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Residents press Meriden leaders for more patrols, follow‑up on assaults and ADA fixes at public safety meeting
Summary
During the same Jan. 22 committee meeting where an ordinance for speed‑camera enforcement was adopted, numerous residents urged action on downtown assaults, police follow‑up, ADA building access and sidewalk snow removal, saying cameras alone won’t solve local safety problems.
Residents used the public comment period at the Jan. 22 Meriden Public Safety Committee meeting to press officials for stepped‑up patrols, better follow‑up on reported assaults and corrections to accessibility and sidewalk maintenance.
Jennifer Addie, who said she uses a wheelchair, described two recent violent assaults on elderly residents in downtown Meriden and criticized what she characterized as inadequate police follow‑up and poor ADA access at the city building. "We deserve to be safe in this community, and you can't go less than a half a mile outside your door without being assaulted," Addie said, recounting attacks she says occurred on Pratt Street.
Multiple speakers echoed concerns about downtown safety and accessibility. Brian Stedman said he did not feel safe walking Pratt Street and urged more boots on the ground. "I'd like to see a little more patrolmen out there," Stedman said. Several commenters connected those public‑safety concerns to the camera discussion, saying cameras could be part of a toolkit but are not a substitute for patrol officers.
Other public commenters raised operational issues: Todd Money, an auto dealer, warned that tickets assessed to registered owners may hit businesses that provide loaner cars; Dan Zabrowski and others urged improved communication from records and better snow‑removal enforcement to keep sidewalks and handicap ramps usable.
Officials acknowledged the concerns. Chief Rob Rosato and other staff emphasized that cameras are one tool among many and that implementation must be done carefully. The committee adopted the camera ordinance but residents at the meeting said they expect subsequent planning and deployment to address downtown violence, timely police response and accessible infrastructure.
The committee chair closed the meeting after receiving public testimony and committee reports; staff will continue planning for the ATESD program while also fielding ongoing public safety and infrastructure requests from residents.
