WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — West Haven businesses tell News 8 they are not affected after the city issued a beach curfew following Monday's fight.
The city declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, closing public recreational spaces from sunset to sunrise until further notice. The city said it had taken steps to prevent large and violent gatherings.
Holly Norback of Scoreboard's Cafe on Campbell Avenue said she was walking to work Monday when she saw the chaos in the street and heard gunshots coming from a nearby gas station. Ta.
“It has had a huge impact on our business,” she said.
Other businesses News 8 spoke to did not want to be seen on camera but said they were not affected.
The violent altercation began with a scuffle on the beach and involved around 2,000 people, most of them teenagers. Hours after police dispersed the crowd, the shooting occurred at the Best gas station on Campbell Avenue. Between the two incidents, police arrested 12 people. Seven of them are boys.
“This is the time of year when people want to drink,” Norback said. “We're right on the beach. Come outside and soak up some sun on the patio.”
Bar staff fear the curfew could keep people away from the area at the most critical time for business.
“It's been a tough time for all of us, especially since COVID, so you want to see business grow,” said Karin Snedeker, the bar's program manager. “So when we close early and do things like that, it impacts everyone.”
Meanwhile, many other businesses near the beach and patrons like Peter Davis said they didn't feel the changes would have much of an impact.
“So this is pretty much a daytime town,” he said.
News 8 reached out to the mayor and local chamber of commerce for comment, but did not receive a response.
