Outcry Over ‘Disturbing’ Halloween Display in Connecticut Town

A Connecticut homeowner’s elaborate Halloween decoration has ignited controversy, sparking outrage and accusations of insensitivity with its asylum theme.

Community Reaction

Hamden, Connecticut is home to an eye-catching Halloween display, featuring a large sign reading “Asylum for the Criminally Insane,” along with nooses, dangling bodies, guard towers, and barbed wire. This eerie scene has rattled community members, leading to heated discussions.

“My first thoughts were that this was very disturbing. I first noticed the hanging bodies,” said local resident Amy Baker, expressing concern over the decoration’s theme. “Certainly, I think the whole idea for an asylum for the criminally insane is insensitive to that community.”

Amy Baker, local resident

Another resident, Laverne Jackson, journeyed from New Haven to witness the spectacle but found it unsettling. “For a Black person like me, that’s very offensive to me and to my ancestors.”

Laverne Jackson

Nearby Concern

The location, notably close to a synagogue, heightened apprehension. “Because of the barbed wire, it looks reminiscent of the concentration camps,” Baker added. Such imagery struck a nerve given the historical and cultural context.

Formal Objections

On October 17, the Greater New Haven branch of the NAACP publicly condemned the display, labeling it “deeply offensive, racially insensitive, harmful to our community, and extremely triggering.”

“While we understand the importance of free expression, freedom of expression does not absolve individuals from responsibility for the harm and pain their actions cause,” stated Dori Dumas, president of the branch. “The display on Whitney Avenue has caused real pain, fear, and outrage among community members. Racism and racial trauma harm not only Black people, but the moral and social fabric of our entire community.”

Dori Dumas, NAACP President

A Matter of Expression

Though divisive, the display draws a crowd and supports a local cause, turning into a Halloween tradition for some.

“People wait an hour to go through this,” according to a local known only as Donna. “They just enjoy it. And if it’s not your cup of tea, I’d imagine you just don’t go in there.”

Donna, Hamden resident

Mayor Lauren Garret acknowledged the city’s discussions with the homeowner about modifications. “When you know better, you can do better. I was hoping for that, but ultimately it’s private property. This is freedom of expression and we’re not going to infringe upon that,” she told NBC Connecticut.

Owner’s Perspective

The homeowner, Eric Andrewsen, remained largely silent on the controversy when approached by WFSB 3 outside his residence, offering only gratitude for the publicity. “All I want to say is thank you so much for bringing the attention you are giving to this Halloween display,” he commented. “Together, we’re raising a lot of money for the Hamden Police Department.”

However, according to an October 25 report by the CT Insider, the Hamden Police Activity League is not accepting donations connected to the display, as clarified by the mayor’s chief of staff.

Reporting based on the original article; quotes reproduced verbatim.