Norwood Zeroes In On School Vandals-August 3, 1977

Security Committee Convenes

After unanimously electing Selectman Martin J. Lydon as chairman, the assembled group deliberated on a wide variety of potential physical and structural deterrents to vandalism, including heavy-duty window screening, perimeter fencing, an updated electronic alarm system, improved exterior lighting, closed-circuit television monitors, on-site security trailers, interior smoke detectors, and even organized parent-teacher association (PTA) night patrols.

The specialized committee was originally created by local officials in direct response to several serious, costly acts of vandalism against municipal school buildings, including extensive structural damage inflicted by unidentified vandals to the Junior High North roof this past May. Possible municipal solutions have been the frequent subject of several closed-door discussions among various town boards in recent weeks, but last night marked the very first time these pressing concerns had been openly aired in a public forum.

Police Chief James Curran, serving as a key committee member, noted that the vast majority of the vandalism recorded recently consisted of broken glass windows, heavily concentrated in the immediate vicinities of the Cleveland School, the Willett School, and Junior High North.

“The Cleveland School is the number one target right now, and most of it is window breaking and is done by 13 to 14-year-olds,” Chief Curran stated during his report. One of his primary recommendations to the board is a complete overhaul and technical updating of all the security alarm systems installed throughout the town’s public schools. “The vandals who broke through the roof at the junior high broke dozens of windows first and threw chairs through the false ceiling, but no alarm went off,” he reported candidly.

While town officials are attempting to actively cope with the noticeable rise in property vandalism typically associated with warmer summer weather and school vacation periods, the local Youth Commission, which originally worked alongside selectmen on the issue, unexpectedly informed officials that it will not meet again until September. Although Chief Curran openly discounted a recent unverified report of attempted arson at the Cleveland School on Sunday, the alarming possibility of future arson attempts was raised by other concerned committee members.

“This is an extremely serious matter. We can’t risk losing another school,” stated Selectman Walter J. Dempsey, explicitly referencing the tragic 1970 Norwood Junior High fire that destroyed the facility.

Additional committee members present include Rudith Berkowitz and Joseph M. Pentowski representing the School Committee, E. Peter Bamber and George T. Mahoney from the Finance Commission, alongside Town Manager John P. Mogan. Chairman Lydon officially assigned each member to specific functional areas of study, requesting formal written reports at the next scheduled meeting in two weeks, to be held at the Winslow School.

Mr. Bamber and Mr. Mogan were tasked with researching the overall feasibility and cost of placing manned security trailers directly on the grounds of the schools hit hardest by property destruction, while simultaneously assessing the total financial cost of vandalism to public buildings over the past five years. They will also consult directly with heads of various town departments to assess specific operational problems and solicit practical suggestions.

Selectman Dempsey and Mr. Mahoney were assigned to evaluate the potential implementation and cost of silent alarm systems, closed-circuit television, localized alarms, and early-detection smoke detectors. Furthermore, Mr. Dempsey and Mr. Mahoney plan to consult directly with school principals and building custodians to identify physical areas most vulnerable to entry and highlight spots that require security fencing, window screening, or shatterproof protective glass.

The police chief was formally requested to report all future acts of property destruction committed on public buildings to the committee and submit a suggested schedule of regular police patrols for checking all municipal facilities. His officers will work alongside school personnel and town departments to ensure proper building lockups, while also engaging directly with students to inform them of the law and the severe penalties involved if caught committing vandalism.

Additionally, Mr. Pentowski suggested utilizing organized members of local school PTAs to act as civilian observers inside school buildings on weekends when the police force is particularly busy. This volunteer proposal will be brought directly to local PTA groups. Mrs. Berkowitz and Mr. Pentowski were asked to initiate educational programs within the school system to inform parents and children about the financial burden vandalism places on local taxpayers, while cultivating peer pressure to discourage students from committing property damage. Although the entire committee agreed that there are no quick fixes for the problem, one member summarized the collective tone: “We can at least try to take some steps that will be effective.”

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger