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Coppell family reports repeated vandalism and harassment; mayor says police identified suspects
Summary
Residents of 834 Chalfont Place reported months of harassment and vandalism including door damage and slashed tires; mayor said the police department identified those involved within days.
Three residents of 834 Chalfont Place addressed the Coppell City Council on Feb. 11 to report repeated vandalism and harassment at their home and to ask the city for help.
Shini Varghese, who identified herself as a resident at 834 Chalfont Place, said the household experienced repeated door-banging, racial slurs, property damage and, in one incident, a broken front door. "We are living in fear," she told council members during the citizen’s appearance. She said police had responded to multiple calls but that early responses described some incidents as littering rather than criminal damage.
Carol Voorhees, who said she is the mother of the earlier speaker and lives at the same address, told the council that the problem dates back to at least 2022 and that, in addition to door incidents, two of the family's cars had tires slashed. She said neighbors who responded on social platforms had provided security-camera footage showing the same individuals and that the family had learned police identified five people in the incidents.
Pastor Manoj Varghese, who said he also lives at the address, asked the council to consider safety measures such as lighting or cameras for the area. "We need safety in our house," he said, and asked the city for help and for justice.
Mayor Mays responded during council reports, saying city staff and the police department acted after the family's Feb. 1 report. "By Monday, our police department had identified those involved, resolving the case in less than 2 days," he said, and he thanked the police for a swift response. The mayor also reiterated that harassment and vandalism are unacceptable and said he had offered the family's initial email to city staff to prompt action.
No formal council action was taken on the speakers' requests during the meeting. Council members and staff acknowledged the incident publicly and provided a statement of support; the speakers asked for additional, proactive public-education or school partnership messaging to discourage vandalism and harassment.
