Malicious Mischief

Overnight night one of our cars was the target of what I can only call hoodlums. A shrub usually planted by the our front door appeared on top of the car this morning. Getting closer - someone had egged the car and significantly damaged the paint. New paint, I might add, as this car was just repaired after being hit by a "hit & run" driver about 6 weeks ago on this same street (Loveland St.). Double ouch!

In response to our call to the Police Department this morning to report the crime, the officers came within ten minutes. They were through and took pictures but you know the chances of these vandals being caught is next to zero. I do have to say that we did appreciate the officer who expressed his condolences saying "I'm sorry this happened to you."

Personally victimized twice this summer makes me angry and that we we are not the only victims makes me downright enraged. I've heard from the Police that a number of Middletown cars have been broken into over the summer and I have seen several cars in our neighborhood that had graffiti painted on them. In addition to the cars in the area being targeted, McCarthy Park has had a constant series of vandalism incidents. The latest being last weeks' torching of the porta potty. The backboard of the basketball hoop was shattered a few weeks ago and the latest fire was only one of a series. The remaining two park benches (we started out with five) purchased by a grant from the Middlesex Community Foundation have been spray painted and some of the boards have been removed from them.

Who are these hoodlums? Please, if you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood or mine, call the police immediately. We cannot stop these malicious crimes without every one's help.