Opinion ID: 691964
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The History of 26 Garden

Text: 3 For some years prior to 1993, the Lupinaccis had been concerned about trespassing and criminal activity at 26 Garden and other nearby properties they owned. In December 1989, they wrote to the Stamford Police Department and authorized the police to enter the premises in order to make arrests. The letter stated: 4 As owners of these houses we are concerned with the amount of criminal activity that seems to gravitate around these houses. 5 This letter is to inform you that we have posted No Trespassing signs. We hereby give the Police our permission and enthusiastic support to arrest anyone on these properties (who is not a tenant or guest of a tenant) for trespassing. 6 We have repaired the rear fence at least four times only to find it cut the very next day. This thoroughfare, if sealed off, I believe would cut down traffic considerably. But short of building a sheer 8 ft. masonry wall, I am at a loss as to how to secure it. 7 We often find complete strangers and known trouble makers loitering on the porches or cutting through. 8 (Lupinaccis' Letter dated December 21, 1989 (emphasis omitted).) 9 Between December 1989 and February 1993, the Lupinaccis gave the police department keys to the external doors at 26 Garden; when locks were replaced, the Lupinaccis provided new keys to the police. Carl Lupinacci (Lupinacci) had frequent discussions with individual Stamford police officers, and he urged them to patrol the shared areas inside the building. 26 Garden was the scene of homicides, narcotics activity, stabbings, and other serious assaults. Stamford police officers routinely entered 26 Garden, and they made numerous arrests.