<!--Mark Scheer--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Mark Scheer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com">mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
New Year’s Eve revelers may notice an increased security presence inside the city-owned parking ramp in downtown Niagara Falls.
In response to a series of recent motor vehicle break-ins, city Department of Public Works Director David Kinney said more workers have been assigned to patrol the ramp located at 156 N. Rainbow Blvd.
Kinney said the additional city employees have been instructed to make frequent patrols of each floor of the ramp throughout this evening and throughout the day on Friday. Kinney said the added security effort will remain in place throughout the weekend and into the new year. Kinney said city ramp workers will be carrying cell phones and have been instructed to contact the police if they see anything suspicious.
“We are bound and determined,” Kinney said. “We are going to do what we have to do to prevent this from happening again, if at all possible.”
Several vehicles inside the ramp were broken into Monday night. Two more cars were damaged and another was stolen in a separate series of break-ins Sunday night.
A little more than a week ago, several out-of-town motorists reported to police similar break-in incidents while their cars were parked inside the ramp.
Niagara Falls Police Superintendent John Chella said patrols have been heightened in the area near the parking ramp and will continue to be throughout the holiday weekend. Chella said his department also has brought in off-duty officers operating out of unmarked cars to patrol the ramp.
“We don’t want this to just be a deterrent,” Chella said. “We want to catch them in the act.”
City officials are expecting the ramp to be busy tonight for the 2010 New Year’s Eve Gibson Guitar Drop celebration which is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the west pedestrian mall area for a free concert featuring Canadian singer Rik Emmett, family activities, food, drinks and fireworks.
Kinney said the ramp will be safe for visiting patrons.
“These guys are there for no other reason but security of the ramp,” he said.
