New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Two arrested as city cracks down on Long Wharf noise
Officials also announce possible bill for recent motorcycle event
NEW HAVEN — The department made two arrests and issued a series of tickets regarding noise issues on Long Wharf over the weekend, Interim Chief Renee Dominguez and Mayor Justin Elicker said Monday.
Elicker and Dominguez spoke at the department as part of the city’s weekly press conference on gun violence and police-related issues.
There have been 10 incidents of gunfire since the last briefing on Sept. 27, Dominguez said. The department had seized 150 guns and made 148 arrests as of Monday, as compared to 107 and 122, respectively, at this time in 2020, she said.
Elicker said noise complaints had been common in New Haven, including over the course of the past year. But the issue had become particular acute in the Long Wharf area, with “boom cars” using “mega speakers” prompting calls to police.
“We’ll be doing more work to address this issue, because residents of course deserve a high quality of life,” said Elicker. “The noise is disruptive and disrespectful and not allowed as part of our ordinance as well.”
Reports of noise emanating from Long Wharf had come in from East Shore, as the sound carries over the water, and as far away as Branford, Dominguez and Elicker said. The issue had been reported in Fair Haven as well, Elicker said.
Dominguez said Lt. Brian McDermott, newly-named as the district manager in the East Shore area, had been in the area in recent days to consider enforcement options.
Two people were arrested Friday and charged with disorderly conduct, Dominguez said. Five infractions were issued over the weekend, she said.
While the initial enforcement action takes longer than just telling people to cut out the noise, the department is hoping to dissuade the practice more widely, cutting down on the reason for complaints, Dominguez said.
“This is going to be something that (is) not just going out and moving people along, not going out and just saying, ‘turn down the music,’ but taking enforcement and being more consistent,” said Dominguez. “We’re trying to make it a little easier for people to sleep at night.”
East Coastin’ motorcycle rally
Dominguez and Elicker said, although a final bill had not been tabulated, the city was planning to seek more than $100,000 to defray overtime expenses from police and public works tied to the unsanctioned East Coastin’ motorcycle rally on Sept. 25.
Dominguez said the city, through discussions with corporation counsel, was considering seeking restitution through the court system as part of the ongoing case levied against organizer Gabe Canestri, as well as through a potential civil action tied to the affair. The city has not yet issued a bill, Elicker said.
Canestri was charged with allegedly inciting a riot and second-degree breach of peace during the affair. He declined to comment on the matter last week, citing advice from his attorney.
Elicker said the city had a series of conversations regarding the matter postevent. On the whole, the event was better than last year from the city’s perspective, with fewer people in attendance and a more limited stunt show, he said.
The department is working on warrants for future arrests tied to the event, Dominguez and Elicker said.
Recruitment efforts
A series of city officials and leaders will canvass Fair Haven and the Hill on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, from 5 to 7 p.m as part of the department’s continuing efforts to recruit new officers, Dominguez and Elicker said.
The department had received 240 applications as of Monday, Dominguez said. That’s up from Thursday, when 216 had come in, but well short of the department’s initial “lofty” goal of 1,000, she said.
“We need to do a larger push,” said Dominguez.
Dominguez earlier this month said the department has 319 officers on staff, but is budgeted for 406 positions.
“We have so many vacancies that we need to fill. We want to fill them with New Haven residents; we want to fill them with the people who want to serve their community,” she said at the time. “One of the best jobs in the world is being a police officer.”
Those interested in applying can do so by visiting the department or through PoliceApp.com.
Applicants should send in their information before Oct. 15, when the department is closing the current round of applications.
Violence-related work: Ghost gun seizure, arrests
Dominguez said a 19-yearold New Haven man had been arrested and charged Oct. 2 after being allegedly found with a “ghost gun.” He is charged with carrying a pistol without a permit and alteration of a firearm identification mark, number or name, she said.
The department has seized six “ghost guns” so far this year, Dominguez said.
Asst. Chief Karl Jacobson noted the difficulty of tracking such firearms, as they come without serial numbers and can be built from parts.
The case will be referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which likely will investigate the provenance of the weapon, he said.
Police have outstanding warrants for an individual tied to a 2020 gunfire incident and a Sept. 21 gunfire incident, Dominguez said.
Also, a 20-year-old man on parole was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm and theft of a firearm, Dominguez said.
Project Longevity, which works at individuals at risk of becoming involved in violence in New Haven, held a call-in over the weekend, talking with 22 people, Elicker said.
Elicker also noted the city’s new partnership with CT Against Gun Violence, which will help plan the future Office of Violence Prevention, part of the newly-established city Department of Community Resilience.