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February 9, 2010
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TOP STORIES AROUND THE COUNTY

Residents Brainstorm on Crime Prevention in Stamford

By Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
02:14AM / Sunday, November 15, 2009
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Residents packed into the clubhouse at the Stamford golf course to discuss crime prevention.
STAMFORD, Vt. — A series of break-ins has residents along the state line crossing the border to search out ways to help each other.

More than 100 residents of Stamford and Clarksburg, Mass., packed into the clubhouse at the Stamford Valley Golf Course on Saturday afternoon to discuss how best to protect their homes and their neighbors.

Both rural towns, mostly bedroom communities, have limited police protection. Stamford is covered by state police and contracts with the Bennington County Sheriff's Department for patrols 20 to 30 hours a week. Clarksburg has a small police force, mostly part time, with back up from the Massachusetts State Police.

"We as a citizens need to be vigilant, see what's going on. We can't just rely on the police," said James Sarkis of Stamford, an organizer of the meeting. "We chose to live here — we need to figure out how we can help them and help each other."

Over the past six weeks, nearly a dozen burglaries and attempted burglaries have occurred in the two towns. While there's no evidence the perpetrator's been the same in all the incidents, one suspect has been indentified as being at or near several of the more recent ones.

The primarily daytime burglaries have struck fear into many homeowners, particularly the communities' senior citizens.

Over 90 minutes, the participants discussed the use of security systems (ADT in particular), reporting vehicles and people out of place in the small towns, sharing information through e-mail and online sites, varying daily routines, taking names and numbers off answering machines, demanding greater state police coverage and setting up neighborhood crime watches.

Nearly a third of those at the meeting, when asked, indicated they'd be interested in creating a crime watch. Setting up a watch would take a lot of coordination, said Ken Sullivan-Bol, who'd investigated the possibility. His search had found little to no crime watch programs in New England; the bulk appeared to be in the Midwest.

However, he volunteered to attend a training program and bring back the information if enough people were interested. The state police had also offered to send an officer to help residents plan a program.

The overriding message gleaned from the meeting was communication: call the police — call if you see something suspicious, call if you see someone suspicious — and let your neighbors know if something's happened.

Anthony Liporace of Clarksburg, whose fiancee walked in on the thief in action two weeks ago, said at least 11 people had noticed the suspect near his house, but didn't tell him until after the fact. Now, he said, people call him about happenings on the other side of town.

"I'm a deputy sheriff now in Clarksburg," he joked.

But several citizens expressed concern over the response time of the police, which in Stamford can mean an hour or more. "By the time they get here, [the suspects] are gone," said one woman.

Select Board member Sheila Lawrence said the time may be shorter since the state police and deputy sheriff's were cooperating far more than before. Board member Helen Fields also urged residents to call police: "The best thing that we can do is make the police work for us."

Another resident raised the issue of reinstating a town constable or hiring a police officer. The town has paid for officers to be trained and "then they get better offers," Lawrence said, and a constable wouldn't be available for most of the time because he or she would likely have a full-time job.

Residents were also cautioned about calling the fire department since it's purpose is for fire and medical emergencies. Firefighters arrival could scare someone but couldn't capture them.

In the meantime, a Facebook group, Stamford Vermont Crime Watch, has been set up and residents of both towns have been posting suspicious sitings on the most recent iBerkshires story. (All those comments have moved to a blog format to make postings easier to follow.The blog is not "active" yet but can be found here.)

Attendees generally agreed to work further on collaboration and a number of Clarksburg residents said they planned to attend the Selectmen's meeting on Wednesday night. For further information, check the Facebook page or contact Clarksburgcw@gmail.com or Stamfordcw@gmail.com.

To contact police, call 911 or reach the Vermont State Police at 802-442-5421 and the Clarksburg Police at 413-663-7795.
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Pretty quiet since he left. We all are wondering what his little Pricillia's name is.... we need to be ready when he visits his fans/fams.
from: C Reson: 12-01-2009

Important Update: There is a report that Elvis has left the building. The "Suspicious Fellow" reportedly has left town. God help them wherever he lands. Good riddence Clarksburglar....for now. If and when you come back, we will know and we'll be ready and waiting for you.
from: Benjion: 11-22-2009

I would like to see the Clarksburg Town Selectman at the next Crime Watch Meeting. Please. Save the date December 5th. (daytime)
from: Idea Manon: 11-21-2009

Pull it together Clarksburg. ... this is dragging on Wayyyyyyyyyyy to long!
from: on: 11-21-2009

Keep your group strong ... looks like you will need a strong Community Watch for the holidays. How much does that stink? Happy Holidays Town of Clarksburg.
From the way things are unravelling this OTHER guy (not arrested yet)is still on foot in our area.
from: on: 11-20-2009

