Elicker Appoints Elderly Services, Public Safety Comms Directors

NEW HAVEN, CT —Monday, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker named Kevin Stratton as Director of Public Safety Communications, supervising the city’s emergency 911 Public Safety Answering Point operations. He also tapped Tomi Veale as Acting Director of the Department of Elderly Services, supervising the city’s programming and support services for seniors.

“New Haven residents will be well-served by these two experienced and dedicated public servants who are stepping into critical roles in our administration,” Elicker said. “While very different jobs, both roles often serve at-risk individuals and vulnerable populations," he said.

"We need strong, experienced leaders like Kevin Stratton and Tomi Veale to help ensure New Haveners' needs in these areas are responded to in an effective, efficient and thoughtful way,” Elicker said.

As director of Public Safety Communications, Stratton will oversee all aspects of New Haven’s Emergency 911 Public Safety Answering Point operations including coordinating, managing and participating in the activities of the telecommunications center and its personnel. This includes fire, police and ambulance responses.

“As a former EMT, I know first-hand that when there is a medical, fire or public safety emergency, every second counts,” Elicker noted. “I’m grateful that an experienced public safety professional like Kevin Stratton will be at the helm of our 911 telecommunications center so that New Haveners’ emergency calls are received and responded to in a professional and timely manner.”

Stratton most recently served as Chief of Staff for the Police Chief of the Shelton Police Department. Previously, he served for 23 years at the Connecticut State Police, working his way up the ranks from Trooper to Sergeant to Master Sergeant. While at CSP, he was an Executive Officer for State Police Troops, where he supervised 100 subordinates in all aspects of law enforcement and oversaw dispatchers assigned to PSAP locations for several State Police Troops in different cities and towns.

Stratton also served in the US Marine Corps in administrative and intelligence capacities, with deployments stateside and overseas. Stratton’s commendations include the CT State Police’s Life Saving Medal and four Outstanding Service Medals, among others.

“I am very excited to serve in Mayor Elicker’s administration as Director of Public Safety Communications. Being a resident of New Haven for over 15 years, this position allows
me to work alongside our first responders and in the community
I live in to provide timely and effective public safety responses to all emergencies,” Stratton was quoted as saying in a news release. “I’m committed to providing the professional emergency response services that our residents need and deserve and building strong relationships with the community.”

As Acting Director of the Department of Elderly Services, Veale will supervise the City of New Haven’s community education, activities, programs and support services for senior residents to help them maintain independent and active lives. This includes case management and assistance referral services for residents with financial, medical, nutritional, legal and housing needs. The
department also operates three senior centers in New Haven in Atwater, Dixwell/Newhallville,
and the East Shore.

“We want our senior citizens to live healthy, happy and fulfilling lives, and the Department of Elderly Services helps makes that possible in the City of New Haven,” Elicker said. “I’m grateful that Tomi Veale is willing to lead the city’s efforts and Elderly Services team as Acting Director in providing our seniors with enriching activities, meaningful programs and high-quality support services that provide help and assistance when critical needs arise.”

Born and raised in New Haven, Veale is currently the City of New Haven’s program coordinator for its Youth@Work initiative, which helps provide 14 to 21-year-olds with summer and year-round employment and career exposure. She served as Acting Youth Services Director in 2013. Veale is also an adjunct sociology professor at Gateway Community College.

Before working for the city, Veale was the Alumni College Dean at Amistad Academy and Children’s Program Director at LEAP. She is also the Board Chair for Phenomenal I Am, a female mentoring program serving girls in the New Haven area, and a member of the Board of Directors
for Citywide Youth Coalition and The Children’s Center of Hamden. Veale earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Central Connecticut State University and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of New Haven.

“It’s an honor to be appointed as Acting Director of Elderly Services and work in partnership with Mayor Elicker and the staff of Elderly Services to continue providing high-quality care and support services to New Haven seniors,” Veale was quoted as saying. “I am excited for this opportunity and look forward to continuing servicing the New Haven community in this new capacity.”