Falls police, county probation officers round up domestic violence offenders

Oct. 26—Teams of Falls Police officers, aided by Niagara County probation officers, fanned out through the Cataract City Wednesday in an effort to pick up domestic violence suspects.

The sweep coincides with the recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Police Superintendent John Faso said the round-up was organized by Detective Alexandra La Rue, who heads up the NFPD Domestic Violence Unit.

"It is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we thought it was important to look to round up and clear some of our outstanding DV warrants," Faso said. "It was well orchestrated by the DV Unit."

Faso said about 20 Falls police and county probation officers were involved in the roundup which ran for close to eight hours. LaRue said the teams of law enforcement officers were armed with about 60 outstanding arrest warrants and said many of the suspects being sought faced charges under multiple warrants.

"It's something we're always actively working on, LaRue said. "And we make a special effort on it during the month of October.

Faso said the officers were able to execute 15 of the 60 warrants, roughly 25% of the open cases, and took 10 individuals into custody. The police superintendent said he expected the DV Unit will conduct additional warrant roundups in the future.

"Our police department has been steadfast in attempting to hold people accountable and do their best under difficult criminal justice reforms," Mayor Robert Restanio said. "(Domestic violence offenders) try to hide in the community and they think they fade away. But our police department is there for the victims."