Interview with Batavia PD Chief Shawn Heubusch. We will be talking at 10:30 a.m. about the killing of George Floyd and the events, both nationally and locally, that have followed.
Retired dispatcher, who started his career with Batavia Police Department 30 years ago today, was honored by members of the force for his service to the department and continued support of its mission.
Photos by Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.
Shortly, we will be live in an interview with Shawn Heubusch, Batavia's chief of police.
Press release:
In an effort to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) the following precautions will be implemented at the City of Batavia Police Department, effective immediately:
- Police Headquarters located at 10 W. Main St. will remain locked at all times. Anyone responding to the police station can utilize the phone in the vestibule, which will contact our dispatch center at all times.
- If you are in need of a copy of a report please contact our Records Clerk at 585-345-6303 before responding to the Station, you will be given directions on how to proceed with your request at that time.
- If you need to report a crime that has already occurred or simply want to speak with an officer, we ask that you contact our dispatch center at 585-345-6350. The dispatchers will obtain your information and an officer will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
- If you have an emergency call 9-1-1 immediately and officers will be dispatched to you.
- We ask that if you can do so to please meet the officers outside and speak with them rather than the officers coming into your home.
- Officers will be practicing “social distancing” techniques as advised by the County’s Health Department.
These measures are to ensure that we can adequately respond to emergencies and to help safeguard both the public and the police officers from accidental exposure to the virus. Please see the Genesee County Public Health Department website for additional information about the COVID-19 virus.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these difficult days together. Rest assured the City of Batavia; the Police Department and its employees are ready to aid in any way possible to ensure that our community remains safe at all times.
Todd Crossett spent 22 years with the Batavia Police Department, most recently as assistant Chief of Police. He's retiring and taking a job at the VA Center. We spoke with him briefly at his retirement party today.
Batavia police officers received delivery of cookies and milk, donated by Batavia's Original, yesterday afternoon from the local GORUCK club.
Rucking combines strength and cardio training. It is walking with weighted ruck backpacks.
Photo: Officer Wes Rissinger, Officer Miah Stevens, and the Dentino family, Gabrial, 2, with his father Colin, Ryan, 7, and Maria. Colin and Maria participate in GORUCK events.
Press release:
This morning at approximately 6:45 City of Batavia Police officers were dispatched to a report of a burglary alarm at a business in the Eastown Plaza. Two officers, in separate marked patrol cars, responded to the alarm and were traveling eastbound on East Main Street.
As the patrol car in the lead approached the intersection of East Main and Liberty Street, it entered the intersection with lights and sirens activated and had a steady green light. A vehicle traveling north on Liberty Street failed to stop for a steady red light and entered the intersection.
The officer attempted to avoid the vehicle but was unsuccessful.
The northbound vehicle struck the patrol car causing it to travel across the westbound lane and over the curb, striking a tree and coming to rest on the parkway and sidewalk area. The other vehicle then struck another uninvolved vehicle.
The officer operating the marked patrol car was taken to UMMC’s Emergency Room to be evaluated and was released with a minor injury. There were no other injuries reported as a result of the collision.
The accident is currently under investigation and we will advise of any charges.
As "Movember" comes to a close, members of the Batavia Police Department presented a donation of $2,215 to Genesee Cancer Assistance.
During November, officers were allowed to grow facial hair so long as they paid "fines" to Genesee Cancer Assistance.
Female members of the department also made donations and the Police Benevolent Association made a sizable donation, too.
A longtime Batavia resident is calling upon the City of Batavia to take responsibility for “destroying my home and hindering me mentally and physically” in the aftermath of Monday’s 20-hour standoff at his Liberty Street residence.
“I am a victim of this,” said David Zanghi, 66, who lives in the downstairs apartment at 209 Liberty St. “The only ones who caused damage to my house were the police. They were very non-caring.”
Zanghi was forced to evacuate his downstairs apartment when City Police responded to a domestic disturbance call around 1:18 p.m. Monday.
According to dispatch reports, the caller said an intoxicated male hit a female and was in possession of a sword.
