Where else but in Schenectady can a woman (Denise Brucker) hold down a full-time job, be “chosen” (her word) to fill a vacancy on city council and then spend the next 17 months of taxpayers’ time and money working on a master’s degree program? There just aren’t enough hours in the day for her to work a full-time job, go to school, and still do justice to her council job and her constituents. Where else but in Schenectady can a PBA president [Robert Hamilton] work 11 days as a patrol officer and receive more than $80,000 for a year’s salary? Where else but in Schenectady can an employee pencil in his hours on a time card and not work the shift? These are the kinds of bread-andbutter issues that keep our taxes high. The list goes on and on. There are a lot of good police officers in the department. They know who they are. God bless them. The others are responsible for the poor morale among their ranks. The naysayers have nothing to do with it. Commissioner Wayne Bennett is correct when he stresses the need to address the comp time issue. How many people know that if a police officer banks comp time, and he was to pass away before the time is used, then his heirs receive the money for the time the officer never worked — it’s in the contract. City council approves all items in the PBA contract. During the recent “councilmanic” race, most of the candidates said they would not take anything out of the PBA contract. So, Schenectady is represented by a group of retreads who favor vested interests over city taxpayers who pay for all the giveaway programs. Taxes will only get lowered when the council stops spending so much money on contractual issues. In the meantime, contract be danged — there is such a thing as a conscience. MARY B. MCCLAINE Schenectady
State: Crime down in Operation IMPACT counties Tuesday, January 8, 2008 By Bob Conner (Contact) Gazette Reporter
NEW YORK STATE — Crime is down in Schenectady, Albany and most other jurisdictions participating in Operation IMPACT, according to the state Department of Criminal Justice Services. Schenectady crime was down 13 percent in the first 11 months of 2007 compared to the first 11 months of 2006. Violent crime was down 14.8 percent and property crime 12.6 percent. In Albany, crime was down 11.3 percent. Violent crime was down 7.2 percent and property crime 12.4 percent. Operation IMPACT is a state-funded program targeting the 17 highest-crime counties outside New York City. The DCJS figures were released at a conference in Saratoga Springs.
Crime is down in Schenectady, Albany and most other jurisdictions participating in Operation IMPACT, according to the state Department of Criminal Justice Services. Schenectady crime was down 13 percent in the first 11 months of 2007 compared to the first 11 months of 2006. Violent crime was down 14.8 percent and property crime 12.6 percent.
Do those of you who live in Schenectady believe these statistics to be valid? Reports of criminal activity appear to me to be significant based on the daily articles published in the Daily Gazette. While I support Operation IMPACT, I hope to see a further reduction in criminal activity (particularly in the City of Schenectady) and a return to law and order.
I think that one needs to know the source of the data reported in the statistics. Might municipalities be withholding information like some school districts were found to have done in reporting violent acts of behavior?
Police Dept. nearing full force More officers will be assigned patrols BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
More officers are now working for the Schenectady Police Department than ever before, as the department nears its new budgeted strength of 166 for the first time. And more officers will stay in the patrol division than ever before as well. Unlike under previous administrations, Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett said he’s not inclined to promote patrol officers to the investigation division once new hires come on to take their place. “Patrol is the first responsibility of the police department,” Bennett said. “I want to cut down on the response time and increase citizen satisfaction.” But an improvement in response time is not likely to happen immediately. Nine officers graduated from the police academy last week, but they have at least three months of field training ahead of them before they can answer calls on their own. They’re patrolling the city with experienced officers right now. The department is offering jobs to another 10 officers this week. If all 10 accept — as they are expected to — then the full muster will fall just two officers shy of the budgeted force of 166, set by the city a year ago. That was an increase from 160 officers, which had been the most ever used by the city. Even when Schenectady’s population was larger, decades ago, it had fewer officers, according to police records. Two of the newest hires are New York City officers who will need only a few weeks of field training before beginning to patrol on their own. They’re also familiar with the area — they grew up in Fonda and Rotterdam, Bennett said. But the other eight new officers haven’t gone through the six-month police academy course yet. They head to school next week, which means that the city will have to wait until October to have a full roster of active officers. Bennett has not yet offered