New Haven Public Schools - Director Of Communications

Recent layoffs have meant that as of February 28, 2011, the total number of hours that the New Haven main library branch opens have been reduced from 185 hours per month to 148. The branches have taken the brunt of the reductions, with monthly hours reduced from 136 to 96 including elimination of Saturday hours.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/branches_make_last_saturday_loans/

The closing of the libraries is a crucial issue of public space and civic vitality in New Haven. Libraries should be active community hubs where neighbors can meet and cement relationships, not abandoned buildings.

Public Libraries are educational agencies that provide materials and services to all members in the community from preschoolers to seniors. The library is accessible to students for study and research when public schools are not open. The library provides the only computer access some public school students have to complete their homework assignments.

Public Libraries help build a strong economy. Our unemployment rate has been at least 12%, and likely to be above 50% among youth in some city neighborhoods. Many employers have transitioned to online employment applications. Public Libraries provide the only access some people have to computer technology and job searches.

Please "vote" here if you believe that the City of New Haven should immediately restore all of the eliminated library hours, either through re-hiring of laid off employees or through other measures.

Information, updates and additional ways to advocate for this issue will be posted here and you will receive them if you request to be notified of updates.

(I have posted this at the request of an elderly New Haven resident who no longer has access to the internet, due to closing of library hours on Saturday in her neighborhood)

This problem is increasing and dispersing itself across New Haven. I went to KFC a couple of days ago and noticed some teenagers loitering in the the restaurant. The workers seemed upset and noticed that not only were the teenagers loitering, but were also insulting customers, being obnoxious and basically driving customers away. When I left the restaurant, I noticed that the problem was not secluded to the restaurant but its a problem everywhere. These teens are standing by corners at late hours and blatantly loitering everywhere. Just recently I watched as a youth was arrested for standing in the middle of the street, throwing empty bottles at cars driving pass. It's really getting out of hand and I'm tired of not wanting to take my children anywhere because of it. It's not fair. I pay my taxes, I work, I take of my children and I'm not depending on anyone but myself.
Even when the police stops and tells them to disperse, they simply move to another corner. I've watched as they laugh at police. Most of them have no respect or decency. The cornerstore near my home had to close because of the same reason, the endless loitering and chaos. Also, the shop was robbed repeated by "boosters". I think there should be a curfew for these teens. It's unfortunate but I think that's what it comes down to. For those who are trying to better themselves, I think if there's a curfew, they should have documents from their jobs or schools to prove why they are walking home after 7pm, or something like that. I can't even let my son ride his bike to his friend's house, which is only a block away because my neighbor's ten year old son was robbed by a group of teenagers roaming the street. They took his bike and the milk he went to the store to purchase for his mother. It's not right and it needs to end.
I think arresting them is not enough, people say blame the parents, then maybe the police should start giving the parents tickets too to send the point home.

Reinstate Cross High School student council leadership elections

There has been excessive drug dealing on Sea Street and South Water St, (often done behind the Sound School buildings, dumpsters, etc.) Many residents have observed this on various nights and have called police with car descriptions (and eventually a license plate number, see the SeeClixFix issue entitled "NHPD Dispatch Refuse to Dispatch Officers" for more on this).
On one night that an officer did respond, he told the resident that called it in that there is nothing he can do "unless the Sound School posts a 'No Trespassing' sign, since it is public property." I am told that the officer then left without getting out of his car.

While I find this assertion hard to believe, I'd like to request that the city or the school posts appropriate "No Trespassing" signs so that the residents who live here might receive a better police response.