New Haven Police Chief Discusses Crime Problems in Westville Neighborhood – NBC Connecticut

In one New Haven neighborhood, residents are taking their concerns directly to the police chief after a series of break-ins and burglaries occurred in the Westville area, many of which occurred at a gated apartment complex.

A smashed car window is the first of several incidents that occurred at the Westville Village Apartments in New Haven.

Jonathan Ashe said his son’s car was targeted six times between October last year and last week. There is a feeling of frustration.

“It’s a sad situation for me. It’s a sad situation for my son. It has a steering wheel lock. He took every precaution. Do what he needs to do to protect his car,” he said.

Ashe said the car was insured and the premiums went up each time a window was broken.

“We pay $60 for a parking space and yet people are violating the parking rules. It’s crazy,” he said.

Management at the apartment complex said it was aware of the concerns and had increased security at the property. A statement continued:

“These investments include expanding and upgrading security cameras, ensuring a comprehensive and well-lit parking area, and providing on-site security services overnight.”

New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson met with neighbors at a meeting organized by Councilman Richard Furlow. He said there was a 191% increase in car break-ins in the Westville area in April.

He considers this figure unacceptable and promised to take measures to address the shortage of civil servants.

“That’s up to me. We moved some resources here because there is violent crime in another part of the county, but everyone in New Haven needs to feel safe,” he said.

Jacobson plans to add more patrols in the area and said there will be detectives dedicated to a robbery and burglary unit to handle those cases. He said there has been one arrest related to criminal activity around the complex, with strong evidence pointing to a second person.

Jacobson said meetings with concerned neighbors are, at their core, community policing.

“It’s about giving people a voice. That is one of the qualities I emphasized as police chief. Legitimacy of the police. You only gain legitimacy by listening to people,” Jacobson said.

Ashe said he hopes to see results soon.

“The boss gave me his card personally. I respect that and it could prevent something like this from happening again,” he said.

Monthly meetings are planned with the city administration, the police and neighbors in the area to continue the dialogue.