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Downtown business owner tells Community Police Board scooters and public behavior are driving patrons away
Summary
A downtown business owner complained to the board about motorized scooters, repeated break-ins and constant police presence near his home; the police chief and board members responded with offers to follow up and flagged existing enforcement and outreach efforts.
A business owner on the Ithaca Commons told the Community Police Board he has experienced repeated break-ins, public urination and escalating trouble from motorized scooters that customers find frightening.
Todd Kurzweil, founder of Sunny Days of Ithaca, said he had tried to send information to the board by email but that his communications were not forwarded; he also asked whether electric scooters are classified as motor vehicles on the Commons and whether more enforcement or rulemaking is appropriate. “Are they motor vehicles, or are they not motor vehicles?” he asked the board, saying that older customers were afraid to walk in parts of the Commons.
Kurzweil also told the board he felt “censored” after the mayor prevented distribution of messages on one occasion, and he asked for an acknowledgment that his emails reach the board. He said he was concerned about a near-constant police detail stationed on the corner near his home and worried about the balance between downtown safety and the presence of officers in residential areas.
Chief Kelly acknowledged the concerns, said the department had seen reports of drug and alcohol use and aggressive panhandling on the Commons, and noted an increase in summonses issued. The chief also said the department sponsors a violence interrupter funded through a grant who works in the community through a local partner, Second Wind Cottages, and invited board members to do ride-alongs and receive policy briefings.
Board members agreed the Commons discussion and scooter safety merited further consideration; several suggested placing the topic on a future agenda and coordinating with city counsel or the Downtown Ithaca Alliance on enforcement and policy options.
Why it matters: The Commons is a major public-facing space for downtown commerce and tourism; concerns about motorized scooters and public disorder affect businesses, residents and perceptions of safety.
What happens next: The board asked staff and the chief to follow up with the commenter, to clarify how to report incidents and to consider placing Commons issues and scooter rules on a future agenda.