data that could be used to determine whether the new hires reduce response time. He suggested using residents’ complaints as an indication. RESPONSE TIME CRITICAL In the summer of 2006, when the department was coping with fi ve vacancies and the Schenectady City Council was flooded with residents’ complaints, it took police 9 /2 minutes on average to respond to the most serious calls, according to a report compiled by then-Chief Michael N. Geraci. Bennett does not have more current response time data but said he thinks police now get to the most serious calls within an acceptable period of time. It’s the less serious calls — like drug dealers peaceably selling cocaine outside a store — that need faster attention, he said. Geraci said in 2006 that the average response time for those calls was 45 minutes. Bennett said those calls may take up to an hour now — something he wants to change quickly. Police union President Robert Hamilton said he agrees with Bennett’s decision to focus on the patrol division first. Keeping offi - cers there will improve response times, Hamilton said. “Absolutely it will,” he said. “I think it’s critical we have offi cers to respond to calls as they come in, on a timely basis. But there are other units that also need bodies so we can follow up on that.” He said the vice squad in particular needs more officers. “Vice, which had 12 officers six years ago, is down to six,” he said. “And there’s going to be two retirements this year, so it will be down to four. I’m sorry, that’s not nearly enough.” He said the youth aid bureau also hasn’t seen a staff increase in a decade while juvenile crimes have increased substantially. “Some of the communities, one of their biggest complaints is they don’t get timely follow-up calls from the detectives, and it’s true,” Hamilton said. He said he hopes once all the new officers hit the streets, the council will approve funding to hire 14 more officers, so that the investigative division can be increased. But he said he wants more than just additions to the existing detective units. He wants to create a new group, dubbed the Street Crimes Unit. The detectives assigned to that unit — which would be identical to the Directed Patrol that was used in 1999 — would travel from neighborhood to neighborhood in response to crime trends. If copper pipe thefts spiked, the detectives would search for houses that criminals might consider “easy targets,” Hamilton said. Then the police would lay in wait until someone took the bait. “With the rash of thefts from cars at the holidays, you could fill a car and sit on it,” Hamilton said. “It’s critical we get back to proactive policing.” The new officers will receive a starting salary of $30,000, the second-lowest in the county after Niskayuna. With the department at nearly full strength, city officials have budgeted $14.7 million on police this year, including $6 million in salaries for the 119 officers in the patrol division and $2.4 million in salaries for the 47 officers for the investigative division. In that division, there are 29 budgeted investigators, down from 33 in 2007, and six other investigators are budgeted as vacant positions.
Police: Officer hit by drunk driver Injured Schenectady cop was charged last year with leaving the scene of an accident on Northway
By ROBERT GAVIN, Staff writer Friday, January 11, 2008
SCHENECTADY -- A city police officer accused last year of leaving the scene of an accident on the Northway was injured this morning near Union College when his vehicle was hit by a drunk driver, authorities said.
Officer Darren Lawrence's cruiser was struck after he crossed the intersection of Union and Lafayette Street about 1:15 a.m., said Officer Christopher Wrubel, a police spokesman. Lawrence sustained neck and back injuries, was treated at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady and released. He was on routine patrol at the time. Aaron Kopp, 23, of Niskayuna, was later charged with aggravated DWI for driving with a blood alcohol intoxication level of .18 -- more than twice the legal limit, Wrubel said. Kopp was treated by paramedics at the scene. In October 2006, an off-duty Lawrence was arrested after he allegedly lost control of his car, sending it flipping into a ditch near Watervliet Shaker Road in Colonie. Lawrence allegedly fought with a passenger who wanted to report the crash. At the time, Lawrence was charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, a misdemeanor, and placed on leave. The status of the case was not immediately known. It was also unclear when Lawrence returned to duty.
Lawyer ties deal to vote for sheriff Attorney contends Schenectady County officials sought delay of inmates' settlement
By ROBERT GAVIN, Staff writer First published: Saturday, January 12, 2008
ALBANY -- Schenectady County officials hoped to wait until Sheriff Harry Buffardi was reelected in 2006 before reaching a $2.5 million settlement with inmates who alleged they were illegally strip-searched at the county jail, a civil rights attorney charged. The lawyer representing the inmates asked a federal judge on Jan. 3 to unseal documents "addressing settlement negotiations and the request of the defendants to delay the settlement of this class action until after the November 2006 Schenectady County sheriff's election," according to court papers filed in U.S. District Court.
