Public protests vs. public safety concerns

SCHUYLER COUNTY--With the most recent arrests at the Crestwood gates coming Friday. Nov. 28, the number of people arrested at the site since late October stands at 73. As the arrests add up, Schuyler County Sheriff William Yessman said it puts a strain on the public safety resources in the county.
"When we receive a call from Crestwood, we respond," Yessman said. "It's not because we want to, it's because we have to, as it is our duty. When officers are tied up dealing with these arrests which takes about two hours, that is time they're not patrolling to prevent crime or enforce the vehicle and traffic laws."
Yessman said there are usually two patrols on duty per shift, adding if this pattern of frequent arrests becomes routine, criminals may begin to take advantage of the times when they know police are generally busy. He added last week, the sheriff's department arrested some 37 people, while adding the Schuyler County jail only holds 30 beds. He said it could cause budgetary issues if the county is forced to board inmates in other jails because of this.
Yessman said it is not true that if the department is taxed by the protesters, they would not be able to properly respond to an emergency situation at Crestwood.
"Nobody plans to crash their vehicle or plans be the victim of a serious crime, but we handled these situations as they arise," Yessman said. "What we are not prepared for every day is the deliberate and planned protests that result in arrests."
Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton said while he applauds the people who exercise their right to peacefully protest in public, he added "the protesters have chosen to take it a step further than just assembling." He said if governmental agencies need additional resources to maintain public safety and enforce the laws they must do so. Swinnerton said there is nothing wrong with the ideals or beliefs of the protesters, but added "we must ensure public safety and private property is protected," when assembling.
"My biggest hope is that no one gets hurt by creating a safety hazard for themselves or to others as they assemble," Swinnerton said.
The Watkins Glen village board had previously discussed issues with protesters parking their vehicles in the cemetery across the street from the facility, adding the parking is for cemetery use only.
Co-founder of Gas Free Seneca Joseph Campbell said the protesters are not a risk to public safety, adding it is the sheriff's responsibility to decide where his deputies need to be. He questioned if the protesters stopping a truck from entering the facility constitutes as an emergency, adding the protesters will wait all day if the county would be better served with the deputies being elsewhere.
"The protesters are peaceful, disciplined and respectful of law enforcement," Campbell said. "They themselves pose no risk to the public."
Campbell questioned why the maximum sentence of 15 days in jail are being handed down to those who refuse to pay the fine for trespassing when a lighter sentence would save the taxpayers money. He said the sheriff's department would have more financial resources at their disposal had Crestwood not sued for a tax assessment reduction.
"Sheriff Yessman deserves to get all the resources he needs," Campbell said. "Schuyler County faces a shortfall of tax revenue due to the $7 million dollar tax assessment reduction Crestwood sued for and won. This puts the county and, by extension the sheriff's department, in a financial bind."