Darnell Goldson Photo
Darnell Goldson said he was doing his duty responding to a constituent’s complaint. Police said the West Rock alderman was illegally on private property snooping under car covers.
Goldson stopped Thursday afternoon to take pictures of unregistered cars parked at 18 West Hills Rd. He was collecting evidence to show the city building inspector that the property owner was violating ordinances, Goldson said. He said he never set foot on the property
But when he got home that night, police were waiting outside his house to arrest him. They told him they’d gotten a report he’d been trespassing at the West Hills property. The owner called to say Goldson had been walking on his yard, lifting up the tarps covering his cars and taking pictures. They charged Goldson with misdemeanor trespassing and ordered him to appear in court on Feb. 18.
Neighbors have been complaining to him about 18 West Hills Rd. for some time, Goldson said. A trailer and seven cars — some unregistered — are parked in front of the house, which seems to be unoccupied, Goldson said. It’s been an eyesore.
His wife was unhappy about it, too. Goldson said she told him, “If you don’t take care of that soon, I’m not voting for you next time you run.”
Melissa Bailey Photo
Goldson (pictured) said he spoke with the property owner, Corey Pollard, who he said told him he could have the cars parked out front as long as they are covered by tarps.
Goldson contacted Andy Rizzo, the city building inspector, on Monday. He found that having more than two unregistered cars on a property is illegal, even if they’re under tarps.
So on Thursday at around 1 p.m., Goldson stopped by 18 West Hills Rd. to verify the address before he gave it to Rizzo. He took some pictures of the cars parked in front of the house. A woman from across the street asked him what he was doing. He told her who he was and why he was taking pictures.
Then he went to City Hall, where he was working until about 3:30 p.m., he said.
When he arrived home at 7 p.m., police were waiting for him. They told Goldson that the man who owns 18 West Hills Rd. had called to report him for trespassing.
According to the police report, Officer Mathew Abbate responded at 6:06 p.m. to a call from the owner. Pollard told police that Goldson had been in his driveway and his side yard. He had recognized the alderman and saw him lift up the car covers to look at the vehicles he had on his lawn.
The police report lists the address as 20 West Hills Rd. According to an online database, 18 West Hills Rd. is owned by “Corcy J. Pollard.”
The woman whom Goldson had spoken with, Tashima Snell, corroborated Pollard’s account with police.
“He obviously stepped on the guy’s property,” said police spokesman Officer Joe Avery.
There is a “no trespassing” sign in clear view on the front of the house, the report says.
Goldson said that he never set foot on the property. “Absolutely not. Absolutely not. I never touched his cars. I never walked into the yard.” He took five pictures and they were all from the street, Goldson said.
And the house didn’t have “No Trespassing” sign when he was there, Goldson said. He said his photos prove that. “My guess is he went out and bought a No Trespassing sign after I left.”
What’s more, Goldson said, he has a witness too.
Rose Watts backed up Goldson’s story. She lives at 223 Valley St, right next to 18 West Hills Rd. Contacted on Friday morning, she said she was home on Thursday afternoon when Goldson was there.
“From my bedroom, I can see very well,” she said. “I never saw him enter the yard.”
She said Goldson was at 18 West Hills Rd. at around 1:15 p.m. He took a few pictures and left.
Darnell Goldson Photo
The EXIF data from five of Goldson’s digital photos indicate that the images were made between 1:16 and 1:17 p.m.
Goldson said he’s unfazed by his summons. “I’m going to continue to do my job.”
In an email on Thursday night, West Rock’s Democratic ward committe co-chair Honda Smith, expressed her support for Goldson.
“Alderman Goldson is doing a fine job by answering complaints immediately from residents, I want him to continue to work for this ward and not allow one resident to stop him for their own personal reasons,” she wrote.
He’s due in court on the Feb. 18.
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Looks to me like parts of those cars are on town property anyway, unless it's a private road. There's usually a 6-10 foot right-of-way buffer. Good for Darnell Goldson. He's the kind of guy I want representing my neighborhood.