WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR CHURCH STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. December 21, 2004: As reported by the CitizeNetReporter Friday, Grace Church has reached an agreement orchestrated last week with the  Westchester County Department of Social Services to keep Samaritan House open. 

 

In an official press release, Grace Church Community Center ended its  fiesty six-week negotiation with the Department of Social Services announcing Samaritan House, its homeless shelter for women, housed in the Grace Church annex adjacent to the soon-to-rise Cappelli Hotel and Condominium complex, scheduled to begin construction in mid-January would remain open in 2005. They credit County Executive Andrew Spano and Legislators William Ryan and Lois Bronz  and an anonymous donor with “the save.”

 

A Little Help From John Beresford Tipton: The church said that it is not getting all the increase they  wanted from the Department of Social Services, but that the difference is being made up by an anonymous donor. That gift was announced during a service Sunday morning at Grace Episcopal Church.  That “difference,” between what the D.S.S. is raising their contract amount and what the church wanted was not disclosed. Photo by WPCNR News.

 

 

The terms of the contract and the percentage of increase Samaritan House were not disclosed in the news release, and Westchester County Director of Communications and Chief Advisor to County Executive Spano, Susan Tolchin did not have the actual contract increase and rent increase (reported as only 5%), given available to WPCNR  when WPCNR contacted her at 5:45 P.M for those figures.

 

Ms. Tolchin said she would attempt to get them for WPCNR if the D.S.S. was still available at this hour.

 

WPCNR has since learned that Samaritan House will receive $599,203 from D.S.S. to run the shelter, some $222,000 to $300,000 short of what Samaritan was reported as requesting according to print media reports over the last month. Samaritan received $598,752 last year. Apparently, the D.S.S. did not quite feel Samaritan House numbers added up.

 

No figure has come out as to what Grace Community Church is going to get to run what they say in their press release is a combined Open Arms-Samaritan House operation, splitting services between the two operations (Open Arms and Samaritan House).

 

WPCNR awaits Ms. Tolchin to get back to us with more detailed figures on the rent increase, and what Grace Church Community Services is getting to run both operations.

 

The shortfall, estimated to be about $200,000 to $300,000 by Samaritan House  statements given to other media will be made up by the donor.

 

As long as Financially Able.

 

Mr. D’Ambrosio, head of GCCC said, in a statement:  “Our intention is to keep the shelter open as long as the community needs it, and as long as we are financially able to,” he said.

 

D’Ambrosio described the new contract as  reimbursing  the GCCC for more actual costs associated with operating Samaritan House, and as providing an increase in the rent received by Grace Church based on a determination by the Office of Real Estate and Economic Development at the request of County Legislator Bill Ryan and the DSS. Sal Carrera officially informed County Legislator Ryan that a rent increase was justified last week.

 

Not All they Wanted. Enter the Donor

 

D’Ambrosio said in the release that the increase in the contract did not “meet the full request of the church”  and is being made up for by an anonymous donor who has donated the difference. It was not specified in the announcement whether the difference is to be in cash or “work services.”

 

The anonymous donor is believed widely to be Louis Cappelli, the Super Developer developing next door.  However, Bruce Berg, Mr. Cappelli’s President and close associate told WPCNR Monday he knew nothing about any anonymous donor, essentially denying that his boss was Samaritan’s angel.

 

Cash or Services?

 

The Rev. Vincent said, “The gift, by an anonymous donor, will enable the church to recover its real costs for housing Samaritan House, for the first time in twenty years.”  She added that the church continues to subsidize the GCCC soup kitchen, day care and other programs run by the GCCC, which according to the news release employs 120 full-time and part-time employees. 

 

 The Samaritan House wing is also slated for significant renovations in 2005/6, which will be executed by Mr. Cappelli gratis, as he has promised $1,000,000 in work services to refurbish Samaritan House and the entire church annex with new heating and air conditioning, new bathrooms, windows, and furnishings. Mr. Berg, speaking to WPCNR Monday said that work would be begun when plans are completed with Grace Church, and they have not been completed yet, he said.

 

The gift from the donor and its form was not disclosed.

