Community responds to vandalism

‘Neighborhood watch’ petition approved by selectmen

By Angela L. Zajac
Turley Publications Correspondent

NORTH BROOKFIELD - Only a month ago, the town common was littered with trash and marked by graffiti. Now, those out enjoying the park this summer may notice only a few pieces of trash. When the three new picnic tables that Eagle Scout Kevin Hanson generously built for public use were vandalized with graffiti a mere two weeks after their installation, the community responded.
Eagle Scout Hanson, the town's Playground Committee and benefactor Sean Butler of Bob's Deli are working together to install some new tables on the common.  The first three were chained to the fence along the business side of Grove St. when the vandals marked them up. 
Residents of the area responded immediately by coming up with a petition full of signatures in support of a neighborhood watch program. This program would allow community members to keep a constant eye on the neighborhood and would increase the quality of life by decreasing the opportunities for crime to occur. 

The board of selectmen approved the petition at last week’s meeting and selectman Robert Filipkowski has agreed to present it to Police Chief Aram Thomasian, Jr.
Selectman Filipkowski, who is also a resident of the town common neighborhood and frequently walks there stated, “The police department has already diligently stepped up patrols to keep watch on the area.”
Filipkowski refered to the vandals as “a few bad seeds in the apple,” He went on to say “The town common is everybody's park so be responsible for your own trash and let visitors know what is expected by setting an example.”
Eagle Scout Hanson is in the process of building another new table for the common.