New Haven Independent

Posted by: on whalley | June 14, 2007 5:44 PM

Whats with the little "for now" bit?

The New Haven Independent is quickly devolving into an online version of the Advocate. Far more opinion than news and all of it becoming more obvious each day.

Anyway, I cant say enough how much I approve of lawfully armed citizens actively practicing their 2nd Amendment rights and I encourage everyone who can legally do so to get their permits and start carrying. Its the only way common sense will win out against the irrational campaign to demonize firearms and firearm owners.

Maybe one of you so afraid of the existence of guns can explain to me why exactly their being armed is so terrifying yet I walk around everyday armed along with countless other citizens and I dont get visits by large men in berets or have mumbling and irrational people complaining about it?

Lets say Greer comes out and says they no longer have a policy of being armed on their patrols. Would that make you feel better? The policy isnt there but they could still be carrying. In fact, now both persons in the patrolling pair could be armed because their one man armed one not policy is no longer in effect.

Is it just as simple as if they had not announced it and you were unaware of it you wouldnt be bothered? What you dont know wont hurt you?

Its like this city is overrun with over reactionary children who cant be bothered to educate themselves.

Truly a sad example of where American liberty has gone. Personally, I'm disgusted.

Posted by: ian | June 14, 2007 6:01 PM

Before I go and get myself in trouble, I should say that I am technically no longer a resident of the Edgewood neighborhood-but I did grow up here. And when I come home, I come home to Edgewood Avenue.

And as someone who grew up in this community-as someone with family still living on the block-its continued safety is very much a concern of mine. That said, the whole discussion of an armed patrol makes me cautiously worried and faintly hopeful.

Cautious because putting more guns on the street resonates in my mind as a step in the wrong direction. Shortly after I heard about the plans to launch the Edgewood Park Defense Patrol, I heard 4 faint poppings from inside a dark Edgewood Park. Later, a few whispers in this paper (see Paul Bass's earlier article) and perhaps elsewhere made reference to a murder in nighttime Edgewood Park-perhaps it was somewhere by the sundial, a place I used to play (barefoot) as a kid during the summer.

I recognize that putting more guns on the street is a preventative measure-and I like that the Edgewood community is taking steps to act together-but I think that part of the problem stems from the fact that we members of the Edgewood community do not know each other.

I have only ever seen Rabbi Greer-and of that I am not even sure.

I think the current climate arises from too much isolation in our community. Many prefer to live in privacy either behind fences or simply behind closed doors. I don't think this has been addressed enough in the criticism and support for this gesture.

Neighbors who don't know each other probably don't care for each other-they probably wouldn't watch out for each other. That's why the Patrol makes me faintly hopeful-maybe a few neighbors will get to know each other. But why aren't more actively trying to get to know each other, even if just in name?

I think that the Edgewood community-instead of just putting armed lookout on bikes-should make an effort to get to know each other. There have been neighborhood watch efforts that have taken threats to safety as an opportunity to build social connections. Why didn't Rabbi Greer take the opportunity to talk with other Edgewood residents and mobilize the community as a whole? An entire neighborhood behind one cause is more convincing than one segment of its population behind one cause.

I hope that the Edgewood community takes this opportunity to make a sustainable change that moves the neighborhood as a whole in a positive direction. I hope to be a part of this change.

As a parting note, I'd like to direct anyone who's interested to the Every Block a Village initiative launched by the Westside Health Authority as a model. I've linked their websites below.

http://www.ebvonline.org/
http://www.healthauthority.org/everyblock.html

Posted by: Paul Bass | June 14, 2007 6:02 PM

I intended no sarcasm by saying "for now." I was telegraphing the fact that Eli Greer said they're reassessing the gun question, so they may not continue over the long term. (I was trying to avoid saying all that in the first paragraph.)

