The following account was recently sent to RCSD Superintendent Brizard, Mayor Duffy, Darryl Porter, Chief Moore, Adam McFadden, RCSD Officials, and many others. Feel free to pass this along.


Hello All,

My name is Shonda Hannah, and I am the parent of Shaiasia Williams. Shaiasia is a full time student at Edison Tech, Skilled Trades Program. I would like to speak to you concerning an incident that took place at Edison, in which my child was falsely accused.

On Monday, October 26th, 2009, my child was walking the halls defiantly and was subsequently sent to the ISS (In School Suspension) room. That particular day in the ISS room, my child was there with 5 other students when, (supposedly) the teacher there Mrs. Mezzola's cell phone came up missing. Instead of Mrs. Mezzola taking the proper protocol of reporting that her cell phone was missing --- to the principal, security and/or the school resource officer, instead she phoned her husband, the latter of whom, is an officer of the Rochester Police Department.

Mrs. Mezzola, then took it upon herself to access each of the students records that were in her class on that day and gave their personal information to her husband. Mrs. Mezzola totally violated those students' constitutional rights. She has also broken New York State and Federal Laws and guidelines, and violated RCSD Policies.

Mrs. Mezzola's husband, Officer Nick Mezzola visited one of the student's home on the following day (Tuesday October 27, 2009). Officer Nick Mezzola forced himself into that student's home rudely and obnoxiously, while insisting on finding his wife's cell phone. The parent of the student was very afraid and did not have a clue as to what he was talking about. Officer Mezzola never identified himself with a badge or ID. Instead, he simply identified himself (verbally) as the police (the FBI). Mr. Mezzola, along with another unknown officer went upstairs into the student's bedroom, looking through her dresser drawers and dirty laundry for a cell phone that was never found. Then, Officer Mezzola went into the kitchen, looking in drawers and cabinets, still no cell phone turned up. Then he went into the basement of the home searching and still no cell phone. At this time, he became even angrier, and had the student call my daughter. My daughter answered the phone, and Officer Mezzola threatened her by saying, "if my wife's cell phone is not on her desk by 2:00 pm Wednesday the 28th, you're going to be sorry."

My daughter never mentioned to me that this had taken place. She waited until she got to school the next day, Wednesday the 28th and mentioned it to the Vice Principal Mrs. Groth, and Hillside Advocate Mrs. Brown. In turn, they both became concerned and called me. I immediately wanted to meet with the school officials to see what was going on.

I attended a meeting on Thursday October 29, 2009 at Edison Tech. I met with the Principal, Mr. Laniak; Vice Principal, Mrs. Groth, and School Resource Officer, Mr. Sanders. Mr. Howard Eagle, RCSD parent, teacher, and community activist accompanied me during the meeting. I addressed all of my concerns at that meeting.

I feel that my child is no longer safe in the City School District. It seems that RCSD employees can routinely access students' records, and share them with family members, and get away with it. I left the meeting feeling a little more relieved about the situation, since Mr. Laniak expressed that he was going to take care of it from his end --- by requesting direction from Central Office.

Later that day (October 29th), not even 3 hours later, I received a voice mail from Mr. Laniak saying to call the school, and that it was very important. Before I could call the school, he had already called my sister and she called me to tell me that RPD officers were at Edison to arrest my daughter and another student, which made me furious.

My daughter was arrested, along with Thalia Sanchez on October 29th at Edison Tech High School. My daughter, along with Thalia was crying and begging the officers not to take them to jail, and trying to explain that they know nothing about a cell phone. The officers began to laugh and mock them, and one said "yeah, whatever." Also, an officer threatened Mr. Laniak to move, and not interfere in police dealings, or he (Mr. Laniak) would go to jail.

My daughter was taken to jail and charged with petit larceny and was given an extremely high bail of $500.00. Thalia was charged with possession of stolen property and also given a $500.00 bail. After calling the RPD Chief's office, I received a return call from Chief Moore, in which he said he was going to have the girls released from jail. I felt relieved after that phone call, but still upset and unsure about the whole ordeal.

At this moment, I am very disgusted by school officials allowing this to happen the way it did, and I am very, very upset about the way in which police officers handled this. This situation should have been handled in a much more professional manner. It was handled very maliciously and sloppy. I will never view RPD the same. I am taking this wherever I have to take it, and will not stop until I see justice prevail concerning Officer Mezzola and his wife.

Sincerely,

Shonda Hannah