If you see kids out of school and you suspect they are absent from class, you could try calling the school directly: Wilbur Cross High School (203) 497-7400, or the Board of Education Truancy Program Supervisor: (203) 946-7443. If you see high school students out of school and there is drug use taking place, there is the police non-emergency number: (203) 946-6316.

I have heard that the principal is essentially AWOL, though apparently physically present. That the situation at the school is quite deteriorated. This is hearsay of course. But it does bring up the idea that a systemic issue is manifest here, not merely some "bad kids."

For three years, I have called the school, the alderman, the board of education, and the police but have not been able to get any resolution for this long standing problem. The issue will only going to get worse with the better weather coming. I don't understand why there can't be a truancy officer posted on Mitchell Drive to prevent this from happening when students should be in school.

With the exception of a minor drug deal, in front of my house, Monday am, the issue seems to have gone away, though I hear that the guys rehabbing the Lehman Brothers building have had some major issues with some kids from Cross.