The following minutes were taken by Greta Mosley who volunteered to take minutes for the 19WCA Public Safety Committee last spring.  After approval the minutes will be posted at:  http://www.19wca.org/home/committees/public-safety-documents.  There was a significant delay in posting these initial minutes for a number of reasons, the most recent being technical problems with posting on the 19wca.org website.  I will repost them here for your convenience.

May29, 2013 Minutes as a file:  PresbHm052913PubSfty.docx

Attachments: OperationCooldown Page1.gif, OperationCooldown Page2

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Public Safety Meeting – 19^th Ward

Location: Rochester Presbyterian Home

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

256 Thurston Rd

Rochester, NY 14619

(585) 235-9100

Minutes:

Moderator -  Dan DeMarle

Agenda

1. Report from Crime Prevention Officer – Andy Dimaria-Southwest Neighborhood Service Center (SWNSC) (as of May 8, 2013 – May 29, 2013)

2. Guest Speaker – Victor Saunders-Pathways to Peace (Did not Attend)

Notes

Thirteen (13) neighbors were in attendance. Sign in sheet attached

Per Officer Andy DiMaria- As of May 8-May 29, 2013

Significant issues:

1. Street Robbery-0-100 block of Melrose Street-May 8, 2013-Robbery, assault & reckless endangerment- One (1) victim three (3) suspects—Drug related-Marijuana deal gone bad – caused suspect to point gun at victim- fires gun as car leaves the scene. Victim reluctant to give full details because of his dealing with drugs impedes progress to find the suspects.

2. Home Invasion Robbery – 200 Block of Kenwood Avenue-May 12, 2013-Upstairs apartment at 3:45 a.m. Two victims that both live in the upstairs apartment and two suspects. Suspects force their way into the house by forcing the exterior front door and then the apartment door-Once inside the victims were asleep and were confronted at gun point demanding money. The victim is known in the neighborhood for loaning people money and keeping large sums of money in the house. Victim had to give cash to suspect and they left apartment on foot in an unknown direction. Neighbor witnessed suspects leaving area on foot going South on Kenwood Avenue–K9’s sent to area to track suspects-did not lead to a result. Attempted to locate cell phone (Verizon) but to no avail, the cell phone was turned off by suspect. This is the second robbery in this area in a year because the victim is known to have large sums of cash in the house.

3. Prohibited Use of a Weapon-Chili Avenue –May 19, 2013 at 10:15 p.m.—Officer Drake was patrolling in the area around Post Avenue and Chili and heard several shots and saw people running and several vehicles fleeing from area. When at the scene officers found a loaded Remington 870-12 gauge shotgun in the street-in front of location on Chili Av-one spec casing in the chamber and 3 live rounds of slug. Neighborhood check conducted and no one saw anything shotgun. City cameras did not capture shots fired and no one could identify suspect. Shot spotter did go off on Post Avenue but was about fifty feet from the location.

4. Domestic Assault on Warwick Avenue-May 20, 2013 9:58 pm. Altercation between father and step son-victim transported to hospital –non-life threatening. Minor injuries on hand. Due to domestic relationship, mandatory to press charges and the individual is wanted.

5. Stabbing –May 22, 2013- 1:00 a.m. 500 Block of Genesee Street- one victim, one suspect. This is questionable because victim says riding bike says nothing to him stabs him with a sharp object three (3) times. Suspect fled in an unknown direction. Information not forthcoming from victim as he is suspected to have dealings with drugs.

6. Weapon fired-May 23, 500 Chili Avenue and Thurston wreck less endangerment-9:05 pm 1 victim 1 suspect- five shots heard - officers checked area near Henner’s Liquor - -vehicle was shot at on north side of car, some video on that incident. Victim saw a silver covered revolver. Prior incident on Chili earlier this year of the same nature with regard to gangs on Chili is close to being solved.—Unsure if the two incidents are related however, this one in May is still in process.

7. May 26, 2013—0-100 Marsh Street 6:16 p.m. – 1 victim, 1 suspect—six (6) suspects said to be in the teen to early adult age 18-21. Victim was punched in back of head while walking on Brooks Av, pockets searched, cell phone taken. Victim went home to call 911. K-9 patrol was not called to the scene-unable to detect anything, nor did cameras pick up any information. Victim said he could not ID suspects. Suspect lost phone-

8. Prohibited Use of a Weapon-May 29, 2012- Shots fired in the air 200 Post Avenue-12:10 a.m.-Police called to scene to the shot spotter call. Found 1 9millimeter casing. No City cameras and no personal cameras.

Statistics for the South West Area

An increase in violence in the southwest and bordering the northwest area. The City Police has an initiative to reduce the violence. Non-traditional methods of policing will be in effect, that is, plain clothes policeman, and extra patrol cars in the area. Police will start addressing the people that stand on street corners. Chili Avenue, Thurston, Jefferson Avenue, Flint Street, Clifton Street are areas of concern as these crimes involve shot guns and hand guns.

Crime Statistics

Robberies have increased from 2012 from 51 % to 68 % in 2013

As of May 26, 2013- 79 aggravated assaults in 2012 (shootings, stabbings and significant injury) 116-aggravated assaults in 2013

Burglaries down 7% from last year

Rapes, homicide, vehicle theft, are down from last year and are lower for the 4 year average

Question: How do you assure an individual that they are safe after they give a report because of their fear of retaliation?

In response to a crime- police will do a preliminary investigation, ensure that medical attention is given to victim and make sure everyone is safe. Most people are fearful of retaliation and have very high emotions right after the incident has occurred. Some may not want to give information. Police will often go back and talk to individual after the victim has had a chance to cool down. Without cooperation the case will not proceed through the court process. As police officers, we will assist any way they can within our purview to ensure safety for an individual. When a case goes to court, the prosecution has to give information given to the defense and at that point identity may have to be revealed.

Operation Cool Down-see attached News Release –briefly an initiative to reduce the use of illegal guns and violence in our city.

Police Officers remark that the community must work together to stop the violence as a community. You must speak out and call police to get the incident reported. Get to know your neighbors and decide how you will address the issues that are occurring on different areas of properties in your neighborhood.

Information can be sent to the Police by using 911, posting information on the Facebook page- named the 19^th Ward Crime Alert- where you can post crime activities and use the www.location19.org as a reference source, the Rochester Police Departments Facebook, and via Twitter and use the MY PD application.

Announcements-

PCIC Meeting at the Staybridge Hotel at corner of Brooks and Genesee Street on June 12, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. –look for the signs that will indicate the conference room.

Regrets:

Pathways to Peace –speaker cancelled (Vincent Saunders)

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Attachments:

Operation Cooldown Page 1

Operation Cooldown Page 2