Chautauqua County Legislator Elisabeth Rankin, R-Jamestown, is pictured with Tim Jackson, Jamestown police chief and public safety director; Capt. Scott Forster of the Jamestown Police Department; and Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone.

Several dozen residents recently attended the Public Safety Night hosted by County Legislator Elisabeth Rankin to hear County Sheriff James Quattrone, Jamestown Police Chief Timothy Jackson, and Jamestown Police Captain Scott Forster discuss community safety.

“These safety nights are an opportunity to have open dialogue between residents and law enforcement,” Rankin said.

This year’s was the third public safety night hosted by Rankin.

The panel discussed the frustrations created by New York’s so-called bail reform, which eliminated bail for more than 400 crimes and created a situation where police are forced to “catch and release” criminals before their paperwork is even finished. Many offenders are let back out on the streets and rearrested shortly thereafter for other crimes. Jackson said they arrested one person more than once in one day.

Rankin noted that while the courts should take into consideration that not everyone can afford bail, judges need more discretion to hold repeat and more serious offenders when appropriate.

Sheriff Quattrone talked enthusiastically about the new IGNITE program at the Chautauqua County Jail. IGNITE is a program designed to give inmates education, GED preparation, vocational training and skills to help them become productive, law abiding residents once they are released from jail, thereby reducing recidivism.

Regarding neighborhood safety, Jackson and Forster encouraged the public to call the police whenever they see anything out of the ordinary. The police will respond as soon as possible to investigate and assess the situation. Motion lights, doorbell cameras and locked doors certainly help.

Jackson said with the holidays approaching, residents should bring porch deliveries in right away or ask for neighbors’ help to get them off the porch.

Residents can enhance neighborhood safety by getting to know neighbors, communicate with neighbors and keep track of people frequenting the area. One example given is the Northside Facebook Group where participants report suspicious behavior along with missing pets and animal sightings.

As a wrap up, the panel encouraged the attendees to communicate with law enforcement when there are concerns or questions, stay in touch with neighbors and watch out for each other.

Several residents complimented the Jamestown Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department for their excellent service, quick response, and dedicated officers.