SPARTAC training session planned

Sergeant Mark Cuzzupoli, coordinator of the Student Police and Residents Together Against Crime (SPARTAC) Program with the Brockport Police Department, is recruiting volunteers for the upcoming training program.

"SPARTAC volunteers serve as extra sets of ears and eyes for the police officers," Cuzzupoli said. "They perform an invaluable service for the residents of the village."

In order to be a volunteer, the participant must be at least 18 years old, be willing to complete a four to five hour training course and be prepared to walk the village streets, with a partner, from 11 p.m. to 2 or 3 a.m.

"The volunteers are trained to not let themselves be drawn into dangerous situations," he said. "A SPARTAC member observed and reports to the police and we respond."

Police Chief Dan Varrenti said SPARTAC is a unique and valuable program within the BPD.

"The officers and the residents have embraced the concept," he said. "The more observers we have the more effective the department will be."

Cuzzupoli said the volunteers are provided with uniforms. He also said he is interested in hearing from volunteers who might be interested in patrolling on bicycles.

Founding member Fran Welch, who serves as the civilian administrator, is a retired security guard and a former MP in the Army and said he became involved in the beginning when he learned of the problems that occurred on the south side of the village.

"I didn't realize what happened when the college students came back to town," he said. "The population of the village doubles for nine months of the year but the campus and the village police forces don't, so we started SPARTAC."

Welch said he was also responsible for the acronym to identify the group. He also said that the majority of students pose no problems for village residents but there are a few bad apples that spoil the barrel by having loud parties or walking the streets with alcohol. "We just act as extra eyes and ears for the police department and we report to them what we observe," Welch said. Cuzzupoli plans to hold a training session before the end of September. For information or to register for the class contact him at the police department at 637-1010 extension 41.