 

Revised Proposal Flies

 

The GCCC news release described the agreement reached as being  “a revised proposal  (reported by WPCNR last week) for Samaritan House to the DSS during their meeting on December 8, 2004.  The revision involves a restructuring of Samaritan House to make it a satellite shelter of the GCCC Open Arms Shelter.  The restructuring allows for combined administration and food service while maintaining full client care services and supervision for Samaritan House and Open Arms residents.” 

 

The news release states the church “is pleased  that the DSS worked with us on the restructuring and gave it their approval.  We look forward to continuing our partnership of service to homeless women and men of Westchester County.”

 

Carlos Muñoz, (Chairman of the GCCC Board) stated: “The senior staff of the GCCC worked diligently to come up with a creative proposal that would allow the GCCC to continue to operate Samaritan House and the church to receive a long overdue rent increase, all at little additional cost to the County.  We consider this a major achievement for our Samaritan House residents and for the taxpayers of Westchester County.” 

 

Not cooperative with Request for Justification.

 

Originally, Grace Church Community Services did not work “diligently” at all  on a “creative proposal.”

 

 

The organization had refused to justify their cost increase to the Department of Social Services when asked for documentation. That cost increase was put out to other media at various times by Samaritan House as being $300,000 then $222,000 and then $300,000, and most recently back to $222,000.  Oddly, Mr. D’Ambrosio himself told the Department of Social Services in a telephone call that Samaritan House was closing, rather even attempt to negotiate the increase down, according to Ms. Tolchin.

 

The Reverend Blows the Whistle.

 

 It was only when Reverend George Sinzer, an Universal Life Church minister, who had brought his friend, Kathy Sullivan to the shelter November 1, found out about the closing through Ms. Sullivan that the story of the closing was reported.

 

Sinzer was shocked to find out when Ms. Sullivan told him the Samaritan House was closing.  He then advised NewsCenter 4 of the impending closing  on November 18, and News Center 4 broke the story in a telecast on Monday, November 22, that the Church attitude changed. Before the NewsCenter 4 story, the congregation of Grace Church had not been informed of the closing plans.

 

Samaritan House was induced to return to the negotiating table by a concerned county government, and the embarrassment of being caught in charges they were closing the shelter in return for Mr. Cappelli’s million dollar gift.

 

Mr. Cappelli denied to WPCNR that there was any “quid pro quo,” in the Samaritan House closing announcement and the $1,000,000 gift coincidence  (originally reported as cash, but revealed by the CitizeNetReporter to be work and services).

 

Ryan to the Rescue. Schwartz Facilitates.

 

The news report succeeded in producing a dialogue between the County and the Grace Church on working to save the shelter, spearheaded by Mr. Ryan and Ms. Bronz. Ryan told Samaritan House they acted too hastily and petulantly  in closing and admonished them for not justifying costs and negotiating. He also extracted a promise from the Department of Social Services that they, too were committed to keep Samaritan House open. The ensuing negotiations with Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz mediating resulted in resolving all major issues except the rent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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WPCNR SPORTS. By John F. Bailey. December 20, 2004: The New York-New Jersey Juggernaut has risen from the softball dead. Bill Conroy, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Pro Fastpitch league told WPCNR today from Chicago,  that John Schmitz, of Huntington, N.Y. has made arrangements to purchase the team.  

 

In an extensive interview with WPCNR, Conroy announced that a new owner, John Schmitz, whose background is in corporate finance, investment banking and small business finance, has agreed to purchase the team and pay a franchise fee to take over the club, and has begun signing players. He has contracted with Julie Smith, 1996 Olympic Great, to run the team.

WPCNR knows of eight players who have left the team: Jen Smith, the outfielder, The pitcher, firstbaser Gina Oaks, outfielders Laura Harms and Venus Taylor, (signed by the Chicago Bandits) shortstop Lindsay Klein ( gone to the Arizona Heat), and the biggest loss, firstbaser, outfielder, heavy hitter Kellie Wilkerson (former Stratford Brakette, and second leading hitter in the league last year) who will play for the New England Riptide. Lisa Iancin, the clutch pinch-hitter has also gone to the Riptide. WPCNR also believes Erica Hansen has left the team,.

