Hundreds of Waterbury residents decided to take matters into their own hands after a rash of crimes in their quiet neighborhood.
Waterbury Police held a community meeting on Wednesday night to alert residents and urge them to take steps to stop criminals from targeting them.
Police have been keeping a close eye on the historic Overlook Neighborhood over the last few weeks and arrested three teens accused of beating a student at a Yeshiva school with a baseball bat as the student was walking home.
“It’s a big sigh of relief for us,” Menacham Karolitzki said of the arrests.
He said he found the victim, who was in bad shape, after a frantic call for help.
“It puts you on edge … in fear of living here,” Karolitzki said. “Something’s got to be done. It’s just a rash of burglaries that have happened. We need to put a stop to it, immediately,” Deborah Cronin, the victim, said.
Leaders in Waterbury said people who live here must get involved and forming a neighborhood watch was critical.
Local
“Neighborhood watches are very effective,” Mayor Neil O’Leary said.
He addressed hundreds of neighbors and let them know they are the eyes and ears for police.
“Allow us to train you as to what to do if you see someone suspicious,” O’Leary told the crowd.
The neighbors said they are ready to take immediate action.
“We'll be on the lookout like there's no tomorrow,” Menacham Karolitzki said.
Neighbors said crime here is something they won’t accept.
”We're going to put a stop to it and I hope they pay the consequences, whatever they may be,” Cronin said.
