The Columbia Paper's Emilia Teasdale reports in the Feb. 16 edition of the paper, a standing room only crowd filled the Tri-Village Firehouse in Chatham recently to hear state troopers, sheriff's deputies and Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka discuss recent burglaries in Columbia County. The incidents discussed included an alleged burglary at a Route 17 residence, and another in Stuyvesant. Suspects in both cases were arrested, but authorities acknowledged a “rash of burglaries” have occurred, many in Kinderhook. State Police Captain Scott Brown said he has increased the police presence in the northern part of Columbia County. Residents asked about alarms, dogs and guns, and sought advice on the most effective prevention strategy. Czajka reminded attendees that state law prohibits the use of deadly force by a civilian if the person can retreat from the situation. Tim Jackson, a state trooper stationed in Kinderhook, advised weekenders to make a residence look occupied, with lights and a parked car in the driveway. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.