Business owners speak out about neighborhood violence

By Dave Dellecese

Story Created: Sep 28, 2007 at 6:12 PM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 28, 2007 at 6:22 PM EDT

UTICA - James Street in Utica has seemed to become synonymous with violence and crime. But where there is a shadow you can often find the light no matter how dim it may seem.

Sirens, police tape, contraband. All words that have become associated with James Street in Utica. But with all the negative stories about this Cornhill neighborhood, we hit the streets today to find the light.

"There are a lot of nice businesses here and most have been here for quite a while," said Larry Bohling, owner of Bohling Auto Service.


Those who make an honest dollar on this street admit there are problems but there are good people who call this place home too.

"A lot of good people and there are some bad people," said Sam Hamood, manager of James Street Market. "People move down here from the city they want to make this town like city style."

But police are hoping that community policing and a new program called "Operation Safe Neighborhood" will help clean up these streets and business owners say they think beefing up the beat is a positive sign.

"I like it," Hamood said. "They are doing a good job now."

Now it is too early into "Standup" to tell if this initiative will work, but police say they will continue to walk the beat there to help let the light shine through.
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