Rising Crime: What's To Be Done?
by Nikki Gawel
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The balmy summer is finally here (the good times) but crime is ever present and, according to newly released statistics, on the rise(the bad times). From 2004 to 2005, Buffalo’s city streets have become steadily less safe. Violent crime, for example, rose 3.5 percent over that period, outpacing the national increase of 2.5 percent. Robberies shot up 12 percent. In 2006, however, there have been some improvements—fewer murders than last year and fewer reported rapes. But robberies have increased dramatically compared to 2005. Buffalo Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson has said high crime is the price a job-poor, economically downtrodden community pays. What does all this mean? What do we do about it?
Click to watchName: Mary Ellen Wasinski
Occupation: Title officer
Residence: Wyoming County
Why do you think crime is on the rise in Buffalo? I think crime is on the rise really anywhere. I think the nuclear family is simply falling apart and there is no monitoring and ultimately that leads to crime and no direction.
What do you think about the new “zero tolerance action plan,” the brainchild of Mayor Brown and Buffalo Police Commisioner H. McCarthy Gipson? If it’s across the board and there are no exceptions, I think it’s a great idea.
The Buffalo police haven’t had a raise since 2003, and some are ready to go on strike. What do you think of that? I think if the city can afford to pay them more they should, but they have a control board for a reason.
Name: David Weiss
Occupation: Government employee
Residence: Getzville
Why do you think that crime is on the rise in Buffalo? I think it’s a reflection of the economic poverty and the lack of economic opportunity in this area. Unemployment plays a role, too.
What do you think about the new “zero tolerance action plan,” the brainchild of Mayor Brown and Buffalo Police Commisioner H. McCarthy Gipson? I think if people break the law they should expect police action. I don’t see a problem in the zero tolerance policy.
The Buffalo police haven’t seen a raise since 2003, and some are ready to go on strike. What do you think of that? I think the police are people who work for a living and deserve reasonable cost-of-living raises just like everyone else.
Name: Tim Drake
Occupation: Product manager
Residence: Pendelton
Why do you think that crime is on the rise in Buffalo? It probably has a lot to do with drugs plus some of the neighborhoods are going down.
What do you think about the new “zero tolerance action plan,” the brainchild of Mayor Brown and Buffalo Police Commisioner H. McCarthy Gipson? I agree with the policy, it’s a good idea. The parking ticket thing is a little extreme, but as far as drugs and other crime, it’s a good idea.
The Buffalo police haven’t had a raise since 2003, and some are ready to go on strike. What do you think of that? They deserve a raise, but the strike I don’t agree with. They are public officials, they should work for the public.
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