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East Haven officials held a meeting last night to address concerns raised by the town’s Latino community. Latino business owners say there’s been a pattern of racial profiling, harassment and intimidation by local police.

It was not exactly the kind of meeting many had expected. Earlier this month, Town Hall announced a community meeting to discuss the relationship between the Latino community and East Haven’s police department. Instead tables were set up in a large room at the local Senior Center with representatives of many local departments. "We have police department, fire department, animal control, and I see the building department, the zoning department, the mayor’s office", said Stacy Monaco, assistant to East Haven Mayor April Capone Almon. She says the city wanted to invite community members to talk to all department heads.

That surprised John Lugo of Latinos United in Action. "Basically we just came here to talk about the issue of how the police department is affecting the Latino community. We don’t have any issues with the building department or the parks department". Most of the 60 plus members of the Latino community who attended the event remained seated as officials circulated among them.

"My name is Angel Fernandez. I’m with the Parish Council of St. Rose of Lima Church and I’m here in support of the merchants and other folks who live in East Haven who are members of our parish who have suffered the harassment from the police." During the past several months, members of Fernandez’s church have spoken publicly about alleged police misconduct. Business owners describe police circling their stores, pulling people over without reasonable suspicion and harassing anyone who looks Latino. Fernandez says the community meeting starts an important conversation. "It’ll be easier to deal with the town on some issues as opposed to others. Obviously the challenge with the police department is one that will probably be a lot more difficult than any of the others".

Seated at a table with local law enforcement officials, East Haven Police Chief Len Gallo says he’s still developing an understanding of the situation. "I allow the facts and circumstances to all roll in with each other and make judgments on what will or what will not happen. And yes, the East Haven police department and the East Haven community we’re dialoguing, I mean. We’ll dialogue as much as necessary to keep peace and order." But when asked if racial profiling is a problem in town, Chief Gallo says no. "No, maam. I’m not acknowledging a problem one way or another. I’m saying that if something is broken, we and the police commission and the chief will help fix it".

The mayor’s office says first of several meetings between her administration and members of the Latino community.