Monticello, NY – Sullivan County’s new district attorney claims there were no big surprises during his first three months on the job, but, in a report to the County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee, James Farrell, had some staggering statistics.

“We’ve seen a 32 percent increase, over quarter to quarter, from ’10 to ’09, in arrests and prosecutable cases”, Farrell said, adding “I’m concerned.”

There were 715 cases in the first quarter of 2009, 947 this year.
He said he wouldn’t call it a trend, yet. The second quarter could paint a clearer picture of where the county is going.

Farrell said he is particularly worried about Monticello, notably the number of homicides, already this year, in the village.

Gangs are another big concern. Farrell said they are trying to deal with that phenomenon both through education, and when needed, “vigorous prosecution”.

(Source: MidHudsonNews)