North Utica neighbors unite after vandalism in their area
Story Created:
Oct 22, 2009 at 12:47 PM EST
Story Updated:
Oct 22, 2009 at 12:53 PM EST
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Some are young working families, others, retirees - but all were awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of glass breaking in their homes - and all were left wondering if an intruder was inside.
Now, the people living on Briarcliff Ave in North Utica are joining forces to make sure they're not victimized again.
It was around 3:30 a.m. on a July morning that someone went up the quiet, north Utica street, throwing large rocks through home windows. The rocks caused hundreds of dollars worth of damage.
For many homeowners, the cost of repairs was below their insurance deductibles, so they had to pay out of their pockets to fix or replace their windows.
Julie Howarth said it could have been worse, but this was bad enough to prompt her to organize neighbors.
"II just felt like we'd been invaded," Howarth said. "We didn't know if we were broken into yet, if someone was in the house. It was terrifying, and I don't think they realize they could've seriously hurt someone, too. If his toddler had been here and it had been his room he could've gotten really hurt or even killed."
Howarth is organizing a neighborhood association on Briarcliff and surrounding streets. The first meeting is Wednesday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Utica Senior Center. The focus is on those whose property was vandalized or who life on or near Briarcliff, but anyone living in north Utica is welcome.
Police have not yet caught the person or persons responsible for the vandalism.