 

Schmitz, reached at his office today, told WPCNR that Julie Smith, member of the 1996 U.S.A. Olympic Softball Team, will be director of softball operations for his team. Currently Schmitz said, Smith has been in touch with all the players from the 2004 champions, and is putting together a roster which he said should be intact by early January.

 

Ms. Smith has her work cut out for her.

 

He said he is negotiating to bring back The Great Scott, “The Blonde That Rules the World,” Amanda Scott and her battery mate  sister, Courtney Scott. Germaine Fairchild, Jaclyn Pasquerella, Carri Leto may be the only other Juggernauts returning.

 

AMANDA SCOTT in Autograph Alley after a huge win in August.

 

Amanda Scott Working in the Circle Against the Texas Thunder in August.

Kaci Clark, Number 2 Juggernaut Pitcher, Photos, WPCNR Sports Archive.

 

It will be essentially a new team, one Schmitz said, hoped to sign Olympic players as part of his roster.

 

Schmitz said the team will play mostly home games, under the new NPF format (see later in this story), with only three roadtrips under the new schedule and is seeking to renew arrangements with Montclair State University  (The Little Ballpark by the Railroad Track) at this time. He plans a news conference in January to introduce his players and Ms. Smith.

 

He is entertaining other playing options in the tri-state area, in case Montclair State and he cannot workout a mutually beneficial arrangement. He also said he is thinking about bringing back his publicity director, Jen Carlo and others who worked for the club in their Montclair lair.

 

Schmitz said the contests with international teams would help generate fan interest and help increase the gate. He said he is planning a media budget, and is planning to televise 6 to 8 games on the YES Network, as well as radio for the team.

 

Stepping to the Plate

 

Asked why he is buying the team, Schmitz said he was not “a big softball follower,” but came in because a professional option was “a necessary level for these girls to have something to look forward to.”

 

He said Smith will take care of the entire softball operation, and described her as a person who can not only evaluate talent, but who can select players who will mesh as a team.

 

The Plemenos Departure

 

The Juggernaut was relinquished by former owner Paul Plemenos after the close of the 2004 season in September, because Mr. Plemenos told WPCNR today, he could not see sustaining the losses his team had suffered in 2004 on an ongoing basis.

 

Because the league, on its own, not Mr. Plemenos’ decision  released all Juggernaut players from their contracts when Plemenos abdicated the team, according to two Juggernaut players WPCNR has interviewed, the Champions roster has been decimated.

 

Other NPF clubs have signed Juggernaut greats to their rosters.

 

 

A Great Week for the NPF

 

 

 The National Pro Fastpitch league under its new Chief Executive Officer, Bill Conroy, has had a great week.

 

On Friday in the Windy City, Conroy’s NPF new Chicago Bandits signed the Ponytailed Powerhouse, Jenny Finch, USA Olympic standout to a long term contract. Read the story on the Chicago Sun Times website. Some seven networks covered the signing, according to Mr. Conroy.

 

Conroy also found Mr. Schmitz to take over from Paul Plemenos for its  2004 Champions, the New York-New Jersey Juggernaut franchise.

 

Conroy has in addition, designed and announced a new league format that will bring international teams in to compete with NPF Teams in games that count.

 

Making up with USA/ASA Softball.

 

Conroy added that one of the first things he had to do was establish a working relationship with USA/ASA Softball to heal the rift that had developed between the NPF league and the amateur organization fighting over players. (The U.SA./A.S.A. sponsors the U.S.A. Olympic team.)

 

Bringing in international teams to play NPF teams is the the league’s way of promoting both NPF credibility and the continuing development of U.S. Olympic and international players simultaneously, Conroy indicated.

 

Conroy added that seeing New York beating up on Akron was not the same as seeing say New York playing Team U.S.A., or Team Japan, and he hoped that the league would build attendance through the international team drawing power.

 

Looking for more corporate sponsors.

 

Conroy said his top priority was to bring in more corporate sponsors, perhaps through naming rights to the league, and other forms of sponsorship. Previously corporate sponsors of the league had donated equipment only. The Bandit owner and league CEO said he was also seeking more cooperation with Major League baseball, the league development partner.

