BUFFALO, N.Y. — After a stabbing in the Elmwood Village, Buffalo police are addressing concerns about rising crime in the area.
The Buffalo Police Department says investigators are reviewing surveillance video of an alleged attack on Elmwood Avenue and West Ferry Street Wednesday to identify the suspect.
Police Captain Jeff Rinaldo tells Spectrum News there has been a slight increase in reported incidents, but overall, those numbers are consistent with the average crime rates for the village.
Rinaldo also says there has been some recent car thefts in the area, though in 85% of those incidents, the driver left the keys in the vehicle before it was stolen.
The captain also says he's already increased police presence in the area.
"We recently disbanded our traffic unit which allowed us to put a lot more manpower back into the districts. That manpower is being utilized to increase our foot patrols and vehicle patrols around all of our areas that see any type of criminal activity," Rinaldo also explained.
Rinaldo says Mayor Byron Brown and the deputy police commissioner met with the Elmwood Village Association last week to address their concerns.
Meanwhile, anyone with information about crime in the village should call the BPD's confidential tipline at 716-847-2255.