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Dumbasses vandalize the Derby Greenway

September 02, 2007 // 5 Comments  // Add yours »

Some idiots put some kind of soap suds in the National Humane Alliance Fountain at the beginning of the Derby Greenway last night.  Here's what it says on the Derby website:

"Less than 24 hours after the City of Derby dedicated the restored National Humane Alliance Fountain as part of the Derby Greenway Plaza and Hall of Fame at the Division Street entrance to the popular trail, pranksters dumped a soap solution into the fountain causing the main bowl, the four smaller bowls and an attached storage tank to overflow with suds. The vandalism was discovered around 6:00 am this morning as early morning walkers were surprised and disappointed to witness such a senseless act of vandalism. Many reported the vandalism to the police and city officials sparking a quick and very angry response.

Aldermanic President Ken Hughes, who installed the landscaping surrounding the fountain yesterday, went to the plaza and cleaned up the mess. He also offered a $100 reward for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible. That reward has now grown to $1,000 as Mayor Anthony Staffieri, Jack Walsh, Judy/Tony Szewczyk, Leo Moscato, Sr., Keith McLiverty, LeoMoscato, Jr., the Republican Town Committee, Carl Yacobacci and Joe Bomba have all contributed.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Derby Police Department (735-7811). Anyone wishing to contribute to the reward, should call Alderman Hughes at 860-818-8644."

Update: The reward has grown to $1,400.  WTNH has a report along with some video.

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Comments:

although its wrong to vandalize the fountain. i cant help but admit it was rather clever.

Posted on: Sep 8, 2007 5:09:53 PM

yeah seriously. vandalism isnt okay but c'mon. its soap suds. the kind of people who get mad at that are the same kind of people who get mad at at toilet paper being thrown in their trees. it can be cleaned up. so what? its not like its thousands of dollars worth of damage. if anything, it woulda cleaned the fountain. people obviously have no sense of humor

Posted on: Sep 10, 2007 2:44:41 PM

... but I would definatly turn in the kids to get the reward money!

Posted on: Sep 14, 2007 1:07:34 PM

I would like to give you a brief history on the Derby Greenway, and historic Humane Alliance Fountain. The City has spent the last year and a half restoring this 100 year old fountain, selling engraved bricks, and planning for its dedication. We have been working with a sculptor in South Dakota who was able to recreate the brass lion head spigots, as the originals were stolen, probably by some "kids.". Many volunteer hours went into making the fountain and plaza dedication a day to remember for those involved. There were approximately 200 people in attendance, mostly those who donated bricks to their loved ones, some of whom were deceased. We also had a tree dedication where several trees were donated in memory of loved ones. As you can imagine, emotions were high.

Less than 24 hours after the dedication (and the water being turned on for the first time in 50 years), it was realized some type of liquid was poured into the fountain.

I was the one responsible for cleaning up the mess. If you knew me, you would realize I have one of the best "sense of humors" going, but this prank and its timing wasn't funny, and many residents took it as a slap in the face after all their hard work they put into the plaza.

We have been fighting these "pranks" for many months, and we finally said enough is enough. The reaction to this vandalism was a culmination from all the graffiti and broken fence posts realized on the greenway almost daily.

I do not accept the excuse that the vandals were probably just "kids", as I am raising children of my own and they know to respect what isnt theirs. This attitude, I believe, is what is missing in todays society.

Because I had time and energy invested in this project (I lost a day of work to complete the landscaping), I offered the initial $100 reward. It has since grown to $1650 garnered from residents and business owners who have the same attitude as I, and that is "enough is enough."

As far as spending time on the issue, I was over it as soon as the cleanup was done, but it was the news outlets who perpetuated and sensationalized the story.

Thanks

Ken Hughes
President, Board of Aldermen
City of Derby

Posted on: Sep 16, 2007 5:43:25 PM

I think this is really stupid why would someone put soap in a fountain that is like an embarrasment to all pranksters and second of all Derby has put alot of work into that fountain for over 50 years if anyone wants to vandalize something go to New York City.

Posted on: Mar 5, 2008 5:31:56 PM

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