 

Shorter Schedule Featuring International Competition that Counts.

 

In the new league format, Conroy said, each of the 7 NPF teams will play 48 games, 24 games against each other and 24 games against international teams. The International games will not be exhibition games because results of say the Bandits against Team Japan, will  count in the league standings, he said. Schmitz said he expects the Juggernaut to play Team USA, the China Taiwan Team, and Team Japan with others to be announced.

 

The Omaha Comets, signed to join the league, will not play in 2005, but will begin play in 2006, Conroy said.

 

The schedule will be unbalanced with the NPF teams not playing an equal amount of home and away games with the founding league teams.

 

Less Schedule. Less Travel.

 

Conroy said the team was playing less games at request of the players.  He said the travel grind of six games a week wore the players down because as Conroy put it, “travel conditions were not first rate.”

 

Another stabilizing factor in place is the league has instituted a $100,000 payroll salary cap per team.  Some players can be paid more than others, with the average salary, with 12 players per team being paid an average of $8,000 for the 10 week season, with some players making more, others making less.

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WPCNR WASHINGTON DESK. Special to WPCNR by  Doris Sassower. (EDITED). December 20, 2004:  The mother of White Plains own Elena Sassower, the Center for Judicial Accountability attorney jailed for “Disruption of Congress” may be released from prison in the District of Columbia on Thursday. Her mother, Dorris Sassower, has been working tirelessly for her release, with no support or political intervention by any Westchester County official or politician, who have not lifted any voices to protest the jailing of this Westchester citizen. Here is Ms. Sassower’s report:

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!  ELENA SASSOWER OUT OF THE WASHINGTON, D.C. GULAG? Photo, Courtesy, Center for Judicial Accountability.

 

Wish we had better news to report as to a possible earlier release than the scheduled Christmas Day.

 

Unfortunately, ignoring our ongoing efforts and protests, D.C. prison authorities have continued their pattern and practice, up to and including the present day, of deliberate obstruction and delay of Elena’s legal rights relating to her release from her present continued illegal incarceration.

 

This, notwithstanding the prison’s own investigator concluded in her report that proper procedure had not been followed and that Elena was wrongfully deprived of her “good time” class credits, such as would have legally entitled her to release on December 7th, under the Jail’s Inmates’ Handbook.   

 

 

By its failure and refusal to follow its own published rules, the DC prison authorities have kept her from having her appeals from her illegal detention adjudicated in a proper and timely manner. This was specifically mandated where prisoner Elena asserted that she has been retaliated against, threatened and intimidated for asserting her prisoners’ rights and subjected to attempted coercion to waive the prison’s liability for its deprivations of such rights.

 

Putting the Screws On.

Jail personnel have repeatedly informed us that she would not be released before she serves her full maximum six month sentence, “no exceptions.” Luckily, this sadistic intent may be thwarted because Christmas Day falls on a Saturday and the preceding day is considered a federal holiday, when we have been told that the prison will be without the personnel to perform necessary processing of her release paperwork. No time off whatever is being given Elena for good behavior all these many months in jail.

 

Press Blackout

The jail has also denied the press its rightful access, wrongfully failing to respond to, and actually denying, requests for appointments for in-jail interviews of Elena. This plainly is calculated to prevent exposure of just how badly the DC jail treats its prisoners, especially one who is blowing the whistle on the Jail’s human rights violations.

As of now, we have been led to believe that Elena will be released on Thursday, December 23rd.  However, we have also been   told that such can be anytime “up to 12 midnight of that day.” As late as today, the Jail was telling callers that Elena will not be released until the 25th, Chris tmas Day!

 

Presumably, the jail wants to keep her locked up until the very last moment so as to prevent her supporters from being on hand to give her the hero’s triumphal welcome she deserves for her principled defense of our Bill of Rights.

 

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WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By John F. Bailey.  December 20, 2004:  The geniuses who run Section I have perpetrated another inept move, aided and abetted by the Recreation and Parks Geniuses at the County, and a distinct lack of comprehension of what  the spirit of Title IX means.

