Date: Fri 08-Sep-1995

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-DeJoseph-kid-protection

Full Text:

Police Chief Urges `Kid Protection Network'

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

A program to protect local children from the threat of kidnapping is in the

formative stages among town officials.

Police Chief Michael DeJoseph said September 6 he is working to gain the

support of the school system and recreation officials for a program known as

the "Kid Protection Network."

Forming a chapter of the Kid Protection Network involves "the community

watching out for our children," according to Chief DeJoseph.

The Kid Protection Network, Inc, is a Middlefield-based non-profit, volunteer

organization which is a member of the National Center for Missing and

Exploited Children resource list.

A key aspect of the network is having residents report to police any

suspicious people who are loitering near schools or in parks. To this end,

signs are posted in these areas which bear the legend "Notice - This Is A Kid

Protection Area - We Call 911."

The signs which look similar to street signs are intended to scare off people

who intend to harm children. These signs are similar in nature to

"Neighborhood Crime Watch" signs which often are posted in outlying

neighborhoods to put potential burglars on notice that their activities are

monitored by residents of the neighborhood.

Chief DeJoseph stressed the need to marshal support for the effort among

community organizations.

The Kid Protection Network embodies the concept of "the village raising the

child" in the sense that all the child's elders would help the child if the

child is in danger, according to the chief.

"We don't want another Polly Klaas case here," the chief said, referring to

the notorious 1993 California kidnapping and murder case.

The police don't want to have predatory crimes against children perpetrated in

Newtown, Chief DeJoseph said.

Police officials have approached School Superintendent John Reed to gain

support for establishing a chapter of the Kid Protection Network in Newtown,

according to the police chief.

The blue and white signs stating that a given place is a "kid protection area"

would be purchased with drug assets forfeiture funds which are available to

law enforcement agencies, Chief DeJoseph said. Each sign costs about $18.

Asked what constitutes a "suspicious person" or "suspicious behavior" in the

context of an area where children gather, Chief DeJoseph said such a decision

is left up to a person who would contact police when they observe what they

consider to be a suspicious person or suspicious activity.

First Selectman Robert Cascella has voiced his support for the Kid Protection

Network. Mr Cascella endorsed the concept in a recent memorandum to the police

chief.

Nighthawk Track And Field Teams Host Meet

New Heights Vacation Bible School Returning

Next HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Scheduled In Newtown

Genealogy Club's Next Program To Dig Into 'Dissecting A Civil War Pension Record'

Choral Society Planning ‘Voices Of America’ Performance

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

<< May 2026 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
26	27	28	29	30	1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	1	2	3	4	5	6

Log In

Date: Fri 08-Sep-1995

Leave a Reply Cancel reply