So upset, we was actually at the Clinton ave field with children practicing LaCrosse, another group had young kids practicing baseball and on the other side the was another group of teens practcing baseball also while these youth were riding the dirtbikes recklessly thru the field as practice was going on. Some coaches approched the youth and they responded so rudely and continue to be reckless not even caring for families walking the field nor children playing or practicing. We also called and only received answer to where the police will arrive shortly but it hit almost eight pm and no officer arrived. Very disappointed with our NHPD for not responding and listening to more than one call from concern citizens and taking it serious, someone could have gotten hurt, there are kids from the housing apartments who's parents allow them to be out there in the park and not know what reckless youth are there, some cars could have or might have gotten damage because these youth do not care they crash and continue going. The could have crashed to cars, school bus coming towards them or even next to them, they kept cutting cars off, riding opposite of proper way. I am upset and disappointed that families cannot enjoy a nice day off, that this can cause programs to be discontinued for young teens or children overall due to the recklessness of some youth. The community needs to come together and change the enviorment from what it is turning into. Imgine this is barely spring just imagine what will happen in summer.

yup, they are brazen, care little for their safety or the safety of others (children included) and consider themselves above the law. This is absolutely a quality of life issue and the Fair Haven and East Shore sub stations should at least increase patrol car presence in the afternoons, when people are commuting home and kids are out of school.

Who assumes the Liability when the cops start to chase these kids and one of them get killed or they hit a pedestrian while trying to escape from the Police..furthermore..these kids on these bikes have to be parking them somewhere next to someones house or garage...why arent the neighbors calling the Police on them...is there no solution..nobody in the neighborhood recognizes these kids who are without helmets...its easy to sit behind a computer and point fingers at the Police , who of course, dont do anything...I happen to know that while the dirtbikes where in Chatham square area..The Police were breaking up a riot in Criscuolo park at Chapel st. and James st.in which the good people of Fair Haven were throwing rocks and bottles at the Police...and Mr. Hunter ..as a supporter of the Police department you should know better, im sure its not that they dont try...Where are the parents of these kids..are you kidding? How does a parent who lives in a urban neighborhood have the hundreds if not thousands to spend on a recreational vehicle that is illegal to operate within city boundaries but yet cant buy a weeks worth of groceries for their family..I know it sounds crazy but there is not a cop on every corner and on every street, sometimes you need to help yourselves and your community..If you see the dirtbike going down a driveway into a backyard ..call the police and give the address of the house..Our neighborhoods are bigger than any police department and if we get together and be on the same page we can solve any issue..

This is a community issue, and we cannot expect the NHPD to be the sole answer as they will not chase the motorcyclists due to safety issues. And, it is true, that I am a big supporter of our fine NHPD and NHFD too. I do think we need to continue calling the police department inorder for the complaints to be on their records.

I will attempt to take pictures on my IPhone and send it the Fair Haven Police. I'll have our outside cameras at Mary Wade monitored to see if the police department can identify the individuals too. Perhaps the police officers will recognize these individuals. One of the best ways to control this is to find out where they are parking and report that into the police department. When the police know the parking spots, they will go directly to those places when the complaint calls are reported. I know this to be true from previous experience and it is very effective.

Has anyone brought this problem to the Fair Haven Management Team? Perhaps the Police representatives can provide more helpful advice and distribute the information to the neighborhoods.

This is a serious quality of life, and public safety issue, it's good we are working together.

Nice post, David. I agree that this is not an issue that can be solved in a day or a week by playing cops and robbers with the dirt bike kids. The left on red at full speed at Grand and Front that I witnessed one of them make yesterday convinced me that increasing their adrenalin and speed is unwise, and causing an accident is not good for NHPD public relations.

But a long, concerted effort to change these behaviors is way overdue. I think the Fair Haven substation has meetings once a month. Maybe a group of people can show up to discuss with Fair Haven-NHPD?

Those ___ motorcycles ride around our block sometimes all day-- or just after school is out until late at night. Most riders don't wear helmets, so if anyone gets hurt, guess who pays!!!

The blocks are Front Street, Downing St, and the side streets Pine, Chatham and probably others--I just can't speak for those.

Observer, are you a Fair Haven resident or do you work in Fair Haven? I used to fit into both categories, as I live in Chatham Square and worked for David Hunter at Mary Wade. I still live in the neighborhood, and I believe you misinterpreted what David wrote. He is aware that the police can not be everywhere at once and encourages the community to step up to plate, too, which he--and we--do. He was being proactive and engaged, which is something I respect greatly and believe that many us of strive for in Fair Haven.

Many of us are very respectful to our district officers and do, indeed, respect them and work with them. I believe many us are well aware that the police can no longer pursue the individuals on dirt bikes/motorbikes, because that creates an even more dangerous situation where the officer(s), dirt bike/motorbike riders, pedestrians, residents, and/or motorists could be seriously hurt.

