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Batavia police continuing investigation into baseball-bat attack on State Street

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia Police detective Todd Crossett is conducting interviews today, trying to determine who was involved in an aggressive attack on at least two people at 112 State St. last night.

One person was hospitalized with "significant" but non-life-threatening injuries, Crossett said. Another person was transported to the hospital for evaluation.

From five to six people entered 112 State St. with baseball bats, Crossett said, and the attack may be related to a fight -- possible retaliation -- the night before.

No arrests have been made.

The incident does not appear to be gang related, Crossett said.

Batavia detectives do not believe there is actual gang activity in the city. Any individuals in the city who appear to gang members -- from the colors they're wearing or sports paraphernalia they're wearing -- seem to be people from larger cities visiting friends and relatives in Batavia, but do not appear to be here to establish operations.

Jeremiah Pedro

Either the police are oblivious to gang activity or have not been properly trained on what gangs and gang activity is.
Having been a recruiter for the Marine Corps here in Batavia I have personally turned down a couple individuals because their obvious gang affiliation. They are Batavia residents. Someone does not have to be from Buffalo or Rochester to be affiliated with a gang. The gang can be a local one or a home grown gang.

May 21, 2010, 2:12pm Permalink
Mike Redick

Is "Home Team" still around? I remember a time back in the mid-90's when there were several articles written in the Daily News as to whether or not "Home Team" was a gang in Batavia or not.

May 21, 2010, 2:54pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I know if you are running around town with a baseball bat and you are not in a gang :

There should be no less than 9 people and hopefully you have baseball gloves, a baseball and some baseball hats !

May 21, 2010, 3:22pm Permalink
AnnMarie DiLaura

Good thing it was later at night and there weren't any boys walking home from a baseball game with there bat and ball they might of been brought in for questioning..

May 21, 2010, 5:17pm Permalink
Dave King

Based on the comments in this and the previous article, there seems to be a great deal of concern that Batavia is turning into this violent, gang infested city. I agree with Howard that we shouldn't go that far just yet. It will never become nearly as violent as Buffalo and Rochester, but there is some potential for violent crimes to escalate if intervention isn't taken early. I agree that it starts with the community, but I also think that the police can have a large positive impact as well. Not through just responding to calls and taking down the bad guys, but through developing a good relationship with the more troubled neighborhoods. Rochester PD has been practicing this method, and it has been very effective. Sure, there is still violence, as would be expected in any large city, but violent crime has gone down dramatically. Why? Police have worked to establish a better relationship with those troubled neighborhoods. It's when an entire neighborhood begins to feel that the police are against them, always trying to take them down, that the disconnect happens and violence becomes worse. I think the Batavia police department is OK, but they may need to become more creative and quicker on their feet like police of larger cities if this is indeed a trend toward more violent crimes in Batavia. But again, that's an IF. We don't know if these are just isolated incidents or a part of an overall trend in the city. So we shouldn't be so quick to judge to conclusions just yet.

May 22, 2010, 4:39am Permalink
George Richardson

I have these weeds in my backyard that make my hands burn like fire when I pull them out. I would like to make a big bunch of them and slap the hell out of the young punks. They burn like hades for nearly an hour and you learn from them with no real damage. No one would be willing to experience it twice though. Well, only stupid people like myself who eschew gloves.

May 22, 2010, 4:20pm Permalink
George Richardson

Hey, my last reply happened at 420, damn there is something to that number after all. If you don't know what 420 means, Google it. Frickin' Google.

May 22, 2010, 4:24pm Permalink
George Richardson

Ricky G, livin' la vida loca. I don't know why I love you like I do, I don't know why, I just do. This is the joy that is "The Batavian." Take a bow Howard. Fun times, fer sure. I want good coverage on the Ramble in July. I mean, really good. You will have a great time, tell them Wisegeorge sent you.

May 22, 2010, 4:43pm Permalink
Autumn Connolly

It doesnt have to be a gang to have a gang asult.
If you mess with someone they end up getting friends and family to confront who ever they are having a problem with. Its not like these people are an organization of street tugs. I had friends that called up GCC radio station and started messing around with the DJ. The DJ got mad and sent people with baseball bats to my friends house. Some times people feel the need to get others to fight their own battles.

May 22, 2010, 11:53pm Permalink
tera williams

home team was a bunch of family members that hung around each other and the law made it a big deal. we were not a gang if a bunch of young fellas hangin out is what you would call a gang then i am sorry you feel that way but we were not a gang speaking from co founder of home team we were just a bunch of popular well known young men that just liked to have fun!!!!

Jun 24, 2010, 6:05pm Permalink

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