About 50 residents attended a north end block watch meeting Tuesday to talk about the frustrating spate of vandalism that has plagued the city.
Some two dozens vehicles have been damaged since Saturday — tires slashed, windows broken.
The vandals even stabbed an above-ground pool.
What might seem as low-level crime to many is seen as a major pain in the neck for Ansonia residents such as Lisa Matto of North State Street.
She’s at the point where she no longer wants to leave her car parked on the street overnight.
The sense of frustration was repeated several times at the Ortoli Community Center on Woodlawn Avenue.
“These folks are getting bolder and bolder,” said north end resident Jim Prestiano, who had his car window smashed the other night.
He pointed out the vandals have weapons, as evidenced by the puncture wounds to car tires and a swimming pool.
“They have knives. What do you think they would do if you saw them?” he asked.
Mayor Jim Della Volpe told the crowd the police are doing everything they can to catch the people responsible.
“Let me assure you that we do have as many officers as we could on overtime. We are spending huge amount of money to try to solve this problem,” Della Volpe told the crowd.
Ansonia Detective Gerald M. Tenney also said patrols have been stepped up.
Tenney and Officer Richard Esposito — who regularly attend block watch meetings — called upon north end neighbors to be vigilant, to keep their outdoor lights on at night, and above all, call and report all suspicious activity as comprehensively as possible.
The officers urged the neighbors to report details of what they see, such as descriptions of suspicious individuals and car marker plate numbers if possible.
“No matter how big or how small, call the police and give us that information,” Esposito said.
The neighbors seemed ready to do that and happily snapped up a list of contact numbers for the police department distributed by Ed Norman, a block watch organizer.
Officer Esposito told the crowd the information they share with the police may be the deciding factor in solving the crime wave.
Alderman John Marini repeated comments he made to the Valley Indy earlier in the day — he wants the Board of Aldermen hold a special meeting and offer a reward for information leading to an arrest.
“We have to stop it now,” Marini said.
He asked police if they have enough resources to deal with the problem. The cops said they do (See the second video).
At the end of the 90-minute meeting, Della Volpe expressed his confidence the problem will be solved.
“We’re going to get them,” the mayor told one frustrated neighbor.
Anyone with information should call the Ansonia Police at 203 – 735-1885 and ask for Lt. Andrew Cota.
