Jamestown residents tell council they feel intimidated reporting police misconduct; staff and public safety committee to review

Several Jamestown residents used the City Council work session on Monday to say they felt intimidated when trying to report crimes or file complaints with the Jamestown Police Department, and to ask city leaders where to take their concerns.

Paul Wolf, who identified himself as living on Fulton Street, said he has a 17-minute video of an incident in which a responding officer told him a crime occurred but that she would not make an arrest. Wolf said a supporting officer then told him that if he pursued charges he would be charged with filing a false report — and two sentences later described that potential arrest as “false.” Wolf said he was reluctant to go back to the Jamestown Police Department to file a complaint and asked the council where to take the video and his complaint.

City staff and council members responded that the State Police or the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office are alternatives for criminal complaints, and one staff member offered to review Wolf’s video. A city official told Wolf staff at City Hall could look at the relevant 30 seconds he identified and try to follow up.

The concern was echoed by other speakers. Margaret Hanley, who said she lives at 214 Fulton Street, and another resident identified only as Larry (215 Fulton Street) said they and neighbors have repeatedly called police about incidents on Fulton Street and believe some callers are using the police to file repeated, unfounded complaints against others. Larry said the cycle of complaints and police responses was eroding residents’ willingness to remain in the city.

Keith Riley, a different resident, urged creation of marked crosswalks and signage at Second and Ninth streets, saying business activity and a small theater had increased pedestrian use there and that drivers “whiz by.” Council and staff said they would inspect the location, check for handicap ramp access and consider signage or marked crossings.

Public safety committee members said Chief Jackson provided a list of calls to the Fulton Street addresses and that the committee would circulate the records to council members. At the work session, the public safety committee chair said he would forward multiple pages of police calls and actions to council members so they could review the history of responses at the addresses raised in public comment.

No formal council action or vote was taken on the complaints during the work session. Council members and staff said they would review the video evidence and police call logs and follow up with the residents. The council also noted three items to be discussed in executive session, described by the mayor as ongoing litigation; the executive session was set for later in the meeting and listed no action to be taken.

The council meeting record shows staff will investigate the complaints and follow up with the residents who spoke, and the public safety committee will provide the police call history to council members for review.