City Council approves hiring of five new JPD Officers to bring department back to minimum staffing...
The Jamestown City Council last night approved the hiring of five new police officers to bring the department up to it's minimum staffing levels. The resolution was adopted unanimously... and JPD Chief Tim Jackson says he's pleased to be able to move forward with those hires... once they have gone through a background investigation. In mid-February... Jackson says they'll bring them in to begin their 14-weeks of training... then go out on their own. He says they have six candidates for the five positions... and, he's very confident that he'll get five officers from that. He hopes they'll have them out on patrol by late May if they can be brought in by Feb. 22. Jackson says once they get to that minimum number of rank-and-file officers... believed to be 62... they'll also be able to get current Nuisance Officer Zach Sandberg back into a patrol position.
City lawmakers also approve new fire department program to hand-out and install 1,000 new CO and Smoke Detectors...
The City Council has approved three measures that allow the fire department to begin a new program to distribute 1,000 new combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to city residents. The program will be administered through the fire department... which has been given a $176,000 federal grant through the U.S. Consumer Protection Agency. With last night's approval... Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon says the department will move forward in purchasing the detectors from DiVal Safety Equipment for $41,000. He says they're already begun getting inquiries into receiving a detector. Coon says the department's Fire Prevention Bureau are working on the screening to make sure that those in the most need receive the detectors. He says priority will be given to low to moderate-income earners... veterans... and, the disabled. Coon says you can call the bureau for more information at (716) 483-7597. He adds they'll also have the phone staffed as much as possible to get people signed up. Coon says the grant is also covering the cost of equipment and tools to be used for installation... and other items needed for storage and assembly.
City man arrested on drug related charges following "unwanted person" complaint...
A Jamestown man has been arrested on multiple drug-related charges following an investigation into an "unwanted person" complaint on the city's southside. Jamestown police were called to the scene about mid-afternoon last Friday... and, were told that 26 year-old Dale Linkous was inside an apartment, and was no longer welcome there. Officers say they had prior knowledge that Linkous had an active bench warrant out of Jamestown City Court... and, they found him sitting on a couch, and told him of his warrant. Officers saw him try to conceal items in a backpack that was next to him. Linkous was arrested and taken to the city jail pending arraignment. While searching him... police say they located a quantity of fentanyl and crack cocaine, which was packaged for sale. Officers add they also found containers of methadone and digital scales. In addition to the warrant... Linkous faces two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... three counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, two counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia.
Man and woman from Jamestown arrested for being in possession of loaded hand-gun...
A man and woman from Jamestown have been arrested for allegedly being found in possession of a loaded hand-gun during a traffic stop on the city's northside. Jamestown police say they stopped the vehicle on East Eighth Street at Lakeview Avenue about 12:30 p.m. last Friday... and, identified the driver as 33 year-old Dustin Newbree. Officers say they found that Newbree was driving with a revoked license... and during their investigation... he and 40 year-old Monica Pacheco... were in possession of the handgun. Both were arrested for second-and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Newbree was also charged with second-degree aggarvated unlicensed operation.
Clymer man arrested for DWI following accident in town of Harmony...
A man from Clymer is accused of driving drunk following an accident early last Saturday night in the town of Harmony. Sheriff's deputies say they were called to the scene in the area of Kings Corners, and Weeks Roads about 5:15 p.m. on a report of a motor vehicle accident. They say the driver... 54-year-old Ronald Huntington... was arrested following their investigation for DWI, and moving from lane unsafely. He was issued appearance tickets for Harmony Town Court at a later date.
Man from Falconer arrested following town of Poland DWI accident...
A Falconer man is accused of driving drunk and speeding following a weekend crash on Quaint Road in the town of Poland. Sheriff's officers were called to the scene shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday for a single-car accident. Deputies identified the driver as 54 year-old James McGrath. Further investigation found Mcgrath to be driving while intoxicated. McGrath was arrested and charged with DWI, speed not reasonable or prudent, and failure to stop at stop sign. Mcgrath was taken to UPMC Chautauqua Hospital for treatment of injuries... and, will answer for his charges in Poland Town Court at a later date.
