The hate-message vandalism that occurred last weekend around Wilcoxson Avenue (see related story, this website) occurred at a time when 7th District Councilman Craig Budnick has been speaking up about recurring incidents of illicit or criminal behavior around Wilcoxson School and Longbrook Park and, further, about residents becoming angry and afraid to confront youths suspected of being involved.
7th District Councilman Craig Budnick speaking at a community meeting earlier this year.
Budnick received a call this week from a resident in the Wilcoxson area who told him about groups of youths who banged on doors at 11:30 at night, and when the resident came to the door someone yelled a racial epithet against the Caucasian person.
He said he heard about a report of a group of youths who were talking about tearing down an American flag in Longbrook Park and planning to burn it.
Budnick gave examples of the burning to the ground of a “porta potty” on the grounds of Wilcoxson School on July 16, and he said, “There was some nasty graffiti about ‘white power’ a few weeks ago.”
“It has been ongoing,” said Budnick. “From the bathrooms that are currently being renovated, because they were destroyed years ago, to constant graffiti, dope smoking and a bad element hanging out at night that people have been complaining about for years.”
“Maybe if we draw attention to the vandalism that continues to occur at these locations we can help catch the kids doing the damage or stop it from happening,” Budnick said.
The councilman said he was also upset when a new custodian, who started during the last school year “was verbally abused by a bunch of kids.”
Budnick acknowledges, “Every generation has trouble kids,” he said he senses a “different tone,” a “confrontational tone” from the youths at this time. He said also that he knows other districts in town are having trouble too.
“They are not afraid,” Budnick said of youths.
Residents are becoming “angry and afraid,” he said, and he reports that residents are telling him that they don’t want to confront the youths.
“We need some arrests made and people made an example of, as this behavior needs to stop,” he said. “Wilcoxson is currently going through a renovation and the last thing needed is more fires or destruction as they are removing asbestos from the school and cleaning it up.”
Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour commented to The Star after meeting with Budnick and others at a July 17 Public Safety Committee meeting. “We have advised our patrol officers to continue to check schools and parks as often as possible in between their other calls for service to deter acts of vandalism,” Ridenhour said.
Said Budnick, “I am satisfied that the police are doing the best they can, and I am confident that they will catch” those responsible. “But if on August 31 no one has been brought to justice, I would say we missed” the chance, the councilman said.
Public urged to report
tips and crimes
“We are also encouraging residents to call the dispatch center, 203-385-4100, when these incidents are occurring, so that we can address them in a more timely manner,” the chief said. “Even if the culprits have fled a quicker response may help us find some evidence or information that may not be there a day or two later.”
Ridenhour added: “I have also offered to meet with residents of the affected areas to hear their concerns directly. It could also be an opportunity to show them how to use the I-Watch system, which may be very helpful in solving issues like these.”
I-Watch Stratford is a free software application for residents to use to report crime tips and suspicious activity. The application may be downloaded to cell phones and other mobile electronic communications devices, enabling people of Stratford to deliver tips to police immediately from wherever they are, the officers said.
People interested in using the system may go to www.iWatchStratford.com and download the application to an iPhone, Android or BlackBerry.
The tip system is not intended for reporting emergencies. For emergencies or if anyone is imminent danger, “call 911,” Ridenhour said.
All that is left of a porta-potty after it was burned by an alleged vandal at Wilcoxson School on July 16. Greg Reilly photo.