Jamestown Police Chief Tim Jackson speaks at “Safer Jamestown N.O.W.” press conference (June 20, 2023)

Jamestown’s Police Chief is clearing the air on public safety data.

Mayor Eddie Sundquist presented an array of public safety statistics related to the first six months of 2023 at a press conference Tuesday on new community policing initiative, “Safer Jamestown N.O.W.”

Republican City Council members refuted that data, comparing it to several years worth of public safety data from the Jamestown Police Department’s annual Public Safety report.

Police Chief Tim Jackson said the information presented by the Mayor was apples to apples, with crime data from January 1 through May 31, 2022 being compared with the same time period this year.

In comparing this year to last year in that time frame, gun related offenses decreased by 45% and confirmed shootings have decreased by 4 incidents. Domestic violence cases have decreased by 9%. Jackson said he sees this trend continuing going forward, “We’re taking a more proactive approach on gun violence and confiscating and seizing illegal firearms off the street, whereas we’re not just reacting anymore after a shooting, we’re actually being proactive before the shooting happens and we’re finding success in being proactive and getting guns before they’re used illegally.”

Jackson presented at the “Safer Jamestown N.O.W.” press conference a number of initiatives the Jamestown Police Department already has underway to try to reduce crime, “In January of ’21, we created the position of Community Resource Officer to increase our community engagement and to keep the public informed. We also increased our community directed beat patrols. In fact, last year was one of the highest numbers, highest year of beat patrols that we have completed in the history of the Police Department.”

Jackson said a Quality of Life Officer dedicated to handling complaints about loud music, loud vehicles, and fireworks came on board in May. He said in less than two weeks, that officers has already issued 38 violations and made in-progress arrests and executed several warrants.

Jackson added that a Violence Interruption Officer position was created in May to combat violent crime. He said in one week that officer made seven felony and five misdemeanor arrests with several of those offenses being gun charges.

Captain Scott Forster said when it came to $261,000 in Gun Involved Violence Elimination, or GIVE, grant money the city is receiving, New York State has increased its focus and funding across the state, “Every GIVE jurisdiction received more money this year. It was just on a percentage of violent crime and shootings, so Jamestown is considered at Tier 2 site now, or I should say, Chautauqua County is considered a Tier 2 site now. So, we can focus now more on violent crime and gun violence, not just gun violence. So, it all depends on the amount of gun violence and violent crime in that jurisdiction.”

Forster said the Jamestown Police Department, in conjunction with the Department of Development, will be holding four community meetings, “Part of the GIVE grant this year is focusing more on community outreach and youth engagement. So, with the money we’ll be holding more community outreach events where we’re going to have the public come. We’re going to meet with them. It’s going to be run by the Police Department and just to find out what people’s concerns are directly in their neighborhoods to try to get more information.”

The meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. on:

Thursday, July 6 – Allen Park
Thursday, July 20 – Jackson-Taylor Park
Wednesday, July 26 – Lillian Dickson Park
Wednesday, August 2 – Bergman Park

These meetings will be in addition to community meetings Mayor Sundquist announced would be led by the Human Rights Commission. Those meeting dates have yet to be announced.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist announces “Safer Jamestown N.O.W.” initiative (June 20, 2023)

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist unveiled a community-focused policing initiative Tuesday.

Sundquist said there is a perception in the community that there has been an increase in crime and violence in the city, which he said isn’t the case.

According to the 2022 Public Safety Annual Report, crimes involving a firearm increased over 30% with overall crime increasing 3.5% in the City of Jamestown last year.

Sundquist said some numbers have gone down for the first part of 2023 through the end of May, “Crimes against persons has decreased 1.2% Gun related offenses have decreased by 45%, and confirmed shootings have decreased by four incidents. And something that I’m very proud of, a lot of organizations that are here helping us, domestic violence cases have decreased by 9%.”

Sundquist said under the initiative called “Safer Jamestown N.O.W. – Neighbors On Watch,” the city plans to commit additional resources to revitalize neighborhood watches, “We want to make sure that our residents are not only protected by our police, but by our neighbors. That’s the whole idea about community and neighborhood. We also want to work and partner with our faith-based organizations, our community groups, and Jamestown Public Schools to provide violence interruption programs in our community, mentoring and employment programs for our kids.”

Safer Jamestown N.O.W Initiative

Jamestown Police Chief Tim Jackson said the city has been awarded $261,000 in Gun Involved Violence Elimination, or GIVE, program funding this year. He said this is three times the usual amount funded in previous years. Sundquist said some of the funding will go toward youth diversion programs.

He said the Human Rights Commission will be holding community meetings to help develop more responsive city-wide programs.

Sundquist added that a City Public Information Officer also will be hired to provide updates on initiatives, connect with the community, and support the Police Department. The position would be funded through a $150,000 grant through the Federal Communications Commission that the city is receiving to do community outreach about the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program. If approved by City Council this month, the position would be contractual and be in place for two years.

The showing of the free movie is co-sponsored by the Jamestown Human Rights Commission as part of Juneteenth.

The movie starts at 7:15 p.m. on the Comedy Center’s jumbo screens on West Second Street. People are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for seating.

