And large seizures of fentanyl and cocaine drove spikes in seizures of the drugs, not the usage.

From 2023 to 2024 fentanyl seizures decreased in the city.

In 2023 there were 9,384 grams of fentanyl seized by the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force which is a unit inside the Jamestown Police Department, and in 2024 the task force seized 1,090.5 grams of fentanyl.

Then in 2025, the task force seized 1,303.40 grams of fentanyl which is a 19.52 percent increase from 2024.

The plaza, at Harrison at South Main streets, is in the top incident locations in the City of Jamestown, as reported by the Jamestown Police Department in its 2025 report.

Those figures were released in JPD’s 2025 annual report.

“The reason the fentanyl seizure was so large in 2023 was there was one search warrant that yielded a very large amount of fentanyl whereas in 2024 there was no such seizure,” said interim Police Chief Scott Forster. “That is the same reason for the increase in 2025 with the increase in fentanyl as well as the large increase in cocaine seizure in 2025. There were large seizures at a time, not so many smaller seizures.”

Forster said with the increase in cocaine specifically, it is a result of multiple cocaine specific cases that did not include other narcotics.

“Much of this depends on information provided to our officers for an investigation. I don’t think it is attributed to a specific trend as the different types of narcotics are not going away, it is more based on specific investigations from information we receive,” Forster added.

In a related matter, in 2025 JPD responding to overdose calls for service decreased by 39.68 percent compared to 2024, and decreased by 58.83 percent compared to the five-year average of 184.6 incidents. In 2024 there were 126 overdose calls and 76 in 2025.

Forster said the availability and access to Narcan also known as naloxone has increased to where emergency services are not being called as often, and can also be the potency of the drugs that are available during that time.

“Sometimes when we see a large number of overdoses in a period of time it can be partially because of the potency of the narcotics,” Forster said.

The task force took over as the primary unit to investigate drug investigations in the City of Jamestown in 2012. In 2014, the town of Ellicott Police Department joined in the effort to address narcotic issues in the greater Jamestown area. The task force investigates narcotics cases assigned to them, conducts surveillance, and works with confidential informants. They also participate in the investigation of most major crimes in the City of Jamestown.

JPD’s K-9 Unit, JPD’s SWAT and other local, state, and federal partners, often assists the JMDTF. The JMDTF has recently been collaborating with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, in an effort to expand narcotics investigations affecting our community.

Task force major cases in 2025 include Jan. 8, Jan. 14, Jan. 21, Jan. 27, March 13, April 3, April 21, May 20, June 6, June 19, July 23, Sept. 26, Oct. 17, Oct. 22, and Nov. 13.

JPD is always looking for tips about criminal activity, guns, and narcotics activity. All calls and tips are kept strictly confidential. The anonymous tip line is (716) 483-8477.

FIREARMS

In 2025 there were 9 confirmed shootings, 7 shootings involving injuries or death, no victims injured, and no victims killed.

In 2025, gunshot complaint calls for service decreased by 7.84 percent compared to 2024, and decreased by 20.34 percent compared to the five-year average of 118 calls. In 2024 there were 102 calls while in 2025 there were 94.

Seizures of firearms by JPD, in 2025, decreased by 15.25 percent compared to 2024, and decreased by 19.61 percent compared to the five-year average of 62.2 firearms. In 2024 there were 59 firearms seized as evidence, and in 2025, 50 firearms were seized.

JPD saw in 2025, weapons law offenses decrease by 31.50 percent as compared to 2024, and decrease by 5.84 percent as compared to the five-year average of 92.4 offenses.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION UNIT

The Domestic Violence Intervention Unit in 2025 received 1,368 Domestic Violence Incident Reports that Jamestown Police Department officers took. Through Project Crossroads, the DVIU staff made over 1,000 follow-up contacts via phone calls and messages. Unit (DVIU) is responsible for facilitating the Chautauqua County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. This coalition implements a coordinated community response system to the epidemic of domestic violence while enhancing efficient delivery of services to victims. Through the coalition, staff have developed and implemented community awareness initiatives and events throughout Chautauqua County.

