Ariela Lopez
Staff Reporter
ariela.lopez@yale.edu
Ariela Lopez covers Cops and Courts for the City Desk and lays out the weekly print paper as a Production & Design editor. She previously covered City Hall. Ariela is a sophomore in Branford College, originally from New York City.
Author Archive
ARIELA LOPEZ
Community honors Greg Swiantek, longtime Yale officer who died on duty

Swiantek, who worked for the Yale Police Department for 17 years, died suddenly on March 12.

March 23, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ & MAIA NEHME
New Haven detective solves nearly three decade-old child abduction case

Aided by a national DNA testing company, city police found Andrea Reyes, a New Havener who went missing in 1999 at 23 months old.

March 6, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ
Mayor’s public safety budget prioritizes police staffing, technology

After a contentious labor contract-negotiating cycle, the city hopes to aid police department staffing and update its technological assets.

March 6, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ
Former School of Medicine researcher sues Yale for alleged damaged research

After Sam Lee filed a claim against Yale for a destroyed incubator, the University filed three counterclaims, pointing out Lee’s history of retracted papers and allegedly fraudulent research.

March 5, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ & ELIJAH HUREWITZ-RAVITCH
Viral New Haven seal succumbs to illness

Chappy, a stray seal recovered from Chapel Street, died on Tuesday at the Mystic Aquarium.

March 4, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ
Unidad Latina en Acción protests alleged wage theft targeting undocumented worker

A dozen members of a migrant workers advocacy group rallied outside a Whitney Avenue restaurant on Sunday.

March 2, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ
Yale Police yet to coordinate with city’s civilian review board

The New Haven Civilian Review Board has a mandate to monitor complaints against all police departments operating in the city. However, members say Yale Police does not respond to the board.

February 26, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ & ZACHARY SURI
Wilbur Cross placed in lockdown as cops investigated weapon threat

Police took two students into custody after determining the weapon was a BB gun.

February 26, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ & MAIA NEHME
Immigrant advocates allege ICE activity in New Haven

On Friday, social media posts claimed that immigration enforcement officers were “confirmed” to be in New Haven. City officials have not corroborated these rumors.

February 26, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ
Civilian Review Board reelects chair, plots path forward for productive police oversight

New Haven’s Civilian Review Board is considering plans for a weekend bonding retreat suggested by the city’s corporation counsel.

February 25, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ & CHRIS TILLEN
SOM student sues Yale, alleges wrongful suspension over AI use

An anonymous student in the School of Management’s executive MBA program claims he was wrongfully accused of using artificial intelligence on a final exam and penalized unjustly.

February 24, 2025