Jamestown Human Rights Commission meeting (May 10, 2023)

The Jamestown Human Rights Commission will begin work on creating policies and procedures for handling complaints.

Commission Member Isaiah Rashad said his understanding is that complaints would first go to HRC Chair Uvie Stewart and then to the City’s Liaison Police Captain Scott Forester, “What I’m proposing is to create from scratch a Policy and Procedures form of how we are to conduct our investigation, and where that information goes step-by-step, so that we are uniform, and that we look professional in everything that we’re doing to the public.”

Rashad also recommended that members of the HRC begin attending various public meetings again, “There’s a lot that we don’t know, especially as a small group. There’s a lot that we do not know. We only hear things as people bring it to us. But, if we’re out there, if we’re putting ourselves out there and we’re going to these meetings, we’ll understand a lot more about what’s ebbing and flowing throughout the city. And it’s important for us because when there’s chaos, that’s when people need us. And we need to make sure we’re prepared.”

Rashad was given the approval to move ahead with developing the polices and procedures form for complaints. The group also agreed they need to assign members to attend various public meetings including City Council, Jamestown School Board, the IDEA Coalition, and more.

The group also discussed holding fundraisers to raise money for the commission to supplement what is received in the City Budget. However, according to the State Office of the Comptroller, municipalities may not solicit monetary or material gifts nor conduct fundraising activities. The commission was allocated $6,000 in the 2023 city budget.

Jamestown Human Rights Commission meeting (April 5, 2023)

The Jamestown Human Rights Commission has approved funding to co-sponsor with the National Comedy Center a Juneteenth event.

The National Comedy Center is planning to show “The Nutty Professor” starring Eddie Murphy on Monday, June 19. HRC member Kim Knight, who is also helping with Juneteenth event plans, said the contribution for the HRC would be $425. The event would feature the movie on the Comedy Center’s screens on West Second Street as well as concessions sold by the Juneteenth Committee to benefit their scholarship fund.

The HRC also will be collaborating with Jamestown Community College on a Human Rights focused event. JCC Coordinator of World Languages Theresa Baginski said the college was awarded a three year grant to “globalize” the experience at JCC. She said their goal is to hold at least two Human Rights events in connection with the college over the next three years.

The Commission discussed ideas of a poster contest for middle school students, having a comedian perform, and having a speaker discuss the topic of refugees and immigrants that includes a facilitated discussion. A couple members of the HRC will work with JCC on development of the event.

The Commission also voted to spend up to $500 to purchase “swag” items to hand out when tabling at events. The group is expected to review possible items and costs at its meeting in May.

Jamestown City Council

Five of the positions will fill current and anticipated vacancies in the Jamestown Fire Department. Funding is included in the 2023 City Budget for these positions. The other eight positions also will fill vacancies and are being funded through the 2021 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program.

Council also will review a proposal to replace the Assistant Corporation Counsel position with hiring an Ombudsman. Ben Haskins, who is the current Assistant, is leaving City Government for a different job.

A resolution to use $500,000 in American Rescue Plan funds for the construction of Splash Pads at Allen and Jackson-Taylor Parks is now officially on the agenda. Council had heard a presentation on proposed projects earlier this month.

Council also will review a local law to increase the mayor’s salary to $82,000 and increase city council member’s salaries to $7,000 with council president receiving an additional $1,000. These salary increases were recommended by the Jamestown Salary Review Commission and, if approved, would not go into effect until January 1, 2024.

They also will review an amendment to the Jamestown City Code to change the number of appointments to the Human Rights Commission from 12 to 9 members.

Council will review a American Rescue Plan allocation of $327,925 to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy by the Jamestown Local Development Corporation for Chadakoin River bank stabilization work. As the request is over the $100,000 threshold, it requires Council approval.

Council also will review a resolution to accept a $50,000 from the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth for a one year tourism and marketing campaign.

The Housing Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight and their agenda includes continuing a discussion on lead issues. The Finance Committee, which meets at 7:00 p.m., will hear a report on a National League of Cities grant.

Other committee meetings will start at 7:00 p.m. with the full work session taking place at 7:30 p.m. in the Police Training Room on the fourth floor of City Hall. All meetings are open to the public with the full work session being livestreamed at jamestownny.gov.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist presents to Human Rights Commission (August 19, 2022)

The Jamestown Human Rights Commission is being asked to help the City of Jamestown research social equity platforms.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, at the HRC meeting on August 19, said the city has been discussing providing equity in services and where those services are delivered. He said the city has been working with a provider through the National League of Cities to use property information to determine how healthy a neighborhood is and to use that data to create a social equity index.

Sundquist cited a social equity index being used by Tacoma, Washington, “Which is their equity index that will highlight areas of higher and lower opportunity for services and helps them be a little more equitable in how they provide services across the city. So they use 29 indicators. They use 197 census blocks. And they also use a racial demographics overlay to create this equity index.”

Sundquist said Tacoma uses the index to prioritize funding, resource planning, and loan distribution, “They use it to figure out where they spend their budget on, which is interesting. But more importantly, their City Council, after they created this index, directed all departments to use the index to help determine services in those departments.”

