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01/11/2024 03:13 PMREGIONAL
On Jan. 8, Westbrook authorities reported that two suspects had broken into the closed John Winthrop Middle School facility (JWMS) in Deep River and inflicted minor damage to school property.
On social media, the Westbrook Police Department reported that, “At approximately 7:09 a.m., Troop F personnel were dispatched to a non-active burglary at the John Winthrop School, 1 Winthrop Road, Deep River. After a review of the security footage by school staff, it was determined that the burglary occurred on [Dec. 22, 2023] between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Upon Troopers’ arrival, the property was surveyed for damage, and vandalism was observed to students’ artwork, school electronic equipment, and various pieces of school equipment.”
JWMS has been closed since the discovery of mold growth inside the building last September, after which students and staff were moved to continue education at Valley Regional High School.
Region 4 School District Superintendent Brian White commended the local police on their support and response to the recent vandalism. White described the damage by the suspects as “light vandalism...that can easily be cleaned or addressed,” and only occurred in some of the building’s office space. There is no reported permanent damage to the building or significant property loss, he added. However, the act itself is considered unacceptable by the district, which will be taking additional measures to improve security of the middle school campus moving forward.
“In light of the fact that the building is currently unoccupied, this just increases our sensitivity to the need for ongoing security measures,” said White. “I think this episode was in some ways a reminder that we need to remain vigilant, even though the building’s not in use.”
White said that enhancing safety and both security measures and “non-security measures” to ensure the preservation and care of the middle school building will be topics of discussion at upcoming regional Board of Education meetings.
The district is hoping that police will be able to determine who is responsible for the break-in and take the necessary steps to hold the suspects accountable.
Westbrook Police posted on Facebook photos of the suspects inside the building that were taken from security camera footage.
Of what is currently an open investigation, Westbrook Police said, “If anyone has any information as to the two suspects involved in this incident please contact the Connecticut State Police/Trooper Rochette #396 at 860-399-2100.”