DeStefano prepares for 19th State of the City address

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - Crime in the Elm City will certainly be a front-burner issue when Mayor John DeStefano gives his State of the City address tonight.
 
This is Mayor John Destefano's 19th State of the City address and to hear him tell it, the city is in good shape.

Democrat DeStefano sat down to talk about tonight's speech and he told News 8 that he will address head on the issue of violence, revealing he will soon offer his own plan to reduce crime.

"Later this month I will be submitting some organizational and strategy initiatives involving the New Haven Police Department," said DeStefano.
    
There will also be talk about continuing school reform efforts, including establishing a sort of Parents University to offer support programs for those raising children in the city.     
    
News 8 asked about what folks might be paying in taxes. With recent property reevaluation, the mayor admitted some homeowners will be paying more.

"For some people the increases will be not small and for some the decreases will not be small," DeStefano said.

The mayor's state of the city speech is set for 7 p.m. tonight at city hall.

Stick with News 8 and wtnh.com for complete coverage: watch Mayor DeStefano's address streaming live on wtnh.com starting at 7 p.m. and in conjunction with the New Haven Independent , participate in a live online discussion with local reporters from your computer.