Gary Hogan (center) with top cops and Beaver Hills neighbors after Wednesday's meetup. The following Citizen Contribution was written by Ward 28 Democratic Ward Committee Co-Chair Gary Hogan, about a recent neighborhood meetup with top city police to discuss crime in Beaver Hills.Beaver Hills (Ward 28) leadership had received numerous complaints about criminal activity occurring in the ward. During a recent September community management team meeting, more concerns were raised, leading to a meeting request to New Haven Police Department (NHPD) leadership to discuss in person with neighbors. On Wednesday, Police Chief Karl Jacobson, Assistant Chief David Zannelli and District Manager Sgt. Jonathan Lambe met with Beaver Hills residents at the home of Gary Hogan.The meeting was opened by Hogan, who provided the background for the meeting and discussed the following criminal concerns:1. Auto theft and vandalism (break ins)2. Excessive speeding, running stop signs3. Young men riding in cars hanging out the windows and throwing items at residents4. Litigation for parents of offenders committing property damage5/ Confusion about fireworks versus gunshots6. Trespassing (people wandering in driveways/yards) at night 7. Porch thieves (stolen packages)Residents then individually spoke about their experiences on the block. Matt Watson, who recently moved to New Haven from North Carolina, talked about his car being broken into by two young men. He called 911 and it went to voice mail twice. He engaged the two offenders with a positive result. James and Rececca Cramer described their experience with confronting thieves stealing the catalytic convertor from their car, with minimal police response. Nan Bartow and Peter Blasini shared the peaceful nature of our neighborhood, so diverse with families outside socializing, neighbors walking their pets and the laughter of kids after school throughout the early evening.All talked about the Kia Boys riding through the neighborhood with stolen cars, waving items out of the cars, speeding recklessly, tires screeching as they make donuts at the intersection and possibly discharging gun shots at night. All were concerned about individuals checking cars at night. Former police Sgt. and former Ward 28 Alder Shafiq Abdussabur summed it all up with the statement: They come to our neighborhood because there’s no police presence. The community is tired of the all the break ins. Beaver Hills residents are ready to reinstate their ​“neighbor patrols.” In past years, neighbors volunteered to put a flashing light in their vehicle and ride throughout the streets monitoring security concerns during the night.Chief Jacobson replied that it breaks his heart to hear these stories. Chief Jacobson talked about the department being 90 officers short; the police union has a new tentative contract, and he had just come from a NHPD graduation ceremony for four new officers. He handed out some crime data reports to review with the residents. He stated that, in Beaver Hills so far this year, break-ins are up 103 percent (from 28 to 57), car thefts down are down 20 percent (from 93 to 72), and gunshots are down 35 percent (from 19 to 10). Chief Jacobson continued about the arrests made in Beaver Hills and across the City , how the young offenders are back on the street’s days later. The chief offered these proposals, which are under development:1. Stiffer penalties for offenders after 4th arrest for stolen vehicle2. Juvenile detention (increase the number of beds)3. Kia Boys Task force with other municipalities/towns4. Stop sticks being deployed5. New technology to track stolen auto, while in its infancy has lead to arrests 80 percent of the time.Some residents pushed back but overall agreed to give him a chance. With the meeting in progress, Assistant Chief Zanelli heard the common sound of speeding cars and horns blowing to avoid accidents. He arranged for the motor patrol to come to Beaver Hills and before the meeting was over, a speeding ticket had been issued. While a short-term fix, Chief Jacobson agreed to provide increased patrols, motor vehicle patrols for traffic concerns and better police presence.NHPD Beaver Hills leadership will return in two months to review the progress. All were pleased with the opportunity to discuss the concerns and work together to solving the Beaver Hills policing issues.