Afternoon News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on February 2, 2024
Batavia police closed Dellenger Ave this morning for an “Active Police Situation.” From the press release sent out by the Police Department at 7:15 this morning: The Batavia Police Department has the area of Dellinger Avenue closed off due to an active police situation. We are asking everyone to stay away from the area at this time. There is no active threat to the public. The Police Department is coordinating with the Batavia City School District and St. Paul Lutheran schools to ensure kids to get to school safely. The area has been reopened, although there will be a police presence in the area for an extended time. There is no threat to public safety at this time. More information will be released at a later time.
Get ready for springtime, Western New York! Dunkirk Dave, America’s second longest prognosticating groundhog, is predicting an early spring after not seeing his shadow this morning. He joins Punxsutawney Phil who also did not see his shadow with an early spring prediction. According to his handler, Bob Will, Dave’s accuracy rate is 90%.
Amazon will no longer allow police to request video from Ring doorbell cameras on its neighborhood watch app. The app’s “Request for Assistance” tool is being removed. The change will now take away the simple tool, which helped authorities as they physically investigated an area. Police can still go door to door an ask for permission to view their camera footage. If residents don’t cooperate, police can still obtain video through a subpoena or reservation order, but that adds time to the investigative process. Police say this is a step backwards in use of the technology.
The Police Accountability Board in Rochester recommended several police reforms Thursday, including recommendations for the Rochester Police Department’s responses to protests and mass gatherings. The suggestions of the PAB are that Police officers should not have discretion on deploying certain weapons and tactics, as well as mandate every officer who responds to a protest or mass gathering has a body-worn camera. The group also wants clear guidance on when RPD requests mutual aid from neighboring law enforcement agencies. The board will be submitting its recommendations to city leaders, who can then give their feedback.
A Buffalo Public Schools teacher and coach is getting a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas. James Damon has been gifted tickets to the big game by Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Damon, who works at the Emerson School of Hospitality, is credited with saving a woman’s life by using CPR on her after she was in a crash on Interstate 190 in December. Damon says he hopes his story encourages everyone to be CPR certified.
Tesla is recalling over two-million vehicles over claims the warnings lights on its display panel are too small. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall, saying it found the issue during a routine audit. The agency said the small font on its warning lights could increase crash risks by making it harder to read “critical safety information.” Tesla said it doesn’t know of any injuries or crashes caused by the problem. Owners will not have to bring their vehicles in because it will be fixed through an over-the-air software update.