Spencerport utilizing part-time, on-call security guard

Business and homeowners likely don't want to pick up the phone and call 9-1-1 when there is an issue with a skateboarding youth or if there is a group of youths loitering. Now, they don't have to, they can call the Village of Spencerport offices at 352-4771 and ask for the services of Ken Olson who was hired to act as a security guard in the canal park area.

"We have been seeing an increase in vandalism in the canal park area in addition to groups of youth just hanging around," Spencerport's Deputy Mayor Ted Rauber said. "We met with Chief Nordquist (Town of Ogden Police Chief) to discuss what approach we could take to the situation."

Rauber said the village decided to piggy back on an idea started in other municipalities and in many schools and hire a security guard to "walk the beat." Olson is a retired Ogden Police officer who also serves as a security guard in the Spencerport Schools so he has familiarity with the area and with many of the youth in the village and surrounding areas.

"We felt it was a better use of taxpayer dollars to spend $5,000 (per year) to see if we can decrease some of the less than desirable activity we've been seeing in the canal area," Rauber said. "And, many people don't want to call the police simply to come and arrest a skateboarder. Personally, I'd rather see the police cars on patrol than monitoring activity in the canal park."

So far, Rauber said there has been a favorable response to having Olson on the beat. "He doesn't have arresting authority but he has a police radio which he will use if he needs police back up," he said.

If individuals need to call after hours to the village hall, they can leave a message for Olson. "His hours and schedule are not set. We wanted to leave it flexible," Rauber said.

"If anyone sees suspicious activity … something other than kids hanging out, I urge you to call 9-1-1, don't wait until Olson is back on duty," Rauber said.

© August 19, 2007 - Westside News Inc.