By Russ Tarby

Contributing Writer

When you’ve been the victim of a crime, say a burglary or break-in, it’s not often you or the police can recover the stolen items.

Once in a blue moon, however, good wishes and serendipity come together to soften the blow of a property crime.

That’s what happened earlier this month after Liverpool Police Officer John Prasky investigated the theft of a bicycle parked outside Nichols Supermarket on First Street.

On Friday, June 8, village resident Michael Parrish called the LPD to report that his trusty bike had been stolen. Prasky took down Parrish’s information, and when he checked in with Police Chief Don Morris a few days later, the officer posed a question.

“The bicycle was Michael’s only means of transportation,” Prasky told the chief. “It’s what he uses to get to work and to do his errands. Is there anything we can do to get him a new bike?”

A light bulb flashed figuratively in Chief Morris’ mind. He remembered Jamesville undertaker Jan Maloff’s annual CNY Family Bike Giveaway which he presents at Christmastime. Morris decided to give Jan a jingle.

As fate would have it, Maloff did indeed have a two-wheeler suitable for a full-grown man, and of course he was willing to donate it to someone in need.

“So [Liverpool DPW Superintendent] Bill Asmus and I drove out to Jamesville to pick up the bicycle on June 14.” They delivered the new wheels to Parrish the next day, exactly a week after his bike had been stolen.

“So it’s a sad story, but with a nice ending,” Morris told the village board of trustees at their monthly meeting on June 18. “Michael was very happy with the new bike.”

Maloff’s bike giveaway is a year-round project. He collects bikes donated by individuals and businesses, repairs them and gives them to low-income families. To make a donation, call Maloff at (315) 530-7751, or visit cnyfamilybike.org.

LPD stats for May

At the trustees’ June 18 meeting, Liverpool Police Chief Donald Morris reported his department’s activity during the previous month.

In May, LPD officers made 360 traffic stops and issued 330 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws. They also made six arrests for driving while intoxicated, investigated thirteen accidents and issued one parking ticket.

Officers made 113 residential property checks last month and made 56 arrests in March on a total of 77 criminal charges.