Unfortunately, our city has an issue with crime. Our city is perceived as unsafe, scaring tourists, and businesses away, as well as forcing citizens to move to the suburbs. I firmly believe that the men and women of the Syracuse Police Department are among the finest police departments in America, however, they are underutilized, underfunded, and underappreciated. My plan would rectify these problems, and reduce crime in our city.
I have an innovative six point plan to combat the crime that is plaguing Syracuse.
1. The passage of a Curfew Intervention Law.
2. More police on the streets.
3. A higher level of interagency collaboration.
4. An increase in intelligence gathering capability.
5. A zero-tolerance policy on violations affecting quality of life issues.
6. Passage and enforcement of a Curfew Intervention Law.
Contrary to what some people may think, this curfew will be put in place to protect our youth, not punish them. As it stands now our police officers cannot offer assistance to youths they see in dangerous situations. Under my proposal the police would have the authority to approach kids who are 16 and under on the street after 11 PM and bring them either home or to a community center where they would receive counseling for the purposes of finding them the services they need to keep them healthy and safe and in school. There are similar laws in Buffalo, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Toledo.
More Police on the Streets
During the peak months of street level crime, May to September, I would deploy our police officers in the most efficient manner. Primarily this includes temporarily moving non-patrol officers to high crime areas during when they are most needed. My goal is to have more police on the streets- when we need them, and where we need them- instead of in the office doing paperwork.
Interagency Collaboration
Just as several other city and county agencies can work efficiently together our police departments can also collaborate to provide a safer region. A high level of collaboration with county, state, and federal agencies is imperative during this time of belt-tightening.
Intelligence Gathering Capability
Critical to the ability to crackdown on crime is having as much advanced intelligence as possible concerning the activities and intentions of criminal operatives. This requires the investment in sophisticated equipment and the training of personnel dedicated to intelligence gathering. I will set aside monies for capital investment in such equipment and for the hiring and training of additional officers supporting these activities of the department.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
I firmly believe in the ‘broken window’ theory. Basically the theory states that if you provide a presentable city, without ‘broken windows’, then the crime rate will go down. People will be less likely to litter, vandalize property, or commit other so called petty crimes. Something needs to done about these petty crimes because not only do they detract from the quality of life of our citizens but more often than not they lead to more serious crimes by their offenders.
