Residents React To Rome Murders, Brooklyn Man Charged

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Residents React To Rome Murders, Brooklyn Man Charged

WKTV News

There is more information about the large fight in Rome that killed two people and injured several more. Residents also reacted Saturday, saying they do not think their safety is in jeopardy because of this one incident.

The second victim has been identified as 24-year-old Judson Watkins of Syracuse. He was found dead outside of the Denny's parking lot in Rome Saturday morning, along with 27-year-old Daniel Hernandez of Rome.

Police say four other people were taken to the area hospitals. Two have been released, while two others remain hospitalized with serious injuries. Rome police say they have also made one arrest. Joshua Diggs of Brooklyn, New York is now in police custody and is being charged with second degree murder.

Police say the fight started around three in the morning right outside of the Denny's on South James Street. When officers arrived, they found six men with various injuries, including stab wounds.

We spoke to some Rome residents Saturday about their thoughts on this incident. Most say this is not a reflection of what happens in Rome.

We spoke to Rome Mayor Jim Brown who had this to say: "The situation is a tragedy and my heart goes out to the families of the victims. While we have received calls about crime in that area, I want people to know that this is an isolated incident."

He says the old restaurant's owners use to hire an off-duty police officer to patrol the parking lot on the weekends, to prevent incidents like this from happening. Brown says he's not sure if this was the case Saturday morning.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 12:49 PM mpmike193 wrote ...

Some of you a clueless.I grew up in rome and moved at age 18 when I joined the army as a Military Police.I have done law enforcement and been to war.In the army 14 years and still going.My parents still live in rome and keep me up to date with the happenings.If you think rome is a picture perfect world and that there should be no crime wake-up that is the world.They crime rate is low as compared to other cities.Stop complaing.You have it easy in rome-I've seen worse in america and the world

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Thursday, Mar 13 at 9:42 PM reply to Anonymous Roman wrote ...

I agree with you 100%! Everyone is quick the blame the cops for everything.

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Thursday, Mar 13 at 12:42 PM Anonymous Roman wrote ...

All you people that bash the police should work one day as a cop ! You have no clue on what happened but offer your "thoughts" that the police don't care or were too busy. The police were 1n the area before the 911 calls were made. Not bad for a PD that is far smaller than UPD (80 RPD to 180 UPD, Rome also hires Officers from outside the city)and an arrrest was made in one day. Live where you want and where you feel safe but stop blaming the cops for everything that happens in Utica and Rome.

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Tuesday, Mar 11 at 12:45 PM Lived in Rome my whole life wrote ...

And ready to sell and move. I pay property tax on more than more property and am ready to give it up. I believe this city has became worse since the prison was moved here. It was nicer here when GAFB was here. Maybe, the mayor should quick worrying about helping our his friends in business' and bring in new business. For ex. turned down bringing in Planet Fitness because he was worried about YMCA not doing well. Hello, wake up! Maybe worry more about the city and not the flower beds!

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Tuesday, Mar 11 at 9:07 AM Anonymous wrote ...

you couldnt ever convince me to live in either utica or rome! i think their police departments do ok, but could be better. i'm not sure what residency requirements rome has for officers, but i know utica makes you live in there city limits. this limits the pool of canidates they have to choose from. thats why i choose a different law enforcement agency. i want to go home and take my mind off work when i'm done. nobody should live at the office!

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Monday, Mar 10 at 10:52 PM from. just confused wrote ...

personallu I lived in utica aad in rome before.Both places have its good and bad neighbor hoods.just the same for the people.I dont blame the police they do their best and cant possably be every parkinglot.this I believe was a drug deal and a set one at that.Maybe people need to start speaking up to protect each other.Im sute everyone knows people who deal . It all starts somewhere. and only gets bigger.Wake up everyone. No-one is safe anymore we need to work with the police not against them

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Monday, Mar 10 at 7:25 PM Former Utican wrote ...

I've lived in Utica and now live in Rome. I would not feel safe walking any street in Utica after 9 or 10 at night, no such feeling in Rome. I feel safe at anytime in Rome, even with this incident. I think the majority of the problem is with the young people coming up here from NYC, they bring their dysfuntional ideas and values and end up hurting our community. Do not blame the police, they do a great job.

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Monday, Mar 10 at 7:19 PM Stay on track wrote ...

Lets stay on topic, this isnt about the police. its about the youth of our city, state and nation. im 24 and have been to Iraq twice. seen REAL violence first hand, and to comeback to this area, where every youth thinks their thugs. why resort to violence?? its not worth it, been there done that. hate breeds more hate, and thats real! if your kids act "thuggish" maybe you should put them in check before something like this happens to them, cause they think they can take anyone! Good Riddance

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Monday, Mar 10 at 6:06 PM DAR wrote ...

