During a recent city council meeting, residents voiced pressing concerns regarding local issues, including public health and safety, as well as the handling of a high-profile murder case.
One resident expressed frustration over a neighbor's feeding of pigeons, which has led to significant disturbances and property damage. The individual, who has lived in the area for 39 years, described the situation as unprecedented and requested assistance from the health department to address the problem. They offered to provide photographic evidence and date-stamped information to support their claims.
Another resident, Nika Zerezvand, brought attention to the case of Roya Mohammadi, a Muslim Afghan woman whose death has been described as a likely murder. Zerezvand criticized the police for their handling of the investigation and expressed disappointment over the lack of response from the city council regarding initiatives aimed at improving women's safety and addressing domestic violence. She highlighted a perceived disparity in how different communities within West Haven are treated, particularly immigrants, and called for accountability and policy changes to ensure better handling of such cases in the future.
The council members acknowledged the concerns raised but noted that they could not intervene in ongoing investigations. They emphasized their role in budgetary matters rather than direct oversight of police operations. Zerezvand urged the council to prioritize women's safety and to consider policy changes that would prevent future mishandling of similar cases.
The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the journal from a previous session, followed by communications regarding financial management and tax overpayment refunds. The council's response to the residents' concerns remains to be seen as they continue to navigate these complex issues.