Residents protest loud student parties

The problem of college student parties was addressed Tuesday night, as police have made nearly 20 arrests in the last week and a half.

Of the arrests, 15 were students from Eastern Connecticut State University, Matthew Vertefeuille, Windham’s code enforcement director, said at Tuesday’s board of selectmen meeting.

Most arrests were made early in the morning Oct. 2, as Willimantic police handled the complaints along with ECSU police.

The parties were on Walnut Street, Jackson Street and Valley Street, while police responded to another party on Chestnut Street early Sunday morning.

Police also arrested one student who entered a residence that wasn’t his.
“This has been the worst first semester in memory,” said Michael Westerfield, a Willimantic resident, during the public comment portion of the meeting.

“It’s really terrible.”

While Westerfield was critical of students, he praised the town’s overall response, including the Willimantic Police Department and Vertefeuille.

Westerfield said the adage of, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” might apply, and said town officials should be doing more prevention and “nip it in the bud.”

Vertefeuille addressed the partying issue and said police initially gave warnings to students, but warnings would no longer be issued.

“They’re going to hold them responsible,” Vertefeuille said, adding he’s been working with landlords on the partying issue.

He said during a recent town/gown meeting – a meeting between ECSU officials, police and residents – residents were upset with the partying and claimed the parties have been “increasing in volume and intensity.”

Windham First Selectman Jean de Smet said she met with Willimantic Police Chief Lisa Maruzo-Bolduc, who told her it helps if people complain and residents shouldn’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call police.

An attempt to reach an ECSU spokesman was unsuccessful this morning.

Willimantic Police Lt. Mary Beth Curtis said the college parties in the city used to be closer together, but they are now reaching farther out, which is impacting more residents.

Curtis said people should call police because it allows them to have documentation to show that police have had multiple complaint calls or a particular residence has become a “chronic problem.”

She said if there’s an altercation or property damage, people can call the 911 emergency line, but if it’s just loud noise from a party, residents can call the routine line – 465-3135 and press 0.

“We are continuing our efforts to deal with the situation,” Curtis said.