Operation Green Sweep
New Haven Police are Kicking Drugs Off the Green
New Haven Police are cracking down on drug activity at the New Haven green.
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For three months, the New Haven Police Tactical Narcotics Unit has been keeping an eye on the New Haven green. They were tipped off that it was a meeting place for drug dealers and users.
"I’m not the least bit surprised," said Dan Kaplan, who has lived in New Haven for the past two years.
During police surveillance, officers found many transient people using park benches.
"I get hit on a lot by beggars around here and I think it would be better if they had homeless shelters for them," said Jeff Sobhani of New Haven.
Police also found out the transient people were often being used as middlemen between dealers and users. Some of them were even dealing themselves.
In all, police busted 16 people in "Operation Green Sweep." Six were arrested. The other ten already have cases pending.
"They did what they say they did then I’m glad that they got them off the street," said Sobhani.
Police say now was the time to take action on the green to keep it safe for New Haven residents and visitors.
"I think most of the time Yale students avoid the green just because there’s a lot, it’s just, it’s on one side of campus, and people aren’t walking through it a lot, and I think a lot of that has to do with people don’t necessarily feel safe there as they do in other parts of the city," said Donesh Olyaie of New Haven.
With the holiday season fast approaching, and patrons frequenting New Haven’s restaurants and shops, police want to make sure they combat crime in the downtown area.
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