January 8, 2017
Issue No. 2
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NORTH EDITION
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Brockport community discusses drugs and rental property issues by Kristina Gabalski
concerns over a spate of home invasion robberies in the village tied to drug activity at rental properties. McCarthy said he owns seven houses in the village and is tired of calling code enforcement and the police department over issues which arise at neighboring rental properties. “I’m done with it,” he said, “it’s time for the community to step forward.” “It’s not an easy job,” McCarthy said of being a landlord, but explained that particularly with college students, who are likely renting for the first time, landlords need to be involved, set parameters and provide guidance.
“A landlord is the first line of defense,” he noted, in preventing probBrockport Police Chief Daniel lems at rental properties. “You set Varrenti, “... did a great job ... everyup your household to be respectful of body who came this evening probably neighbors.” learned something they didn’t know,” The forum included detailed inforBrockport resident Kevin McCarthy mation provided by Chief Varrenti told the Suburban News following regarding types of drugs and specifics a forum held Wednesday evening, on heroin addiction as well as the need January 4, at the Oliver Middle for rehabilitation after heroin overdose. School. Chief Varrenti said the majority of reChief Varrenti said he decided to cent home invasions have occurred at host the forum following the Derental properties and have been drug cember 19 meeting of the Brockport related. Village Board at which ten residents, He laid out his detailed proposal for including McCarthy, expressed their fighting the problem including a public policy approach and help from the public. “The solution involves all of us,” Chief Varrenti said. “It is no different here than the problem nationally. It’s not a problem for police alone.” Varrenti advised the village develop a comprehensive plan including a moratorium on additional rental properties; develop properties on State and Fair Streets and on Clinton Street; implement a “Broken Windows” approach to code enforcement in which small violations regarding quality of life issues are addressed; encourage local judges to impose the highest of fines for offenses related to More than 100 people, including Brockport Village and Sweden Town leaders and administrators from the College at quality of life issues; Brockport and the Brockport Central School District, attended a drug forum held January 4 at Oliver Middle School to form a Court Watchdiscuss how the village can combat drug-related crime. Brockport Police Chief Daniel Varrenti and his command staff Dog Committee; hire hosted the forum. K. Gabalski photo.
a village manager to provide continuity on the village board; and implement a points and penalties system for code violations. The points and penalties proposal drew the most fire from several in the audience. Norman GianCursio said laws that treat properties as nuisances are unjust to tenants and owners who have no involvement in drug activity. “Illegal drugs are already illegal,” he said. “Catching and prosecuting the actual drug dealer solves the problem far better than punishing innocent tenants and property owners because of illegal activity that they didn’t know about and had no way to stop.” GianCursio noted Rochester’s “nuisance” law is being challenged in court. Kevin McCarthy told the Suburban News he doesn’t agree, calling the points and penalties system a “good idea” as it makes all landlords accountable. If landlords do what they should do to keep up their properties, they won’t have problems, he said. Chief Varrenti advised residents in attendance regarding the tell-tale signs of drug activity and urged them to help police by informing them of suspicious activity. He and his command staff also announced the formation of a tactical response team within the police department which will respond to major incidents and become more proficient in writing and executing search warrants. “It’s a complex issue,” Chief Varrenti said of combating crime related to drug abuse, “but by implementing as many (proposals) as possible, coupled with the response team and your help, we can make Brockport a better place to live.”
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