Vet Park Junkie and another reader asked for this thread.
From The Hour:
A fire of undetermined origin destroyed a storage building used by Norwalk High School’s marching band early Thursday morning, destroying more than $500,000 worth of equipment, according to NHS band director Jeff Smith. The fire was reported at 3 a.m.
But the band played on.
Tags: In the News · Norwalk
I was at the lot at Andrews field about a month ago teaching my daughter how to drive. One evening we saw two kids by the bleachers who lit something causing flames and smoke. I called the police who came quickly. However, the kids saw our car, an old crown vic, and took off on their bikes, zipping along the shipping containers, passing in front of the health club and up the alley. I felt doltish calling the police with no perp in sight. We wandered over to the bleachers and found no sign of fire, except for some spent fireworks. Perhaps they found one that was still unlit.
I’m not saying that they were the culprits in this crime. It’s just that the Hour’s report that it is a local teen hangout coupled with the smoke and fireworks makes me anticipate a police focus on local teens. It’s a shame.
Okay. I shan’t feel doltish again making the call. What’s the procedure for donations?
Probably were kids of one of the “25″, wouldn’t you agree, “Those Who Could Care Less”?
Probably were kids of one of the “25″, wouldn’t you agree, “Those Who Could Care Less�
DUMB, DUMB, DUMB.
can we find a bank that will take the donations? Maybe leaving the name of the band director as a trustee of sorts at a bank ,,maybe use this site for a vehicle it is where everone learns whats going on..
One of my kids plays the drums in a school band he marched in July this just sucks.
I heard it when the fire was called in I hope this building was alarmed,didn’t seem like it.
In my house it went from a sad state to an angry one on how the city is run and the condition its in kids don’t always have the right perspective ,,what do I tell me kids?
I actually have nothing else to say
The band members had a donation bucket set up at the field as of 10:30 this morning. This is heartbreaking news - those kids work so hard.
thanks nwlknative , instead of ice cream at the beach today theres ten dollars my kids just thought was a good destination to take it.
Greenpeace, that is wonderful.
Listen folks, our band has stirred the hearts of millions nationwide. Can’t we launch a larger campaign? I have no idea, personally, how to do this but I’d like replacement funds available now. I’d also like us to be able to afford to put the new storage in a more secure place.
Also, if kids are involved, I want a rational reprimand. Teens screw up.
#2, might be a kid of one who cares the most. I’m a PK (Preacher’s Kid) and could understand it.
Knowing what Band Parents can be like, yeah, that would make sense.
The BOE has insurance that will cover most of this, but who knows how long it will take to receive the replacement instruments and any other equipment that was destroyed.
The news said Patriot Bank is accepting donations on
Westport Avenue and other branches. How sad that the band kids have to start the school year with this kind of horrible news. I am sure the community will rally. Parents were steel wooling instruments and hanging uniforms to air on Channel 12 News. Maybe, they will be able to salvage some of the equipment. Was there insurance? Where is Central Office? Any commentary?
I just heard the band practicing last night when my dog and I were out walking.
I enjoy hearing them practice!
If everyone wants to have a fund raiser you can call me for some ideas. A BBQ is easy & not hard to put together, maybe something at the school for the kids. I am sure that there are more people than just me who have great ideas on how to raise money quick, but if interested go to my husband’s web site for my phone #.
Oh yea Vets park junkie, that just what we want, they set $500,000 fire and you call it a screwup. Putting glue in locks is a screwup, using an accelerant to start a fire which has a potential to injure or kill is not a screwup. How about the firefighters who could have been injured. But lets give them a slap on the wrist and a counseling session, and learn maybe that their parents yelled at them one time and they just got so confused they had to set the fire. They should get the maxium under the law. I have had fun in the past with the miserable 25, Do not always agree with them. But based on your comments you could wear a new T’Shirt. The riduclous one.
