We see him several times per day on Winthrop St., too. He runs the stop signs at Winthrop/Edgewood. A neighbor told me the police won't respond because the guy just takes off and they feel it's too dangerous to engage him in a high-speed chase. I guess they're waiting for him to cause an accident before they actually enforce the law.

By law the Police must respond to a complaint about illegal activity. If communications says no one will respond note the time of the call and ask to speak with a POLICE supervisor(One is on duty at all times in the communications room). Tell him you want someone to look into this and you wold likea copy of the tape recording of the phone call where the dispatcher refused to take the call. Police will NOT chase him. That is different than not responding or investigating.

If you give information as to where the bike is stored or if anyone knows the ID of the rider than this will help. You have to be PROACTIVE and INSIST that a supervisor respond and call you back. If they don't then the Police are violationing the law and the State Police will have something to say about it.

Try Bombalecki- he was good at tracking these guys/gals down to where they store the bikes.

If not call the Cheif's office and complain.

I have called maybe 20 times in the past year and have NEVER seen a car show up. It's a waste of time to ask them to enforce the law.

I was told by the Area Manager for Fair Haven that they WILL NOT PURSUE people doing stuff like this on motorcycles. It is department policy.

It is time we demand they change this policy. I have the same problem on Dover St in Fair Haven.

And this is why people break the law here in this state - because there is no punishment, no one held accountable, no reason to abide by the law. There are other ways they can go about such things besides chasing the biker but they wont lift a finger in any manner. Nothing will be done ever. This is Connecticut for you, get used to it.

John Public: I think the Quad Squad was disbanded. Current administration may say "No chase", but under Lewis the department DID chase quads/ATVs, and, in fact, there are several NHI stories about them catching riders without hurting innocent people...

Besides, chasing & following are two different things. If this was a priority for the city, I'm sure they would get resources to have a few officers in the area, just keeping an eye on the guy as he sped around. He's going to stop eventually.

There are two reasons I still call. One, sometimes they come out and get the guy. This happened a couple months ago in the area of Fairmont Park and the neighborhood has been much quieter, motorcycle-wise, since then (not perfect, but better....and WAY better than last year at this time.) The other reason is that calls (even those that don't get a timely response) help the police build their database of where this stuff is occuring so they can better allocate resources. I know it's frustrating sometimes and I readily admit I don't call 100% of the time, but stick with it...it WILL get better. I know this b/c I have lived here 21 years, so I have a longer perspective than some.

Re "S" I'm responding because of your comment about being here for 21 years. I am here just about 2 years. PART of the problem from my perspective are people that have lived here a long time and see how much better Fair Haven has gotten relative to 10-15 years ago. Supposedly quality of life has improved 100% around here. We can't rest on our laurels. Former area manager Casanova is a perfect example. At a neighborhood meeting one night last year, he said something to the effect 'if all I have to worry about is motorcycles doing wheelies, we are doing our job well' He was making referance to traffic infractions as compared to murders/robberies/etc that used to take place regularly. New people don't know this history personally, only what they hear. Everybody needs to keep pushing to make this a better place (including NHPD), as now traffic infractions and quality of life 'violations' are not acceptable.

My biggest concern is the inability of NHPD to listen to calls from neighbors and build any sort of faith in the department. They want more people to call for homicides and less for all other crimes but there is no willingness to create real relationships in the communities that would help foster normal communication about the health of our neighborhoods.

I must say Casanova's statement is as much axxinine as it is accurate. It's sad that a Police Supervisor feels that only minor complaints and violations mean they are doing there job.

I thinkieth not.

If you are doing your job then you have PLENTY OF TIME TO ENFORCE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES !! this is one the reasons people go out and get violent cause the cops won't do anything about minor issues and it escalates and people take justice into their own hands causing more serious crimes- violent cyle and job security.

Ever hear of preventive policeing.

BTW I have lived here for 30 years and the only way to get the cops to do their job is when it turns to tradgedy. Or you insist and force them to do something and even then its a craps shoot.

'dt01': Nothing I can disagree with here. There is an historical perspective, as I mentioned, but I'm not resting on my laurels, nor should anyone else....there's no such thing as good enough. And there's nothing qualitatively better in my length of residence here versus yours.

All of us expect to live in a pleasant place because we're humans and we need that. Secondarily, we paid x for our house and y for our taxes and we expect a high standard in return.I will continue to watch and call the PD, and I encourage everyone else to also do so.

I guess my point in mentioning a longer perspective was to point out that things get better and they get worse (the economy is a BIG predictor...go figure) but that ignoring stuff will make things far worse indeed. The heights is far from a ghetto. Up to us to keep it that way.

Let the rest of the PD notice that making a few traffic stops and putting drug dealers out of business by actually being proactive helps to downscale the violence and gives people a better sense of "community". Fair Haven has come a long way but ya need to pick up the trash as soon as you see it or it'll spread.

LCI has also played a large part of this transformation by helping with the blighted houses. Probalbly more than you think.

I understand that the NHPD cannot ( and should not) chase these idiots on dirt bikes. Sgt Anastasio suggests stiffer penalties, including harsher fines (when and if they are caught), and making it harder to get a bike back when confiscated. The Board of Aldermen need to be on the same page, and the Mayor needs to support these changes.

