CANAJOHARIE - More than 20 individuals were charged with trespassing recently at Wintergreen Park and Canajoharie Falls.
From June 14 to Thursday, 23 individuals were arrested for trespassing by the village Police Department after being found swimming near the Canajoharie Falls area, which is off-limits to the public. The individuals in most cases were released on appearance tickets.
Village police have arrested a total of 112 individuals since May for trespassing, according to officer Stephen Porcello, Jr..
"It's been like that [since] last year," Porcello said.
Tyler Briggs, Kenneth Meyers, Jacobinia Dolan and Breanna Duffy, ages 16 to 18 years old, were charged June 19 with swimming in the Canajoharie creek, where several no-trespassing signs have been placed, police said. They were issued appearance tickets and were released until their court date.
On June 14, Bryan Pitt, 19, of Glenville, was found jumping off the falls and swimming around the waterfall, as well as drinking alcohol, with an unknown male, police said. After police called out to them, they both waved back, police said. He was later found driving while intoxicated, police said. He was charged with DWI, driving with an open container of alcohol, driving with obstructed/covered license plates, and trespassing. He was released after posting bail, until his next court date July 23.
The Canajoharie Falls area has had several fatalities over the years. In May of this year, a 25-year-old Schenectady man died after jumping into the water at Canajoharie Falls. No-trespassing signs were posted.
"It's all considered trespassing," Porcello, Jr. said.