N.E.S.T, Neighborhood Enforcement Stabilization Teams (Community Patrol) (spring 2005)

This summer, kids hanging out in some of Hartford's targeted "hot spots" may have an unexpected encounter that saves them from probable trouble. Spearheaded by the Hartford Police Department's Community Resource Division, Neighborhood Enforcement Stabilization Teams (NEST) is a new citywide initiative that sends small teams of community leaders, social workers, and Community Service Officers (CSOs) to locations where youth loiter and sometimes result in disruptions or crimes.

"The NEST concept complements nicely with the mission of SINA," SINA's Special Assistant to the Director John Bailey explains. “Both share a desire to offer youth choices and opportunities that they would otherwise not be aware of. In addition, HPD has designated a number of areas in SINA's neighborhood as “Hot Spots”. Finally, the NEST initiative is based on a collaborative effort of public, private, and nonprofit organizations which is similar to the model SINA has used to change the landscape of its target neighborhoods."

Nest’s aim is to talk with kids and intervene before problems occur. Community leaders serving on the teams will utilize their preexisting relationships with the kids to start conversations and refer at-risk youth to agencies like Mi Casa Family Service & Educational Center. NEST is expected to act like a bridge between those youth who typically do not utilize community-based services and the neighborhood organizations that offer youth-oriented programming.

Mustered by Maria Negron, Community Capacity Building Coordinator for the Aetna Center for Families, the NEST committee is comprised of 23 members. SINA's John Bailey provides technical support as the committee's co-chair, along with Lt. Merit of the Hartford Police Department. NEST began by identifying existing agencies and community resources, then, on July 1, began biweekly patrols by pairing up committee members and neighborhood leaders with CSOs.

The NEST team operating in South Hartford will be riding along with Officer Carlos Colon and Officer Hector Robles. These CSOs will accompany NEST team members to areas in the neighborhoods that are frequented by at risk youth between the ages of 11-16.