Date: Fri 04-Jul-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-indecent-exposure

Full Text:

Neighbors Express Concerns After Indecent Exposure Incident

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Residents concerned about a June incident in their neighborhood, in which a

man allegedly exposed himself to three children, have discussed the problem

with Police Chief James E. Lysaght, Jr, who has advised them to form a

neighborhood crime watch to deal with such situations.

About thirty Orchard Hill Road area residents gathered at a neighborhood home

June 27 to take up the matter with the chief.

According to a police report, police charged Richard Crouch, 37, of 30 Hi

Barlow Road at about 5 pm on June 26 on a warrant alleging one count each of

indecent exposure and risk of injury to a minor.

Police said Crouch turned himself in at the police station after learning

there was a Danbury Superior Court warrant for his arrest. The charges come as

a result of an investigation into the incident, police said. Police said they

acted on a complaint of indecent exposure.

Police held Crouch on a $1,000 bond after his June 26 arrest for a June 27

court arraignment at which he pleaded innocent.

After the arraignment, a judge released Crouch on bail for another court

appearance in the case.

Residents who gathered at the Orchard Hill Road area home June 27 expressed

their deep concern to Chief Lysaght, explaining they fear incidents such as

the one which allegedly occurred may escalate and put their children in harm's

way.

Chief Lysaght told the residents that if Mr Crouch violates the terms of his

bail, he could be incarcerated by a judge. If the accused goes to Orchard Hill

Road or the Orchard Hill Nature Center, or if he follows the victim of the

alleged incident, the accused would forfeit his bail and be put in jail, the

chief said.

The chief urged the residents to make their views on the case clear to the

court prosecutor.

The police chief explained there would be a trial on the charges and witnesses

would give testimony in the case. If the accused is found guilty of the

offenses, he would be sentenced, the chief said.

"You're always innocent until proven guilty," he said.

"I'm trying to organize the energy of this neighborhood," Chief Lysaght said

in calling for the concerned residents to participate in the police

department's neighborhood crime watch program.

If residents and police cooperate in efforts like the crime watch program, the

goals of law enforcement will be served, he said.

The police chief urged residents to contact police when they see suspicious

activity in their neighborhood.

"You've got the power. You've [got] all these eyes and all these ears," he

said.

"I'm a mother. I'm scared to death," one woman said.

Some residents expressed concerns that even if perpetrators leave their area,

they will continue their behavior in other areas.

Some residents urged the police to pursue more charges and more serious

charges against the accused.

Police pursue arrest warrants on charges that they can be reasonably sure a

judge will endorse, the police chief said.

Chief Lysaght said he does not want to see neighborhood residents become

involved in vigilantism, resulting in legal problems.