Governor Dannel Malloy joined members of the New Haven Police Department Monday morning for a walking patrol of the Newhallville neighborhood.
Newhallville is considered one of the most dangerous areas of the city, but the Police Department believes the grassroots efforts of community officers have helped cut crime.
“It’s going to take a sustained effort. Things don’t get bad overnight and they don’t get good overnight,” Malloy said about crime rates in the city. The Governor praised Police Chief Dean Esserman and his focus on community policing.
Esserman was sworn in as Chief of New Haven’s Police Department at the end of 2011. That year 34 people were murdered in the city. The rate fell to 17 homicides in 2012. So far in 2013, 12 people have been murdered.
“What we’re talking about is sustaining an effort over a number of years and not sliding backwards,” Malloy said.
After walking the beat, Malloy attended a community forum on urban violence. Malloy told local leaders he hopes community policing will be adopted by other cities in the state.