recent crime?

[Robin Cass]

Hi all,

Does anyone know anything about this stabbing that happened on Hickory St last Friday?

http://rochesterhomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=22591

--Robin

[Gary Bogue]

Yup, it was Thursday night at about 12:20AM and Oscar was walking home from work at Solera. He didn't feel right about the guy coming the other way and called a friend on his cell phone as he walked. As the guy reached him, he just stabbed him in the gut, no questions, no requests for money, etc. Then both ran. Very weird and seemingly random. The guy was about six feet and wearing baggy clothes. The friend on the phone called the police. Oscar's up and about, but taking some time off work to recover.

[Robert Boyd]

The South Wedge Planning Committee and Neighborhood Service Center along with Gregory Park Condominiums have set up a meeting regarding recent or perceived crime activity and property code issues in the in or around Marie Daley Park. The date of this meeting will be July 30th, 5:30 pm at Marie Daley Park. This is a question and answer type of forum and Inspector Tom D’Agostino and a CPO from the Neighborhood Service Center will be available to answer your questions. All Hickory Street and Gregory Street residents are encouraged to attend.

[Gary Bogue]

This is only my personal observation, but I think that we could handle things of this sort far better (and better protect ourselves from future incidents) if people on the street spoke to one another more often. I've been living on Hickory Street for three years and am president of the block club. Yet I only know two people who live in the condominium and met two others briefly a year ago. I haven't a clue who the other condo residents are despite living five houses away. Also, I didn't learn about this incident until a week after it happened, and only because I know the victim. I questioned him when following up on a rumor that I'd heard from a friend on Linden Street.

Why bother living in the city if you're going to lock yourself away from your neighbors? That's why we have Mendon.

[Robert Boyd]

A good observation - lets take this opportunity to involve them in the community!

[Kristine Fredrick]

"Them", the condo owners, or the people they sublet to? Or the maintenance company. I'm just saying, maybe "they" are in Mendon : ) I hope Oscar is doing well. We have a good number of social service agencies, and mentally ill or otherwise disabled people in the neighborhood. Perhaps "we" could engage these agencies, and residents in some anti crime/ good citizenship initiatives. Alcoholism and addiction are obvious problems that contribute to theft and violent crime, children are often the most frequent victims of these family problems. Perhaps we need a neighborhood wide initiative to curb addiction and alcohol abuse.

[Gary Bogue]

I can't speak for Bob, but my reference is to the people living in GPC. It makes no difference to me if they own or rent (I rent and that hasn't kept me from becoming involved in my community). What I don't understand is people living in a great city neighborhood and having nothing to do with their surroundings. Or their neighbors.

Your suggestion for a neighborhood initiative is excellent. Perhaps you could start a new thread about that and see where it leads.

[Robert Boyd]

Ok - last night SWPC hosted am meeting with about 25 people from Gregory Park Commons, Gregory Street and Hickory Street along representatives of the Net Office including community policing officers. Representatives from City Security (responsible for City Buildings and Parks) and DES which maintains park.

The stabbing that occurred was discussed. The assailant did not ask for or take money. There was no communication at all. The description of the assailant was very general. The victim has recovered. This appears to be an isolated incident and not part of any pattern of crime.

It was noted by residents that young adults (older children) are often loud and party in the park. Some times they bother the younger children.

The Police noted that there were approximately 190 calls for service on Gregory - the majority were for parking and loud noise. One location had a number of domestic calls. The calls are at a low level and do not indicate any major violent crime issues - more "quality of life issue".

Solutions to make the area safer:
* Call 911 with problems - be specific need to create record of problems
* Each individual needs to understand what they can do to protect themselves and their property. (More information will be available at the Gregory Street Block Club Party in August and via email)
* Say Hello to people as you are walking - that changes dynamics of interaction.
* Parents should be in park with kids when possible to thwart problems
* Community responsibility - have more people leave on lights.
* The more people know their neighbors and interact crime does go down!
* SWPC and Community Policing will provide more information.
* PAC TAC is another good thing - it can be expanded - we also need more volunteers!

Thanks to everyone who cared so much to show up last night and dialgoue!

[Southwedge Friend]

hi! What is PAC TAC?
Thanks-

[Gary Bogue]

OK, I'm gonna say it means "Police and Citizens Together Against Crime". Or something. Or not. Anyway, it's a program of very visible people walking the streets in a group, keeping an eye out for crime situations or potential and reminding the bad guys that we care about our neighborhood. It's coordinated through the NET office (or, ahem, the office formerly known as 'NET') on Clinton near Meigs. For more information, contact Robert Lauterbach on this site.