Cicero, NY - Someone has gotten a hold of the Cicero Police Department’s e-policing e-mail list and sent a political ad to residents. Cicero resident Gloria Hamilton, a registered Republican, told the town board tonight she only uses her Verizon e-mail account to receive e-mails from Cicero police’s e-policing. But she and many other residents on Thursday received an e-mail...
Cicero, NY - Someone has gotten a hold of the Cicero Police Department’s e-policing e-mail list and sent a political ad to residents.
Cicero resident Gloria Hamilton, a registered Republican, told the town board tonight she only uses her Verizon e-mail account to receive e-mails from Cicero police’s e-policing.
But she and many other residents on Thursday received an e-mail that read, “Introducing Our Next Cicero Town Justice” in the subject line. The e-mail endorsed justice candidate Robert J. Bertrand. His opponent, Douglas M. DeMarché Jr., said he also received the e-mail.
“Verizon didn’t give out my e-mail; someone in the town has given out my e-mail,” Hamilton said. “I want to know why my e-mail was compromised. My confidentiality has been exposed.”
Town Supervisor Judy Boyke and Cicero Police Chief Joseph Snell both said they have received complaints from other residents. The police chief said he spoke to Bertrand, who “promised no more e-mails would be sent out.” Snell also said his office is investigating, and it doesn’t appear the e-mails are directly associated with the police department.”
Councilor Jim Corl Jr. said none of the board members have access to the e-mail addresses of residents who subscribe to e-policing. Snell also said the community service specialist who sends the e-policing e-mails was not working Thursday.
“If someone was tampering with our system and compromising our system, I think it is criminal in nature,” Corl said.
At tonight's board meeting, Corl suggested the town board vote to have the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office help investigate. The rest of the board agreed, with a 5-0 vote.
The e-policing program serves about 1,500 households in the community, the chief has said. Cicero police send weekly reports informing residents of the types of crimes occurring in their neighborhoods and where the crimes took place as part of their crime prevention program. The e-policing program also allows residents to e-mail Cicero police about their concerns, such as a speeding vehicle on their street. Cicero police then respond to their concerns immediately.
Snell asked the board members if he could complete his investigation before contacting the district attorney’s office. But the board decided not to wait until the Cicero police investigation was complete before contacting the DA, Corl said.
Catie O’Toole can be reached at cotoole@syracuse.com or 470-2134.