Hilltop Hose in Ansonia to host block watch meeting

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti, Police Chief Kevin Hale, Police Officer Rick Esposito, Vinnie Scarlata (Block Watch Coordinator), Ed Norman, and members of the Board of Aldermen will hold the second Neighborhood Block Watch Meeting for residents of the Hilltop area. 

It will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Hilltop Hose Company No. 5 firehouse, 80 Pulaski Highway.

The meeting is being convened to seek captains who will coordinate their individual areas and residents that would like to be active members of the block watch. 

“Please join us," Cassetti said today. "I want our residents to stay active and involved in this block watch. It is important to stay informed and to help your fellow neighbors. If everyone remains diligent, we will keep crime at bay."

The meeting will focus on the purpose and goals of a block watch and how the block watch will be implemented going forward. 

Also being discussed is personal home security with a concentration on ensuring the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable neighbors such as seniors and the homebound. 

There will also be information and literature handed out to all attendees.

This is a press release from Mayor David S. Cassetti's office.

Ansonia to hold block watch meeting Oct. 8

Sharing Ansonia resident Vinnie Scarlata's Facebook page message:

The next block watch meeting with residents and city officials will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Hilltop Hose Company #5 firehouse, 80 Pulaski Highway, Ansonia.

Scarlata said, "This will be primarily an organizational meeting to discuss how the Watch works, who has stepped forward to Captain individual neighborhoods and enlist all of you who wish to participate. Tell your neighbors who haven't been following.

"The mapping of the Hilltop is complete for now. Thank you Rick Dunne and his staff at Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments for their help. I'll also have those at the meeting for you."

Ansonia Hilltop residents learn about burglaries, block watch plans

Ansonia Police Officer Rick Esposito addresses an overflow crowd Tuesday evening in the parking lot of Hilltop Hose Company 5 firehouse on Pulaski Highway. Mayor David S. Cassetti, at podium, listens to the presentation.

Ansonia residents cram into firehouse to get information about recent break-ins and attempted break-ins in the Hilltop section of the city.

Officials estimated that more than 300 residents attended the informational meeting.

Ansonia Police Chief Kevin Hale said the large turnout was "a very good thing. It's a very good step going forward." 
He said six burglaries had occurred between Aug. 6 and Aug. 21. "There have been more attempts than actual burglaries," Hale said. "Every entry has been through an open or unlocked window. No force has been used except for a cut screen, and we're not even sure of that."

Hale said all of the break-ins and attempted break-ins have occurred between 11:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Stolen items included small electronics, including laptops and cell phones.

He said, "We have enhanced our presence up here tremendously but we haven't taken away from patrols in other parts of the city."


As Hilltop residents my husband and I were both glad to see the community turn out and share their concerns. 

Please click here for a story by Jean Falbo-Sosnovich, New Haven Register correspondent. 

Cassetti invites Ansonia Hilltop residents to block watch meeting

* Sharing from City of Ansonia Facebook page.