Twitter Blows The Whistle
by David Flint
Brian Holloway said he expects there will be arrests made following the vandalizing of his home in Stephentown on Saturday, August 31. The former New England Patriots football star said he is leaving that up to the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department. He is more concerned that the community and especially the parents of those involved take a firm stand and see to it that responsibility is acknowledged so that the young lives of the miscreants can be turned around.
[private]Holloway was in Florida the night that young people broke into his home and staged a drunken party and trashed the house and barns. At least one Twitter post indicated there may have been up to 300 people at the party. Notified by his son who had been alerted by postings on Twitter, Holloway called police. He said Sheriff’s Deputies responded and found people scattering from the residence. He has been told that the first responders then radioed for backup, but apparently no apprehensions or arrests were made.
Yvonne Keefe, Public Affairs spokesperson for the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department, said this week that no arrests have yet been made but the incident is still under investigation and is a top priority case. “As in any case where underage drinking is involved the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office considers this a very serious incident,” she said. Keefe added that with the numbers involved, the case is complex and will take investigators time to determine which individuals should be held accountable for organizing and promoting the event. Investigators are looking for cooperation from any individuals involved. Parents who have knowledge are encouraged to call Sgt. Holcomb at 266-1981.
Trooper Mark Cepiel, Public Information Officer at State Police Troop G Headquarters, said last week that the State Police have not been involved in the investigation.
It is not clear how long the party went on before the Sheriff’s deputies busted it up, but apparently there was sufficient time for a lot of damage to be done. Walls were spray-painted with graffiti and obscenities, doors, windows and screens smashed, lights broken, hardwood floors ruined from beer kegs and urine and trash strewn everywhere. Holloway estimates the damage at over $20,000. Among items stolen, he said, was a granite eagle. It was of great value to his family because it was the headstone for his grandson who died at birth. A picture of a young woman holding this eagle subsequently appeared on Facebook®, but the headstone was recently anonymously returned to the residence.
Holloway said that a lot of information relative to the party has been gleaned from the Twitter feed. From analysis so far he believes that students from 15 area high schools and three colleges were involved. Holloway is keeping the Sheriff’s Department informed as he receives information. He believes the Sheriff now has over 200 names of persons who may be involved, and he is receiving 15 new names every day from various sources.
“What’s broken can be repaired, what’s stolen returned,” Holloway said, “but if we don’t stand up and do the right thing, thirty of these 300 will be dead in ten years from alcohol or drug abuse. It would be a mistake not to respond.” Holloway believes the behavior of these kids is “a loud cry for help.” He is now urging parents and community leaders to come forward, sit down with him and go over what has happened and why. “We need to get them to be accountable, and maybe these kids can become ambassadors. Three hundred could lead to saving 3,000 lives. This moment could become a movement,” Holloway said hopefully.
Holloway has set up a website at helpmesave300.com to express his severe disappointment and concern and to elicit response from parents and the community. On this website a large number of Twitter posts with pictures regarding the party have been listed. Among them are the following:
• 5 days guys. Stephentown (This was posted on 8/26.)
• Tonight’s bout to be crazZzZyYy
• Tonight was a blur
• F—ing cleared a porch and a kid who broke through a screen, got my way to cumbys and got away from the trooper there too
• I wish the party didn’t get busted. Cause that sh-t coulda got so much bigger. It was live though
• Busted or not it was still the best party in the 518 of the summer
• Holy sh-t good thing we got away
• That party was f—ing insane
• I think the high point of the night was seeing that kid get knocked out…#1punch
• Great way to end the summer
• Perfect way to end the summer
• Hats off to the host of that party you guys are the best
• Yeaaahh it’s so trashed.
Holloway is seeing the better part of the community too. Already volunteers from the community have arrived to put things back in order. On Tuesday this week a group of about ten teenagers from Cohoes High School showed up to help clean up the property. They moved furniture from damaged rooms and collected trash that was strewn all over. On Wednesday Holloway was expecting other students and their families to come by and help out in some way. Other unknown persons have been leaving bags of groceries at his place. “I think it’s their way to say ‘I’m sorry,’” he said.
In a gesture toward healing, Holloway is hosting a potluck picnic for military families – veterans, active, retired – at the residence at 742 NY 43 in Stephentown this Saturday from 1 to 5 pm with no beer, drugs or alcohol. Calling it “The Family Reunion of Champions,” he sees this as “a great way to use this beautiful property as a community tool as opposed to a community scar that reminds us that 300 kids’ lives are in danger.” Addressing the 300 he writes in his invitation, “Please help! Come out and help set up, fix up, bring food and picnic stuff, so we can honor these real HEROES. I’m here. Come now. Take a stand for your future. This is called redemption.” For more information contact Brian at 818-298-2890 or BrianHolloway@yahoo.com.
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