over one third of the offenders were on probation at the time of the new gun-related offense.
Approximately one-third of offenders or victims associated with murders and armed assaults were members of neighborhood "groups" believed to be involved in other illegal activities.
The strategies include:
1. Identification and Removal of Dangerous Offenders from the Community. Federal and state prosecutors meet weekly with police to identify members of the local community known to be responsible for violent incidents involving guns committed either by themselves, or through neighborhood groups in which they exercise a leadership role. With input from probation and parole officers, decisions are made concerning the most effective way to address the dangers these individuals pose to the community. All new arrests for illegal gun possession or use are also reviewed.
2. Deterrence and Rehabilitation. Another major strategy component seeks to inform community members of the significant commitment of state and federal agencies to the violence reduction goals of the New Haven Gun Project. To address firearm crimes among potential juvenile offenders, school resource officers will be made aware of those probationers attending school who are viewed as acutely at risk for criminal behavior, particularly violent behavior. Part of the officer's regimen will be to maintain regular contacts with such students to monitor their conduct.
3. Geographical Information System. A GIS was installed at the department in June of 1999 to produce sophisticated maps that integrate criminal activity data with city logistical information, (including, but not limited to, street lighting, abandoned housing, vacant lots, liquor store locations, "hot spots" for illegal activities), to assist police in the analysis of crime patterns and the development of strategies to combat emerging crime problems. Similar information, in a format that addresses privacy and law enforcement confidentiality concerns, will be made available to contributing agencies and the public.
The Project One Voice initiative was designed as a community-based effort that has police, prosecutors, courts, adult and juvenile probation, and parole working collaboratively with neighborhood groups to speak with "one voice". Their message is directed to those individuals who engage in persistent criminal activity that disrupts neighborhoods and who make it difficult for the majority of citizens to enjoy safe, quiet and normal lives in their communities. By working together, these criminal justice agencies will help neighborhoods enhance the quality of life and assist neighborhood preservation efforts.
This effort helps coordinating agencies, with the help of the community, to identify individuals and gangs who are responsible for a majority of violent crimes and controlled substance distribution systems. To ensure strict compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, the department works closely with Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration, Statewide Narcotics Task Force, Statewide Cooperative Crime Control Task Force, Statewide Gang Prosecution Bureau, and the New Haven Drug Gang Task Force, to effect the arrest of those persons involved in drug and gang activities.
Federal and State prosecutors collaborate by targeting these individuals for priority prosecutions to assure that the most serious charges and consequences are brought to court. These "vertical" prosecutions also receive increased attention from judges who understand the impact of criminal activities on the neighborhoods where offenses occur.
Residents especially are most discouraged to see offenders back on the street and resuming unlawful activities. They work with their District Managers and their Management Teams to determine areas to be included in the project. The city's Public Works Department and Livable City Initiative works with Management Teams to make sure that vacant lots are monitored and blighted properties are not used for illicit activities. The Housing Authority collaborates as well by improving maintenance and enforcing lease conditions.
The Bail Commissioner cooperates by carefully crafting strict conditions on bail for those individuals identified as habitual offenders.
Once those found guilty serve their sentences, there is enhanced monitoring for those on parole and probation. The Board of Parole already has considerable authority over parolees. Those Parole Officers work closely with Probation Officers, juvenile and adult, and the department's evening coverage officers to more closely monitor individuals requiring close supervision as a condition of their release. Re-arrests of violators occurs more quickly due to the ongoing partnership among agencies.
An integral part of Project Once Voice is fostering open communications between the criminal justice community and the neighborhoods in which the initiative is pursued. The objective is to deter criminal activity by these individuals so as to reduce fear, crime rates, ease the burgeoning case loads in the criminal courts, and improve the quality of life for the residents of the targeted neighborhoods. Currently, the project is fully operational in the Fair Haven, Newhallville, Hill North and Dwight/Chapel neighborhoods.
The participating agencies include: U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration, Chief State's Attorneys Office, New Haven State's Attorneys Office, CT Department of Public Safety, CT Department of Correction, CT Board of Parole, CT Office of Adult Probation, CT Office of Juvenile Probation - New Haven, CT Bail Commission, Office of Alternative Sanctions, Housing Authority of New Haven, New Haven Department of Public Works, and New Haven Livable City Initiative.
In 1999, the Department began to work in partnership with the University of New Haven (UNH) in the "Advancing Community Policing" Program. The ACP grant program was designed to identify leading departments in the area of community policing to designate activities that will further their progress. The grant funds for the New Haven project were provided by the federal Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), U.S. Department of Justice. UNH is responsible for the design, coordination, and delivery of several ACP tasks and work products in cooperation with the department.
UNH was selected for this partnership because it is both a local and national leader in criminal justice.
Their responsibilities include:
Developing a strategic plan for advancing community policing
Writing and delivering a manager training course for department supervisors
Training trainers in the department for future management training
Developing advanced crime analysis tools, including enhanced data collection and analytical tools for use by officers and line supervisors
The project supports the Department's commitment to maintain a full-service, decentralized, community police department with police activities developed in partnership with the community. The project will help ensure that community policing in New Haven has a viable and permanent future. The key to this endeavor is supporting the supervisory role and understanding the mechanism that has been created.
To date, UNH has provided specialized supervisor management training for sworn personnel in the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. In developing the training curriculum, UNH conducted a needs assessment study which involved interviewing department supervisors. The interviews provided useful information to guide the tailoring of the curriculum specific to the needs of the supervisors as they perceived them.
All Department supervisors received a total of five days of training to reinforce managerial skills within the precepts of community policing. Prior to instituting this training program, supervisors did not receive any formal training specific to building management skills in this style of policing. Now, all of the department's supervisors, both veteran and the newly promoted, have the opportunity to learn more about effective leadership and the skills necessary to work in tandem with the community to better address issues of mutual concern. The training is designed to better prepare supervisors for the challenges of community policing in the new millennium.
The training included sessions on problem-solving, styles of leadership, shared values and the decision-making process, time management, team building, diversity, written and oral communication skills, meeting facilitation skills, personnel management and motivation, and tactical and strategic planning, among others.
UNH has developed a draft of the strategic plan for review by the Board of Police Commissioners and city and police department senior management. The draft was compiled through survey (all department members and block watch captains) small working groups (sworn and non-sworn individuals), and meetings with additional city and public agencies. The purpose of the plan is to guide the department over the next five years to build on our strengths and improve police service.
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