Councilman Announces 'Street Watch' Initiative
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The Rochester Police Department says its new cameras have been so successful in clearing drug dealers of off street corners, its pushed drug dealers into homes on side streets.
It's a problem one Rochester city councilman believes he may be able to solve.
Councilman Adam McFadden calls his initiative, 'Street Watch.'
It's a collaboration between residents, volunteer attorneys, the police department, and the city's law department.
Ideally, McFadden says 'Street Watch' would allow residents to bring quick civil lawsuits against drug dealers for violating the city's nuisance laws.
"The burden of proof is a lot different in civil court than it is in criminal court. So, that's why this is important. We're gonna arm citizens with the tools to really go after drug dealing in this community," McFadden said.
Some residents said they’d be afraid to file a civil suit against drug dealers for fear of retaliation.
Others said they believe ‘Street Watch’ can succeed if neighbors file the civil suits together.
McFadden hopes to have program details, like how to start a civil suit after calling 9-1-1, worked out by next month.
He says there will also be a community-wide training.