If you haven't already please consider calling or emailing the Mayor per the Call to Action authored by a group of concerned citizens below:

New Haven Coalition to Stop Illegal Traffic

The New Haven Coalition to STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (SIT) on our streets had its second meeting on Sept. 18. Alderman Justin Elicker reported that since our meeting last month, the city has started a concerted effort to address the issue of dangerous and illegal use of dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles, and other illegal motorized vehicles on our streets. Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company.
On September 18, 2012, SIT members decided that the quickest way to make our streets safer is to rally the community in support empowering the city to take more aggressive actions against illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs.

What the city is doing:
1. The Corporation Counsel (the lawyer for the city) has been directed to explore the legality of the city taking possession of non-registered dirt bikes, atvs, etc. that have been operated illegally and destroying them. Other enforcement ordinances are also being explored.
2. The City is in conversation with state legislators about state-level action.

What Coalition members and supporters are being asked to do:
a. Call the Office of the Mayor (203)946-8200 and tell the Mayor that you are concerned about this issue and that you want results by next summer 2013.
or
b. Write to the Mayor at MayorDestefano@newhavenct.net. You may want to include the following points:
“I am a concerned citizen who is frustrated by the increase in use of illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs on New Haven streets, inside New Haven Parks, and near playgrounds and other recreation areas. It is my understanding that the NHPD has a long standing no-chase policy, which I agree with given the chances that a chase could result in injury of an innocent bystander. However, more needs to be done. I support the city’s effort to create policies that will eliminate the reckless behavior before someone else is killed. We’ve had many close calls already in 2012; a little girl was hit by a dirt biker while waiting at a bus stop with her dad, and a dirt biker himself suffered life-threatening injuries after losing control of an unregistered illegally operated dirt bike. Please, do what is necessary. You have my support!"

New Haven Coalition to Stop Illegal Traffic

The New Haven Coalition to STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (SIT) on our streets had its second meeting on Sept. 18. Alderman Justin Elicker reported that since our meeting last month, the city has started a concerted effort to address the issue of dangerous and illegal use of dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles, and other illegal motorized vehicles on our streets. Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company.
On September 18, 2012, SIT members decided that the quickest way to make our streets safer is to rally the community in support empowering the city to take more aggressive actions against illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs.

What the city is doing:
1. The Corporation Counsel (the lawyer for the city) has been directed to explore the legality of the city taking possession of non-registered dirt bikes, atvs, etc. that have been operated illegally and destroying them. Other enforcement ordinances are also being explored.
2. The City is in conversation with state legislators about state-level action.

What Coalition members and supporters are being asked to do:
a. Call the Office of the Mayor (203)946-8200 and tell the Mayor that you are concerned about this issue and that you want results by next summer 2013.
or
b. Write to the Mayor at MayorDestefano@newhavenct.net. You may want to include the following points:
“I am a concerned citizen who is frustrated by the increase in use of illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs on New Haven streets, inside New Haven Parks, and near playgrounds and other recreation areas. It is my understanding that the NHPD has a long standing no-chase policy, which I agree with given the chances that a chase could result in injury of an innocent bystander. However, more needs to be done. I support the city’s effort to create policies that will eliminate the reckless behavior before someone else is killed. We’ve had many close calls already in 2012; a little girl was hit by a dirt biker while waiting at a bus stop with her dad, and a dirt biker himself suffered life-threatening injuries after losing control of an unregistered illegally operated dirt bike. Please, do what is necessary. You have my support!"

The New Haven Coalition to STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (SIT) on our streets had its second meeting on Sept. 18. Alderman Justin Elicker reported that since our meeting last month, the city has started a concerted effort to address the issue of dangerous and illegal use of dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles, and other illegal motorized vehicles on our streets. Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company.
On September 18, 2012, SIT members decided that the quickest way to make our streets safer is to rally the community in support empowering the city to take more aggressive actions against illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs.

What the city is doing:
1. The Corporation Counsel (the lawyer for the city) has been directed to explore the legality of the city taking possession of non-registered dirt bikes, atvs, etc. that have been operated illegally and destroying them. Other enforcement ordinances are also being explored.
2. The City is in conversation with state legislators about state-level action.

What Coalition members and supporters are being asked to do:
a. Call the Office of the Mayor (203)946-8200 and tell the Mayor that you are concerned about this issue and that you want results by next summer 2013.
or
b. Write to the Mayor at MayorDestefano@newhavenct.net. You may want to include the following points:
“I am a concerned citizen who is frustrated by the increase in use of illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs on New Haven streets, inside New Haven Parks, and near playgrounds and other recreation areas. It is my understanding that the NHPD has a long standing no-chase policy, which I agree with given the chances that a chase could result in injury of an innocent bystander. However, more needs to be done. I support the city’s effort to create policies that will eliminate the reckless behavior before someone else is killed. We’ve had many close calls already in 2012; a little girl was hit by a dirt biker while waiting at a bus stop with her dad, and a dirt biker himself suffered life-threatening injuries after losing control of an unregistered illegally operated dirt bike. Please, do what is necessary. You have my support!"

Tired of this issue? Then show your support this Tuesday 11/13 @ 6 p.m., all should attend, no excuses! If not you, and us, then who? Tell everyone you know and bring them along if needed--lets pack the room, this may be our only chance for this type of City-wide meeting. Please distribute widely.

via Alderman Justin Elicker:
"There will be a public hearing on the dirt bike ATV issue Tuesday, 11/13 at 6pm in Board of Aldermen Chambers at City Hall. It's an opportunity for people to express their concerns about the dirt bike issue and for the City to talk about what we plan on doing. Could you all help get the word out?"

Please close my reported issue. The police are aware of the situation and doing the best that they can.