Vehicle Break-ins and Vandalism | ONGOING

Over the last few years and again more recently vehicles have been vandalized in the Upper Monroe area. On more than on occasion multiple vehicles have been affected during a single incident.

In no way should visitors of this page think the information contained here is comprehensive or complete. This page should be considered a point of entry. To plug into this effort please contact [email protected].

Background

Over the past few years many cars in the Rochester area (including Upper Monroe) have been vandalized. Hardly a week goes by without seeing a report of car break-ins and vandalism across the region - often in clusters. In the summer of 2023 dozens of cars were vandalized on one particular street in Upper Monroe on two occasions within a six week period. Sometimes a petty theft is involved. Sometimes the perpetrator is trying to steal the car and the vandalism is related to that act. But, often times, the vandalism just destructive act done for unknown reasons.

You might ask: "What about the police?"

When cars are vandalized the police are always called by the victim. Unfortunately, it's extremely rare to catch a vandal in the act. As a result, as a practical matter, all the police can do is provide a report. While a report is helpful in securing insurance money for a repair it doesn't address the myriad other impacts that typically result from the crime all of which end up contributing to a high emotional response and unbearable stress.

What you can do right now

Deputies warn of seasonal rise in car break-ins as weather warmsRochesterFirst

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Incident Timeline

• Multiple events of vandalism took place in multiple locations around Upper Monroe in 2023

• A particular event took place on August 2, 2024 in the Pinnacle Road - Field Street - Crosman Terrace vicinity. The vehicle had two broken windows and some paint scratches from the glass. The victim contacted the police and received a report immediately and then reached out to UMNA for support.

• Beginning late in 2024 and extending into early 2025 the incidents of vehicle vandalism jumped again.

Actions

• The victim was invited to an UMNA meeting to discuss the situation.

• Neighbors gathered on 2024 September 7: Discussion of Public Safety in the Pinnacle Rd Area

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2024 September Pinnacle Rd Public Safety NOTES and HANDOUTS.pdf

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• The UMNA Public Safety Task Force was established as a result of this remarkable gathering.

• This page was developed to track actions and report to the community.

• UMNA engaged in a series of emails to continue the conversation. Ideas included initiating a PAC-TAC team for Upper Monroe. A petition and other ideas were also discussed.

• After discussions we decided to hold an informal meeting to discussion ideas.

• Two additional residents of Upper Monroe successfully completed the RPD's Citizen's Police Academy course late in 2024.

• AUDIO RECORDING - Click on the file below to open and listen to an approximately 20 minute long audio recording from a public meeting hosted by NBN6 at the Olmstead Lodge on September 9, 2024.

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RPD_Nusiance_Vandals_Theft_recording_NBN6_090924.m4a

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• An UMNA PAC-TAC team has emerged with the expectation that the group will begin when the weather breaks in April, 2025. The group hopes to expand quickly as their activity grows.

• A community forum covering this topic and others in collaboration with the Emmanuel Baptist Church on Park Avenue (February, 2025). For information: 2025 February 3: Community Forum on Vehicle Vandalism/Theft, Homelessness & Other Concerns