I also believe that we have to simply keep calling the police non-emergency number, getting any sort of descriptions we can of the bikes and their riders, and, if we see them actually pull into a garage or driveway, let the police know. As the weather continues to get warmer, the police throughout New Haven will, undoubtedly see a rise in crime, and they need our help as responsible citizens.

Libby..you are right i misread mr.hunters comment...i should have refered it to the comment from disappointed in nhpd...i apologize to mr.hunter who has always been a nhpd supporter...yes im from fair haven..sorry again.

Nothing PD, can do Residents were told on Chathan Sq., since they are not allowed to chase them in cars.

As far as I'm concerned, moving is the only solution. We have no quality of life here, since PD & politicians do nothing....but Taxes keep rising to coninue to bleed Homeowners.

Please call me with any and all information you have about these dirt bike riders and where they are keeping the dirt bikes. They are your neighbors and they are dangerous. Call me with all the information and together we will keep Fair Haven safe and quiet. All calls will be kept confidential.

You should all know that we have confiscated 13 dirt bikes and quads since July 2011. If you remember it was relatively quiet as far as dirt bikes last summer.

Sergeant Anthony Zona
District Manager
Fair Haven
(203) 946-7377

QUIET?????????????????

HAHAHAHAHA ..." ITS NOISIER THAN EVER!!!!

I feel like I live on AN INDY 500 RACE WAY.

My solution after living in this part of New Haven for 21 years now, is to MOVE.

Apparentlly New Haven PD cannot create a TASK FORCE to eliminate this SAFTY HAZARD, or create a FINE & HEFTY PENALTY ie: $5,000 fine, & not able to get a regular license, or lose license for 10 years etc...etc...to teach these pathetic, inconsiderate "individuals".

Its 7 DAYS a week 365 days a year anymore, not a day goes by, without seeing & hearing that annoying sound.

Back to Suburbs, better yet The Woods for this kind of "Property Taxes" paid & have to have "NOISE POLLUTION" & ZERO QUALITY OF LIFE.

Its also VERY EMBARRASING to have people visit Fair Haven, due to this nonsense.

SHAMEFULL!!!

Like we were taught growing up "play "YOU" PAY!

Good Afternoon,

SeeClickFix would like to emphasize the importance of respect when posting comments and issues. While we definitely encourage dialogue among users, we think it's important to emphasize constructive conversation that focuses on the identification, prioritization, and ultimate resolution of issues. Let's move the conversation forward in a respectful manner & let's steer away from unconstructive comments and personal attacks (which may be subject to removal in the future). As always, please don't hesitate to email contact@seeclickfix.com with any concerns, questions, or suggestions!

Regards,

Kevin
Community Manager
SeeClickFix

Thank you Sargeant Zona for taking the time to post on the dirt bike issue. Your willingness to reach out and establish communication with us ClickFixers is much appreciated!

The Tax Paying Property Paying Residents" are the ones being "PERSONALLY ATTACKED",
declining Home Accesments, but INCREASED Property Taxes & honestly extremely hard to attract anyone to sublet an apartment here, due to the reputation this side of town has gotten again. After It took many, many years to breath life back into it, to try and make it an appealing place to call home.

Its worse than having teeth pulled to get any cooperation in terms of getting anything accomplished in this area let alone this city. People take for granted where Fair Haven was about 20 years ago, it was REAL BAD, & appears its just going backwards,in terms of making it a desirable place to be,let alone live, due to the fact that Leadership no longer exists here, like it did once before with officials that cared, & did a far Superior Job, compared to today.

IE: March 30, 2012 approx. 9:45PM White late model MAZDA RX7, EXCESSIVELY SPEEDING up Clinton Ave. towards Grand & did 360 SLAMMED into a tenants car facing Middletown Ave. & destroyed MAZDA Drivers side trying too get away, & destroyed nice older Chevrolet Green Pick Up Truck, trying to get away. As a "Responsible Citizen" called PD, & neighbor did as well, persons car this happened to was waiting on Porch for PD to arrive,& just gave up & went inside, & myself & neighbor, stayed up to see, if PD will actually come & did not see a car, so assumed that a case # was given via phone in of complaint & that was the end of it. Just Senseless to even bother, trying to keep anything up anylonger, for what???

This is another yearly, continual nusance, like unneeded "ILEGAL" Dirt Bike motorcycles in The Chatham Square Area that occurs entirly too, too much as far, as I am concerned,& at others expense, & people commiting these senseless, & costly issues go scott free to drive Fair Haven, down further & further.

It feels like living in "The Land Of The Lost", & reporting every little matter, does not change anything either, like were asked to do.

So, why bother posting anything on this site, go to meetings, call PD, & other so called officials to rectify anything NONE Of It Helps, nor "Ever" Will"! it is very, very crystal clear.

& Lastly exercise your 1st. AMENDMENT RIGHT, Freedom Of Speech in a tasteful manner, wether it be, in person, in writing, or on these sites for what???

Its basically "Same Old Violin" year after year, after year.

