Brockport sets up special details
for patrols to curb theft, vandalism

It's a lesson that most individuals learned at home: "If it doesn't belong to you, don't touch it." Unfortunately, in the Village of Brockport, that message seems to have been forgotten when it comes to vandalism and theft.

"As a result of numerous criminal mischief charges and quality of life complaints the Brockport Police Department has initiated several innovative details with our patrols," Chief Daniel Varrenti said.

There will be officers in plain clothes walking the streets; the department has purchased various items that they will leave out in plain view and they will have officers watching these items and if they are tampered with, damaged or stolen the individuals will be arrested and there will be officers stationed in high pedestrian areas secreted in various houses watching for people who violate quality of life issues.

Varrenti said that October 1 was the first night of the recent detail. "The officers made 26 arrests that included but were not limited to criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, trespass and weapon related charges. Eleven of those arrests took place in the Monroe Avenue and Utica Street area," Varrenti said.

Trustee David Wagenhauser said it's "amazing" the amount of vandalism that take place in that area.

"It's only a small amount of individuals who cause the damage but they need to know there are consequences regardless of whether they are students, professors or year round residents," he said.

The "details" Varrenti said would continue until this behavior is stopped. Under the new program, Varrenti hopes to not only curb problems throughout the village but to alleviate the situation where homeowners have to come to the police department to file charges when property is damaged or stolen.

"We don't want to have to continue waking homeowners and having them come to the department in the middle of the night to file complaints," he said.

While no one attributed all of the problems to the returning college students, it was stated that a portion of the problems caused are likely from college students. "They're certainly not the whole problem but they are a part of it," Varrenti said.

"The bottom line here is if it isn't yours, keep your hands off it. If you step onto someone's property without being invited to do so you will be arrested. If you act responsibly you have nothing to worry about; if you don't you will be held accountable for your actions."

Varrenti said the department will be taking bicycles that they have impounded and have been unable to find owners for and placing them throughout the village and will have an officer performing surveillance in the area to see if the bike is stolen.

"We have a zero tolerance against individuals who damage, steal or trespass in the village," Varrenti said.

October 9, 2005