5th Crime Prevention Forum Announced In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — The town's fifth crime prevention forum will take place on Thursday, officials announced.

Mayor Curt Balzano Leng, Police Chief John Sullivan and Block Watch Captain Kim Washington announced the continuation of the Crime Prevention and Community Resolutions Discussions, which began in January, with the fifth discussion being held Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m. on ZOOM.

The latest session will have a central theme of Block Watches, how to start them, how effective they are and more.

All members of the public are invited to attend the meeting. Connection details are included in this release below, and will be posted on the Hamden.com home page under "News & Updates" and on the calendar prior to the meeting.

“The series thus far has been highly successful, with each event drawing a unique and engaged crowd representative of our Hamden community,” officials wrote in a news release. “The purpose of the discussion series is to update residents on efforts being taken to address increases in crime and to facilitate healthy discussions and resolutions regarding crime prevention and public safety within the Town of Hamden. Residents are encouraged to attend the virtual event, and to bring a new friend or family member to the discussion. The upcoming program will include a recap of efforts performed and ongoing to address and prevent crime in Hamden, and a focused conversation on next steps for crime reduction and community safety in Hamden, with Block Watch efforts from across the Town being one of the main topics.”

“This will be an important discussion as Block Watches are one of the original foundations of community policing and referred to as the eyes and ears of law enforcement,” Washington said. “Members look out for neighbors and their property and report suspicious activities to the local police departments.”

Residents will also have an opportunity to ask questions in an open Town Hall style Q & A period and are welcome to offer their thoughts, ideas or questions.

Read more from the news release below:

Participating in this Forum Discussion:

• Mayor Curt Balzano Leng
• Police Chief John Sullivan
• Kim Washington – Southern Hamden Block Watch Captain
• Captain Kevin Samperi
• Detective Sean Dolan
• Cheryl Kasprzycki – Paradise Avenue/ West Woods Neighborhood Block Watch Captain
• Kim Norris – Davis Street Neighborhood Block Watch Captain
• Victoria Simiola – Hill Street/Norman Road Neighborhood Block Watch Captain
• Doreen Stathis – Bender Road/Nolan Road Neighborhood Block Watch Captain
• Debbie Ramaya - Ridge Road/Haverford Street Neighborhood Block Watch Captain
• Paul Baumgartner – Leatherman Trail Neighborhood Block Watch Captain
• Members of the Hamden Community

The evening will be moderated by Rich Mutts, Visionary Founder of the Born Rich Foundation, Inc. and Anna Ribeiro, Diversity/ Inclusion Specialist of the Born Rich Foundation, Inc.

“I really appreciate the Hamden community for their participation and engagement in these discussions,” Leng said. “Nothing is more important than our safety, for all our neighborhoods and for all our neighbors. I look forward to this next discussion and review of Hamden’s efforts to prevent crime and strengthen our neighborhoods and hope you can join us!"

For more information, contact the Office of the Mayor at 203-287-7100, or contact Detective Sean J. Dolan, #429 Hamden Police Department - Major Crimes Unit, 2900 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518 Direct: (203) 230-4065 Fax: (203) 230-4037 sdolan@hamdenpd.com

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CONNECTION INFORMATION:

https://zoom.us/j/93066975486

Passcode: Dragons

US: 1-301-715-8592

Webinar ID: 930 6697 5486

Ground Rules

· SAFE SPACE:

· THIS IS A SAFE PLATFORM FOR OPEN AND RESPECTFUL COMMUNITY DIALOGUE

· RESPECT:

· RESPECT EACH OTHERS THOUGHTS, OPINIONS & MEETING AGENDA NO ABUSIVE LANGUAGE OR INTERRUPTING PARTICIPANTS. RESPECT THE CHAT ROOM

· LISTENING:

· PLEASE LISTEN ACTIVELY TO OTHERS AS THEY OFFER PERSPECTIVE

· STAY ON POINT/ STAY ON TIME:

· THIS FORUM IS DESIGNATED FOR CRIME PREVENTION AND RESOLUTIONS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF TIMESTAMPS

· USE VIDEO OPTION WHEN POSSIBLE:

· PLEASE ADJUST CAMERA SETTINGS AND MUTE YOUR MICROPHONE

· ZOOM SETTINGS:

· PLEASE UTILIZE “RAISE HAND” and CHAT ROOM SETTINGS DURING “COMMUNITY Q & A”

· Community Q & A: Please Leave Questions in Chat room throughout meeting for our Curator organize for panelists

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