NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Following the assault and robbery of a Yale New Haven Health worker last week in an employee parking lot, company leaders are making some safety changes. The health network’s leaders announced an increase in security patrols, and new surveillance cameras in the lots.
A spokesperson for Yale New Haven Health sent a statement saying in part, “The security and safety of our patients and staff is of paramount concern to all of us at Yale New Haven Hospital. We are very concerned about the recent assault and robbery of one of employees at a surface parking lot. This is not acceptable, and while we appreciate the response from the New Haven Police Department, we need to do more to ensure the safety of our staff.”
The changes come after more than 1,700 workers called on their bosses to take action in light of the recent incident and others like it.
“We should be able to come to work safely and take care of patients safely. You know, it’s all about patient safety. That’s the employee’s focus. And the administration’s focus should be employee safety, just as important,” said Kristie LaVorgna, coordinator in the Heart and Vascular Center at Yale New Haven Hospital.
On June 18 just before 6 p.m., New Haven police officers responded to the area of Sherman Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard for a report of a robbery. Officers found a woman who reported a group of juveniles assaulted her, stole her purse and attempted to take her car.
“Using our cameras in the area and analysts assigned to the real-time crime center, we were able to make an arrest, two arrests actually, with hopefully more pending,” said Christian Bruckhart, public information officer for the New Haven Police Department.
Though the victim walked away with minor injuries it prompted her peers to speak up.
“That was when I said, 'This needs to change, and somebody’s got to start it,'” LaVorgna said. “I don’t expect Yale New Haven Hospital to solve crime in New Haven. But I do expect them to take care of their employees,” LaVorgna said.
LaVorgna said this recent incident follows dozens of others that have been occurring over the last two years in the parking lots and garages that she and her peers pay to park at for work. The lots are owned by the New Haven Parking Authority, which has a long-term agreement with the hospital.
FOX61 spoke with one of the people recently impacted.
“It turned into an incredibly long emotionally draining and financially draining incident,” said Warren Shipley, a former travel nurse at YNHH.
Shipley said he found out in the middle of his shift working in the intensive care unit that his car, parked in one of the employee lots was broken into, and someone stole all four of his tires. At the end of the day, no arrests were made, and he said he paid about $1,600 out of pocket for the repairs and a rental car.
“Working in the ICU, I take care of the sickest people in the hospital. I mean, one mistake and I could kill somebody. And to be interrupted ¾ of the way into a shift of you know, taking care of people, to be notified that my car was vandalized…that was very disheartening,” Shipley said. “I was angry. I was sad. And I didn’t have a chance to go back to work after that incident because it took up so much of my time.”
New Haven police said a total of 17 incidents have occurred in the area near the Sherman-Tyler and Sherman-Orchard lots within the last three months.
“Which sounds like a lot right? Sounds like a lot. Oftentimes, what we see when there is a spike in a certain area, it’s oftentimes associated with the same group of individuals that are the perpetrators,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “I think people should, when you look at the statistics, understand that there are thousands of people crossing that area every day and the likelihood of anyone having an incident is very, very low.”
Still, Elicker and NHPD are working together to increase the police presence in the area when possible and working with other stakeholders involved.
“Regardless of who owns the site, I think we all bear some responsibility for making sure they’re safe, especially the NHPD,” Elicker said.
The health system’s announcement on new safety measures came during a regularly scheduled staff meeting. A spokesperson said there will be 24/7 security patrols in the Sherman-Tyler and Sherman-Orchard lots, and new mobile surveillance units.
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Workers like LaVorgna are optimistic but waiting on the results of the changes.
“I’m surprised that they’re even responding at all. Because they haven’t in two years, responded to us about this. So, I’m impressed that they’re responding. But, let’s see how it goes over the next few months,” LaVorgna said.
The full statement from YNHH can be found below:
“The security and safety of our patients and staff is of paramount concern to all of us at Yale New Haven Hospital. We are very concerned about the recent assault and robbery of one of employees at a surface parking lot. This is not acceptable and while we appreciate the response from the New Haven Police Department, we need to do more to ensure the safety of our staff. Earlier this week, we began stationing security officers at the two large surface parking lots on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The officers will be there Monday through Friday around the clock. In addition, in the coming weeks, we will be installing mobile surveillance technology to allow monitoring of the lots. We will continue to partner with NHPD and the NH Parking Authority to find additional ways to keep our employees safe.”
-Dana Marnane, Director, Public Relations and Communications, Yale New Haven Health
Click here to sign the petition demanding safer parking for YNHH employees.
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Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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