Community Corner

Strike Two: Southington Considering Security Options After Second Vandalism at Ice Rink

Officials on Tuesday walked the linear trail and area around the public ice skating rink, the first step in a new effort to curb thefts and vandalism along the public space.

Residents last week expressed outrage after vandals caused more than $400 in damage to the public ice rink subsidized by private residents on Mill Street and took several benches from the linear trail.

The outrage wasn't enough as the trail and rink have been vandalized again, officials said, and the latest incidents have led Southington official to begin a review on trail security and safety as they look to curb incidents moving forward.

"We are dtermining the best way to move forward," Southington Town Manager Garry Brumback said Monday night. "We will look at ideas including increasing security, lighting along the trail, cameras and other steps. We are not ruling anything out."

The incident, which occurred last week, was the second in under a month. The damage was minimal, Councilwoman Dawn Miceli said, but still disappointing.

The bigger issue, Brumback said, was the theft of benches along the trail. In all, six were taken over both incidents, although one has been recovered. The benches were donated as memorial benches, purchased by families to line the trail.

These benches will be replaced by the town, Brumback said.

In addition, officials said they are establishing a forum that will bring together Southington youth with business owners, residents, town leaders and police to try and find creative solutions to curb vandalism throughout the community. This effort, which will include a forum in the coming weeks, would serve as part of an ongoing partnership, he said.

""It is really unfortunate when we are trying to provide things for young people to do and this happens," she said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Southington Police Department at (860) 621-0101.

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