Jessica Cole Photo
DeCrescenzo.
Louis DeCrescenzo (pictured, left) snagged his perfect job — a New Haven policeman — only to be laid off a short time later amid a budget crisis. Now DeCresecenzo and Casey O’Brien, a fellow laid-off officer, can return to the beat: they were officially recalled back into the force at a police commission meeting Tuesday night. “It’s a dream come true,” DeCrescenzo said.
Born and raised in New Haven, DeCrescenzo said he kept believing in his future here during this year’s budget cuts by DeStefano, which eliminated the jobs of 16 beat cops, including both DeCrescenzo and O’Brien, as well as 96 total positions around the city.
DeCrescenzo said that while it was “really hard” for him to deal with his time off of work, he also does not blame city officials for the choices that they make. “It’s a business and the city doesn’t have money, I understand that,” he said.
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he walked out of the commission meeting Tuesday night to a chorus of “Congratulations.” Thus far, out of the 16 removed officers, DeCrescenzo reported, only three are still looking for jobs. Others have primarily found employment in other departments across the state. For DeCrescenzo, it is difficult to imagine working anywhere else other than the Elm City. “I wanted to get trained by New Haven, for New Haven,” he said. “New Haven was my dream.”