According to the report, JPD domestic incident calls for service decreased by 2.93 percent compared to 2024, and decreased by 6.68 percent compared to the five-year average of 2,021 calls. In 2024 there were 1,943 calls, and in 2025 there were 1,886 calls.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

The top accident intersections in 2025, the report revealed, were North Main at West Sixth streets, North Main at West Fifth streets, Washington at West Third streets, East Second at Winsor streets, and Washington at West Fifth streets.

“It is a very heavily trafficked intersection so there is more opportunity for accidents,” Forster said of North Main and Sixth streets. “Some of the factors can be distracted driving and disregarding traffic control devices. These are two common factors in a lot of our accident locations so with the amount of traffic passing through that intersection it is not surprising it was high up on the list for accident locations.”

There were 783 accidents requiring reports with 643 for property damage, and 140 for personal injury. There were 21 accidents involving pedestrians which required reports with 10 injuries and no deaths. There were 7 car/deer accidents with no deaths. The report said JPD Officers stop 4,201 vehicles in 2025, and officers issued 2,203 tickets.

The top 10 tickets issued in 2025 were third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle – 213 tickets; operating a motor vehicle without an inspection – 113 tickets; operating a motor vehicle with an unlicensed driver – 103 tickets; failure to stop at a stop sign – 98 tickets; operating a motor vehicle with no insurance – 77 tickets; driving while intoxicated – 75 tickets; passing a red light – 74 tickets; operating an unregistered motor vehicle – 68 tickets; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle – 54 tickets; and illegal signal – 50 tickets.

And recently, a city resident has asked the City Council to look into accidents that have happened near Fifth Street and the Fairmount Avenue bridge.

DECREASE IN CRIME

The report also said that in 2025, there was a 2.35 percent decrease in overall crime.

The report added that in 2025 total incident-based reporting offenses decreased by 7.96 percent compared to 2024, and decreased by 2.36 compared to the five-year average of 4,238 offenses. In 2024 there were 4,496 IBR offenses, and in 2025 there were 4,138 IBR offenses. Also in 2025, IBR arrests decreased by 30.78 percent compared to 2024, and decreased by 44.71 percent compared to the five-year average of 3,241 arrests. In 2024 there were 2,589 IBR arrests, and in 2025 there were 1,792 IBR arrests. The top locations for crime in the city included Crescent at Winsor streets near the Dollar General Store; North Main at East Sixth streets near 7-Eleven; North Main and East Fourth streets near the Wine Cellar; South Main and Harrison streets near the plaza, and Washington Street near Tops Market.

2026 OUTLOOK

And in late 2025, the Jamestown Police Department was the recipient of the NYS Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) grant funding which aims to improve the response to intimate partner abuse and domestic violence. The $309,815 in funding will be used by the JPD’s Domestic Violence Unit (Project Crossroads) to enhance its services to victims, as well as hold offenders of domestic violence accountable.

Recruitment remains a top priority within the JPD as the department will be implementing new initiatives in 2026 to attract more officers. The department has begun forming a recruitment team of volunteer officers motivated to bring career law enforcement officers to JPD. Also, in 2026 the Zone 13 training academy will also begin a Phase 1 and Phase 2 curriculum, which will lessen the financial burden placed on recruits as well as allow local agencies to sponsor and hire recruits sooner than previously.

Also in 2025, saw the retirement of K9 Officer Erik Kraft as well as Lt. Greg Wozneak. Lt. Matt Bentley left the department to take the position of Chief of Police in Lakewood, and Wozneak also accepted the position of Chief of Police in Westfield after his retirement before moving on to the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s as an investigator. In 2025 JPD welcomed five new officers to the ranks. Lucian Talbett, Nick Jones, Emma Hollenbeck, Chase Stevenson, and Jonathan Gomez-Martinez all began their law enforcement careers at JPD. Donna Giordan and Cathleen Reich were hired as civilian staff in 2025. The Jamestown Police Department indoor range is nearing completion after a much needed upgrade. Through the use of ARPA funds the department has a new, modern facility for training that can be used for many years to come.

To view the report, visit jamestownny.gov.