Resident raises safety concerns at Stanton Drive area; board asks staff to investigate

DeWitt — A resident on Monday urged the DeWitt Town Board to address growing public‑safety concerns around the Ocana Lodge on Area Boulevard and residences on Stanton Drive.

Resident Michael McAndrew said the situation has “gotten out of hand,” citing drug use, overdoses, frequent police calls and a recent break‑in of an 86‑year‑old woman. “It's terrible. The drug use, the overdoses, frequent police calls that you must have on record that it's just gotten crazy,” McAndrew said in public comment.

Lieutenant Fuller, present at the meeting, acknowledged there have been “slightly more frequent” calls to that address and said the department would review call history. Town staff said they would refer the matter also to planning and zoning and the code office for investigation and follow‑up.

Board members asked whether the Ocana Lodge owner had been contacted; the resident said he had spoken with the owner and encouraged neighbors to gather a petition if needed. Staff said county social services is under strain and that some hotels in the region are used as contracted placements; staff said they would check with the deputy director of county social services to determine whether that lodging is a contracted facility.

Next steps: Staff asked McAndrew to provide contact information and said they would run call‑volume comparisons to determine whether activity has increased relative to other nearby hotels. The board encouraged follow‑up with code enforcement and agreed to pursue the issue.

Why it matters: The concerns combine crime, resident safety and land‑use questions (hotel or shelter operations in a residential area); the board directed staff to gather records and pursue coordination with county agencies and code enforcement.