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Tenants and neighbors complain of safety, limited police presence near Community Towers
Summary
Several residents raised safety concerns around Community Towers and nearby neighborhoods, calling for more visible foot patrols and better security after reports of harassment, circling of a tenant in a wheelchair, and perceived slow police responses.
Multiple residents used the Aug. 4 public comment period to describe safety concerns in downtown Meriden and near Community Towers.
Tenant Jennifer Addy said she was circled by three people while sitting in her wheelchair on Community Towers property and reported verbal harassment in Spanish; she said she sought assistance from property management and the police but was told officers were 'very busy.' Addy criticized a single security guard assigned 10 a.m.–6 p.m. to cover two buildings and urged more robust measures to protect tenants.
Neighbor Ryan Stedman described ongoing drug activity and violence near the shelter and said drive-by patrols are not sufficient. Stedman urged officers to leave vehicles, conduct visible foot patrols and interact with residents to deter criminal behavior. He cited figures he said were from his research — 23 square miles for the city, about 142 police officers — and questioned why officers are reportedly 'busy' when calls come in.
John Malavenda described neighborhood cleanup efforts and called for more consistent attendance by council and police representatives at neighborhood meetings; he also expressed frustration about executive sessions and the availability of meeting packets for resolutions.
City officials did not record a direct departmental response or immediate change to security deployment in the meeting. Residents’ requests raise questions the council or police leadership may address in follow-up communications or neighborhood meetings.
