Friendship Police Department

05/18/2026

In an effort to increase awareness of the 20 MILE PER HOUR SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMIT, two RADAR speed displays have been installed on West Main Street. These units are equipped with logging software to help us monitor traffic and speed patterns. The displays were intentionally mounted before the start of the school zone, in order to give drivers time to adjust their speed before entering the 20 Mile Per Hour School Zone. This is a multi-agency effort to increase vehicle and traffic safety for the residents of Friendship, especially our children crossing the street. The Friendship Police Department is grateful to all involved for making this a reality, but most of all, we are thankful for the support of our residents and community!

04/27/2026

With the arrival of better weather, and with e-bikes becoming more popular, we thought now would be a good time for some e-bike facts.
Parents, please have a conversation with your children regarding the laws and rules of the road.
Riders, please follow the laws, NYS traffic laws apply to e-bike and bicyclists. Enjoy your time outside and visiting different areas in our area, but please do safe safely!

Please ride responsibly!

04/21/2026

On April 21st, 2026, at approximately 2:30 PM, Officers of the Friendship Police Department arrested Anthony M. Hand (44YO) of Friendship N.Y. Hand’s arrest stems from a 911 call reporting a violation of an order of protection. Hand was processed at the Friendship Police Department and transported to the Allegany County Jail for centralized arraignment. Hand’s charges are listed below:

PL 215,50.3 CRIMINAL CONTEMPT 2ND DISOBEY COURT ORDER (A Misdemeanor)

Hand is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

04/18/2026

On April 17th, 2026 at approximately 2:00 PM, Friendship PD was dispatched to a complaint of a female undergoing a mental health crisis. Officers of the Friendship Police Department took an individual into custody under the mental hygiene law. This individual was safely transported to an area hospital to receive assistance. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or know someone who is, please text or call 988 or call 911. You can also visit the Allegany County website for assistance or the New York State website for mental health - omh.ny.gova

04/13/2026

On April 10th 2026 at approximately 9:50 AM, Officers of the Friendship Police Department initiated a traffic stop on CR 20. During the traffic stop it was determined that Casandra S. Little (45 YO) of Scio N.Y. was operating while her NYS driving privileges were suspended. Little was arrested and issued an appearance ticket to appear in the Friendship Town Court at a later date. Little’s charges are listed below:
VTL 511 01A Aggravated Unlicensed Operation Of A Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree (Misdemeanor)
VTL 306 B Uninspected Motor Vehicle (Violation)
Little is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

03/22/2026

03/16/2026

On March 13th 2026 at approximately 9:19 AM, Officers of the Friendship Police Department initiated a traffic stop on CR 31. During the traffic stop it was determined that Freyah S. Keiser (45 YO) of Friendship N.Y. was operating while her NYS driving privileges were suspended. Keiser was arrested and issued an appearance ticket to appear in the Friendship Town Court at a later date. Keiser’s charges are listed below:

VTL 511 01A Aggravated Unlicensed Operation Of A Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree (Misdemeanor)
VTL 375 30 Drivers View Obstructed (Violation)

Keiser is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

03/16/2026

On March 3rd 2026 at approximately 10:38 AM, Officers of the Friendship Police Department responded to a motor vehicle accident on CR 17 involving a single vehicle. During the investigation it was determined that Devin A. Swarthout (25 YO) of Belmont N.Y. was operating while his NYS drivers license was suspended. Swarthout was arrested and issued an appearance ticket to appear in the Friendship Town Court at a later date. FPD was assisted on scene by the Friendship Fire Department, Friendship Highway Department and the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office. Swarthout’s charges are listed below:

VTL 511 01A Aggravated Unlicensed Operation Of A Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree (Misdemeanor)
VTL 1180A Speed Not Reasonable And Prudent

Swarthout is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

03/11/2026

Please refer to the attached flyer. The Cuba Police Department will be hosting our annual ladies firearm safety course in May. We will once again be partnering with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office. Seats are limited, so please contact us as soon as possible to sign up. You can email Chief Burch at [email protected], and we will provide you with all the specific details of the course. We eagerly anticipate having a full class and delivering a safe and educational presentation for all attendees. The course is free for those who attend.

02/23/2026

On February 19th 2026 at approximately 3:52 PM Officers of the Friendship Police Department arrested Caine A. Wilson (21 YO) of RIchburg N.Y. Wilson’s arrest stems from a traffic stop on Pennsylvania Avenue, where it was determined he was operating while his NYS drivers license was suspended. Wilson was issued an appearance ticket to appear in the Friendship Town Court at a later date. See charges listed below:

VTL 511 01A Aggravated Unlicensed Operation Of A Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree (Misdemeanor)
VTL 0375 31AV Inadequate Exhaust System (Violation)

Wilson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.