It's not a Rome vs Utica problem. The problem is nationwide putting blame on police or city officials doesn't solve problems. Both police departments do the best they can with what they have. We all live in a world in which there are people who don't value human life nor do they value their own. The best we can do is teach our own kids the value of life.

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Monday, Mar 10 at 5:14 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I agree that the some of the people that the prison has brought to Rome is part of the problem. And to all of the Rome bashers from utica need to take a good look at their own city before saying how awful ours is. To South Utican I say you couldn't pay me to live in Utica.

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Monday, Mar 10 at 4:44 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Agood citizen gets involved somewhat and lets police KNOW of their so called knowledge of the overflow of drugs. Be thankful that the police DO care and also have families.

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Monday, Mar 10 at 4:25 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The police are doing all they can possible do to stop any and all problems. Maybe those who think NOT ought to join the force and ENJOY some of the stuff they put their life on the line for. Rome is wonderful. There are all over this country a few bad apples.

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Monday, Mar 10 at 4:07 PM Leigh Thomas wrote ...

What happened in Rome is a terrible tragedy. It just goes to show that terrible violence and rage can occur in any community. My prayers go out to the families.

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Monday, Mar 10 at 4:06 PM MPO wrote ...

Is it just me or does it seem like 90% of violent crime in central NY involves someone from the NYC area?

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Monday, Mar 10 at 4:04 PM JUST ME wrote ...

I think that it was probably around a drug deal, why else would a "City Cat" be in Rome. Knowing the streets, they feel there is alot of drug money to be made in Rome and their is, however its sad that lives had to suffer as a result. I say the local law enforcement needs to wake up and get help if they cant do it alone, duh. I am no dummy and know for a fact that Rome is overflowing with drug deals every day, every hour. With that said, I would rather stay here in Utica.

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Monday, Mar 10 at 3:03 PM You are all in DENIAL!! wrote ...

You are all in a very serious case of denial if you believe this city is safe to live. As side from the fact that our local police do absolutely nothing to stop crime or even prevent it, drugs run rampant in Rome. %80 of youth from ages 21- and younger use drugs on a regular basis, drink alcohol like its water. Its no surprise this incident happened. And being someone familiar with the case, it revolved around a drug deal. In my opinion, it's 3 less scumbags on our streets, to bad not more.

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Monday, Mar 10 at 3:00 PM south utican wrote ...

Rome has never been nice. especially after gafb left. i would not live in the city of rome if someone paid me

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Monday, Mar 10 at 2:59 PM it is the justice system that is wrong wrote ...

The pity i have is for the families of the killed individuals. Both Men, have been arrested 3 times each Drugs, Weapons, Harassment, some various serious charges. obviously these men lost their lives, by their own choice. Very few Leopard's can change their spots. This is a shining example. as for ROME IS Safe, and the mayor is clueless. HE is too uninvolved in the city to realize it. Running a city is not a popularity contest, not about being NICE it is about being effective.

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Monday, Mar 10 at 2:14 PM dana wrote ...

I know people knock utica. However I would rather stay in south utica where i live then move to rome. Rome is worse. It seems to always have been scummy but once GAFB left that was the complete downfall of the city of rome

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Monday, Mar 10 at 1:15 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I've been here all my life.in Rome is very safe and a wonderful place to live. I would not trade places with anyone!

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Monday, Mar 10 at 1:11 PM unknown wrote ...

Mr. DeSantis, if you're so enamored with Utica, and feel so unsafe in Rome, why don't you just move to Utica??

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Monday, Mar 10 at 12:07 PM former Roman wrote ...

I know PART of the problem. When we decided to and a prison to the area, people from the city came here, to be closer to their family. Not to say that Rome didn't have problems with crime before, but it added to the problem. People from "the city" come into Rome acting like they are still in "the city" and they are bringing the additional crime to our city. It's that simple. Close the base, add a prison, and then we are dumbfounded why. Our mayor is in denial.

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Monday, Mar 10 at 11:48 AM William P DeSantis wrote ...

Isolated incident? So, I'm assuming when a man was dragged to his death by a van in front of his children this summer was also isolated?Or an eighteen year old being stabbed to death by Kiekis Mobile. Was hat an issolated incident as well?I pay property tax in Rome, that's it. Have to rely on Utica's economy for work, education, and often times making purchases. Rome is unsafe. That's not to say I fear an occasional trip to the Grocery Store, however normally revulsed when I do.Ready to sell/mov

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Monday, Mar 10 at 10:32 AM Lefty wrote ...

The owners of the restaurant should again hire off-duty Police officers to work at the restaurant.

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Sunday, Mar 9 at 9:44 PM Brooklyn Man Charged? wrote ...

How sad, Rome seems to have th e knack to attract, people from the outside. Drugs and alcohol involved? How this all began will be the real story. it is just a shame it had to have the final end here in Rome. Denny's should not have to provide additional security, we just need to get these monsters under control.

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