I took note that Shayne Gallo proposed a Youth Crime Task Force to deal with serious problems with youth crime. I support the idea, though believe that the task force should deal with ALL crime, not just youth crime.
What is more interesting to me is the reaction of the politicos. In 2007, I proposed a Crime Task Force. The proposal was supported by 2 Democrats (Lenny Walker and Clint Brown) and myself. In return, I was accused of racial profiling and racism. Mayor Sottile and Chief Keller vehemently opposed the idea, and the City Corporation Counsel's Office, of which Shayne was and is a member, claimed the idea was illegal under the City Charter.
For proof of these events, click HERE, HERE, or HERE. Each link will take you to a different 2007 story in the Daily Freeman.
Now, let's fast forward to 2011. Shayne Gallo proposes a Crime Task Force for youth crime. Chief Keller has "no comment". No comments were forthcoming from Mayor Sottile or Alderman-at-Large Noble, both of whom attacked my proposal unmercifully. I must also ask how Mr. Gallo intends to create this commission when his own office has already declared it illegal and contrary to the City Charter.
Notwithstanding the incredible hypocrisy of the City Democrats and the Police Chief who lampooned the idea 4 years ago when offered by a Republican and now seemingly have no comment when the proposal is made by a Democrat, I still support the idea, but think it needs to go farther. The task force should concern ALL crime with youth crime and deterrence of youth crime being a large focus.
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UPDATE
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This is in response to the comment at 11:47. My response is too long for a "comment" and must therefore be added to the article itself.
My proposal was not a citizen task force, though some citizens would have been on it.
I first proposed the idea in my 2006 Minority Leader Speech. Here is an excerpt of the speech which encompassed the proposal.
"We must take an aggressive stance against crime in this city. There are four members of this Council (Aldermen Teetsel, Walker, Senor, and myself) who were supported and endorsed by the newly formed Kingston Safest City Party. We all agreed to support the formation of a Commission against Crime constituted of various members of law enforcement and citizenry which would be dedicated to the research and review of various ways, methods, and ideas to reduce crime and make Kingston the safest -- not safe or safer-- but safest city in the State of New York. Being a man of my word, I call upon this Council to create this commission. We only need one more to join the four of us and we can get it done right away.
Additionally, we need to see the creation of an Ulster County Drug and Gang Violence Task Force. This task force would consist of the Kingston Police Department, New York State Police, Ulster County Sheriff's Office, Ulster County District Attorney's Office, and other municipal police forces throughout the county. The idea would be to pool resources and man power to attack crime and the drug trade throughout the county, but most particularly in the hot spots in the county, which include Ellenville and, most unfortunately, Kingston. Obviously, efforts would be made to include the Attorney General's Office, United States Attorney's Office, and so forth.
This type of task force has been used in other counties and has proven to be very effective. By constructing the task force from so many different sources, it cuts down on the financial burden to each and every municipality in question. We cannot create this task force entirely on our own as we require the support of other municipalities, but we can and should start the ball rolling."
Then, in my 2007 Minority Leader Speech, I said the following:
"In last year’s address, I called for the creation of a Commission against Crime constituted of various members of law enforcement and citizenry which would be dedicated to the research and review of various ways, methods, and ideas to reduce crime and make Kingston the safest city in the State of New York. Four members of this Council (Aldermen Teetsel, Walker, Senor, and myself) all specifically agreed to support the formation of this commission. Only one additional member of this honorable body is needed to make it a reality.
Just a few weeks ago, I submitted a formal request to Alderman-at-Large Noble asking that this idea be presented to the Public Safety Committee or whichever committee he felt appropriate. Hopefully, this item will be on our agendas for this month’s meetings so we can get right to work.
Additionally, I called last year for the creation of an Ulster County Drug and Gang Violence Task Force. This task force would consist of the Kingston Police Department, New York State Police, Ulster County Sheriff's Office, Ulster County District Attorney's Office, and other municipal police forces throughout the county. The idea would be to pool resources and man power to attack crime and the drug trade throughout the county, but most particularly in the hot spots in the county, which include Ellenville and, most unfortunately, Kingston.
Unfortunately, this did not happen in 2006. However, our newly inaugurated Sheriff campaigned very strongly on the creation of this Task Force. It is my hope, now that he has become Sheriff, that Mr. Van Blarcum will follow through. When he does, Kingston must not only join this coalition, but also must be an active and aggressive member."
Though Sheriff Van Vlarcum did eventually succeed in creating his version of a county-wide task force (URGENT), the city never did create the Crime Commission I proposed.
To address your points, Mr. Heppner did not "suggest" anything. He stated outright that such a concept was contrary to the Charter and illegal. I do not agree with him, but that was his opinion. The ruling was made to limit debate and discussion because the Council Majority did not want to vote for my proposal or be on record as being against a Crime Commission. So, they had the Corporation Counsel's Office issue the ruling.
Second, the fact that I had in mind having some citizens on the Commission was not the basis for Heppner's ruling.
Third, I support Shayne's idea. I just am pointing out the hypocrisy of those who once opposed it vehemently, but now are conveniently remaining silent because a Democrat proposed practically the same idea.
18 comments:
You should do a press release like Gallo did and see how much publicity you actually get.
