Amenia focuses on safety

Neighbors watching out for their neighbors — it’s a good idea and, ideally, a frequently referenced mantra. It’s also the latest brainchild of one very eager resident, who plans to work with a group in Amenia comprised of a couple of sheriff’s deputies and members of the town’s Safety Committee.

Ernie Lowell came up with the initiative following a May stabbing on Mechanic Street, which occurred after a nighttime altercation at the Webutuck Central School District’s basketball courts on Route 343.

According to Lowell, in March, his 18-year-old daughter was assaulted while at those very same basketball courts during the day. He said she was punched in the face by an unknown man and that the attack was unprovoked.

Superintendent of the Webutuck district Richard Johns acknowledged the courts are a magnet for dangerous and oftentimes illegal behavior during a previous interview with this paper.

“The basketball courts have become a real hangout for undesirable behavior,� he said. “That’s not the case all the time, but there have been drug usage and drug exchanges there.�

Johns added that he was working with Sheriff’s Deputy George Strid, Webutuck’s resource officer, to resolve the issue.

At a meeting on May 28 regarding the possible creation of a watch group, town Councilwoman Victoria Perotti said many are conscious of the town’s trouble spot.

“I think people are aware of where the problem is,� she said, when the discussion turned to the incident at the basketball courts.

But that’s not the only place where there are problems in town. Another place there’s been trouble is Mechanic Street, near the Rail Trail.

Strid himself laid it on the line when he said, “The police can’t do it all. We need help from the public. When there’s a police car around, nobody’s doing anything wrong.�

What does all of this imply? That Amenia has its weak spots, its vulnerable points, and it could use some extra eyes. That fortification may very possibly be found in the men and women willing to step forward and serve in a neighborhood watch group. Such groups have worked in other areas, so why shouldn’t one work in Amenia?

The answer? It should. Strid said he would be happy to offer his assistance to the group and attend meetings when possible to help it get organized and stay on target. That would be an enormous help. He and Deputy Dan Magumo, the resource officer for BOCES Salt Point, provided much information on what’s needed to start a neighborhood watch program at last week’s meeting.

Like Strid, Magumo praised the idea.

“We can’t be everywhere all the time,� he said. “Ninety-nine percent of the job is observation and without help, we’re not going to be able to do our jobs.�

Both deputies warned of the dangers of civilians trying to intervene in risky situations. Clearly that is not the intent here. The purpose is to watch out for trouble and then report it immediately to the authorities. That is what can be of real help to the town in terms of clamping down on criminal activity.

The town’s Safety Committee, which is under Dan Kilmer’s leadership, is a great place to start. So said Strid last week. We agree. That group is planning to meet soon and plot the best next step.

Clearly the basketball courts need to be watched. But maybe there are other locations in Amenia that could use some extra surveillance. Contact the Safety Committee or Town Hall with your suggestions at 845-373-8860, or call Lowell at 518-610-3700. For more information on how to join the neighborhood watch program, call those same numbers.

Here’s an opportunity to help keep your community safe. It will help protect you and your own family, too. Why not get involved? Amenia is a great town, one which is certainly worth watching.

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