SOUTHBURY, Conn. (AP) – With outraged neighbors looking on Friday afternoon, convicted serial rapist David Pollitt moved into his sister’s home after spending more than 24 years in prison.
He walked out of Osborn prison in Somers earlier in the day, then met with his probation officers in Waterbury.
Pollitt, 54, was convicted for rape and attempted rape of at least five women in several Connecticut towns in the 1980s. He received time off of his 28-year sentence for good behavior.
His plan to live with his sister prompted an outcry from neighbors who say they fear for their safety and that of their children. About 30 angry neighbors, some toting signs, were gathered on a nearby lawn as Pollitt arrived.
“Tonight it’s going to be a tough one in hour household to try and make everyone feel safe,” said neighbor Patricia Frering, who fought back tears as she talked to reporters.
Pollitt was in the back of a sport utility vehicle that arrived at the Southbury home shortly after 2 p.m. He quickly pulled into a garage. The SUV was trailed by state police and probation officials, who stayed about 20 minutes to test the GPS monitoring system that will track Pollitt.
Neighbors
The release comes a day after a state judge denied a request from Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to relocate Pollitt to a halfway house or some similar type of facility. But New London Superior Court Judge Susan Handy said she understood the concerns but said Pollitt has completed his sentence and that telling the probation department how to do their job would be “micromanaging.”
Pollitt will be subject to the state’s most stringent form of probation during the next five years. State probation officials said there are no residential facilities, such as halfway houses, for sex offenders in Connecticut and that Pollitt’s only other choice was to live in a homeless shelter. His photograph, address and criminal records has been posted on the state police online sexual offender registry.
Pollitt’s family distributed a letter to neighbors several days ago to notify them. It did little to calm their fears.
Since then there have been protests in front of their home and angry signs in their yard. Pollitt’s sister, Janice Rosengren, says she understands their concerns but wants them to understand that this is about family.
“Unfortunately, we were not prepared for all the negative comments and threats that have placed us in fear for our safety,” Pollitt’s family said in a statement Friday.
Dozens of residents turned out for a public meeting Thursday night to air their concerns to a panel that included police, state probation officials, lawmakers and local politicians. Many said they had no quarrel with Pollitt’s family but with the system that will release him.
Several hours after Pollitt arrived, neighbors held a candlelight vigil Friday night in what they called a show of solidarity.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
