Police Arrest 21 Youths On FFH Trespassing Charges

In two recent separate incidents, police charged a total of 21 youths with trespassing at the town-owned Fairfield Hills campus, which is a former psychiatric hospital.

Police said no vandalism was connected with incidents.

On November 10, at about 9:20 pm, police charged 10 youths, all of whom are under age 18, with simple trespassing after they were found to have entered the property after hours. The youths, who were carrying flashlights, told police that they were searching for ghosts. The 10 young people had parked their vehicles nearby and had entered the property on foot, police said.

Police were alerted to the problem by a Fairfield Hills security guard.

Also, on November 3, at about 10 pm, police charged 11 youths with simple trespassing after they were found at Fairfield Hills. The youths had parked their vehicles at the property’s entrance, police said.

Again, Fairfield Hills security alerted police of the problem.

Two of the 11 youths who were charged on November 3 were 18 years old. They are Jacob Hanley and Chris Halliday, both of Bethel, police said.

The trespassing infractions carry $92 fines. Such charges may be appealed in court.

State law shields the identities of people under age 18 who are charged with crimes.

Police said the incidence of youthful nighttime trespassing at Fairfield Hills typically increases in the autumn, near the time of Halloween.