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NORWALK, Conn. – As Norwalk Police investigated a shooting Thursday evening in Roodner Court, life went on for the complex's children.
Roodner Court's young people
Joshua, a third-grader, said he and his friends Elijah and Isiah like to play detective. They copy James Bond movies – each with a label of 005, 006 or 007 – and "go around spying on people." They carry toy guns, "find out weird things" and even "got a kid's stuff back one time."
The younger Roodner residents talked against a backdrop of grim-faced Norwalk detectives and patrol officers searching for evidence in a shooting that sent a victim to Norwalk Hospital about an hour earlier.
While police probed for bullet casings and other items that might help them build a case, others interviewed witnesses and searched the buildings in hope of finding the shooter. Parents sat on benches outside the closed building, waiting to go home with their families. A man who knew the victim declined to comment. Wearing a shirt from a local retail establishment, he said he had just arrived home from work and was tired, as he only slept two hours the night before.
It was a scene that seemed to blend in with the more innocent child's play.
Joshua's twin sister, Christina, was happy that a photographer had come along. She needed a portrait of herself for a class assignment.
Jeanette Whitaker, is much older, but also proud of being in school. The Norwalk Community College freshman said she is studying for a management career.
Joshua, as proof of his prowess, pointed out the police officer standing guard just down the path. The officer had a 12-gauge shotgun, Joshua said, proud of his knowledge.
This story was amended at 12:19 p.m.
Comments (51)
@ Ken;
Right you are !
We don't need to call anybody, they are amongst us. New Canaan has low rent housing but I bet they don't accept that many Grants. Grants dictate how they are used. I doubt heavily New Canaan wants mediocrity.
the mayor wouldnt talk
i am responsing to some of these comments .one you do not live up here .two those arent your kids they are mine .all children were out with their children , many were not allowed in the buildings so please do not assume things thanks
DUMMY
"Tim"...tell us how you can prevent thugs from pulling guns and shooting each other over their beefs? They get released from prison as soon as they are sent up. No one in the community will talk to police. Your unending criticism of everything is boring.
As far as tattoos, I would like to see long dumb looking pony tails banned for regular people...would you support that?
I am starting to suspect "Tim T" has several registered usernames on this site...
So his real name is Steve and he has a ponytail. Interesting...
ffctguitar aka ROBTARD
Is that what you do on Topix
YOU GROSS SICKO
Sally
I do realize that you are a bit on the slow side however I will try to help you understand.
If the police would catch some of these thugs, these thugs would not feel so comfortable committing these crimes in Norwalk and would move along...Now does the simpleton understand..Also as far as a dumb looking pony tail you must be looking in the mirror.
You say "Your unending criticism of everything is boring" must not be very boring as you keep reading and reply. What does that say about you..Oh thats right that you are a simpleton..Thank you for reinforcing that fact.
Tim/Steve,
I notice you don't answer the question, you call me simpleton and make a string of personal comments about someone you don't know.
Unless you consider that saying "if the police caught some...they'd move along" to be an answer. The fact is, they catch almost every one of these guys, except for the street crews that shoot each other in the butts and won't talk.
Your nonsensical criticism over everything is boring, but I find getting you all bent out of shape over any disagreement fun. I guess unemployment will do that to you.
SALLY AKA BUTCH AKA SALVATORE AKA SUZIE
You say that "you call me simpleton and make a string of personal comments about someone you don't know." If I were you I would reference some of the posts you made in regards to me.
ALSO YOU STATE "The fact is, they catch almost every one of these guys," Now for the truth Suzie the NPD has close to a ZERO violent crime solved rate...I am sure you understand what ZERO is as you have been called it by many.
Hey Sally
Why do they call you BUTCH?
A lot of women have pony tails, whats wrong with a woman and a pony tail?
We can all ignore ffctguitard as he is the sicko from topix that posts as Niikk (in black).. He is a stalker and has now begone stalking me on that site along with many others..Just take a look at some of the weirdo post from just today..Also if you really want to get grossed out take a look at some of his previous post.
You are right...there is nothing wrong with a woman and a ponytail. I meant men with long ponytails, trying to act like they aren't 54.
Any man with a ponytail right now is completely out of touch with reality!!
This guy sounds like a real winner!
@EVERYONE
CHECK OUT TOPIX TO SEE MORE OF ffctguitars posts as Niikk
(in black)
THEY ARE GROSS
Its true ffctguitars is a big time troll on topix. I post as Niikk (in blue) with a registered user name on Topix and the troll ffctguitars hijacked it. He posts GROSS stuff with an unregistered version of my name, He has staked me and many others for years . He has also been banned from most sites.
Sally aka Butch..
Its not very becoming of you wearing overalls. Shall we take up a collection for you??
