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New Haven will likely pay thousands for tent compound cleanup in West Haven

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The effort to clean up the remnants of a tent compound strewn with hazardous material, human excrement and burned vegetation will likely cost New Haven thousands of dollars.

There had initially been some confusion about which city — New Haven or West Haven — was responsible for cleaning up the debris, which is in West Haven but is a part of New Haven’s West River Memorial Park. New Haven has taken charge of the cleanup, which is ongoing, city spokeswoman Jessica Mayorga said.

The “tent city,” which had occupied the wooded area off Marginal Drive for several years, was reportedly plagued by drug use and violence and littered with garbage. Last month, people were removed from the compound, and the tents were taken down, because of public health and safety concerns, West Haven Police Officer Bret Schneider said. Some of the people were taken to Columbus House, a shelter for the homeless in New Haven; others refused services.

Maureen Lillis, acting health director for West Haven, confirmed her department solicited bids for the cleanup, one of which was for $17,000. New Haven would have reimbursed West Haven for the cost, Lillis said. Lillis said she is “pleased” with what has been done, but deferred further comment to New Haven.

Mayorga said only that the Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees is expected to have the job completed by the end of this week. She said she did not yet have the costs for the project.

Schneider has said the removal of the compound would permit New Haven to restore a once-vibrant area; he said Community Resource Officers continually patrol the area to make sure no one is living there.

At the time it was cleared, at least one advocate for homeless people said he was concerned about where the people who lived in the compound would go, since many are not equipped to live in a shelter setting. Schneider said the Police Department has had no issues with the people who had been living in the compound since it was cleared.

In June, residents of the compound, at least one of whom had a subsidized apartment, told a Register columnist they considered themselves a family, and called their site “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.”

In August, a West Haven Planning and Zoning official evaluated the environmental impact of the “tent city” and New Haven officials assessed cleanup needs.

Lillis said once the cleanup has been completed, West Haven officials will make sure that everything is “done the way it should be from a health perspective.” Continued...

Call Amanda Pinto at 203-789-5734.

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. All comments are reviewed by our editors before posting. Posts that violate our Online Comment Policy will not be posted. If you believe your post was wrongly removed, not approved or would like further explanation of discussion board terms email comments@nhregister.com. In no way do the comments represent the view of nhregister.com.

Frank wrote on Sep 6, 2010 3:05 AM:

" WHY DIDN'T YOU HAVE THE PIGS THAT WERE STAYING THAT CLEAN IT UP, THEN A FREE TRIP OUT OF THE STATE "

Bill Jarett wrote on Sep 6, 2010 3:41 AM:

" Why did the police let a bunch of bums live on public property for so long? "

Leave it alone wrote on Sep 6, 2010 6:09 AM:

" Leave it alone. It is perfect for low income housing. "

citizen number 100002 wrote on Sep 6, 2010 6:37 AM:

" DeStefanoville "

really wrote on Sep 6, 2010 7:10 AM:

" teabaggers. "

pres obama wrote on Sep 6, 2010 7:10 AM:

" obamaville would be a great name for it. you will all be broke soon!! your welcome!!! "

YUP wrote on Sep 6, 2010 7:36 AM:

" LOOKS BETTER THAN CAMPBELL AVE, leave it "

Barrack O wrote on Sep 6, 2010 8:17 AM:

" I've followed this story with a mix of shock and dismay. How is it possible that Americans, no matter what county they are citizens of, can be thrown out of their homes?

I am dedicated to the idea that all Americans deserve the home of their choice, be it a tent, a condo or an underwater mcmansion. My administration has proposed many programs aimed at mortgage holders, but, now it's time to expand our outreach.

More Americans than ever have decided to leave the confines of a "traditional" wood or concrete home and enjoy the simpler lifestyle of tent encampment living. These hardy, frugal folks arrive at this choice in many ways. For some, it's an economic choice. For others, it's a love of the great outdoors and a spirit of adventure. For most, it's a mixture of these.

My administration will fight for every citizen's right to live in a tent encampment with others who share their values and ideals. We will use every means at our disposal to not only keep these encampments open but also to increase the number of Americans living in these groups.

