Before Central Park in downtown New Britain was remodeled, Mayor Erin Stewart said the area used to be a gathering spot for the homeless.
While the park was in construction for 18 months, that location changed to city property behind 85 Arch Street. The area is located behind the Friendship Center, which helps provide services to the homeless.
“The city cleared the brush away from it and we put a couple benches back there for people who live in the building to hang out back there,” Stewart said.
But for some, like Madeline Flores, the area has become a concern.
She is the property manager of Pinnacle Development Group. Flores said the group owns nearly 40 apartments near the Arch street gathering area. and she’s received complaints from her tenants.
“They do want to move out because they feel the place is unsafe especially you can’t walk at night,” Said Flores.
The New Britain Police Department said they’ve received calls about incidents in that area, including a stray bullet that struck a woman there.
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Police tell NBC Connecticut they are constantly patrolling that area.
Flores’s tenant, Jose Antonia Irizarry, said he has seen them.
“A lot of nights the police come everyday over here,” Said Irizarry.
When NBC Connecticut asked if either the tenant or property manager had ever complained to the city, they told us they did not.
Stewart also told NBC Connecticut she had not received any complaints about the area, but encourages the public to call if they have concerns.
“If they do see something going on back there that would warrant a visit by the police department to contact the police department, that is the necessary channel, or the Friendship Center, or my office,” Stewart said.
