DRUG SPOTS TARGETED BY PATROLS OF CONCERNED CITIZENS

Dozens of citizens took to the streets of Rochester on Tuesday, the first
night of patrols for the new Community Response Teams.

About 75 people participated, with the group meeting first at the Rochester
Police Department's Clinton Section, then splitting into smaller groups
before heading to some of the most drug-infested neighborhoods. The
purpose: to keep an eye on drug dealers and buyers and hopefully disrupt
the illegal trade.

"Anything we can do to shut down the trafficking, that's what we want,"
said Chief Robert Duffy during a quick briefing before the patrols hit the
streets, with one police officer per group.

One of the youngest walkers was 6-year-old Deirdra Hopkins. She and her
mother, Cynthia Hopkins-Bliss of Durnan Street, walked Joseph Avenue, from
Upper Falls Boulevard to Avenue D.

"We've been concerned with the drug trafficking in our neighborhood -- on
our street," Hopkins-Bliss said. "We're trying to tackle some of the crime
right on my street, so my baby can ride her bike on our street, and I don't
have to put her bike in a van and go to another street. That's what we've
done."

A dozen or so citizens patrolled Joseph Avenue, watched by officers who
occasionally cruised by and stopped to talk. They were met with a few
curious stares, but mostly a sense of appreciation. The group encountered
no crime.

"Just us being out here is enough of a deterrent," said Tom Romanoski of
Teralta Street.

The groups will go out three times weekly, starting at the offices of
Clinton, Genesee and Maple sections.

Duffy hopes participation will increase enough to make the patrols nightly.