 

THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN OF WESTCHESTER: THE ART DECO MASTERPIECE, THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY CENTER: FOR MEN ONLY.

Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive

Last week Section I announced that they have found a way to move 4 of 5 boys high school basketball championships into the Westchester County Center. However, surprise!

 

They have not moved any of the girls championships there. Instead the high flying fillies will play not even in Westchester County. They will play in Dutchess County or on the Bronx border in Iona, or possibly at Pace. They will not have the thrill of the County Center upper deck looking down on them. They will not play in the arena from the 30s –the Madison Square Garden of Westchester County.

 

Because they are girls. If they were boys. They’d be in.

 

 

Is this fair? No.

 

Does it make sense? No.

 

Is it defensible? No.

 

And, no one has said anything about it.

 

Well I’m sitting up here in the smokey rafters of the old Madison Square Garden and I’m blowing the whistle.

It is a slam-dunk multi-million dollar Title IX lawsuit.

 

Some lawyer-parent of a girls basketball player should sue Section I and Westchester County for a violation of Title IX which calls for equal treatment of male and female athletes, or you lose your federal funding on educational matters.

 

Another Lame Call by the Section I Boys.

 

These are the same Section I Geniuses who are attempting to prevent Thanksgiving Day football games being played to preserve their demented playoff system which leaves only one football team in the state happy in each Class after a good season.

 

Now, pardon me, but Westchester County shares the blame, too.

 

Part of the reason for not having the championships in the County Center is blamed on the fact they have the circus booked there and do not want to give up the revenue.

 

Calls to Susan Tolchin, Chief Advisor to County Executive Andy Spano and Director of Communications to respond on the county’s rationale for this decision have not been responded to as of Monday morning.

 

What’s a little loss?

 

Since when has that bothered Westchester County Recreation and Parks, losing a little revenue?

 

Kick out the circus for two to three days, so the girls and the boys can have their championships there! Come on!

 

If the circus doesn’t want to do it, pay them anyway. We now have this $9 Million surplus, don’t we, Andy and Joe (Stout)?  Dissing the Women’s basketball players is much easier than telling the boys they can’t play in the County Center (a tradition).

 

Since when has the county cared anything about wasting money on recreation?

 

Hudson Hills cost $20 Million. Hudson Hills loses money. The county golf courses lose money. And we cannot keep the County Center open for our best teen athletes because of the circus?

 

We love the Royal Hannaford Circus. This is not their fault, this is the county’s fault and the Section’s fault who cannot schedule intelligently.

 

An embarrassment.

 

The head of County recreation and parks should be called on the carpet for this scheduling mess.

 

The county also should check with their lawyer on the Title IX aspects of this cold decision to shut the Long Tall Sallys  out of the County Center venue.

 

If that is not discrimination against women I do not know what is. How politically correct are we on this one? We can hold controversial art exhibits in the County Center, but we cannot give the top classes of Women’s High School Basketball equal treatment with the boys?

 

Wrong-O!

 

I am sick of men running Section I and making lousy decisions for female athletes.

 

I have a conflict of interest. I have a daughter.

 

Every man and woman who has a daughter should be on the phone to Section I, their athletic directors and principals at their high schools, and The County Executive’s Office  and telling the county this is a WRONG-O.

 

Allowing four Boys Championships to be played in the Center and shuttling the girls up to the middle of the state into small gyms  is cruel, blatant unusual prejudice against every women’s athletic program in the county.

 

All coaches of women’s sports, male or female should be up in arms, and simply say we’re not going to do it.

 

Every father of a daughter should blast the Section I Girls Basketball Brains, for agreeing to go along with old boy thinking. How is this action representing the best interest of his female athletes? Could you tell me that?

 

Where is Mario Scarano when you need him? You can be assured he would never let this happen, and no athletic director should send their women’s team to the sectionals. Let’s get rid of them once and for all.

 

Play the top Classes of Women and Men in the Center

 

Would it be such a hurt for the boys and girls to play the larger class championships in the County Center, A and AA, and the smaller class championships elsewhere?

