Councilors pass motion to bring a public safety community center to Hamden

HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — In a 9 to 4 vote, town councilors passed the motion to bring a public safety community center to Hamden Plaza.

The motion approves the license between the town of Hamden, Hamden Police Department and Hamden Plaza.

The space will be at the newly vacant 5,000 square-foot retail space between Ashley’s Ice Cream and Wells Fargo. It will have a community center with youth outreach and school resource officers with games as well as serve as a deterrent for crime with a permanent police presence.

“I think there were a lot of questions coming into it,” District Four Councilor Sarah Gallagher said.

Among the “no” votes was Councilwoman Gallagher, not because she doesn’t like the idea, but to push for more clarity.

“I think it’s important there’s a process that’s transparent and that all of our residents know about how this is going to be implemented and how they can add input into the process and questions who do they go to,” Gallagher said.

It’s also one of the busiest parts of town that has had dozens of incidents in recent years.

In March 2022, an elderly woman was seriously injured during a carjacking. In July 2023, a woman was injured during a purse snatching. Earlier this year, multiple vehicles were burglarized and had their windows smashed. Earlier this month, a man wanted by over a dozen police departments including for kidnapping injured officers during his arrest at the plaza.

Police Chief Edward Page Reynolds said this will not change their current staffing or patrols and will enhance community relations.

“What we’re envisioning is that instead of hanging out at this business or that business the youth will be able to come to this area and utilize it in a positive and constructive way,” Reynolds said. “As well as providing the business owners an extra sense of safety of the shoppers.”

People at Hamden Plaza Monday afternoon said a permanent police presence will benefit businesses and shoppers.

“I think that’s a great idea. It’s a little scary coming here knowing that there are so many break-ins and carjackings and things like that so I think it would be detrimental to businesses staying open and people coming here rather than elsewhere,” Hamden resident Jackie Grusz said.

“Police are here to help. They are here to support and more than anything their presence will be a deterrent to anyone who has any ideas of doing something negative,” frequent Hamden Plaza shopper Jae Miles said.

Reynolds also agreed to give the council and community updates on the progress of the center and its engagement every three months.

No word yet on when it will officially open.

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