Carlson outlines steps to address rise in violent crime

NEW HAVEN — The city, facing increased shootings and violent crime, should take a series of steps to get things back under control, according to Republican mayoral challenger John Carlson.

But Democrat Mayor Justin Elicker says virtually all of what Carlson is calling for already is being done.

Among other things, New Haven should hire more police officers, give hiring preference to city residents, appoint a police chief “with a vision and experience who’ll be expected to deliver results” and increase patrols and officers in high-risk areas, Carlson said in a release.

Carlson also called for the city to maintain body cameras on all officers and install dash cameras on all Police Department vehicles, as well as install additional cameras throughout the city, including traffic cameras and playground cameras.

The Police Department also should “collaborate with community groups to educate and provide opportunities to high-risk individuals,” he said.

Beyond that, the city needs to “support the police and initiate zero tolerance for all crimes,” Carlson said, outlining his vision for what the city needs to do to address the issue.

“New Haven is getting to be a very dangerous place,” Carlson said in the statement. “Violent crimes and shootings are happening at an alarming rate.

“The Carlson Plan protects citizens from bad police, protects officers from false accusations, reduces violence and improves the quality of life for all residents,” the statement said.

Elicker repeatedly has called a city response to what he calls a national increase in violent crime a priority. He said in regard to the steps Carlson is calling for, “All of it is being done.

“I would say I’m glad that Mr. Carlson is endorsing the actions that we are taking to address” violent crime, Elicker said. “I would encourage him to add many of the other initiatives that we are implementing to ensure a comprehensive and multi-pronged strategy.”

Among other things, Carlson called for New Haven to hire more officers, Elicker said, adding, “We just had a press conference that we’re hiring more officers.”

The city already gives preference in hiring to local residents, Elicker said.

“We have a new police chief who has vision, experience and is responsive to community concerns, he said.

The city already has increased patrols to high-risk areas, Elicker said. In addition, “all officers have body cameras” and “we’re submitting to the alders a funding request for dash cameras in all” Police Department vehicles, he said.

The city also has been expanding the use of cameras at major intersections, has been giving out Ringstyle cameras to residents and the Police Department has been working to coordinate with a number of community organizations, including street outreach workers, Columbus House, the Yale Child Study Center and others, Elicker said.

“Obviously the violence is very concerning,” he said.

Carlson, also the city’s Republican Town Committee chairman, is New Haven’s first Republican mayoral candidate since 2007. New Haven hasn’t had a Republican mayor since William C. Celentano lost to Democrat Richard C. Lee in 1953.