My intention in my comments was two-fold. One was to spark interest in replacing the equipment. Two was to avoid the anger needed to raise funds from cascading into a lynching. Kids screw up. There should be repercussions. See my note #7. I used “rational reprimand” on purpose. Did I say a slap on the wrist? Don’t put your own crap into my comments. I put enough of my own there.
This is not a screw up! This is pure and simple destruction of property and must be dealt with like any other crime. This doesn’t appear to be a random act. This is downright disgusting. What the hell are people doing at Andrews Field at 3AM? I am sure it wasn’t some adult with nothing to do. Take a ride some night and see the kids on the streets in this area. They ride in the middle of the street almost causing major accidents, they harass people walking down the street. They harass people going to the movies and this isn’t in the early evening hours, its way past the time they should be in their homes. Where the hell are the parents of these kids when they are causing so much trouble? When are parents in this town going to take responsibility for their kids? You don’t hear much about what goes on in this area but there is plenty. Do the cops see this? does anyone see this? I have written to a council person or 2 about the situation and only 1 answered me. What do we have to do to feel safe in this town? This is a disgrace! These kids have competition this weekend and to come to practice today to find this must have been heartbreaking for them. Its not about the band parents folks, its about the kids who put so much effort into be the best they can be and shining in competitions that very few can even come close to. Norwalk High and McMahon band kids are some of the most dedicated kids of their age bracket that I have ever seen. What a damn shame!
what do we have to do to feel safe in this city?
read my rants for the last two months we need police officers on the street.
I have given numbers, population stats money and grant pacakges descriptions, The Advocate and the Hour report every day on crime and residents disgust and yes we have had 1 maybe two news conferances from the top so where do we go from here?
#16: My first typing of my comments used “f* up†instead of “screw up.†Netiquette caused me to replace the word. I agree that the focus should be on the band kids and that it is a damn shame. I haven’t heard the news in a few hours, but the assumption that teens are at fault is speculation — Logical, but still speculation.
wife just suggested we start now to organize something at the oyster festival, is it possible to get a booth or spot, or do what firemen do but put a snare drum in the middle of the road and passers bys donate into it .I’m sure we can get city approval
something like the miserable 25 dunk booth I’m sure with our fans we could warrant a Brinks truck pickup at the end of the day..
all joking aside someone organize something out here, I’m sure we could use the ct.com logo for the dunk booth or something if we ask nicely maybe?
we always get blamed for something let it be something good
Whoever did this should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, whether it was a kid or an adult. Where are the cops around town if the kids are running all over the place at hours when they should be in bed? After all, these little punks are just going to grow up to be big ones.
I agree with Greenpeace, we need more cops or we need cops to get out there and patrol these potential problematic places.
What happened to those cameras the police were going to put out there? Seems like a good place to put a camera if we have the kind of problems #16 described.
Here’s some clarification:
Site may not be covered by insurance, BOE apparently selfinsured to save on premium costs. This is not uncommon.
Use of an “accelerant” verified. This was an arson.
Due to construction in the music wing at NHS, all of the band’s equipment, trophies, contest banners, and many expensive instruments were at this site. Melted fiberglass Sousaphones line the sidewalks there. Very sad.
Building a total loss.
Lots of media, fire marshall, police, etc. all over this crime scene. Andrews Field has long been a source of complaint for neighborhood residents regarding loitering youths engaged in dubious activities: drinking, drugging, yadayada. High on the list whould be the so-called “Westport Ave” gangster wannabes. Arson puts you into the “big time” criminallly speaking. This is a felony, not a prank.
NPS Central office was “on-the-spot” this AM. Kudos for that. Help already flowing, but much more will be needed. This is a great opportunity for Norwalkers to rally to a worthy cause. Politics and intra-city rivalry need to properly take a back seat to a rather desperate condition for the Norwalk Marching Bears.
I’m ready to help in any way I can. Who’s with me?
