Hamden officials hold meeting to discuss crime

HAMDEN, CT (WFSB) - In Hamden, community members had conversation Thursday night about crime with local, state and federal leaders.

They said they wanted to get children involved in positive activities so when they grew up, they already knew how to be stand-up citizens that can make positive changes.

“It’s all about openness and transparency and it’s important to continue to educate community members and stakeholders on recent events and how to reduce opportunities,” said Chief Timothy Wydra, Hamden Police.

Hamden residents were able to ask questions and leaders provided them with updates.

“Property crime is elevated ever so slightly but violent crime is down right now,” said Lauren Garrett, mayor of Hamden.

Garrett said they’re trying to improve the roads, and police said they’re looking to hire more officers.

“Now to me, the problem is becoming greater. Safety is really concerning because there have been people I’ve known in the past year who have gotten killed,” said Fannie Hardy, a Hamden resident.

Hardy said it is the same area where bad things keep happening but, after Thursday night, she believes police will work to fix it.

“There’s so many things going on. Hamden plaza, Shop rite, Stop & Shop, Walmart. It’s just all types of safety concerns. People are stealing. They’re knocking elderly people down and taking their purses. It’s just all the little things they’re covering,” Hardy said.

The consensus was, it all started with the children. They wanted to teach them what was right by getting them into sports and positive programs to improve their upbringing and bring crime down.

“I think the local leaders can make a difference but I also think the community can make a difference. I think when we all come together we can all have an impact on change,” Hardy added.

Garrett said Hamden likes to put as much into crime prevention as it does crime punishment.

Local leaders said they understood that adjustments may take time, but that what’s important was that a foundation was in place.

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