Nearly two months after several Franklin Avenue businesses experienced a spree of vandalism, it happened again. On Aug. 2, a paving stone was thrown through a front window of Garden City Pizza, causing more than $4,100 in damage.
According to police reports, the Garden City Detective Division commenced an investigation into the matter and developed a possible suspect involved. On Aug. 4, at approximately 11 p.m., based on information supplied by witnesses in the business community and information they had already gathered, the Garden City Detectives arrested a 15-year-old male for this offense on Seventh Street. The youth was charged with Felony Criminal Mischief and issued an appearance ticket to appear at Family Court and released to his parents.
The latest incident comes after a similar occurrence over Memorial Day weekend when vandals threw a brick through the front window of Garden City Pizza and destroyed property of several other businesses on Franklin Avenue, according to police. Garden City Pizza owner Greg Bavaro spoke to Garden City Life after an arrest was made in the Aug. 2 crime. “I was thrilled and proud of the Garden City Police to their speedy response to everything…I hope an example is made and I hope he will pay for the window,” Bavaro said.
Police Commissioner Ernest Cipullo said in a statement: “This case is a good example of the cooperation between the police department and the business community in addressing serious incidents and quality of life issues that affect the community.”
As a result of the increase in vandalism at his store, Bavaro says he has been pricing surveillance systems that range in the amount of $6,000 to $7,000. “We hope to install as early as next month…We will have every inch of the perimeter covered.” He went on to say that he would encourage the board of trustees to consider installing video cameras in the village. “I’m not the only one who has these problems. I know several of the other residents and business owners on Seventh Street are disgusted with what’s going on. I mean the cops are really doing their best…but if you have constant surveillance when something happens, it’s pretty cut and dried. You just go back and watch,” Bavaro said.
In response to the acts of vandalism over Memorial Day weekend, Trustee Dennis Donnelly encouraged the board to consider installing surveillance cameras in the village at the following board meeting. “We have to stop this nonsense,” Donnelly said, adding, “As most of you know, I am a big proponent of security cameras, but I think we owe it to the business district to have some monitors on the street.”
Bavaro advocated his support for Donnelly’s suggestion and hopes the board carries forth with the initiative. “I will do everything I can as a taxpayer to support him [Donnelly] on the effort because I think it’s definitely necessary at this point.”