Some have suggested calling these encampments "Obamavilles". While I am reluctant to take credit for the growth in these tent communities, I say if the American people insist on naming them "Obamavilles", so be it.

I'll soon be introducing my "Tent Encampment Normalization and Tennant act". Please contact your Representative in Congress and ask them to join us in protecting the rights of all Americans to live in tents, where ever and with whom ever they choose. "

to really wrote on Sep 6, 2010 8:21 AM:

" What, pray tell, do "teabaggers" have to do with any of this? I'll bet you are one of the first to complain whenever Obama gets dragged in by a poster for no apparent reason. BTW, are you going to put up any of these homeless folks at your residence? "

Dave wrote on Sep 6, 2010 8:22 AM:

" I'm surprised West Haven didn't tax them for using the proprety. "

Ant wrote on Sep 6, 2010 8:32 AM:

" Why was it not mentioned that this is the same tent city that Randall Beach fom the Register wrote about in his column some months back. "

Bite Me wrote on Sep 6, 2010 8:42 AM:

" I'm surprised DeStefano didn't figure out a way to have them pull a permit and charge them for being homeless. "

Bob wrote on Sep 6, 2010 9:06 AM:

" This is the start of Obama's plan for redistribution of wealth. The British tried this in the late 1700's, we all see how that worked out. "

DEM. wrote on Sep 6, 2010 9:21 AM:

" There's a difference between the homeless,and dirtbags.These are the dirtbags.Why did the police let them get anchored in?And why was it o.k.to let them walk away without cleaning up?This has nothing to do with politics,why take it out on the Pres.?If the police would have done their job,This would have been Oregon's problem by now.It's a dirtbag's oasis.Pan handle in the streets,live in the woods,or on the street,get high whenever they want,a dream come true.Are you suprised democrats would think this way?Or is this to liberal for you? "

me2 wrote on Sep 6, 2010 9:31 AM:

" Repuplicans think, they would give to those dirtbags jobs and the problem will go away.Really?Jobs? "

JFTB wrote on Sep 6, 2010 9:32 AM:

" I always feel like these stories miss the mark but contain little hints of truth.

Did you miss the line that at least one of the tent city residents has a subsidized apartment? I believe the reality is that these folks are impaired either through mental health, drugs, or people with mental health concerns self medicating with drugs.

The whole mental health population suffers when we assert rights to them. If they are impaired in judgment, why do we allow them to endanger themselves by living in tents? I'm all for advocating for disadvantaged populations, but I think in this case advocacy should be to treat people with mental illnesses until they are well. I think if you spoke with some of these folks, you'd find they are there because of their paranoia. "

Slant 6 wrote on Sep 6, 2010 10:16 AM:

" Obamaville has a nice ring to it. Bushville sounds perverted. Clintonville is already taken. "

me2 wrote on Sep 6, 2010 10:20 AM:

" Something tells me that`s just a beginning.The processes in the society today unable to give them any kind of the protection or guidance.There are always been these weaklings,who are joining into groups for the survival and they are even experiensing some sort of fun together.They will come out of the woods to do crimes.Next summer,people of suburbans,watch out.I personally have a dog. "

cba wrote on Sep 6, 2010 10:20 AM:

" Isn't it ironic that a City facing a financial crisis has to waste valuable dollars picking up after a group of individuals, when the money get be better spent for education and health treatment for these very same people "

Ken wrote on Sep 6, 2010 10:24 AM:

" New Haven somehow pays for the homeless even when the mess is in West Haven? I thought we had enough problems and very little money? Why are we stuck with West Haven's cleanup bill for a area in West Haven? Destafano is such a wimp--he caves and let's WH push him around without "fighting for New Haven". He also wimps out with Yale U. and the suburbs by not making them pay for services the New Haven provides--Police-security. We are too poor of a city to be taking on West Haven' bills--the homless people themselves are now in New Haven using the social services here. "

Hooverville wrote on Sep 6, 2010 10:26 AM:

