Mr. Richard Epstein

City of New Haven Police Commission, Chairman

59 McKinley Ave

New Haven, CT 06515 


January 17, 2008 


Dear Mr. Epstein, 


We, the members of ElmCityCycling, are writing with regard to your ongoing search for a new Chief of Police for New Haven. Chief Ortiz has done a commendable job in his tenure at the helm of our Police Department. But as you evaluate potential successors, we would like to voice our concern over an issue that we hope you take into consideration during your search. 


New Haven’s cycling community is already large and it is enjoying strong growth. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New Haven has the highest percentage of bicycle commuters of any major city in the Northeast. We hope to catch up with national leaders such as Portland, Oregon soon. Cycling is a means of transportation that is sustainable, potentially safe and leads to a more vibrant and economically robust city. For these reasons, the Mayor, and numerous aldermen, including Board President Goldfield, have committed themselves to facilitating and encouraging cycling in New Haven. 


In our estimation, one of the largest obstacles to the growth of cycling has been the state of traffic enforcement in New Haven. The lack of attention to traffic enforcement is a concern not just for cyclists: it is shared by many of New Haven’s residents and visitors. Not only are traffic accidents one of the leading causes of preventable death in New Haven, our city’s ability to attract new residents and retain current ones depends on its ability to maintain safe, welcoming streets. One of the largest advantages that New Haven has over its neighbors is its pedestrian-friendly, walkable nature. When traffic laws go unenforced, however, this advantage is lost. 


While we are certain that you are already scrutinizing candidates’ credentials on and commitment to traffic enforcement, we would to like to reaffirm for you the importance of this issue to New Haven’s cycling community. We hope that candidate that you select will be one who sends a message to all officers that traffic violations are a real and important matter that merits the Department’s full attention. In short, we hope that our new Chief of Police will share the Mayor’s and the Board of Aldermen’s commitment to making New Haven a city that is safe and friendly to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike. 


In addition, we would welcome an opportunity to speak with the commission regarding specific suggestions that we have, such as requesting that the Police Department appoint a liaison to the cycling community. We wish you the best of luck in your search for a new Chief. 


Very truly yours, 
 


ElmCityCycling 

(signatories’ names on following page)

CC:  Mayor John DeStefano, Jr.

      Rob Smuts, Chief Administrative Officer of the City of New Haven

      Carl Goldfield, President, Board of Aldermen

      Alex Rhodeen, Chair, Public Safety Committee, Board of Aldermen

      Erin Sturgis-Pascale, Ward 14 Alderman

      Michael Piscitelli, Director of Transportation, Traffic and Parking