Posted by: cedarhillresident | June 14, 2007 7:37 PM

I know some people feel a bit weary when they hear The Guardian Angels but in this day and age with crime up all over the county we are getting desprite. I am so sick of the crap that is happening around me. We gave up. We closed our doors hoping it would get better for it to only get worse. With the federal goverment making cuts to states for police. And citys not knowing how to cut spending or at the least how to manage things, what are people going to do??
I want to walk out my door with out a drug attict doing drugs out side my door
I want to not have to pick up USED condoms so kids do not see them.
You can't walk any where in this city with out coming across drug baggys.

Have we growen so numb to what is right that we except that as part of life!!

WELL I HAVE NOT!!

I fight it everyday! And to have these dang city rep's tell us that crime stat's say everything is SUNSHINY! *&@* *%@

I Welcome the Angels!!

But I do hope they show the Rabbi's a better way of handleing this.

ALL OF YOU AT CITY HALL:
the press talk is not working any more. I relize you are trying to keep the peace but this city has had it. Time to get down and dirty and clean up these streets. Take what ever help you are offered!!!! Dam it!!!!!! We are tired and afraid. WHAT KIND Of LEADERS ALLOW THERE PEOPLE TO LIVE THAT WAY! COME OUT OF YOUR LITTLE DOME OF HAPPYNESS AND SEE WHAT WE DO!

Posted by: KAMB | June 15, 2007 9:04 AM

REAL QUICK FOLKS, REAL QUICK:

The problem with the city is not the citizens, its the leadership. Here are some short examples:

1. The mayor doesnt support Elm City citizens and their legal right to carry concealed firearms and proactively patrol their own neighborhoods.

2. The mayor bends over backwards for illegal aliens.

3. The mayor allows the chief of police to continue his role as leader when the cops themselves vote no confidence for him, thus moral and the good cops are hindered from doing their job.

The leaders of the city set the tone.

How is it that the city has no 'true' intelligence unit in the PD? They dont solve crimes. They wait for one to happen, then hire 20 cops on overtime and put them on corners. Are you kidding me. The leadership is pathetic and needs to be held accountable.

Posted by: z | June 15, 2007 10:29 AM

solve all the problems; hire a security force made up of "illegal aliens".

Posted by: Willie Williams Jr | June 15, 2007 12:53 PM

You Don't Haveto Be A Leader To Walk Around Your Black For One(1) Hr. Every Day After Work. If You're Afraid You Can Take Your Dog and Carry Your Gun. Citizens Have Social and Civic Responsibilitie Too!. Take Your Camera/Camcorder With You So You Can Spot Crack Houses and Abandomed Cars. See Who You Neighbors Are On Your Block...Thats Citizens Patrols and A Good Neighbor Policy. While You're At It, Check Out The Street Lights, Storm Drains, Fire Hydrants and Abandomed Buildings. Report These Things...Know Where Your Tax Dollars $$$ Are Going. Question: Why Are You Paying Property Taxes? For What!?.

Posted by: ohplease | June 16, 2007 8:36 PM

Sorry, getting a no confidence vote from the department becasue you tried to remove billy white is not a negative. OK, the way he did it was stupid, but c'mon - everyone knew white was dirty and the fact that support for white in the rank and file was so strong should worry every new haven resident. at least ortiz tried. And I am not an Ortiz booster -- i hold out hope he will become a better leader but that is about it. If we could find someone more capable and with higher standards of integrity - (even with the white thing, i think his standards are not very high) i would say jump on it - hire that person.

Posted by: Blackdog | June 17, 2007 3:18 AM

W.W. Jr. has the right approach--do constructive things yourself, but also hold the City accountable if it's not doing its part. Can anyone really argue with what he said?

Posted by: cedarhillresident | June 18, 2007 10:15 PM

Blackdog
I thought the same thing when I read his comment ecept the gun thing. And every area has a small group that watches things. Put the problem is they are small. There needs to be a way to get people out and be more involved in there communitys. This is what the city need to spend time doing. Not covering there ass's but helping get community more organized. Plus yes everything else the WW Jr. mentioned