" At least in the 1930's people were honest about what they called these places. We also had the exact same national conversation then too. When people who are mentally ill are left to fend for themselves why is anyone surprised that they end up living like this?
You teabaggers are always the first to scream at full volume about any kind of social services spending as a waste of tax dollars. Now you want to complain about this problem when it lands in a public park. @ Frank said something about a "free trip out of state". Frank would be the first person screaming about that "free trip" because it would be paid for with tax dollars. He would also be screaming about people from other states who got a "free trip" here. Shifting the homeless and mentally ill to another jurisdiction doesn't make them any less homeless or sick. But at least they aren't in your back yard, eh Frank?
I had a brother who was schizophrenic. He heard voices and had other hallucinations. From the time he was diagnosed at age 19 until he died at age 35 he was unable to care for himself. This was not a moral failing. This was not personal laziness. This was a brain disease that rendered the victim incapable of holding a job or taking care of himself.
Would you expect a polio victim to work loading bags of cement on a dock? This illness is not taken seriously by most people because there are no obvious physical symptoms like missing limbs. What social services exist are limited. My family is not rich, but we were fortunate enough to be able to advocate for my brother. He would be in the emergency room hearing voices, believing that bad people were stealing his thoughts. We filled out the paperwork because he couldn't. We constantly fought to get him the care he needed, care we couldn't afford personally because we are not wealthy.
What about somebody in his condition who had no family capable of fighting for him? They end up living in a squalid camp in a public park with nobody caring whether or not they live or die. The cops didn't do anything because there isn't anything they could do. Dump them in the ER? They will be back on the street in 30 days or less. So they ignore it as long as nobody is getting knifed.
I am sick of the petty selfishness of those who complain about the problem, yet are unwilling to do anything to solve it. You don't want to allocate enough resources to take care of these folks, then scream about it when it lands in your back yard. You can't just ship these people over state lines and pretend that they magically disappear. "

arizona sheriff wrote on Sep 6, 2010 11:15 AM:

" You people here are missing the point. Instead of tearing down the tent city, you should have put a fence around it and turned into a prison like we have out here. You could have used the prisoner to clean up the mess and put up the fence. It might be a little tough in winter but enough bodies will make the tents warmer. Maybe they could dry the excrement and burn it for heat like they used to to with buffalo chips. "

to really wrote on Sep 6, 2010 11:23 AM:

" "teabaggers" what do they have to do with it??


facts be known i doubt any teabaggers live there. But i am sure a lot of these people that live there would vote for obama if they did vote!! "

tpod wrote on Sep 6, 2010 11:52 AM:

" Bush assisted in the theft of many retirement accounts which led to tent city. Thanks Bush!! "

This will be everyday living wrote on Sep 6, 2010 12:06 PM:

" Wake up people. Every week 480,000+ apply for unemployment. There are over 8 million that run out of unemployment(99 weeks) that are not counted anymore in the unemployment rate.

The USA is in trouble.WATCH "

third world nation wrote on Sep 6, 2010 12:55 PM:

" Human excrement, garbage, disease, it's a walk in the park! "

Obama wrote on Sep 6, 2010 1:24 PM:

" These are my scholars! "

Lin wrote on Sep 6, 2010 1:28 PM:

" Where are all the liberals that have been promoting more sheltors,food stamps, scattered site housing, and sub-prime mortgages. How about opening up your homes. Lets start with DeLauro,Dodd, Larson, and the rest of the democrats. Bring Obamavillagers into your homes. Many out here would do the same, but they lost their homes. "

the grapes of wrath wrote on Sep 6, 2010 1:52 PM:

" you should all watch the movie with henry fonda called grapes of wrath it is a true story and if this country doesnt watch out we will all be in the same boat.who are any of you to judge anyone? "

Hooverville to tea party wrote on Sep 6, 2010 2:16 PM:

