this needs to be fixed

Since when has it been the policy of the Police Department to only be dispatched for reports of criminal activity initiated by Block Watch numbers?!! I'm of the mind that dispatch employees are in serious need of training and monitoring.

Insufficient training of dispatchers is a problem I've addressed before on this site (e.g. different dispatchers giving different/incorrect phone numbers for police departments, or wasting too much time asking for useless details, e.g. "Is the kid on the illegal dirt bike wearing a hat? What color is the dirt bike?", etc.). Dispatchers are our main contact source for the police, so disapatchers need to be much better trained.

Incompetence from top to bottom and every affiliate in between and sticking out of the side. This is an issue for every resident of the City and State..Disconcerting,upsetting.But not surprising,don't even laugh at the plr morning show while driving,the cop will think it's all about him

We have experienced the same thing for YEARS in Fair Haven Heights(East Shore District). Dozens of calls to the dispatcher have resulted in a cop driving by the neighborhood 2-3 hours later.

Please keep in mind that the dispatch center is not part of the Police Department; it falls under Public Safety Communications. Having said that, there is no requirement to have a block watch number in order to dispatch an officer. If a caller is not satisfied with the response, they should ask to speak with the lead dispatcher at (203) 946-6321. They can also request to speak with the on-duty shift commander at (203) 946-6961. For continuing issues or problems within a neighborhood, citizens should contact their respective district manager.

More on dispatchers' lack of training: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/suspect_nabbed_in_tricycle_theft/

I have had similar no-show experiences w/ NHPD dispatch when I have called in things happening in Fair Haven Hts. The PD needs to re-evaluate how it hires civilian dispatchers who are making decisions they clearly are not fully qualified to make. It's very frustrating that my tax dollars are being waste don apathetic city employees who need to take their jobs more seriously. I really appreciate Lt Wikowski's post here w/ the other important #'s we should use if no officers are showing up in cases when they should. Thanks.

thank you for posting this issue, as i have experienced similar apathy when trying to be a vigilant and helpful resident looking out for the common good, which is completely unacceptable.

in the recent independent article, City CAO Rob Smuts said he is “very interested in looking into” how the dispatcher handled the call

please contact Rob Smuts personally to let him know that something must be done. a quick email or a call from some concerned residents would really help.

Chief Administrative Officer:
Robert Smuts
946-7900
E-mail: rsmuts@newhavenct.net

All of the loose ends and rules should have been ironed out when hiring these civies.This is not the first time that there's been issues in dispatch or response time..It might lead to somebody instructing these employees who has no business doing that,feeding these hires with false information..Another issue was the free to roam the city and not have cops assigned to a specific area.What happens is cops cannot be found to answer a call, they're not on a call,maybe check church pews and restaurants,coffee houses and union halls - Car 54 where are youu ?

Sound like NHPD is breaking the law too. Call the State Police?

I just recevied a robo call from the city. Police non-emergency # 203-946-6316 is out of service. If you need to contact police call 911. (For years--decades, actually--I've rarely been able to get through that 6316 #. So why have they waited so long to finally tell us it's out of service?!)

Has anybody consider the possibility that career criminals have taken all the dispatcher jobs? In many cases, they're basically accessories after the fact.

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The Hill South Management Team will be meeting this Wed. March 21, 2012 at 6 PM at the police substation on Howard Ave. A representative from the 911 communications call center will be in attendance to address any concerns the community might have.

Closed. Last comment more than 3 months ago.

I remember calling police when I lived in Westville because the "artists" were throwing parties in the middle of the week when I had to work the next day and they woke me up at 2am. When I called the police, they showed up and things died down. Now that I live in the Hill, when I have called the police dispatch to complain about drugs, loud music, they not only decide to take their sweet time to get someone here, but have asked me detailed information about myself. Not comfortable doing that as drug dealers live 2 doors down and I'd like to continue to live. Now because I don't live in a certain neighborhood it's not an issue?

Please explain this to me?

New Havener Too: please contact me at (203) 946-7504 or by email at jwitkows@newhavenct.net for any policing issues in Hill South.

Lt Joseph Witkowski
District Manager - Hill South
New Haven Police Department