When police arrived, they saw that the male, later identified as Daniel Wolfe, 45, had barricaded himself inside his apartment upstairs and began shooting at officers with a pellet (BB) rifle.
The standoff continued until around 9:30 in the morning on Tuesday, finally coming to an end when Wolfe exited the residence and surrendered to City Police Det. Sgt. Kevin Czora.
During the standoff, City Police were assisted by several other agencies, including the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office; Orleans County SWAT; State Police troopers; negotiators; drone unit; K-9 unit; and SORT teams; the NYS DEC K-9 Unit; Monroe County Crisis Negotiating Team; Genesee County Emergency Management; Genesee County Dispatch Center; City Fire Department; and Mercy EMS.
Wolfe sustained self-inflicted injuries and was transported for treatment to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Currently, he is in Genesee County Jail.
While the suspect faces multiple charges, Zanghi, who is on dialysis waiting a kidney transplant and suffers from emotional and physical ailments, now is staying with a relative in the City due to the damage done to his residence.
“They destroyed my house … busted all the windows, my clothes are shot because of the tear gas. I may be able to get the couch fixed. It’s ridiculous what they did to me,” he said.
Zanghi reported that his landlord, Duane Preston, has promised him another apartment in mid-December.
“Duane has been good to me,” he said. “He even gave me my rent check back for the month.”
Zanghi also said that he is upset that no one from the City has contacted him about the possibility of receiving some victim assistance support, and plans to confront City Council and management at the next City Council meeting on Monday (Nov. 25).
City officials, however, did respond to a request from The Batavian for a comment in light of Zanghi’s grievances.
“While the City sympathizes with Mr. Zanghi as an innocent bystander to the events that unfolded Tuesday, November 18th, there is no specific assistance that the City can offer,” Assistant City Manager Rachael J. Tabelski said.
“In any type of emergency response situation there will be unintended consequences, however the city is not liable for the damage. There are many organizations and individuals that volunteer to help residents in need, and I am hopeful Mr. Zanghi will find relief through these individuals and organizations.”
Zanghi said that his sister, Mary Ellen Wilber, who splits her time between New Jersey and Batavia, will represent him at the meeting.
Contacted by phone this afternoon, Wilber said she is “disgusted” over the City’s lack of action despite being contacted numerous times about Wolfe’s violent behavior.
“I will be there to advocate for my brother, who has called police at least seven times over the past year, year and a half, about this guy,” she said. “He’s an alcoholic who has harmed the woman (girlfriend). All those times David called and it’s all for naught.”
Wilber said law enforcement’s actions have “traumatized” her brother, who is on a fixed income and under the care of the VA Medical Center.
“He had to go to the hospital to get his medicine because all of his pills, along with his clothes and bedding, were contaminated.
“They shot tear gas canisters into David’s downstairs apartment, knowing the guy was upstairs,” she said. “They destroyed his apartment.”
Wilber said she also questions the way the situation was handled and the cost to the City.
“I was told that the police said they were using this as a tactical exercise,” she said. “It should have never gone on this long. They could have used a Taser instead of attacking him with a dog. The cost to the City is going to be very high. They could have done things in a much better way.”
Photos by Howard Owens.
David Zanghi points to a window broken by police actions.
David Zanghi said a CS gas canister apparently exploded in his bedroom. He's pointing to all the medicine on his dresser that the VA had to replace for him. He said he has expensive suits, including a $1,500 tux, that now reek of tear gas and he's not sure they can be properly cleaned.
Press release:
The Batavia Police Department and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office has received an armored rescue vehicle from the U.S. Government’s 1033 program.
The program allows for departments across the nation to receive surplus military vehicles, for free, to use in special operations.
The vehicle received is called an MRAP, which stands for Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected. The vehicle was designed to withstand improvised explosive devices and ambush attacks. Due to its larger size, heavyweight, and big tires, it is also a perfect vehicle to use during flood situations and natural disasters.
The departments will take possession of the vehicle today and will begin retrofitting it with the necessary equipment to include paint, decals, lights/sirens, seating, and communications to make it suitable for law enforcement use.
