A resident of Massena Village is asking the board to consider additional lighting to deter criminal activity

MASSENA – While some residents are calling for more or brighter lighting in the village to deter criminal activity, officials say it’s not as easy as simply adding more lights.

The issue came up during a recent village board meeting when police activities and deterrence as crime increases were highlighted multiple times by trustees, residents and police alike.

Concerns about higher crime rates were raised by villager Jim Hidy, who asked whether adding more lighting might be beneficial.

Hidy spoke specifically about the many parks in the village that may not have adequate lighting to deter crime.

But Police Chief Jason Olson said it’s a “balancing act” because the lighting can disrupt people’s lives and sleeping habits.

“Too much (light) within a community leads to light pollution. It can disrupt people’s sleep and be very unhealthy for a community. So we have to find a balance with that. I don’t want to start putting.” “There are lights everywhere and then people’s sleep is disturbed at night,” Olson said.

Olson added that lighting could be helpful in discouraging activity in the parks.

“When the parks are better lit and you shine a light on that area, just like cockroaches, you shine a light on (them) and they go away,” he said.

Hidy raised further concerns about local youth drinking in parks. He suggested adding “maybe one or two more lights.”

“It’s not as expensive to use the LED lights as it used to be. Maybe it’s just some kind of deterrent,” he said.

Olson said he appreciated Hidy raising the issue and said he would evaluate the cost-benefit of adding more lights.

“I will definitely look into it. I appreciate you bringing this up,” Olson said.

The call for more lighting follows other residents asking police to help remove people who appeared to be suffering from mental health issues or who might pose a danger to themselves or others.

Olson said the department takes action on every call it receives, but noted that in some cases little to nothing can be done if no crime is committed.

Because of legal requirements set by the state, his department is unable to transport a person as part of a pickup order unless it meets certain criteria, Olson said.

“We have no control over that. “We have very little control over when we can take someone into custody, clearly when they commit a crime or say something that suggests they are a danger to themselves or others,” he said.

But “strange behavior” doesn’t always lead to police intervention, he said.

“Although we probably all feel like we should sometimes, we can only work within the law,” he said.

Olson said he and his officers have been “very, very frustrated over the years” trying to address similar situations, but noted that they “continue to work within the law and will continue to do everything we can, with the staff we have.”

Trustee Shelyn Peets also commented on the increasing number of mental health calls and the criteria police must meet for transport.

“I can confirm what the chef says about giving a pickup order…police can arrest a person who threatens to kill themselves or someone else. But as far as a take-down order goes, I know the general public thinks that if…” “If someone is a danger to themselves, there are criteria for them to be a danger to themselves,” Peets said.

Although citizens may be concerned, Peets said individuals in the community can be mentally ill, especially if they do not pose a danger to themselves or others.

If a problem persists, Peets said there are resources available.

“If they are concerned about this, they can always contact Reach Out at 315-265-2422,” she said.

He said the department will continue to patrol all areas of the village with available resources.

The number of calls has continued to rise, and the department has responded to hundreds of requests for service each month for the past few years, Olson said.

In the last few months there have been more than 700 service requests, and in some months the number even increased to almost 900 service requests.

“All areas are patrolled. We must remind the public that we cannot always be everywhere and see everything all the time. So if you see something, don’t wait until a board meeting. Call the police immediately. Just call us. I mean, that’s why we’re here. That’s why you pay taxes and we’re going to take care of it,” Olson said.