Mayor Kraham Announces Results Of Quality-of-Life Blitz

Mayor Kraham Announces Results Of North Side Public Safety, Quality-Of-Life Blitz

- City Deploys Extra Resources To Doubleday Street Neighborhood Following Shots Fired Incident -

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) - Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Tuesday announced the results of an ongoing effort by the City to improve public safety and quality of life in the North Side neighborhood around Doubleday Street following a shots-fired incident earlier this spring.

Mayor Kraham said: "Binghamton residents deserve to live in neighborhoods where they feel safe, with private properties and public spaces that are cared for and well maintained. With increasing public safety concerns on Doubleday Street, City Hall has responded with a focused, cross-departmental approach that's investing resources and attention where they're most needed. In a short time, the neighborhood is seeing real results. My thanks to the City employees from Police, Code Enforcement, Public Works, Zoning and the Fire Marshal's Office who devoted additional time and resources to help drive positive change in this neighborhood."

On April 7, Mayor Kraham directed multiple City departments to focus extra attention on a two-block area around Doubleday Street.

The directive came after a shots-fired incident on April 4 resulted in multiple residences on the street struck by gunfire. Responding officers had found several spent handgun caliber shell casings in the area, and an investigation determined multiple suspects had fired rounds at a passing vehicle.

On May 6, Police charged a 16-year-old male with attempted murder, criminal use of a firearm and other felony offenses in the incident. The investigation remains active.

To date, results of the City's cross-departmental response to the incident include the following:

Police

The Binghamton Police Department has allocated additional resources to the area through the Broome County Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Taskforce and the Community Response Team (CRT), including additional foot and bike patrols.

In the patrol post that includes Doubleday Street, SIU has made 16 arrests since April 7, including for 14 felony charges. The task force has also seized a significant amount of narcotics in the area, including: 13.2 grams of fentanyl, 192.8 grams of methamphetamine, 1.3 grams of cocaine and 98 grams of marijuana.

Police also conducted an investigation into untaxed cigarette sales at the Alaska Mart on the corner of Doubleday and Chenango streets. Investigators located 61 packs of unstamped cigarettes and $1,415 in suspected illegal proceeds. One individual was charged with criminal tax fraud 5th and possession/transport of unstamped cigarettes for sale.

Separately, an investigation by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) resulted in the State seizing illicit cannabis and ordering the business closed last month.

Code Enforcement, Zoning, Fire Marshal's Office

A code sweep in the area resulted in 52 properties cited for violations, including trash and garbage, broken windows, junk vehicles, peeling paint and damaged siding.

Four commercial properties were also issued zoning citations for illegal signage.

The Fire Marshal's Office, charged with inspecting commercial buildings in the City, visited storefronts and other businesses in the area to ensure compliance with fire safety and prevention requirements.

The Mayor's Office sent a letter to residents in the neighborhood in April informing them of increased enforcement actions and available resources, including grant funds for home repairs. The City is working with non-profit partners on additional outreach to connect residents with funding and other assistance.

Public Works

The Department of Public Works deployed street sweepers and clean-up crews to the area, with a focus on public spaces.