The departments plan to use the vehicle for a multitude of duties to include, rescue operations during floods or natural disasters and high-risk law enforcement activities such as active threats/warrant executions, throughout the county.
This new addition will allow the departments to provide better protection to citizens in natural disaster situations and also protect officers who are involved in higher-risk law enforcement activities.
The Batavia Police Department and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office are proud to have this vehicle which better prepares the City of Batavia and Genesee County for any threat, both natural and man-made.
Previously:
For the first time, the annual National Night Out, an event of the Batavia Police Department, was held at City Church's St. Anthony's.
Below: A bonus short video of firefighters hoisting a stokes basket.
Chief Shawn Heubusch welcomed three new police officers to the Batavia PD force today.
Adam Tucker, Alec Roberts, and Jordan McGinnis are ready to begin field training after being sworn in this morning at City Hall.
Batavia PD may yet once again have a working police dog and on Monday, Police Chief Shawn Heubusch updated the City Council on efforts to reinstitute the program.
The effort includes receiving donations and seeking funds from Homeland Security.
It's been 20 years since Batavia PD had a working K-9 officer.
If approved, a resolution presented to the Council on Monday would create a K-9 fund in order for the Batavia Police Department to accept donations and funds from the federal government for a canine purchase, training and associated costs.
The K-9 program’s approximately $23,000 price tag was broken down by Heubusch. He explained to Council members that it will cost $10,000 to purchase the dog and $5,000 to train the canine and its police officer over the course of several weeks.
“During the regular workday, we’ll give the officer the allotted time for their training,” Heubusch said. “On off-days, we’ll have to compensate the officer for that. We do have some sample MOAs with some different unions to cover that.”
Additional expenses include $5,500 to purchase a vehicle designed to carry the canine, $2,500 for food and veterinarian bills, and $500 for incidentals and supplies.
Heubusch said the K-9 program will be like a specialized tool with a warranty. Beyond regular duties, the officer who receives specialty K-9 training would be called to respond when a police dog is needed for investigations.
“The officer is not dedicated to K-9 duty 100-percent of the time,” Heubusch said. “They would be on the road just like any other officer would be assigned to a patrol zone. We don’t have the luxury of just being able to dedicate an officer to that duty.”
Council President Eugene Jankowski said that, on occasion, the canine may be called for investigations that are not in the City of Batavia. Although it most likely would not happen often, the canine and its owner would be prepared to respond at non-city locations.
BPD is working on an agreement with the Homeland Security Investigation Federal Asset Forfeiture Program to defray some of the canine and training costs. Federal funding is not currently available due to high demand for border patrol canines.
Based on the positive feedback Heubusch received from Council members, this proposed resolution may receive approval at the August business meeting, which would allow BPD to be prepared for the K-9 program when federal funding is ready.
Previously: Batavia seeks Federal funds to bring back a K-9 patrol to the city
Press release:
The Police Department wishes to welcome Officer Miah Stevens and Officer Peter Post Jr. to the Department.
Both Officers recently completed their field training and have been assigned to the road patrol.
Officer Stevens is a 2013 graduate of Pembroke High School and then attended Genesee Community College and SUNY Brockport where she majored in Criminal Justice. She completed her Basic Police Academy at Niagara University having graduated this past February. Officer Stevens’ stepfather works for the City of Batavia in the Water Department, she has three brothers and sisters.
Officer Post attended GCC after earning his High School Diploma in 2015. He is a 2018 graduate of the Rural Police Training Academy at GCC. Officer Post then began his career with the villages of Perry and Warsaw Police Departments as a part-time police officer. His father is a retired Police Detective and his mother a retired New York State Trooper. Officer Post has three brothers and sisters.
“We wish to welcome Officer Stevens and Officer Post to the City of Batavia and the Police Department,” said Chief Shawn Heubusch. “They are both wonderful additions to the police force and extremely community oriented.”
Press release:
Youth Detective Rich Schauf retired today after 32 years of dedicated service to the City of Batavia and City of Batavia Police Department.