My name is Salvatore and I don't need any of your money, friendo...
If your name is Salvatore why do you want to be called butch or Suzie?
wow Salvatore and they call you Sally...That explains a lot...
Not for nothing but Nancy, if there is a shooting, why would you go to Roodner Court and take photo's of youth and post them... doing so could potential make them and their family targets because it appears that they give information, STOP exploiting minority youth at your expense just to put out a story!!!
Well said. Well said.
@newsfreak203
Your comment is downright puzzling. There was nothing whatsoever in this story that exploited those kids, the article was simply humanizing the issue of violence. Kids play, somewhat oblivious, while adults deal with adult problems. It's sad that those kids have to live in such proximity to violence, and it's a touching contrast to see the kids playing while a murder investigation proceeds. I do wonder where the parents of those kids are while all this is going on. If a murder has just taken place I don't think any parent in his right mind leaves his kids playing outside a hundred feet from the crime scene.
There was also nothing in this story which suggests that those kids helped police with information.
I think readers of the Daily Voice would be well-served by MORE human-interest articles featuring places such as Roodner Court, because the vast majority of us never go there. A lot of people might be surprised by the rules in place for residents there, among other things.
I want to make it clear that those children gave me no information. No one on the property did. There were adults around and I have had contact with the mother of the children identified in this story.
Thanks for clarifying Nancy.
Nancy goes to location of a shooting, and you people bust her chops about taking pictures?.... Out of fear?! You are the type of people that let these thugs think they can shoot people on OUR STREETS. Nancy is exercising our first amendment right. Don't let a bunch of thugs scare people into keeping quite, and don't try to guilt Nancy into not doing her (sometimes dangerous, and I'm sure sometimes thankless) job.
I find it so heart wrenching that these kids should be enjoying their playtime after there first week in school, instead are being photographed at their home because there was ANOTHER shooting in their neighborhood. I don't understand why we can't figure out who has these guns before an innocent child is killed. Please NPD step it up before it's too late.
@Kathy Sasloe
What legal method do you propose for figuring out who has guns and might use them to shoot someone?
Maybe the legal method would be the NPD doing what they are overpaid to do and catching these criminals. This way they will not feel so comfortable committing crime in Norwalk..
There are very few departments left that require tattoos to be covered while on duty. Tattoos have become such a widespread part of society at this point that they are generally accepted in the professional ranks unless they are particularly offensive. In such cases they can be required to cover them up.
M. Murry
Afraid you are wrong
http://www.realpolice.net/forums/ask-cop-112/98156-tattoos-police-field.html
Does the nypd allow tattoos
NYPD has a policy that officers with tattoos must have them covered while at work. The NY state police don't allow tattoos that show when wearing short sleeves.
Read more http://www.kgbanswers.com/does-the-nypd-allow-tattoos/20534515#ixzz258tZOLsT
http://www.kgbanswers.com/does-the-nypd-allow-tattoos/20534515
Of course this is tthe difference between a professional police department and the NPD
More profesional that our PD? Maybe you didnt notice but a few days ago the NYCPD shot 9 innocent people. I'd say thats pretty dang incompetent.
I agree that is incompetent..However we have had 100's of violent crimes in Norwalk almost all unsolved..We have had police abuse, excessive use of the taser and unsafe and inappropriate high speed chases..Also we could mention the officers that have been arrested themselves..I'd say thats pretty dang unprofessional. Of course we will never hear about these being inappropriate as the police investigate themselves..What we need is a civilian review board in Norwalk
As a side note...The officer in the center pic looks ridiculous with that tattoo down his arm. If a police officer wants a huge tattoo such as that he needs to be wearing long sleeve even in 90 degree heat..Its all about perception of professionalism and that looks far far from professional.
It is such a sin that these children should have to witness this. Hopefully the mayor and police will call in an outside agency for help (FBI,DEA,State PD, Ect) as clearly the NPD is not up to the task of controlling crime in Norwalk. The criminals have little if any fear of getting caught due to the dismal violent solved crime rate of the NPD. Hopefully the mayor and chief and other city leaders will not wait until God forbid a child is caught in the cross fire.
Okay, so make the call already:
FBI New Haven
600 State Street
New Haven, Connecticut 06511-6505
(203) 777-6311
State Police Troop G
149 Prospect St
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 696-2500
DEA
New York Division
(212) 337-3900
Army National Guard Facilities
Armories Norwalk, CT, 06850 ...
