By D.M.Livingston|Published Nov 28 2025

WATERBURY — The Waterbury Times has new information on a situation we first reported exclusively on Wednesday night involving 174 Willow Street, an apartment building long associated with drug activity, blight, and public safety concerns.

The property, which was shut down by the Waterbury Health Department in August as part of the city’s broader effort to clean up problem locations, should have been vacant, secured, and inaccessible to the public. Instead, on Thanksgiving Eve, police responded in full force after an alarm was triggered inside the building.

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According to sources at the scene, a fire alarm went off which triggered fire and rescue to be dispatched, once on location firefighters heard movement inside the property and immediately notified authorities. Officers responded swiftly, surrounding the building and conducting a room-by-room search. Despite the building’s troubled history, no drugs or criminal activity were discovered, and only one individual was located inside.

Authorities have not publicly identified the individual. However, multiple sources tell The Waterbury Times that the person was not engaged in any criminal behavior and may have simply had nowhere else to go. Unconfirmed reports also suggest the individual may be in the country without legal status, though this has not been verified by officials.

The incident raises new questions about why a condemned building was left unsecured, especially given its location directly across from the 24-hour Police Command Post at Willow and Hillside. How someone was able to gain entry—and how long they may have been inside—remains unclear.

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City officials have not yet responded to requests for comment.

This is a developing story, and The Waterbury Times will continue to investigate how a building closed for public safety could be accessed so easily, and what steps will be taken to prevent another breach.

More updates to come. Www.thewaterburytimes.com