Schauf started his law enforcement career in June of 1983 as a Jailor at the Genesee County Jail. He was hired by the City of Batavia Police Department on Jan. 25, 1987, and promoted to Youth Detective on Oct. 20, 2003.
Schauf spent the majority of a career dedicated to the youth of the City. He was an integral part in the creation of several organizations designed to provide support services to the youth of the community.
A luncheon was held at City Hall to honor Schauf ’s 32 years of service and to wish him well in his retirement.
It's been about two decades since Batavia PD had a dog patrolling the city with a qualified handler, but that could change if Federal asset forfeiture funds become available.
Chief Shawn Heubusch is asking the City Council to approve a memo of understanding with Homeland Security for the Federal agency to pay for the purchase and training of a K-9 and handler to work in the City of Batavia.
The new K-9 and its handler would be a member of the Batavia police force but on-call if Homeland Security needed K-9 officers for an operation.
Once the MOU is signed, it becomes a waiting game for funds to become available. Currently, by executive order, President Donald Trump is diverting asset forfeiture funds to the construction of a wall along a portion of the Southern U.S. border.
"This is just the very first step," Heubusch said. "This is not an imminent thing. We’re not going to have a K-9 next week. We’re not going to have a K-9 next month. This is something to get in line for the funding."
Under the terms of the agreement, once the funds become available, Homeland Security to cover the estimated $15,000 in purchase and training costs. The city would be responsible for any other costs associated with a K-9, such as outfitting a patrol car, leashes, food, and veterinary care.
Heubusch said he anticipates setting up a fund to receive donations from the community, much as the Sheriff's Office has done, to cover the additional K-9 costs.
While the Sheriff's Office is soon to have two K-9s on duty, and the Department of Environmental Conservation and State Police have K-9s in the area that sometimes assists local law enforcement, a K-9 in the City of Batavia would greatly enhance the Batavia PDs capabilities, Heubusch said.
"We have a great relationship with all of those agencies and they’ve all helped us out in the past, but you’re talking about response time to get to a situation," Heubusch said. "So if there’s a child missing or if there’s an elderly person missing, that’s time that is ticking away."
The last K-9 officer in the city was Ed Mileham, now retired, now a fire chief in Indian Falls.
According to Heubusch, Mileham was taken off of K-9 duty when police unions across the state challenged the lack of overtime pay for K-9 handlers because the officers are often called upon to care for their animals while not officially on duty.
Police departments across the state, Heubusch said, took their K-9s out of service at that point rather than pay overtime.
If Batavia gets a new K-9, Heubusch told the council that Batavia will follow the example of the Sheriff's Office in providing handlers with time to care for their animals as part of their normal duty shifts.
Mileham said he supports Batavia trying to bring back K-9 patrols and noted, as have other police officers over the years, that "bad guys don't like K-9s."
Heubusch agreed.
"If you go to a scene and there’s a K-9 on scene, there’s a different demeanor from somebody you’re dealing with," Heubusch said.
Batavia's K-9 will be a patrol dog -- not specifically a drug dog or a bomb dog but a general patrol dog.
"It’s all about being able to provide the best service to the community that we possibly can," Heubusch said. "K-9s can be used in patrol interdiction, to get drugs off the street; they can be used in finding people, if you’ve got a lost loved one or somebody that wandered away, you can do tracking with them.
"If you look at (alarms), we respond to numerous burglary alarms in buildings. It takes two or three officers quite a while to clear a building. A K-9 can do it in a fraction of the time at a fraction of the risk."
Retired Police Officer Frank Klimjack, who put in 21 and a half years of service, was honored by the Batavia City Council on Monday night with a proclamation from the City.
Officer Frank Klimjack called out of service for the last time this afternoon, ending more than 20 years with Batavia PD and 28 and a half years total working in law enforcement in the state.
The Buffalo native served in the military before taking a job with the state parks police in New York City. From there he transferred to Long Island, then Western New York, and then decided Batavia was a good place in the middle of Western New York to settle in and call home.
"I've had a good long career and I'm leaving on a high note," Klimjack said. "I could have done a few more years but just the way things worked out, it’s a good time to go."
