Wayne County Life

Dear Neighbors,

   Correction Officer Week is May 1-7 and Police Officer Week is May 15-21. These are special times to recognize the extraordinary contributions to public safety made by the Correction Officers of the Sheriff’s Office Jail Facility, Deputy Sheriffs of our Police Services Division, and all the town, village and state Police Officers that protect and serve all of us in Wayne County, our state and nation. If you know or see a Correction Officer or Police Officer, please thank them for their dedicated service to your safety. 

   May starts our community festivals with the Williamson Apple Blossom Festival May 12-15, Armed Forces Days at the Wayne County Fairgrounds (organized by the Palmyra American Legion) on May 21 and 22, and the Fairville Fire Department Field Days May 19-21. 

   Starting May 6 and running through June 5, deputies will patrol for the “Click It or Ticket” Highway Safety Program. If deputies find you on the road unbuckled anytime or anywhere, you can expect to get a ticket, not a warning. No excuses and no exceptions. Please, buckle up and encourage your loved ones to do the same. I want to save lives, not give tickets!

   The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 30 netted 344 pounds of old or unused prescription medication at nine sites around Wayne County. The Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Police Chiefs Association, WayneNet and NYSP worked on this initiative in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The prescription medication is turned over to the DEA for disposal.

   Crime Tip: Do not leave your medication visible in your home or car. Storing your medication in a secure place and out of sight reduces the opportunity for someone to steal or misuse it.

   In March, 189 males and 38 females (227 total) were committed to the jail facility, 224 court transports, 13,321 inmate meals were served and $93,165 was collected from 63 inmates released on bail. Inmates worked a total of 1,754 hours of labor in laundry, facility cleaning and food service. Court Security Officers cleared 4,476 people entering the Hall of Justice through the magnetometer, securing 165 weapons (knives, razors, and scissors). Deputies traveled 137,888 miles on patrol, investigating 99 motor vehicle accidents, 9 missing persons, 18 animal complaints, 1,938 miscellaneous complaints, 385 minor crimes, 8 major crimes and 9 fires totaling 3,132 complaints received. Deputies issued 475 traffic tickets, 11 DWIs and made 72 criminal arrests. The Records Office processed 58 pistol permit applications and 53 pistol permit amendments requiring a Brady Check. The Civil Office served 243 legal papers and 96 Family Court orders, handled 3 evictions, received $137,073.78 and paid out $135,241.17 to creditors. $14,742.65 was remitted to Wayne County Treasurer Thomas Warnick for the county’s General Fund.

   In April, deputies held a Boater Safety Class at the Newark High School with 40 individuals being certified for the course, Operation Safe Child issued IDs to 100 students at the Lyons Community Center and Sodus Elementary School, spoke about Bike Safety to 450 students at Ontario Elementary, 300 students at Ontario Primary School and 300 students at Freewill Elementary (Walworth) and 150 students at the North Rose – Wolcott Elementary School. Deputies met with Boy Scouts at the Sheriff’s Office Ontario Sub-Station on law enforcement and at the Red Creek Elementary School on Bullying. There was also a car seat inspection at the Macedon FD were 25 child car seats were inspected and deputies replaced 18 seats that failed. Training topics instructed to the Correction Officers, Court Security Officers, Deputy Sheriffs and police agencies were Suicide Prevention, Crisis Intervention and CPR – AED. 

   Sergeant Investigator Alan Graham completed 20 years of service last month. I salute him for his service.

   Please contact me at 315.946.5797 or bvirts@co.wayne.ny.us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Sincerely,

Sheriff, Wayne County