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Massena police chief says town's crime rate going down

Posted 9/22/14

By ANDY GARDNER MASSENA -- After several years of rising crime rates in the village, police officials say the trend is starting to reverse. "This year we are seeing the numbers trending downward, so …

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Massena police chief says town's crime rate going down

Posted

By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- After several years of rising crime rates in the village, police officials say the trend is starting to reverse.

"This year we are seeing the numbers trending downward, so that is very encouraging," Police Chief Tim Currier said.

He recently launched a campaign running for Massena mayor and will appear on the November ballot as a Democrat.

In 2013, the most recent year for which complete statistics were available, there were 22 reported instances of violent crime and 410 reported incidents of property crime. In 2014, Currier's spreadsheet projects 16.5 instances of violent crime and 271.5 property crimes. The actual numbers for January through August are 11 violent crimes and 181 property crimes.

The spreadsheet, which covered 2005 to 2014, says the year with the most reported crimes was 2012. That year saw 32 violent crimes and 420 property related offenses.

Total reported crimes, according to the spreadsheet, were 1,565 in 2012, 1,521 in 2013 and 1,218 projected for 2014. Actual number for January to August 2014 is 812 reported crimes.

Currier attributes the trend to a combination of community initiatives and a multi-agency investigation last year that took several people off the streets that law enforcement officials believe were driving a good share of crime in Massena.

The spreadsheet shows that so-called "part 2" offenses, which include less-serious assault charges, sex offenses, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and drug and alcohol-related offenses, are also on the decline.

Reported cases for 2012 totaled 1,113. That dropped to 1,089 for 2013 and is projected to hit 930 in 2014. The actual number for January through August is 812.

Part of the problem is fueled by the nationwide heroin epidemic, which hasn't spared Massena. In addition to arrests for drug possession and sale, the drug's users can become addicted and in their desperation to control a spiraling habit, turn to crime to finance their use.

"Last year's large scale, multi-agency investigation certainly impacted the illegal drug trade here in Massena. We are using every resource available from local, state and federal agencies to impact this problem. We partnered with other agencies to conduct targeted impact patrols designed specifically to patrol known drug houses and areas where suspected dealers congregate. When resources and time permits, we have continued to target those areas," Currier said.

But he does not solely attribute the reduction in crime to police work.

"First, it should be pointed out that crime is a societal problem, and it takes a comprehensive approach to it. Police are a small part of crime prevention over all," Currier said. "We still have lots of work to do on the drug issues here in Massena, and addressing it from every angle is the best approach. Prevention, enforcement, treatment all must happen if we are truly going to impact it. It is not a problem we can arrest our way out of."

He notes programs such as TRIAD, the Prescription Drug Task Force, foot patrols in schools and Offender Watch. TRIAD is to prevent victimization of the elderly and other vulnerable demographics. The Prescription Drug Task Force is aimed at stemming prescription drug abuse by joining efforts of police, schools and healthcare providers. Offender Watch tracks registered sex offenders and notifies citizens when they move into their area. It is free to join.