The Fair Haven Elderly Apartments complex have become a nightmare for inhabitants, due to assaults, vandalized cars (pictured), and lack of security, not to mention an invasion of cockroaches and mice.
This article, the first of two parts, originally appeared in Spanish in La Voz Hispana.
La Voz Hispana was able to confirm the abuses and difficulties that the elderly of the complex at 25 Saltonstall Ave. suffer daily. This living hell that has united and mobilized the residents of this elderly center to the point that they have created a committee to fight for their rights and try to get someone to sympathize with their plight and listen to their demands.
“A few days ago all of us residents had a meeting and we discussed security for those present. All of the attendees — 47 in total- – agreed that we had to do something about it. It was like that as we went to the legal aid offices at 426 State St., New Haven, where we gave information about the case and it’s up to them to investigate,” began Mr. William Justiniano, one of the leaders of this movement, in an interview.
“What we want is security for the building and its surroundings. A while ago they tried to stab one of the residents of Fair Haven Elderly Apartments at night, and that has put us more on edge,” said Jusiniano.
We attempted to contact the management of the residence in New York in multiple occasions, but were unsuccessful.
It Wasn’t Like This Before
During 13 years living there, William Justiniano has witnessed the many changes and the fate of this residential complex that houses dozens of elderly persons, many of them incapacitated.
“The problems here have been coming for many years, but recently they have come to a head. I only have to say that in the parking lot out back they have broken into many cars,” he explained.
During a tour around the back of the building, he showed us thousands of glass shards strewn all along the asphalt of the parking lot.
Another of the complaints is the lack of specialized personnel to take care of any emergency that could happen in the building. “There have been a few fires here, and when the firemen arrived, they were surprised because there wasn’t anyone in charge of watching out or responsible for these units during nighttime. The firemen know that there are a number of elderly people that would need to be lowered or attended to in case of an unexpected fire,” Justiniano said.
“There was a security system before, but they stopped it. And afterwards — more than a year ago – the representatives form the firm ARCO Management, based out of New York and the owners, had a meeting and promised to put the security system back, but until now they haven’t done anything,” he complained.
A Victim’s Tale
For her part, Maria Rivera has also been left feeling terrified and worried. “We are scared here because we are at the mercy of robbers, especially in the parking area, and also at the mercy of the people that come and go here and that probably don’t come with good intentions. It’s horrible.”
Actually, Mrs. Rivera – who needs a walker in order to get around – was a victim herself. “In my case, last year, around 8 p.m., when I was smoking a cigarette outside next to the door, a guy jumped at me suddenly and grabbed my neck. If it wasn’t for the intervention of Carmen Padilla and her sister, who were coming out at that time, God knows if this wrongdoer would have killed me there, because what he wanted was money. And since there wasn’t any security.”
William Padilla, who has been living in the building four years, recalls the time when he first came to Fair Haven Elderly Apartments. “There was security from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., and there wasn’t so much vandalism. Ever since February 2006 the security was removed, and everything stopped.”
During this time, the representative of ARCO Management came and called a meeting to try to find for a solution to the problem. “We talked there together and they said that they would bring a security guard in a week, and then would start the cameras working. Nothing happened. Up to now the only thing that’s occurred is more vandalism,” asserted Padilla.
“From New Year’s Day to now, there have been 11 vehicles that have been vandalized in that back area. They have broken the windows in the doors, the rearview mirrors, taken the radios and anything inside. Even the super here has had his car broken into on two occasions and the radio and his tools were taken. In other words, vandalism is rampant.”
Almost Stabbed To Death
One of the most serious attacks happened Rafael Pagan, who by his estimations and that of many others is alive only because of a miracle.
“One day, around 10 p.m., as I was going to my apartment, the elevator door opened and there was a guy hiding with his back turned. When I tried to go to the side, he came at me with a knife. Immediately after, the guy ran out, so I couldn’t recognize him. This is the second time that a similar incident has happened to me,” declared Pagan.
Fortunately for Pagan, the knife of his assailant missed its mark. It only cut through his jacket. It’s only thanks to that strike of luck that he can tell his story today.
The residents also informed us of an additional assault suffered by another ex-resident of the residential complex. This person was thrown on the floor and beaten in the back of the building. The poor man had to pack his bags and move because he could no longer withstand the situation in the building. Fear devoured him.
Cars Left In Street
Due to the instability and the dangerousness of the place, many of the residents of this residential complex have opted to park their cars in the street, running the risk that something worse could happen to them there.
“Seeing what was happening, the owners of the building put some signs up in the parking lot saying that whoever leaves his car there, does so at their own risk, and that are not responsible if the criminals steal or damage the cars,” declared Maria Rivera.
This warning causes panic in the residents, since no guarantee is being offered to these elderly people. All the while, the Fair Haven Elderly Apartments administration has not taken any responsibility and has done nothing to help them.
It is unfortunate that at this point in their lives, these elderly people- many of whom are not able to take care of themselves on their own- have to spend their nights locked in their apartments in fear since they lack the protection of the administrators of the place. Among those who live in Fair Haven, the residents of these apartments are known as “the forgotten.” This is no exaggeration since the place reeks of isolation, and the problems abound everywhere.
This article, the first of two parts, originally appeared in Spanish in La Voz Hispana.