I must respectfully disagree with Mayor Sottile, Alderman Hoffay, and Alderman Turco-Levin concerning their statements in the newspaper blaming the Kingston Police Department for not knowing in advance about the party on O'Neil Street on New Year's Eve.
I think a few facts are important to note:
First, this was the FIRST event held at this illegal nightclub and it was on New Year's Eve. To see numerous cars in an area is not that unusual for New Year's Eve. Everyone and their mother has a party on New Year's Eve. Because it was December, it is unlikely the people would have come riding motorcycles. They would have come in cars and been less noticeable.
SECOND, the group holding this party was a motorcycle gang from Newburgh, not Kingston. Had it been done by a Kingston based gang, I feel very confident that the Police Department would have heard about it and would have taken appropriate action.
THIRD, this was not a party open to the public. It was a private party announced on a Facebook page. Unless a police officer had reason to specifically go to the website for a Newburgh Motorcycle Gang, there was no reason for them to have seen it.
FOURTH, the Police Department does not have a crystal ball. They rely on sources and members of the public for their intelligence information. Since the people at the party were primarily from Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, very few Kingstonians knew of it.
I do not believe it is productive to question the Kingston Police Department and their intelligence or abilities. Within 48 hours of the incident, the Police made numerous arrests including the man accused of shooting someone and pistol whipping a woman.
I must also note that the KPD stopped a man from killing himself on Wilbur Avenue. According to the article, he was armed with a rifle or shotgun and ready to kill himself. The Police forced their way in and convinced him to put down his weapon. They then had him taken to a hospital for observation. Sounds like good work to me.
Throughout my political career, I have been calling for tougher measures against crime. I have never questioned the abilities of our Police Department or its intelligence operations. As a former Prosecutor, I am well aware of the intelligence networks that good police departments have. I also know what is necessary to solve crimes and make arrests. Based upon this experience and my own observations, I consider the Police Department of the City of Kingston to be top notch. They do a tough job and need our full support.
Perhaps our elected officials should worry more about dealing with issues of crime and urban decay and focus less on second guessing our Police Department. I am disappointed that some of our elected officials are handling this matter in such a negative way.
We must have zero tolerance for crime, drugs, and guns. We should add more police officers on the street during weekends when crime is more rampant, arrange crime sweeps to pick up those with outstanding warrants, and expand our efforts with URGENT. We should also look to the federal government for assistance similar to what they are offering Newburgh currently.
These are ideas worth considering. I am sure there are many other ideas out there as well. Our elected officials serve no purpose questioning the Police Department in this way. Let's put our heads together and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Police Department. Together, we can fight crime and improve our city. When elected officials choose to criticize Police for political reasons rather than praise them for a job well done, they degrade the ability of the police to protect our city and our neighbors.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
23 comments:
You are spot on, Cahill. The Police do the best they can.
I believe that is the most lucid, productive and constructive thing you have put on your blog. Who is your ghost writer?
We don't usually agree, but you presented a common sense explanation to the events that occurred. If the mayor and alderman have questions they should call the Police Chief not the Daily Freeman.
1) the Street Cannibals MC have a Kingston Chapter.
2) there was an invitation to the event on facebook for at least a week before.
3) the club had a name, Club @xclusive and it was not the first time people had been there, just the first big event.
4) there were over 100 cars in the area starting around 10:00 PM. That is unusual and the police should have noticed.
The police had many warning signs, and apparently did not act on them.
It is also apparent that they have a good source of CI's given the number of arrests today.
The Mayor was not that far off base for criticizing, the KPD could have prevented the shootings.
Mr. Cahill, it is not fun being a Democrate when you hit the nail on the head. I have to give you credit on this issue. I will go one step more. All the elected politicans are crying that Where was the INTEL. With cuts in the KPD budget and screams for reducing the size of the force, I could just hear the voice off Senor screaming that" we should take the inetl officers off there internet play ground and put them on the streets". Now he did not say this but you kno he would. That internet play ground is where the party was advertised on Facebook. Its a new world out here, and the internet can be a tool in fighting crime if our polotical kno it alls would wake up and smell the coffee.
Thank you very much , and have a nice day.
Hoffay lives a few hundred feet from the party. Doesn't he walk his ward? Couldn't he have heard the sounds from 300 people? If KPD had the intel they would have shut that down before it started. GOOD JOB KPD in arresting the criminals who were at the party
8:35,
I assure you you, the writing and the sentiment is completely my own. Perhaps I am just not as bad as you thought.
10:15,
On a normal day, 100 cars is out of the ordinary. Is it out of the ordinary on New Year's Eve?
So Hoffay and Company now approve a bond with $100,000 for Tax Certiorari Paymnets. Why is this part of this bond it should have been part of the 2011 Budget. Come on Hoffay. Also, good article today on Villa Carmella, but when are they going to make there KLDC loan current.
There are probably many people who know of, or suspect criminal activity in thier neighborhood. Does KPD offer a "tips" line where people can call in and offer information anonymously? If not maybe they should.
Could some of this be the result of hiring people who live outside the City? Used to be in order to work for KPD, KFD, or the DPW you had to live in the City. Not so anymore especially for KPD and KFD. If they only "visit" Kingston during thier tour of duty, they may not be aware of changing conditions in the various neighborhood.
From what I hear, the Mayor's wife got a ticket from the Kingston Police Department. That is why the Mayor attacked the Police. It was revenge.
Do you know if this is true Rich?
Why wouldn't the City take $112K recreation fee. The parks are in terrible shape. Why do we want land in a flood plain?
I agree with your assessment that the KPD does a great job and they are not at fault here. However, yes, 100 cars is excessive. There are no mansions, as far as homes go in that area, and no one can have a house in that area that is going to hold 100 cars worth of people. Yes, even on New Years Eve.
100 cars in that neighborhood, on that street, on that block, with maybe 10 residential buildings should have stood out like a sore thumb. It was at that very intersection that a man was found stabbed a few weeks earlier. He wasn't talking, but it would not be too far fetched to think the problem originated in the club.
Sottile was wrong for going public, he is not wrong for his criticism.
9:16,
I have no direct knowledge about that and therefore make no comment.
11:28,
I respectfully disagree, but you are entitled to your opinion.
Can we at least agree that the Mayor should have addressed his concerns with the Chief and officers on duty as opposed to running to the Troy Freeman??
9:08,
Yes, the City of Kingston Police TIPS LINE is (845) 331-4499.
It's refreshing that you support a police force that is one of the last professional agencies that protect and serve our citizens. Unfortunately, it seems that most are impressed with their own badge and looking to hand out tickets to supplement our ailing government. KPD has always presented themselves as no less than civil minded, hardworking officers who reacted as soon as they were made aware of a problem. Thank you to all of our men in blue.
also tips@kingston-ny.gov per crimereports.com
Rich everyone is saying there were 100 cars at this party, do we know this to be the actual number of cars, or are they just grand standing. I believe the KPD is doing a good job,sure they can improve,but all of us can improve.It will be naive to think other wise!
the ticket was issued 12/8/2010, stop sign on linderman ave, FOIA (foil) if necessary. Makes you go hmmm.
Yes, this is more of Sottile's angry ways.
However to be fair add Turco-Levin to that Monday morning quarterbacking--and you could have an Italian Sportsbar run by those two partners.
Post a Comment