He's loved living and working in Batavia, he said.
"It’s a great place to work," Klimjack said. "It’s a great community. It’s got its up and downs just like any community but it’s a good solid community. A great place to raise kids."
Klimjack and his wife have bought a home in Tennessee and will relocate there soon and he told us with a smile, "I’ll be down in Tennessee spending my New York State pension and paying a lot less in taxes.”
Press release:
The National Weather Service – Buffalo has issued a high wind warning in effect from 7 a.m., Sunday, to 10 a.m., Monday, for Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Jefferson, Erie, Genesee and Chautauqua counties. Winds will be out of the west between 35-45 mph and perceived gusts up to 75 mph.
Strong winds will bring down trees, power lines and may result in power outages in the area for many days. Shallow-rooted pine trees, in particular, may be vulnerable. Property damage is also possible, especially to roofs and siding. Traveling in high profile vehicles will be very difficult at times, and empty tractor-trailers may be in danger of being blown off the road.
Winds over 58 mph will make driving difficult and could result in property damage, including downed trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are expected. Homeowners should secure loose objects.
The City of Batavia, including the Batavia Police Department, City of Batavia Fire Department and the Department of Public Works would like to remind everyone: In the event of an extended power outage, it may disrupt the community and the economy -- disrupt communications, water and transportation.
- If phone lines are down, use social media to texting to let others know you are OK.
- Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks, and other services.
- Cause food spoilage and water contamination. If you have a water supply (such as a well-water pump system) that could be affected by a power outage, fill your bathtub and spare containers with water. The water in the bathtub should be used for sanitation purposes only. You can pour a bucket of this water directly into the toilet bowl to flush it.
- Prevent the use of medical devices.
During a power outage please remember to:
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. (A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours if kept closed. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer.)
- Maintain food supplies that do not require refrigeration.
- Only use generators outdoors and away from windows. (Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.)
- Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
- Be sure to have a flashlight with spare batteries on hand. Do not use candles or any other source with an open flame for lighting.
- Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools, and toys.
- Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
- Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
- Have alternate plans to refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices. Check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage.
- Let the fire department know that you are dependent on life-support devices.
- If safe, go to an alternate location for heat or cooling.
- Check on neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
- Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume downed power lines are live.
- If a traffic light is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
- Fully charge your cellphone, laptop and other electronic devices.
- Keep your car’s gas tank full. Pumps at gas stations may not work during a power outage.
- Follow instructions from public safety officials.
- Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies including:
- Downed power lines
- If you are dependent on equipment that requires electricity and you need medical assistance.
- DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 to report an outage or to ask about power restoration.
- Continue to pay attention to local weather forecasts and bulletins issued by the National Weather Service on local radio stations.
The Batavia Police Department can be reached at 585-345-6350; the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370.
From the City of Batavia Police Department:
The following people are wanted on warrants issued out of Batavia City Court. If you have any information on the whereaboute of these subjects, please contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350.
Do not make any attempt to apprehend these individuals on your own.
If you have an active warrant and want to avoid ending up on a WANTED list like this, the Batavia Police Department would be more than happy to assist you on resolving the warrant.
Ahdeosun "Nunu" Aiken, 20
Charges(s): Second-degree criminal contempt.
Notes: Wanted for allegedly violating an order of protection. Additional pending charge of third-degree bail jumping.
Nicole Casey, 25
Charge(s): Petit larceny
Notes: Wanted for allegedly shoplifting.
Heyward Clark Jr., 54
Charge(s): Multiple counts of third-degree burglary.
Notes: Wanted for allegedly forcefully breaking into several properties and stealing property.
Aisha Culver, 20
Charge(s): Aggravated unlicensed operator
of a motor vehicle
in the third degree; operating with suspended registration; operating without inspection "and additional."
Carey Culverhouse, 59
Charge(s): First-degree assault
Notes: Wanted for allegedly stabbing another person.
Allen Jerome Davis, 37
Charge(s): Sex offender registry
Notes: Wanted for allegedly moving out of his registered address without notice and without providing a new address.
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