Crime & Safety

Chief Wydra: "Worst Semester" in Recent Years

Problems with rambunctious Quinnipiac University students are worse this semester than in recent years, according to Hamden's Police Chief, who believes it may be due to a crackdown on underage drinking in New Haven.

With 22 Quinnipiac University students arrested in the last week, the Hamden Police Department is reaching out to the university, urging them to hire more town officers to help quell the parties that have gotten out of control.

On Halloween night, five students were arrested and another student had to be rescued after falling into a well during a party at a Whitney Avenue home.

Then overnight Friday into Saturday, 17 more students were arrested after several parties at residences on Whitney Avenue, Washington Avenue, Rocky Top Road and Darley Drive spilled into the streets as hundreds of students partied.

Hamden Police Chief Thomas Wydra said he has sent an email to the university about the situation. 

"This particular semester is one of worst semesters we have seen," Wydra said, with an increase in incidents in addition to the recent ones.

It may be due to a crackdown in New Haven on underage drinking, he said. Quinnipiac provides a shuttle that goes to downtown New Haven on weekend nights which students utilized to go to restaurants and bars there. 

But since New Haven Police have been cracking down on underage drinking, shuttle ridership has dropped, Wydra said, with students opting to stay home and party.

"We know that New Haven Police have done a lot in the downtown areas," he said, "and we also know that there are a students aren't going down there — when you look at the numbers they are way lower. 

"My idea is they are still partying, but now it's back in their own neighborhoods," he said.

The university needs to hire more Hamden police officers when partying is likely to supplement its own staff, Wydra said, and Hamden Police have stepped up patrols in the affected areas.

The students involved in last weekend's incidents will be dealt with, said John Morgan, associate vice president for public relations.

"The university is conducting its own investigations and those found to be involved will face the student conduct process," Morgan said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.