Fellow Residents;
I'm writing to bring your attention to some basic safety issues we face. One is aimed at all residents and one at parents with children in our school system.
Hastings is a safe village with little of the violent crime or robbery experienced elsewhere. That does not mean that we don't have our share of problems, though many of them are easily avoided. I want to touch on what we can all do to avoid problems.. Since June 1st, we have had a spate of personal items being stolen from vehicles, most parked on the street. In over 85% of these cases, the car was unlocked and easily accessed. A crew of thieves responsible for some recent car thefts was arrested and indicated they focused solely on unlocked cars. The simple act of locking your car when you step away could greatly reduce this sort of petty larceny. Similarly, we recently had a spate of home burglaries. In almost all cases, access was through doors or windows left unlocked. Just locking up will discourage the
vast majority of opportunistic thieves seeking a quick burglary.
I don't think any of us want to feel unsafe or concerned about ourselves or our property. And, for the most part, we don't need to. But taking these two basic precautions will cut crime significantly and leave you safer. Our Police Department will be carrying out an education campaign in the upcoming weeks. You'll hear more details about that in an upcoming email.
Now, a request to parents. Halloween is right around the corner. Please find a letter attached from Chief of Police Bloomer. Halloween, lately, has become something more than just a holiday for young children, with far more petty mischief that has resulted in damage to property and real worry to a number of people. That's not right, and I heartily endorse the Chief's request that parents impose a 9PM curfew on their children on Sunday, October 31st. It's a school night, and there's no reason large groups of older children need to be out then. Furthermore, those caught damaging property or throwing eggs will be arrested. Halloween does not give special privilege to break the law. We shouldn't have to stand for that, and we urge parents (especially of teenagers) to share that sentiment as well with
their children.
Ultimately, we're primarily responsible for our own safety. The police can only react and deter: but we can help prevent crime by taking basic safety precautions.
Peter Swiderski
Mayor
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