21 year resident please call me with any and all information you have in reference to the dirt bikes.
203-946-7377.

Sergeant Anthony: I have taken your number down, I constantly see them on Poplar street and on the Clinton Avenue Park while they have baseball, LaCrosse practices. This is mostly everyday. They are constantly not respecting young children nor anyone in the park and ride bike on field during practices. I actually took pictures of them riding in the field but since my IPOD does not have the best resolution and trying not to make it obvious to them you can barely see them but its still visible.

This picture shows even mini bikes and quads being rode by older teens or adults during practices.

Last Friday, April 6, 2012, the Fair Haven Police Department made a stop at Clinton by Pine. The youth ran, but the FHPD confiscated the bike! Great Job.

I want to keep you all up to date on the dirt bike issue. We did stop a dirt biker on Clinton Ave. At Pine St. and he did not get away he abandoned the bike and ran, but was caught by Officers. He is a local guy who has been trying to get us to chase him, we didn't but his lick ran out. We also confiscated the bike and I do not expect him to get it back.

I have not heard from to many people about where these bikes are being stored. I wish there was more cooperation.

thank you sargeant zona for letting us know about what happened. me and my mom were by chatham park when u guys arrested the dirt bike rider the other night. it was scary because he came close to running towards us and i didnt know what to expect. but at least you caught him and took his bike.

Thank you, Sgt. Zona, for keeping the community up-to-date. I think most people would let you know if we knew where the bikes were coming from, but, many times, we don't see where they start, we just see them race past us. Others may be afraid of retaliation if they report who has the bikes. I appreciate what you and your officers do for our community.

Not really the best shots. It was twilight, the shutter speed was too fast and ISO too low to really capture the drama of the moment. But my Nikon D 90 is on the prowl. Yes, I should get a life but the dirt bikes really do annoy me. Say Cheese!

Bike pic two

I saw someone doing wheelies on a bike at shortly before 8:00 on Clinton. I followed cautiously, but lost him/her when s/he turned onto Pine. I was doing the speed limit, and I have no idea how fast the bike was going, but it was nowhere in sight when I turned onto Pine...

this afternoon around 5-5:45pm a bunch of scooters doing wheelies on downing st with an audience at #80. around 8:45pm a dirt bike was riding away from this same house with the same audience.

So, my cursory internet research reveals that inner city dirtbiking is also a scourge in Baltimore and Philadelphia (and I imagine other cities). And that the YouTube culture encourages this with lots of videos boasting of prowess pulling wheelies and other misguided manuevers in dangerous settings.

One discussion on possible solutions in Philly:

http://www.examiner.com/article/jack-young-talks-about-illegal-dirt-bike-solutions-on-video

Seems one strategy is also to locate those that are selling the bikes and stop the flow of bikes onto the streets further up the pipeline. Also, cash for bikes. You give the tip that gets the bike, you get the money from the scrap metal ($50).

Is this an issue the board of aldermen wants to take up? Seems like it has reached epidemic levels and something systemic needs to be done to change the dirtbike culture.

Also, I don't know what the Board of Alderman has done to address the issue. In any case, I just wrote a note to Justin Elicker, Jessica Holmes and Gabrial Santiago asking that they look into the situations.

Their e mails, respectively, Ward10@newhavenct.net, Ward9@newhavenct.net, and Ward14@newhavenct.net

Maybe other e mails will help to make the problem an issue for the board to address.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fair+Haven,+New+Haven,+CT&hl=en&ll=41.313,-72.895832&spn=0.000032,0.021136&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.808514,86.572266&oq=fair+have&hnear=Fair+Haven,+New+Haven,+Connecticut&t=m&z=16&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=41.30898,-72.895826&panoid=01tyGfj8QKKvBye2rDHk4g&cbp=12,336.19,,0,12.14

This will be one house you may check which I have personally seen them come out of recently while at the park with my child.

http://g.co/maps/8wp5c

You may want to look into these properties for the bikes.... i have seen them come out of these houses.

http://g.co/maps/n5gbd

Concerned Citizen and Parent has a wrong picture, my apologies. Please disregard. the one above has the correct pictures.

Pics of a dirt biker I've seen a few times on Clinton Ave around Chatham Park. He and his buddy kicked my car a few times as they cruised by. Charming kid

Pics of a dirt biker I've seen a few times on Clinton Ave around Chatham Park. He and his buddy kicked my car a few times as they cruised by. Charming kid

Pics of a dirt biker I've seen a few times on Clinton Ave around Chatham Park. He and his buddy kicked my car a few times as they cruised by. Charming kid

Pics of a dirt biker I've seen a few times on Clinton Ave around Chatham Park. He and his buddy kicked my car a few times as they cruised by. Charming kid

Thank You I know Him. I will deal with him and his family.

Awesome. Much thanks for your diligence. It has seemed much quieter around Chatham park the past few weeks.

action pics of the two Chatham Square dirt bikers.

great clarity with the new Nikon D 90....

Say Cheese!

"Are you talkin' to me!?"