 

No.  The reason given saying it is o.k. for Westchester girls to play in satellite arenas (out of Westchester County) is that they have done it before for many years is weak.

 

Think of it, the White Plains Tigers, the New Rochelle Huguenots, the Mount Vernon Knights playing perhaps in Iona, or way up in Dutchess County.  Does that make sense?

 

No, it does not.

 

It’s just an easy out for the Sectional bosses and the county.

 

Being fair to women’s sports is always a great idea for the men who run section I, until it involves a little work, and saying “no” to other male coaches.

 

Girls basketball is being discriminated against here.

 

 Wake up and blow the whistle, girls, and girls basketball coaches, male or female, stand up for your ladies.

 

Throw these guys who run Section I out of there and replace them with fair-minded individuals.  They do not have the best interests of the athletes at heart in the least.

 

The children could run Section I better than they do.

 

Ready for the Sanctimonious Sachems.

 

Now, a response to this column from Section will be very sanctimonious saying they looked very hard at it and there was no way they could do this. It just happened, and will never happen again, and that I am being unfair to men and women who work very hard on high school sports.

 

Bunk.

 

I reject that. You haven’t worked hard on it at all. I also say if you all had your way you would dump women’s sports altogether, because they are a nuisance to you. That’s the mindset of a decision like this.

 

Booting Soccer to Fall Another Example.

 

Oh, and the movement of women’s soccer to the fall  because of fear of a lawsuit. That’s another dopey decision because it forces women to choose from 5 sports in the fall and only 3 in the spring, and prevents girls from playing field hockey, if they love soccer.

 

You – all of you in Section I have done the easy thing on the County Center.

 

You always do the easy thing.

 

What do the Boys Say?

And Girls Stand up for yourselves.

No one else will.

 

 

Male athletes have far more respect for their lady athlete counterparts than the adults who are running women sports.

 

This Women-Men’s basketball decision is another example of why women should be touchy about the least hint of unfairness. Women are always asked to cooperate and go along with an unfair decision, using the excuse, “it’s in the best interests of all, and it’s the best we can do, and this won’t happen again. Believe us, we had no idea.”

 

The men who usually force these kind of decision acceptances on women rely on women’s capacity to be conciliatory. They use it against you.

 

Lady basketball players and directors of women’s programs it’s time for you to pick up a Technical on this one, come off the bench jumping up and down, turning over gatorade kegs and throwing basketballs into the stands. 

 

There is plenty of time to get some Women’s Games into the County Center. The season is just started.

 

Let’s get them in there. (The County Center).

 

No Comment.

 

In fact, Section knows it is wrong and trying to pull a fast one.

 

 

 WPCNR attempted last week to contact the head of Section I responsible for this decision, the Athletic Director at Carmel, to get his side, we did so twice. The gentleman did not return our phone calls to discuss this matter.

 

Flagrant Foul.

 

This is a flagrant foul on Women’s basketball by Section I and the Women should shoot 2, and retain possession.

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. December 18, 2004. UPDATED December 21:  Police Spokesman Daniel Jackson confirmed that  White Plains Police are investigating what is believed to be a series of four burglaries in the Hartsdale Aveue-Midchester area of the Highlands Saturday evening. Inspector Jackson said two homes were burglarized on Hartsdale Avenue, another on Midchester, and a fourth on Ralph Avenue.

Jackson reports the break-ins took place between 7 and 10 P.M. Wednesday evening by “forcible entry” through doors and windows. Computer equipment, jewelry and cash were taken, and there appears to have been a vehicle involved considering the nature of the goods taken. He said the perpetrators do not appear to be professional.  Jackson said the three burglaries reported Saturday evening, and the fourth on Sunday evening.

The Inspector is asking any neighbors who noticed anything suspicious Saturday evening in that neighborhood, or anyone at all with information on the crimes to contact 422-6111 and report what they may have seen.

Inspector Jackson reminds citizens to keep homes securely locked, keep lights on in the house when you depart and keep eyes open to any goings on that appear in the least bit suspicious in your neighborhood. If you see something that does not look right, he urges you to report the incident to the police and they will investigate.