Crime Prevention Forum Announced In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — A crime prevention forum featuring police, town officials and neighborhood groups will take place next week, Hamden Mayor Curt Balzano Leng and Police Chief John Sullivan announced Tuesday.

The discussion and Q & A public meeting has been organized with partnering crime prevention organizations and neighborhood groups across Hamden, according to Leng. The “Crime Prevention and Community Resolutions Discussion” will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11.

All members of the public are invited to attend the meeting, which will be held on Zoom. The link will be posted on the Hamden.com home page, under "News & Updates" and on the Calendar before the meeting.

“Our purpose 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,” according to a joint news release from Leng and Sullivan.

Read more from the news release below:

Residents are encouraged to attend the virtual event. To submit questions in advance, email Moderator Rich Mutts at Bornrichfoundation81@gmail.com before Jan. 8.

The program will include introductions and an update on efforts being taken to address and prevent crime in Hamden and a brief discussion from a panel of key public safety and community stakeholders, time to answer questions brought forward by the community in advance (recommended for more detailed answers) and an open, Town Hall style Q & A period to allow all residents to participate and offer their thoughts, ideas or questions.

Participating in this Forum Discussion:

Mayor Curt Balzano Leng

Police Chief John Sullivan

Captain Ron Smith

Captain Kevin Sampieri

Detective Dolan (Block Watch Coordinator)

Sgt. William Onofrio (Head of Neighborhood Initiative)

Kim Washington, President, Mothers Demand Action & Hamden Block Watch Leader

Cheryl Kasprzyki, Hamden Block Watch Leader

Rich Mutts, President of Born Rich Foundation

Victoria Santamauro Simiola, Founder of Hamden Residents for Change

Leonard Jahad, Director, CT VIP (Violence Intervention & Prevention Program); and...

The Hamden Community!

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

“Offering our residents an opportunity to hear about the efforts taking place to address the crime we’ve seen is very important to all,” Leng said. “I am very thankful to have the outstanding participants, from our HPD, community organizations and non-profits all participating with the shared goal of making Hamden safer for everyone. I hope to see you at the first of what I plan to be a series of such discussions.”