Meriden residents urge council to tackle loitering, drug activity near Saint Casimir and Community Towers

Residents of Meriden’s Area 1 used the council’s public‑comment period to press elected officials for more aggressive enforcement and code changes after repeated incidents near Saint Casimir/Cashmere Street and the Community/Willow Towers.

Lauren Humpage, 87, framed her remarks around long‑term economic and social change in Meriden, saying the city has far fewer businesses than in the 1950s and urging officials to consider measures that would keep people and commerce in town. "We don't have any major business in town," she said, arguing the city should consider a moratorium on certain new development to protect local stability.

Several speakers then focused on immediate safety concerns. Dan Zebrowski said the Cashmere area is "the most horrendous thing" and called on the city manager and council to "get on the ball and get this dump cleaned up over on Cashmere," alleging overdoses and insufficient enforcement. Brian Stedman said people loiter near Casimir Street and the scooters and fights are disturbing residents at Community/Willow Towers. "These people do like to loiter around there," he said, and urged enforcement of loitering laws.

Jennifer Addy told the council that dealers and prostitutes are active near bus stops and apartment entrances, said children and a resident with dementia have been put at risk, and that an overdose occurred the prior week. Scott Jenko expressed concern about a proposed linear trail that would create a direct route from downtown to Baldwin Park and onto Broad Street, saying the path would "bring this trail right to my doorstep" and raise safety and surveillance problems for his block.

A written comment from John Malabenda likewise asked area councilors to address the neighborhood’s decline, citing noncompliant landlords and accessibility problems for residents with disabilities.

Speakers urged a mix of responses: stronger code enforcement, revisions to local ordinances if necessary, clearer police action on repeat incidents, and attention to landlords and property managers. The council did not take policy action during public comment; the speakers requested that area councilors and city staff pursue enforcement and follow‑up.

The meeting record shows the council heard the complaints, closed public input, and moved on to the city manager’s report. No formal direction or vote on the specific neighborhood enforcement proposals was recorded in this meeting.