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Residents report explosive device and harassment; commissioner pledges follow-up
Summary
Two Rome residents told the City Council they and family members have faced repeated harassment, including an M-80 thrown at one resident's husband; Public Safety Commissioner White said the police will contact the complainants and he will brief councilors on next steps.
Michelle Morgan and Robin Jacob Sianthus used the City Council public-comment period to describe repeated neighborhood problems, including a reported explosive device incident and loud late-night gatherings.
Michelle Morgan, who identified herself as a resident of the 1st Ward, told the council that "a neighbor who has moved in in the last few months threw an M-80 at my husband." She said her husband, who has dementia and PTSD, was taken to a day hospital after the incident and that when police responded the event was recorded as a "dispute," and a written report could not be located when she later visited the station. "It's been a week," Morgan said, urging the council to help address property defacement, trashing of lawns and ongoing noise.
Robin Jacob Sianthus, who said she and her husband's family have lived in Rome for more than 80 years, described a series of incidents that left the couple "feeling threatened and concerned for the safety of our home." Sianthus said she has video of an episode on June 28 in which extremely loud music and offensive language disturbed the neighborhood and that a prior confrontation included an M-80 that worsened a household member's PTSD.
Public Safety Commissioner White responded that he would "look into those incidents on Chatham Street," and that the police department would reach out to the women who complained to explain "the next course of action" and why their concerns initially were not addressed. "I will make sure the PD reaches out to these young ladies and lets them know what the next course of action would be," he said, and added he would brief councilors on his findings after discussing the incidents with the police.
Chair (presiding) also offered to speak with the commenters after the meeting and provide contact information for follow-up. The council did not take formal action during the meeting beyond the commissioner's pledge to investigate and report back.
What happens next: Commissioner White said he will investigate and update councilors; the commenters were invited to meet briefly with the chair after the session to provide contact details and any documentation they have for follow-up.