Charles the Hammer, I think you’re mistaken. I heard of a recent case in which there was discussion about insurance coverage for some student property. Circumstances were such that the claim was never filed, but I know that the school administration did some research.
Charles, your facts clarify a lot. Ready to help.
Anyone know who’s organizing what?
I can verify that there are a bunch of kids hanging around the County Mall, Marshall’s parking lot, Dunkin Donuts and probably up to the theaters on Westport Avenue. They are young - probably 13 to 15 years old and quite boisterous. I was at a Westport Avenue gas station the other night between Marshalls and Dunkin Donuts and the “gang” was hanging there. The clerk inside was very nervous, as was I when I needed to leave and they were swarming all over the place with their bikes and on foot. There was a cop parked up the street for traffic patrol for the Westport Avenue construction, but that didn’t seem to make a difference to these “kids”. They are up and down County Street and Strawberry Hill all hours of the night, They really don’t cause any vandalism (at least I haven’t seen any), but just the size of the group is troublesome. There is also someone who has been lighting fireworks at Andrews field late at night - same group? Don’t know.
I just came from there, while we banter, offer help , talk tough on crime those kids who lost it all are in the parking lot among the construction trailors and crap contractors leave all over are practicing.
This just shows the stamina these kids have and to think they are in a parking lot in a forgotten section of town among god knows what the crews dump along the perimeter when there done on Westport ave in the early am and the building was this the best we could do?
Its odd last time I was there was during a hazardous waste collction day this summer it looked like war zone then never did I imagine the old building off to the side held any more than more crap a contractor could store there.
We argue we fight we complain about the BOE and Corda and all the fixings that go with it, see contractors all over the schools working as if Norwalk hit the lottery never thinking are our kids who are taking the Norwalk name and promoting us as a fine city are being taken care of,,
Two storage boxes fire proof on the outside,,hell 1 the other is in Oyster park not being used a #20,000 dollar shed why not rip the bastard out of the old landfill tommorow and give it to the kids..who has a problem with that..if not for the fact we would have to find someone with the keys.I’ll donate the crane we can pick it up tommorrow,,yes its time to grow some balls and do something.
we are wondering what we can do now lets get the shed with light and a nice color of green ion place tommorrow it will look like all the other boxes there but with purpose for our kids..
wonder where this idea is going to go?
what about Dick time to help isn’t it? so they protect whats inside the shed at oyster park bet we get something better niow that we ask..
anyone? the shed that was highlighted here on the blog a forgotten jewel that could be used for these kids
I think that there are a lot of great Norwalkers that will rally behind the rebuilding of the marching band equipment. I for one will make a donation tomorrow. Thanks to the BMHS marching band for giving what instruments and equipment they could to their across town friends. Mr. Smith good luck to you and don’t get too stressed, you have survived broken down buses and other horrible things in the past, we will all be there to support your efforts to rebuild. As for the stinky criminals who set this on fire, quick and firm justice..
I was just over there to donate too, Mr. Greenpeace. The band members all standing in formation, practicing among the debris. It does look like a war zone over there - construction trailers and crap is right! Are these the result of the roadwork or the County Mall being worked on? They are on city property - so someone gave permission for them. The BofE should have rented fireproof sheds for the band equipment while the construction was underway. Is this something else that Opdahl overlooked?
so why can’t they have that brand new high ceiling shed for the flags? its fireproof and very secure with a light..
Its funny things will be cleaned up tomorow after the power meeting they have in the morning once they read the blog to see where the heat is,,
Things like this and maybe tommorow we will read about another contractor simply being sloppy or not cautious in our city where someone else suffers..
back to the kids what can we do tommorrow, I’m back with some more things for them I hear from channel 12 they might be able to use a fridge,,I can move one if someone has one to that shed at oyster park once its moved in the morning…. 
The City posted this to direct donations.
http://www.norwalkct.org/NewPressReleases/2007BandDonations.htm
Perhaps Jerry Petrini needs our help? Has he had a chance to organize anything, yet?
