ENDICOTT, N.Y. — Broome County broke ground on Wednesday, Sept. 4 on the Crime Victims Memorial at Roundtop Park in Endicott.
The project was spearheaded by Schyler Savage, who lost his mother to an act of crime and sought, through his Eagle Scout service project, to create a space where the community can honor those whose lives were taken by crime.
The memorial will feature a retaining wall and patio with a heart-shaped raised garden at its center. The wall will include granite tiles engraved with the names of community members lost to acts of crime. The Crime Victims Assistance Center will play a crucial role in the process by helping connect with families and obtaining approval to include them in the memorial.
“This is far more than an Eagle Scout project,” Savage said in a news release announcing the groundbreaking. “This will become a solemn place for remembrance and reflection for the many people, including my mother, who lost their lives as a victim of crime.”
Broome County is the primary beneficiary of the project and is handling most of the project construction in house and covering most of the $150,000 project cost. Sate Senator Lea Webb has also contributed $50,000 toward the project, which is set for completion in April 2025.
Savage will remain actively involved in the effort, assisting the Broome County Department of Public Works in the construction and final phases. As part of his Eagle Scout project duties, he will also fundraise and collect donations toward the memorial and cost of the engraved tiles. To donate, visit https://cvac.us and select the “Memorial Wall 2025” tab.
“Schyler’s dedication to this project is a powerful example of how one person can make a lasting impact on an entire community,” Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said. “This memorial will be a place of healing and remembrance for generations to come. Broome County is glad to be assisting in the process and bringing Schyler’s vision to life.”