SUMMARY OF EVENT

 

 

The Niagara Falls Block Club Council annual January Breakfast Retreat was held at Antonio’s Conference Center on January 15, 2011.

 

Roger Spurback, President of the Niagara Falls Block Club Council, opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and outlining the presentation.  He also spoke about the revitalization of Niagara Falls and the important part that the ZOOM program is playing.  As Roger spoke he gestured to the slide program of ZOOM’s findings. The slides showed pictures of graffiti, buildings in deplorable conditions and yards with trash buildup and pictures of the same properties after cleanup and/or compliance.

 

Roger introduced Det. Lt. Kelly Rizzo, NFPD, who spoke on the role of the Police Community Relations Department and the job its officers perform. He recognized officers in attendance including Det. Shawn Bosi, Det. Carl Cain, Officers Mike Corcoran and Dan Bird.  Dave Cudahy, the newest addition to the group was also introduced.

 

Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour followed and spoke briefly on the role of the Niagara County’s Sheriff’s Department and the assistance they offer the City of Niagara Falls along with the various programs and law enforcement provided throughout the County.

 

Roger introduced Mayor Paul Dyster who reviewed the progress that has been made in Niagara Falls and what is envisioned for the future.  He also spoke about former Niagara Falls resident, James Stark, and his position with the Green Bay Packers.   Senator Mark Grisanti and Assemblyman John Ceretto also spoke and promised to work with block clubs and do everything they are able to help Niagara Falls.

 

At approximately 9:30 am, Roger introduced the HOMICIDE 101 PANEL beginning with remarks from Niagara County District Attorney, Michael Violante regarding crime in Niagara Falls.  The panel also included the following people:

              Capt. William Thomson, Chief of Detectives & Det. Patricia McCune of the Niagara Falls Police Department,

              Niagara County Asst. Dist. Attorney, Lisa Baehre, Esq.,

              Niagara County Public Defender, Christopher Privateer, Esq.,

              Niagara County Commissioner of Jurors, Christopher Pannozza

              Niagara County Court Judge, Hon. Sara Sperrazza,

              Niagara County Probation Dept. Supervisor Rebecca Kassay and

              Officer Elaine Hertel

              Regional Director of the New York State Division of Parole, Geno Russi

  

The HOMICIDE 101 PANEL “walked” through a homicide case in 2000, involving

 ---name of victim omitted on purpose-- who was found dead on Ashland Ave.  The particulars of how each department worked through this crime, beginning with the call to the police, witness statements, evidence compiled, and arrest of suspects, jury selection, prosecution and defense presentation at trial and the role of the Niagara County Judge and jury were presented in detail by the panel.  The respective panel members also detailed the role of the Niagara County Probation Department and the New York State Parole Division. The suspects arrested in this case were found guilty and are currently serving their sentences.  The Panel answered many questions pertaining to the jury selection process and other items brought forth during the presentation.

 

After a short break, the meeting continued with a Niagara Falls Dept. of Public Works ZOOM presentation.  ZOOM stands for “Zoning Ordinance Offense Mission”.  Clarence Bradley, Assoc. Deputy Director of DPW & ZOOM Coordinator gave an overview of how ZOOM works, stating it is comprised of members of the Niagara Falls Police and Fire Departments, the Code Enforcement Department and the DPW Clean Neighborhood Department, all within the City of Niagara Falls. The City Environmental Services Department  tracks the statistics and provides mapping of areas visited.  Non-City Departments also are members of the team and include the Niagara County SPCA, Social Services and Office of the Sheriff. Each brings to the Team their expertise in the enforcement of the current City Ordinances as needed. Clarence Bradley heads a group of temporary workers who clean up areas issued a ZOOM citation that are not complied with in the time allowed.  The cost for this cleanup is charged to the property owner. The mission of ZOOM is to work toward the prevention of ordinance violations through enforcement and education. Dennis Virtuoso, the Director of the Code Enforcement Department added comments regarding the role of his department in the implementation of ZOOM.

 

Christine Forster, Clean Neighborhood Inspector, also spoke on the ZOOM project as well as the new single stream recycling program recently introduced by Modern Corporation..  Articles left for pick up no longer have to be separated.  Paper, cans, glass can all go into the same bin.  Fliers showing what articles can be recycled were available to all.

 

Michael Mills, Project Coordinator for Household Hazardous Waste Handling supplied fliers, which listed hazardous waste articles that can be accepted and those which cannot be accepted for regular pickup by Modern Corporation.

 

Speakers answered several questions from the audience including when trash can be placed at the curb. Answer – NO earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before the regular scheduled pick up by Modern Corporation.

 

The meeting concluded at approximately 12:00pm.

 

                            Summary submitted by Marsha Kennedy and Norma Higgs