290 New Canaan Ave,, Norwalk, CT 06850
(203) 847-1249
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1400
@ Paige;
Where's the number for the ' while at work ' invisible Ink Man? Wait, you don't have a hot line number for the D.O.D.? lol
Besides my 8 years of Latin are greatly diminished now, having Jesuits rolling over in their graves,.but doesn't his ink read ' Truth '? Perhaps the other arm reads ' Justice '. :-)
Not as if it's a tramp stamp or gang affiliated design. Odds are he was hired that way. The Dept. might be able to have you not add ink in a prominent place but not hiring you because you look different? Professionalism? Does a nursing cap / Ben Casey smock make one a professional ? Enjoy your Labor Day weekend.
@ Broad - I just went back and the picture loaded properly this time. It does say "Veritas" which is "truth" in Latin.
Have a great week-end!
@Broad,
Well, I was trying for someone's cell phone number for the Department of Defense, but they don't want me to hand that out to certain types of characters, so I figured the other number would do. Anything to keep our mutual friend busy.
I checked the photo but can't quite make it out. "Veritas" is "truth" in Latin.
Personally, I'm not a fan of tats. Years ago, I was at a reception where one of the other guests was covered in tats and people were very wary around him. I'd never heard the term "tramp stamp" until recently at a restaurant. Some female customer who was dressed in a rather "provocative" manner came in with a tat on her lower back. The group seated at the next table went wild. It was quite an education.
Tats seems to be more accepted now. However, I think I'll take a pass on them.
Broad Swamp
As you said
Odds are he was hired that way
See thats the problem as Professional police departments do not hire you with any exposed tattoos..Ask you buddy at the FBI or was it the State PD...Even the NYPD will not hire with exposed tattoos..I posted the link about that explains this. Have someone read it to you.
Paige
Maybe you don't understand how it works..It is up the the mayor and or police chief to make these calls. This is what we elect and hire these failures for and not to mention over pay them for. I think even you would realize that a citizen could not call out for additional resources..So please stop making a fool of yourself with your unsuccessful attempt at spin.
No, Tim. You don't understand how it works. You get on these boards and whine, whine, whine. You complain that our Police Force is inept, ineffective and useless. You constantly want the FBI, the State Police and the DEA to intervene. Well, either make the calls to the various agencies or shut up. File your complaints or shut up.
The fact that you already know (and I've known for a long time) about how the process goes, means that you have no intention of doing anything but whining. So, get a grip, Tim, Niiki, Robtard or whoever you are, and go out and get a life.
@ Paige,
' If you see something, call ' Timmi always sez' I just call em as I see em ' but apparently he isn't making the calls. The only one who can save us is to busy whinning? Tell me it ain't so! BTW, you'd think for each persona, he'd use a different vocabulary, different approach anything to have it look something like another person. Which Sybil would make the calls?
Broad River is back to incoherence posts..He must be messed up yet again
@paige
Once again you as wrong as always..The process goes like this....The chief and or Mayor needs to call in reinforcements for the failed NPD..This can not be don by the citizens..You know this as well as I do, so please stop acting ignorant.
Thats not exactly true. If theres truly an issue of incompetence & you call they will look into it, not for backup but to investigate whats going on. I kinda doubt it'll go anyplace though since our PD works with the FBI & other agencies pretty regular. Its tru;y a societal issue & will get worse the bigger we get as a city. We need to decide of we want Norwalk to be a great place to live & raise a family or a place eligible for grants & programs. Personally I'd rather we didnt need grants & programs, projects & the like. Let Norwalk be made up of people who can afford to live here period.
Thank you, Ken.
Get off you soap box the projects..They have always been here and they always will be here. The only difference is that years back we had a real police department and now we have a joke.
"If theres truly an issue of incompetence & you call they will look into it,"
If only that were true but afraid it is not. It is up to the elect officials to do this as this is what they are elect to do.. Now do you understand???
Ummm, no they have NOT always been here. But the more we build the more will come & our city, for whatever reason, see's getting grants as a good thing to brag about. We do NOT NEED them, they do nothing to better our city & I think it pretty evident that they do little to help people do anything but remain on municipal aid. Our elected officials generally do what we ask, in general they, just as most of Norwalks taxpayers, are very satisfied with their work. You need to get off your hate the PD soap box & do something worthwhile. If I find a beehive in my yard I dont just kill the bee that stings somebody. I get rid of the hive in its entirety. Might be smart for Norwalk to do likewise with its houseing projects. Or do something to secure them & eliminate criminal elements from them. But that will be tough since its frequently children & relatives of residents causeing the issues. Better to chalk it up to experience IMO. I pay over $10,000 a year to live here & need to worry about shootings & crimes commited by people who pay nothing & live in houseing I provide. Sorry Tim, but anybody who blames the PD or administration instead of the scumbag bottom feeders doing the deeds is part of the problem. Our PD wouldnt have to deal with this stuff if 1/2 dozen neighborhoods were redeveloped into something useful.