Remarkably, not a single homicide anywhere in the city yet in 2026. Lateral transfers — that is, experienced officers from other cities — coming into the department, a phenomenon not seen in years. New officers on bike and even walking beats expected to be on the job soon. And lots of community support and love, and then dolce. Thursday night those were some of the themes — and goodies — highlighting the sunny June meeting of the Fair Haven Community Management (FHCMT) as 20 neighbors in person and a dozen online gathered in the community room of the Fair Haven branch library on Grand Avenue. The recently minted district manager Lt. Justin Cole and his predecessor Sgt. Chris Alvarado, who has gone on to helm the police department’s Internal Affairs division — this evening in a spiffy grey suit with handsome tie including a New York Knicks tie-pin — were the centerpiece of the gathering, a celebration of the literal passing of the baton from one district manager to another. “It’s a tradition,” said FHCMT Co-Chair Lee Cruz. But before the sweets, the dolce, were offered, Cole offered his first summary of police activities for the month of May, the first report reflecting his full leadership in the district since taking over from Alvardo six weeks ago. Reflecting the regular challenges of policing Fair Haven — along with the deep network of community calls, tips, and engagement that assist officers in nipping problems before they grow — here are some bullet points of that first month’s activity, mostly all occurring early in the month: • Two incidents of shots fired, both locations being Housing Authority developments — at Quinnipiac Terrace and Mill River Crossing. No one hurt, shell casings recovered, investigations and follow ups taking place. • Three stabbings, two involving arguments over vehicles, a scooter, and a car, with injuries minor. The third was a domestic dispute gone bad and with serious injuries; an arrest warrant for “assault one,” a very serious charge, issued and assailant being sought. • Eight car break-ins, all vehicles belonging to the Parks and Rec department, as the gate to the facility on Middletown Avenue had not been secured; now it is. • Two robberies, one at a market on Ferry Street where $3,000 in cash was stolen, the other a dirt bike swiped from a residence on Bright Street. Oddly, Lt. Cole concluded, all the above occurred in the first two weeks of May and the last two week have been, crime-wise, and gratefully, exceptionally quiet. He also reported that the drug enforcement unit is active in Fair Haven, but he could not reveal the locations. In an active QA session that followed, one neighbor, a parishioner at the Cathedral of Higher Praise, at 155 Grand Ave., requested help as they have noticed people shooting up and then going to sleep on the steps or adjacent areas of the church. Cole responded that, yes, he’s aware of the problem. He said he had that very afternoon spoken to the pastor, and a police cruiser, with deterring lights ablaze, will be deployed behind the church that night. “Excellent,” said the neighbor. Likewise two other questioners called attention to tents with unhoused people beginning to pop up on the grass by Brewery Square and other locations. “Yes, that’s LCI [Livable City Initiative]. We’ll work with them before it gets out of control; we’ll get on it,” Cole said. Sgt. Alvarado (center) flanked by Rafael Ramos and Jamiel Bowen. There was also a serious discussion about the appropriateness of an upcoming event to be hosted by the Civilian Review Board (CRB) June 27, between 11 and 2:00 p.m. at Edgewood Park. A getting-to-know-you event, it also includes Lt. Cole and eight other district managers, along with officers from Internal Affairs socializing with community members. The FHCMT’s web administrator Adam Randell questioned if this was appropriate, “socializing with those you are investigating?” “No, the aim of the CRB,” said its chair, AnneMarie Rivera Berrios, who was on the Zoom, “is to cooperate and work together.” Fair Haven Alder Frank Redente, Jr. added, “The Civilian Review Board folks don’t interact with regular officers but with [police] admin.” When that discussion and the report and QA drew to a close, Lee Cruz offered a reminding perspective to the meeting’s attendees. Namely, that not all that long ago New Haven experienced years when the city’s annual homicide tally hovered in the 30s. There were 16 homicides in total last year, while this year to date, half way through, not a single person has died by gun violence. “So there’s improvement!” he concluded. “Keep it going, Fair Haven.” Then neighbors, along with the once and current police district managers, adjourned for dolce, flan, and lots of other sugary decadent treats arrayed on tables in the back of the community room. The post “Keep It Going, Fair Haven” appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less