Sundquist asked the HRC to help research other equity index programs in the country and whether Jamestown should create one, including what metrics they’d recommend. He said the Department of Development has been looking into programs as well and that the HRC would assist them in the task. Sundquist also recommended the HRC reach out the IDEA Coalition as part of the process.

G.A. Family Services

G.A. Family Services and the Human Rights Commission are collecting food and water donations. These will be distributed to the community around the Buffalo Tops on Thursday, July 7.

Folks may drop off water and non-perishable food donations at the G.A. Family Services between 9am and 5pm. The drop off site is 210 Gustavus Avenue off Falconer Street in Jamestown.

For more information, contact Billy Torres at 716-720-3482 or Dan Groh at 315-806-0930.

Justin Hubbard, Missy Paterniti

Jamestown City Council voted down Mayor Eddie Sundquist‘s citizen appointments to the Board of Public Utilities as well as the reappointment of Justin Hubbard to the Human Rights Commission.

City Clerk Jennifer Williams read a letter from the Human Rights Commission advocating for Hubbard’s reappointment, “We feel it is our duty to try to convey to our elected representatives how much we value Mr. Hubbard and the ideas, thoughtfulness, and passion that he brings to our group. As a teacher, he brings a point of view regarding education that helps us better understand and address human rights issues in our schools.”

Resident Missy Paterniti spoke out against Hubbard being reappointed, saying he publicly attacked her at an HRC meeting by calling her a racist and a bigot in response to her creating a petition to the school district to keep the “Red Raiders” name, “I contacted Elliot Raimondo [City Corporation Counsel] and nothing happened. I wrote to the mayor. And I’m just asking you, as the city council, that have the ability to remove this gentleman from the commission, please do so because he doesn’t belong there.”

Hubbard, speaking at privilege of the floor, said he was approached by Mayor Sundquist following rallies he helped organize after George Floyd‘s death in 2020 about serving on a reinstated Human Rights Commission. Hubbard said while on the HRC, he was approached by members of the community regarding issues on discrimination in relation to religion, race, and sexuality, “Even though I knew that some of these complaints were about members of council and that would make some members of this council unhappy with me for bringing them to the table, I knew that it was my duty to do so. I also believe that the passion I brought to this position made it so that people could feel free to contact me when dealing with very stressful issues.”

Council voted 2 to 6 not to reappoint Hubbard with Brent Sheldon, Marie Carrubba, Andrew Faulkner, Kim Ecklund, Randy Daversa, and Jeff Russell voting no.

The appointment of Sean Conner and Sabrina Gustafson to the BPU Board to replace Jim Olson and Greg Rabb failed 4 to 4 with Brent Sheldon, Andrew Faulkner, Kim Ecklund, and Randy Daversa voting no.

Council President Tony Dolce said while he supported the appointments to the BPU board, he doesn’t know why other council members did not but he guessed it may have come down to qualifications, “In the past, there’s always been a kind of.. not going to say controversy but discussion over replacing long time members that have experience with newcomers. And this mayor wanted to put his people in just like the previous mayor did as well. And so I don’t know specifically why those two individuals were voted down by specific council people.”

Jim Olson and Greg Rabb will remain on the BPU board as holdovers until new appointments can be made.

Around 20 amendments were adopted that reduced the amount taken from the fund balance from $1.3 million to $643,568. Those amendments included increasing expected revenues for sales tax by $172,780, limiting management salaries to a 2.5% increase for a $43,340 savings, and cutting $8,380 dollars budgeted for the Human Rights Commission. Four council members, including Regina Brackman, Grant Olson, Tom Nelson, and Tamu Graham-Reinhardt voted against the $6,000 cut to the HRC. The funding had been requested for outreach work and a diversity festival.

A resolution on allocating $3.7 million dollars in lost revenue from the American Rescue Plan Act Local Recovery funds for the 2022 Capital Improvement Program also was tabled.

Council President Tony Dolce said the Council will act on the American Rescue Plan funds at its December meeting and plans to address concerns raised by members of the public about how public safety is funded, “And increasing the amount of funding for different pieces of equipment, different things in the police department particularly, and the fire department. And those things will also be discussed and probably part of the ARPA or American Recovery funds as we move forward.”

Mayor Eddie Sundquist said he wished Council had acted on the Capital Improvement Program, “Which do provide a lot of support for police, our fire, and all of our other departments. You know, by punting it to the next month they only take us longer to work on these projects. We’ll evaluate each one, although I do anticipate some vetoes will be on the way.”

Sundquist has until next Monday, or 5 business days, to submit any vetoes he may have. He said of the amendments made by Council to the budget, he was disappointed in the cut to the Human Rights Commission, “And that commission has been working hard to really to provide some understanding and diversity to the city. So to provide a small amount of funding for them to do a festival is really sad that the council took that away.”

He also was not happy with the cut to the Mayor’s travel budget as wells as a $10,000 cut to the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency.

The tax rate remains at $23.69 per $1,000 assessed property value.

A local law to opt out of allowing cannabis dispensaries and consumption establishments was automatically tabled. It will be discussed at the December Council meetings.