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Proposal put forward for part-time Sheriff's patrol in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

With the recent reports of burglaries in Oakfield, some residents have questioned why the village isn't patrolled by a deputy.

Oakfield resident Jeremy Yasses posted on Facebook a request for people to attend a meeting at the village hall at 5:30 p.m., Nov. 14.

"I actually did quite a bit of research a few months ago before we had all the break-ins," Yasses wrote. "The Village of Bergen has a deputy a few days a week on different shifts in four-hour intervals and it costs $12,000 annually. I have already spoken with Sheriff Gary Maha and the Village of Bergen mayor, who praised the work done by the deputies."

Yasses said he doesn't anticipate a proposal to raise taxes and he's not suggesting a deputy be dedicated to the village full-time at a cost of $50,000 a year.

"We need a presence here in Oakfield to question those walking around aimlessly," Yasses wrote. "There have been problems all summer long on the south side of the village and now it is widespread."

Yasses is asking people to attend the village meeting and support the proposal.

Jason Crater

Is aimlessly walking around a crime? How do you prove intent? Do you have to carry an itinerary?

12:00 - 12:15 - walking around (with purpose)
12:15 - 12:45 - lunch

Nov 2, 2011, 1:12pm Permalink
joseph bradt

Jason - Way to take what Jeremy said out of context. I don't think it's too difficult to figure out what Jeremy is trying to say. Our Village has been "terrorized" in the past several weeks / months with home and vehicle burglaries. Someone, somewhere, knows something or seen something. A deputy out here talking to people on a regular basis may help solve these crimes, and let's hope it's before someone gets hurt.

Nov 2, 2011, 1:22pm Permalink
Jason Crater

So you're for a sheriff's deputy randomly questioning people because they're just walking around town? I'm not quite sure how I've taken anything out of context.

Nov 2, 2011, 2:05pm Permalink
Thomas Mooney

Jeremy , you must have run out of apartments in Batavia or could have them shipped here , so they could walk around in Batavia , that is what Rochester is doing .Why do most landlords that own property in Batavia don't live in Batavia ?

Nov 2, 2011, 2:09pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Jason,
People living in Oakfield are concerned because of a growing number of robberies. Oakfield is a small community, most people know their neighbors.
When they see strangers walking through their neighborhood, it sends up red flags.
It isn't up to them to question the strangers, but a police officer can.
Or not.
Given your point of view, strangers, possibly casing a neighborhood, should be left alone. The residents of Oakfield should suck it up and live in fear that their home is the next to be robbed.
The robberies may be the act of a local. In that case, there may be a person of interest that the police should know about and investigate. Something that a common local resident can't do.
Even this 'scary' old lady can understand it - what part of this story is difficult for you to comprehend?

Nov 2, 2011, 5:03pm Permalink
Jason Crater

I only commented on one small part of the story. You can trust my reading comprehension skills are up to par and I understand where Oakfield residents are coming from.

Thank you for your concern.

Nov 2, 2011, 5:34pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Is aimlessly walking around a crime? How do you prove intent? Do you have to carry an itinerary?

8:00pm - 8:03pm - walking around (with purpose)
8:04pm - Steal purse; traumatize victim

Nov 3, 2011, 3:35am Permalink
Lincoln DeCoursey

I see that some residents have questioned "why the village isn't patrolled by a deputy." First of all, is that even true? It has the ring of a loaded question. Is Oakfield in fact not patrolled? I suppose that Oakfield residents would be the ones to know, yet somehow it would surprise me if that's actually the case.

In any case, I would be interested to hear details about the arrangement between Bergen and the sheriff's office as well as the arrangement which some residents of Oakfield are apparently wanting that village to consider. Exactly what is (or would be) provided by the sheriff, some additional level of dedicated patrol coverage in addition to what's normally provided?

When a municipality experiences a major uptick in crime, it seems to me as though a natural and proper reaction would be for the law enforcement agency with primary responsibility for the area to increase patrols. I would be surprised if the sheriff's office does not do this already. After all, law enforcement is precisely why we have a sheriff's office, and there's no better place to focus law enforcement efforts than those areas where crime is occurring.

Nov 3, 2011, 4:36am Permalink
Jeremy Yasses

Lincoln,
We actually do have patrols in the Village of Oakfield just like most municipalities, just not a concentrated effort. This isnt about not being patrolled, the sheriffs do a great job, we would like to "hire" them for extra shifts above and beyond there normal duties. Yes there will be a fee but it makes sense to myself and a lot of other residents that it would be worth it. As far as the details of those extra shifts, that is between the village board and sheriffs as to frequency and what not. Hopefully this nonsense in Oakfield will come to a close soon and then with the extra patrols it might help difuse any problems reoccuring.

Mr. Mooney,

I am sorry you are disappointed that I don't live in Batavia because I have rentals there. In fact a lot of landlords that own property in Batavia don't live in the city. I own multiple properties in a lot of cities/villages and I can't live in all of them :)

Nov 3, 2011, 7:11am Permalink
C. M. Barons

Bergen experienced a spate of juvenile mischief (vandalism, etc.) in the 1990s that resulted in contracting an enhanced sheriff's presence in the village. Redesign of the business district curbside parking had also raised concerns about illegal parking and intersection visibility. ...And the perennial nocturnal activities in the village park. The enhanced services included additional and more comprehensive patrols as well as visiting youth officer. Village officials could expand on the current status of this agreement and assess the outcome of enhanced patrols.

Nov 3, 2011, 10:07am Permalink
Andy Pedro

I think it a great idea. I grew up in Oakfield and still have family there. As a kid I remember "Cop Ross" patroling Oakfield. When he retired they contracted with the Sheriff's dept for years until finally cutting out of the budget. What's the big deal here, if the residents are willing to absorb the cost then so be it. Police presence in itself is well worth the money.

Nov 3, 2011, 10:37am Permalink
shelly mathers

I live in the village of corfu which i think is much smaller than OA and we have someone patrolling everyday until i think 2am and it would be a great thing for OA.

Nov 3, 2011, 11:39am Permalink
George Richardson

If you put out a call for vigilantes and excuse a few minor mistaken ass kickings the problems would disappear. I lived on Pearl Street in Oakfield for a couple of years and my landlord lived in Batavia, but for $75 bucks a month with utilities included it was the big time. When I split the space with another guy I lived high on the hog at $2 an hour. Try doing that now at $10 an hour. There was community and people paid attention, just put out the word and it will happen again. More cops mean more taxes and neither are necessary except it would boost Obama's job totals by one or two over the Teapublocrats efforts thus far.

Nov 3, 2011, 5:01pm Permalink

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