Maya McFadden Photo
Young people showed up at Justin Elicker’s latest neighborhood meet-the-mayor gathering — and turned the discussion to how the city can help youth.
The gathering took place Wednesday evening at the Westville Manor public-housing development. The discussion covered lack of access to youth services, recent neighborhood violence, and the nearing of hybrid learning (which since the event has been put on hold).
Families joined the outside event at the corner Level and Lodge Streets. And a contingent showed up from the Solar Youth environmental program, which is based in West Rock.
Westville Manor resident Kierra Bryant (picutred above) asked if it would be possible to add a youth recreation center for the community at 34 Level St., which the Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven (HANH) recently purchased.
In response, HANH President Karen DuBois-Walton informed the community that invitations will we sent to residents interested when it comes time to develop the property’s master plan.
Bryant also asked how more youth programs could be brought to the community. Bryant said not all of the neighborhood kids are interested in programs like Solar Youth. “We need more options for our youth like trade trainings and certifications,” she said.
HANH Community, Economic and Development (CED) Director Latoya McCrea encouraged residents to contact West Rock HANH Resident Services Coordinator Lakeya Moye to learn about available programs and services. McCrea also informed residents that a program catalogue should be arriving to each resident in the next week via email detailing all HANH programs.
The Wednesday gathering was the first time Solar Youth member D.J. Thorpe met Elicker. She asked him what his top priorities currently are for New Haven. Elicker responded that affordable housing and job accessibility are among those at the top of the list.
Thorpe said she was pleased with Elicker’s answers, though she was also hoping to hear mention of movements like Black Lives Matter.
As at other recent neighborhood sessions, Elicker was pressed for more beat cops. Neighbors cited recent paintball and BB gun incidents
“We need regular policing out here,” said a resident.
Elicker said he has been working with the New Haven Police Department to pinpoint the neighborhoods and areas where the most incidents happen to increase policing.
Top neighborhood cop Lt. Elliot Rosa said officers have recently taken nine paintball guns off the streets and secured a vehicle suspected to be involved in many of the paintball incidents.
Rosa said he has since instructed his third-shift officers to be more aware of the issue and focused on the areas that call in with concerns.
Ward 30 Democratic Committee Co-Chair Iva Johnson (pictured) asked Elicker how the police budget works and why there isn’t enough officers in the community. “Third shift is great, but things happen all day long. We need more police out here,” she said.
Elicker said city continues to have ongoing financial pressures leading to cuts in almost all department budgets. He said in the last few years the NHPD has lost many officers and since has not been able to bring enough qualified officers on board to meet the demand.
Johnson suggested more work be done by police to make for more positive interactions in West Rock. “We want to look at police officers in a positive light,” she said.
Rosa said his plan to host a martial arts program for the neighborhood youth is still in the works. The Covid pandemic had delayed it..
Westville Manor resident “Ms. Pearl” McKee said instead of martial arts, more educational youth programs need to be brought to the community. “We need programs that will make these kids lieutenants, mayors, and CEOs,” she said.