I stopped going to any parks in New Haven, because the trash issue is such a bummer. I used to spend my time at the park picking up trash just to have a small space that didn't appear to be a garbage dump, but now - forget it. There is a dominant, pervasive culture of slobs, laziness, incivility and selfishness in New Haven which is manifested in the lousy condition and the hostile vibe of its public spaces and the total lack of respect that people seem to have regarding one another - passed on from one generation to the next and it is now ingrained. Civil society in the U.S.A. in general is done - stick a fork in it.

Does anyone know exactly how often the city and/or NHPD gives fines for littering (as well as other enforcement tickets) in the park system? That would be a good place to start, especially if it could be shared with a rough breakdown by neighborhood and time of day.

It's easy to say enforcement is needed, but it's another thing to show whether anything is currently being done about this.

I lived across the street, and a problem with the night activity is that the street lights in Front St are not working, we call UI but nobody has fix them, last night 4 light were off at the same time from the corner of Lewis St to Pine street on Front street, right accross the park. And the light in the park hasn't work for months.

Kudos to your friend for picking up the trash. Most posters here would just take a picture and complain waiting for someone else to clean it up for them.

I have emailed the mayor's office, all the Fair Haven Aldermen and women, the NH Parks Dept, as well as placed a call to Lt. Casanova of the Fair Haven substation regarding this very serious issue. It is my sincerest hope that if the street lights are fixed the problem with illicit behavior after dark and litter will cease.

Alderwoman Stephanie Bauer contacted me and would like to meet with some folks from Front and Lewis St to get pole numbers and get this issue resolved. Contact Alderwoman Bauer at ward14@newhavenct.net.

Fab,perhaps you might be the best qualified to meet with the Alderwoman as you have first hand knowledge of the situation.

This is the email I received from Alderwoman Bauer in response to my email mentioned above: Front St residents, this is a chance to change the situation!!!! Contact Alderwoman Stephanie Bauer at ward14@newhavenct.net to set up a time to meet, get pole numbers and get the lights fixed:)"Good Evening Donna,
I am sorry to hear that there is an ongoing problem at the Lewis Street Park. I would like to meet with you to find out which lights are
out, write the numbers of the poles down and see what can be done to get this fixed soon. Please let me know when you have time available to meet with me. I leave work at 4:30 on most mondays, tuesdays and thursdays.
Stephanie

Thanks, Donna, for your update. Can we just send the pole numbers to Stephanie? Does anyone know where they are located on the poles? I have been, admittedly, disappointed with her as an Alderwoman; I do not feel she's engaged or responsive, and I regret, at this moment, having voted for her. I think this could be a chance for her to actually get involved in our--and HER--community. The lights are a big part of the problem and likely make it easier to engage in some of the night time activities that are an issue, but I would also like to see enforcement of no littering and no late night loitering, and I would like to know how Stephanie, as our Alderwoman, intends to help with this. Thanks again.

Thanks Donna, I can email her the pole numbers tonight after work, I know which one are and will post them here for reference.
Thank you all,

If you look up at the pole about 8 - 10 feet on the back side, opposite the light you should see individual metal digits, that is the pole number.

Lets hope that "disappointed" gets reason to be "encouraged":) And thank you Fab, for getting those pole numbers to Alderwoman Bauer! I am sure she will be happy to get that info anyway possible. Please do post that info here for reference, that is a good idea. Are you going to the farmers market today? If so, see you there:)

I emailed her the pole number and also told her that the light in the park doesn't work anymore, used to be a light right on the corner of front and lewis.

I emailed Stephanie Bauer the pole numbers and also told her about the light in the park.
The light poles on front street are number 689, 687, 1013, 1364 and 20X8 (X number missing) all poles are on Front street, between Pine and Lewis Street.

Copy of the email from Stephanie Bauers, regarding the lights getting fix.
Sun, July 25, 2010 11:57:42 AMRe: Park on the corner of Lewis and Front
From: Stephanie Bauer
I will have this taken care of, thank you for your help.
Have a good day.

Stephanie

The lights are fixed, I emailed Stephanie to let her know. The park has actually two lights one on top of the splash and playground section.Thank you all for the help.

Woohooo! Thank you, Stephanie, and neighbors! :) Yipppeeeee!

Double kudos to Fab for being on the front line of this battle. Lets see if the night time mess makers disappear. I shall keep my fingers crossed. And please do keep me posted either way:)

Hello there friends across the river! I just wanted to know if there fixed street lights were helpful with the litter situation. Please let me know so I know where to close the issue or leave it open:) Many thanks to all how rallied behind this issue!

Hello All the lights were all fixed. Thanks
Fab

Great-Glad to hear it, but the lights help stop the nighttime litter bug activity?

I have not heard of littering going on after dark lately... thanks for fixing the street lamps! Lets see what happens when summer rolls around again.

Since the alder woman was able to get the street lights fixed, the issue is much improved... now we just need to educate our urban comrades in proper park etiquette and how to honor the social contract... by NOT LITTERING WHILE THERE ENJOYING THE PARK! People who use the park, trash the park...silly people, when will they learn!