Wait one sec, boss. I read your article and I reread Gallo's. Dan Heppner suggested it may be illegal BUT the task force was different. Just becasue you are both calling it a task force does not mean they are the same thing.
One, Gallo is NOT recomending a citizen task force. He is saying county and city agencies should work together to be more transparent.
The two proposals are nothing alike. Sorry to say.
Review the press release. While the Freeman focused on the "task force" that is actually a fairly minor part of the plan. The most important part of Shayne's proposal is to hold the county agencies and the school district accountable for what they are supposed to do under the law w/regard to out of control juveniles.
Juvenile probation, DSS and the county attorney are supposed to carrying the load on these issues. It costs too much money, so they drop the ball and the city does not force them to do anything.
This is not a democrat vs. republican issue, it is a county v. city issue that ties right into the safety net conflict.
Certain candidates are willing to toe the line to keep the county happy, don't make Hein look bad and let the county continue to ignore their responsibilities in order to keep county taxes down. Other candidates for mayor know that their obligation is to the city,not the county, and what the county is legally obligated to do, they must be forced to do.
As to your proposals years back, while you may have been on the right track, without the votes on the council, it wasn't going to get done. Unfortunately, that's politics.
3:53,
We had 5 votes, enough to pass it. That's why they had the matter declared illegal.
I applaud you for supporting Shayne's proposal.
yeah, because the school district and the county do such a great job of following their legal duties now. NOT. They will laugh at Gallo, what's he going to do charge a City of Kingston sales tax. LOL
This reminds me of when the democrats crucified Karen Ventre for suggesting that the City come up with a plan to replace the entire sewer system. I am glad we did it Sottile's and the Democrats' way. Chasing leaks with duct tape and paying Sunday and Holiday overtime to fix leaks that were never planned for has worked out so much better.
When is the current owner of the Noah Hotel Project going to be made to clean up the site with all of the over grown brush and junk by the building safety division?
920,
Not that complicated. Each and every time an officer encounters a child whose parent is not providing adequate supervision, guardianship or ensuring that the child attends school as required by the education law, the officer must call the state central registry of neglect and abuse and DSS must conduct an investigation. If they do not conduct the investigations, they lose state and federal funding.
The purpose of the investigation is not necessarily getting a petition filed, it is having the investigator knock on the door and that serves to get the parents off their butts.
Similarly, each instance of regular truancy must be reported to the the county attorney and if necessary PINS proceedings must be initiated.
Flood the responsible agencies with reports and require them to investigate, the rocks that people live under get picked up, and things start moving. Slowly, granted, but moving nonetheless.
So the no smoking law has been passed,so who is goin to enforce it,mr.noble says it is a bad example for adults lighting up around children,o.k.i can dig that,but i guess it's o.k.to rent a city park for a party and get a alcohol permit and watch adults get hammered then get behind the wheel
When will the City cut Habeeb's grass on Albany Avenue like they did by his dentist office. Thought there was a code on the books for this, Oh he is related to Judge Ball.
Very simply, this is a bad idea, no matter who proposes it. It plays well to those who would place all the blame on all society's problems on young people--and that includes sadly my alma mater, Coleman High with their perennial highbrow anality. So yes, this fits the popular mentality but a better option would be on programs that lift youth up instead of continuously villify youth--something Kingston had "in the old days" but it has cut back on since and particularly now where the refrain is always "there is no money". No one wants to do this because it's not politically popular--but it works. Kingston should re-try it sometime.
Doesn't the City Charter require an ethics panel to be set up by the Alderman at Large - ?
Why isn't the Murphy and Finkle loan funds audited?
7:24: might be too late for an audit. The FBI just might be interested if they are following the money trail from the URGENT fiasco. After all, that was federal money Matthews pilfered.
7:23 There is a lot of things they are suppose to be doing at City Hall but they have been asleep at the wheel. But then you can't have the inmates running the asylum.
Hey 10:37. Dr. Habeeb's wife just passed after a very intense illness. How about cut him some slack you nasty piece of dirt. The City doesn't cut his grass at his office either I have personally seen a non city employee do it several times. As for Judge Ball if the City filed a charge and he dismissed it you might have something to say. Until them shut your pathetic pie hole and crawl back under your rock.
I am totally opposed to Shayne Gallo becoming our Mayor, his brother and now Jim Sottile and Jim Noble were, and are, responsible for the poor state of our city that is riddled with crime and drug dealing. In fact, I remember Jim Noble stating in the Freeman a couple of yrs. ago that the city's crime rate was down and it is not as bad as it seems. WHAT? IS THIS GUY SERIOUS? Now Shane wants to be Mayor, no thanks, we have been there and done that, time for change,man! I have not made up my mind on whether i will vote for Rich Cahill or Andi Turco Levin, but which ever one of these two wins the republican primary will get my vote. Let me state this, I AM NOT A REPUBLICAN, I am just tired of watching this city go down the tubes.
Hey 9:13 Don't take it so personal. Dr. Habeeb never took care of his properties on a regular basis. Remember the old car he had in his front yard? His office property was always in need of attention. Maybe he should have stayed a school teacher?
Sorry to hear about his wifes passing.
What will Gallo try to take credit for next,parking meters?
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