Just days prior, Zinni and other Chautauqua County employees had received an email notifying them of a string of vehicle break-ins. The multi-level parking structure — used by numerous city and county workers due to its downtown location — has limited lighting and no security cameras.

Zinni had just gotten off work Wednesday, Aug. 2, when she discovered broken glass all around her 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The damage: a cracked front windshield, a shattered rear window and a broken side window to go along with other visible scratches and dents.

Zinni went to the Jamestown Police Department and waited an hour for an officer to complete an incident report. She was informed that at least eight other vehicles had been vandalized in or near the parking garage that week.

“I respect that things take time, but we’ve been asking for increased security — for cameras,” the Fredonia resident told The Post-Journal. “People are uncomfortable inside the garage.”

Photo by Eric Tichy A Chautauqua County employee said her vehicle was damaged last week inside the Spring Street parking garage in downtown Jamestown. County employees had been warned of a string of vandalism incidents inside the garage.

For the last five years, Zinni has worked for the county Department of Mental Hygiene on the fifth floor of the Jamestown Municipal Building. By the time she walks to her car around 8 p.m., it’s often very dark and with few people around.

“These are concerns we’ve had over the last couple of months, for years,” she said. “We’ve discussed how uncomfortable it can be walking out there alone at night.”

She added, “It’s gotten a little response. We’re told they’ll increase police patrols. It’s not enough at this point.”

Jamestown Police Chief Timothy Jackson said the acts of vandalism were “most likely caused by juveniles” inside the Spring Street parking garage. He said the police department last fall recommended that security cameras be installed as well as signs posted that the parking ramp is for patrons only.

“The security cameras would help deter these acts as well as hold those accountable for vandalism/theft,” Jackson told the newspaper in an email. “The police department, while doing nightly checks in the ramps, have found people sleeping and gathering in the ramp. The signage is important in order for officers to cite the offender(s) with trespassing.”

Jackson confirmed that no cameras have been installed following last fall’s request.

Zinni contacted the mayor’s office after her vehicle was vandalized. She was told that additional safety measures would be added to the garage, but would take time to implement.

She also was told that officers would increase their patrols around the garage.

“I utilized my chain of command at work and voiced my concerns,” she said, “however, little is being done by the city of Jamestown to make lasting changes.”

Shaken up over the incident, Zinni took last Thursday and Friday off from work. She worked from home on Monday, and returned to the office Tuesday morning.

Due to all the damage to her Equinox, she’s currently driving a rental vehicle.

Reached Tuesday for comment, Sundquist released the following statement: “We are saddened to hear about the incidents at the garage. We are continuing with directed patrols to keep an eye at the garage, especially during evening hours, and have encouraged parking management to keep a watchful eye during normal business hours. Our plan is to install cameras and improve lighting in the garage, along with other upgrades, in the near future.”