GREAT meeting. At least we know who to lookout for. Just a matter of time now. Stay strong Community Watch. We will get him!
from: Meetingon: 11-18-2009

It is great that they are working those breakins associated with the silver car. But what about the guy on foot with the black hoodie??? Did we stop watching out for him. I dont think he would have a car since he does so much walking to and from the crime scenes. What do you think?
from: Keep lookingon: 11-18-2009

Sumner Hill and Henderson Rd
from: ski bumbon: 11-18-2009

I just read the state police had a girl with a pony tail in the back of a cruiser yesterday at 2 pm on Sumner Hill in Stamford. Does anyone have info on this?
from: concerned citizenon: 11-18-2009

Good work to the townies that called in the suspicious activity at the intersection yesterday in town at 2PM! The report was that someones was pulled over in a junky car and swapping things through windows with a guy in a bag pack --that is totally strange! Keep up the good work. A person on a blog suggested that we drive the area and be observant (like the person that caught the guy in Lenox), and I agree. We know where the 4 B&E' were in Clarksburg- that would be a good place to start! Don't ya think? Anyone willing to help?
from: Good workon: 11-18-2009

Well the holloween couple were trick or treating on a street that previously had a break in that was never solved. Plus that is certainly a good way to case houses all dressed up in disguise. They were actually invited in homes and given candy!??? In their 20's? And not any of the neighborhood kids? Plus they came in a car? Sounds suspicious to me.
from: are weon: 11-17-2009

Does anyone else think The Transcript article is not well documented?
They say they got the guy but then keep a look out!???
What does that mean?
They obviously do not have them!
from: Keep looking outon: 11-17-2009

The halloween duo did come through our Fieldwood Dr neighborhood. It does not appear that they have attempted any break-ins on our street to date.
from: Concernedon: 11-17-2009

Just wanted to know if anyone was visited in clarksburg on halloween by a guy and girl. they were both in their late teens or early 20's. He had a tattoo and she dressed gothic. No children with them. it was creepy. Didn't know if any break-ins to homes visited occurred.
from: clarksburg buddyon: 11-17-2009

That is a great idea! Bring it up at the next meeting December 5th!
from: Idea Manon: 11-16-2009

Nice job on acting quickly to help the community Tammy.
My suggestion to the crime watch group:
There are many people who walk, run, and bike in the towns. Maybe a schedule could be worked out where those who are interested in helping could do their exercise in a certain location and scheduled time. With enough people getting involved there could be an efficient and effective surveillance web created. Each person could carry a camera or pencil and paper and record any suspicious activity.


Also posted this on crime blog.
from: Stamford Vigilanteon: 11-16-2009

Thank you iBerkshires for a place to blog!
We can all post to each other what we see and what we think.
http://iberkshires.com/blog/index.php?bid=24#comments
from: thankfulon: 11-16-2009

I'm hoping that perhaps "our person(s)" can be linked to the big arrest made by the Lenox Police on Friday. Check out the story on WNYT 13. The loser is from PITTSfield, the other big section 8 magnet in berkshire county. I read where he was charged with "receiving stolen property", that must mean something. I wonder if there is a link, these scum bags usually have connections, if not to make the robberies then at least to help them move the items along to collect the cash for the crack they are addicted to. Let's hope....check out the story, it's very similar!
Plus I read where a small silver car was reported all around Clarksburg recently. The crackhead from Pittsfield was arrested in a sliver car. coincidence???
By the way, those Lenox police seem to be tremendous. I read where they busted another dirtbag breaking into cars last week. Nice job!

Editor: Thanks for the tip, everyone. We've posted it on our new crime blog.
from: Hopingon: 11-15-2009

Hi Clarksburg, I have tried several times to email and call some of the selectmen to be placed on the agenda. Why no response?

Don't our homes matter?
from: Residenton: 11-15-2009

GOOD NEWS. One bad guy off the street. A very observant witness got this guy. We could do the same here!
http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S1254062.shtml?cat=300
from: Just do iton: 11-15-2009

Let me make sure I have this correct. There were three Stamford Selectmen who were present and who participated in the meeting and there were ZERO Clarksburg officials. That sounds about right. They must have been busy guarding that dilapitaded house on Houghton Street. Nice work, way to be leaders!
from: Clarksburg Townieon: 11-15-2009

Great meeting, great article iBerkshires! One thing is for certain, if we all stick together we will flush out the people who are responsible for these crimes.
We are now aware, organized and focused on helping each other and ourselves.
To the criminal(s).....you days are numbered. It's already over for you, you just may not know it yet. From what I understand, very soon you will.
And to anyone who thinks they may pick up where this bum left off, better try another town. We are way ahead of you.
from: On Boardon: 11-15-2009

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