" I actually had a relative in this condition living in my home. It ain't no picnic. When was the last time you had to deal with paranoid raving? Again you are expecting "someone else" (liberals) to shoulder all of the burden.
Unless you are wealthy there is absolutely no way you can afford to handle a problem like this on your own. Insurance companies refuse to cover preexisting conditions. If you can't hold a job because you are a raving lunatic you arent going to be able to AFFORD insurance to begin with. Not only that even the best insurance policies out there either don't cover mental health services or terminate them after a short time.
You would not think of blaming a victim of a traffic accident for being paralyzed, yet you do so with these folks. Do you expect 5 year-olds to get jobs and pay for their upkeep? Obama is no more to blame for insane folks running wild in the streets than Bush. But he certainly seems a lot more willing to do something about the problem than leave them to fend for themselves.
It is funny how most of the political crowd seems so eager to turn every human tragedy into a political issue. It doesn't seem to matter if you are a lefty or a righty. Whatever happened to common decency? If you think taking care of the sick and injured is some sort of theft, good luck explaining that to Saint Peter or whoever you believe you will be judged by when you die. Bring a stick and a bag of marshmallows, you sound like you will need it. "

CT citizen wrote on Sep 6, 2010 2:18 PM:

" As I read the nasty and rude comments here, I realize that Glenn Beck is right. The problem with people in the USA is that they need God. People are lost without God. "

Sorry Glenn Beck wrote on Sep 6, 2010 2:33 PM:

" Glenn Beck dont have a bit of God in him, God spread love and peace. God dont try to divide the world. we all know even Stevie Wonder that Glenn Beck is the KKK. do you honestly think Mother Teresa would approve of what he's doing. as far as these people that live in the tents. before the welfare give them anymore foodstamps or medical care, they should make them clean it up. they messed it up. the same way the collect cans everyday likes its a job. clean up the tent mess.
sign
I need a drink/drug "

Lower Taxes wrote on Sep 6, 2010 2:43 PM:

" Taxes in West Haven are so high, I've been living at the beach all summer with my laptop... stealing electric and wireless off course. "

nfd wrote on Sep 6, 2010 3:48 PM:

" this is only the beginning the empire is falling has any 1 read of something called the dark ages when the last great empire fall "

OBAMAVILLE wrote on Sep 6, 2010 4:42 PM:

" OBAMAVILLE!!! yes, this is where his entire administration is headed in 2 years and where 2 trillion in spending got us. "

I remember wrote on Sep 6, 2010 5:50 PM:

" I remember when some idiot from the New Haven Register went and interviewed these people a couple of months ago. The writer made them out to be some "green" peace loving hippies! Let the moron who wrote that story and made these people out to be "victims of society" pay for it!!! "

WEST HAVEN POLICE DEPT wrote on Sep 6, 2010 6:01 PM:

" We would have thrown them out, but they held valid New Haven i.d. cards and thought they were part of DeStefano's new program welcoming them to the City. "

Fecal Obstruction wrote on Sep 6, 2010 6:26 PM:

" Found a tick on my balls today. Picked it off with a toenail clipper. "

me wrote on Sep 6, 2010 6:56 PM:

" These WHITE people have been excreminated against!Some heartless cops acted stupidly,taking away such nice compound,where peacefull creatures had a lovely time together for a several years,probably have had some sort of family establishment.Look at this lonely little sad republican in a corner,he refused to go,he refused welfare,he hates taxes,government,work..He is just a dreamer...Who is going to clean up after him?Tax money,allright. "

Dismayed wrote on Sep 6, 2010 7:27 PM:

" How did this go on for a few years? Why didn't someone kick them out sooner? Guess DeStefano had better things to do. And what about the health department in that city? Why didn't they do anything about it? Oh, I forgot he got FIRED!!! "

Anon wrote on Sep 6, 2010 8:02 PM:

" I am surprised tax assessor O'Brien didn't tax their tents...

... at alleged industry standards of $5000 each.

Plus the 5 gallon bucket chairs, $100 a piece! Do I hear $200?! "

Scut Farkus wrote on Sep 6, 2010 9:27 PM:

" West Haven is so disgustingly scummy, I wear a condom over my entire body any time I have to pass through it. "

Brad wrote on Sep 6, 2010 9:46 PM:

" Mmm, mmm, mmm.... Barack Hoover Obama. "

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