Judge Gary Sharpe denied the request from attorney Elmer "Bob" Keach, referring the matter to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Second Circuit in Manhattan, which is considering Keach's appeal over payment of his attorney fees in the case. "There is a certainly a story to be told here," the Amsterdam-based lawyer said Friday, "and I am going to make sure that those documents reach the light of day." The legal settlement was announced in July 2006 between the county and Keach, who initially brought the lawsuit on behalf of Nichole Marie McDaniel and Lessie Lee Davies, both of Schenectady, who were jailed in 2004 on shoplifting charges and strip-searched. They sued Buffardi and jail officials that summer. The litigation was finalized this past November, with an estimated 3,200 current and former inmates eligible to sue the county. Of those, close to 900 who filed claims will share a lump sum of $1.73 million, Keach said. Buffardi has admitted no wrongdoing, saying it was easier to settle the case than litigate it. Despite Keach's allegation, the settlement was announced on July 12, 2006, four months before Buffardi, a Democrat, cruised to reelection over Republican challenger Michael Moffett. On Friday, Buffardi said he had "no idea what was filed" in court papers. Asked about the allegation of the settlement delay, Buffardi said, "I didn't try and do that." Schenectady County's attorney, Christopher Gardner, said he was unaware of any request for a delay. "Obviously, the matter is settled prior to the 2006 election," Gardner said, adding, "Elmer Keach is just barking up the wrong tree or trying to create an issue where none exists." William Greagan, an Albany attorney representing Buffardi and the other defendants sued by the inmates, declined to comment on sealed documents. He questioned what the delay allegation had to do with Keach's appeal over attorney fees. In Keach's letter, he asked the judge to unseal "filed correspondence from the parties" addressing settlement negotiations. The letter noted the correspondence was identified under eight sealed entries filed with the federal court during the summer of 2006. Keach informed the judge he wanted access to the documents in his appeal over attorney fees. Federal court papers show the entries were sealed between March 6 and July 14, 2006. Keach's letter states he "does not believe there is any present basis to have these items filed with the court under seal." Keach also argued the documents should not be sealed by the 2nd Circuit, handling the appeal, because the settlement was approved and finalized. Out of the $2.5 million settlement, Keach wanted $650,000, or 26 percent, in attorney fees. The judge instead used an hourly billing rate, ultimately lowering the lawyer's fees to less than $400,000. Keach appealed last month."In light of what happened and the chaos that this case cost my office and my ability to represent other clients," Keach said, "if I had this to do over, I would not do it." By law, correction officers may strip-search inmates if they have a reasonable suspicion the inmates are carrying guns, drugs or other contraband. The jail lawsuit was not the first time the issue arose in the county. In 2001, following a separate case, U.S. District Judge Thomas McAvoy found the Schenectady Police Department's strip-search policy unconstitutional. A college student's rights were violated when he was forced to remove his clothes in front of four police officers after being arrested on a minor charge. Keach, meanwhile, has settled other class-action settlements for strip-search claims by inmates in the Rensselaer and Montgomery county jails. Gavin can be reached at 434-2403 or by e-mail at rgavin@ timesunion.com.
Cop hurt in crash removed from active duty Officer Darren Lawrence had been charged with leaving the scene of accident last year First published: Saturday, January 12, 2008
SCHENECTADY -- A city police officer, injured early Friday when his vehicle was hit by an allegedly drunken driver, has been removed from active duty pending evaluation of his injuries by a physician. Last year, the same officer was accused of leaving the scene of an accident on the Northway.
Officer Darren Lawrence's cruiser was struck after he crossed the intersection of Park Place and Lafayette Street near police headquarters around 1:15 a.m., said Officer Christopher Wrubel, a police spokesman. Lawrence suffered neck and back injuries, was treated at Ellis Hospital and released. He was on routine patrol at the time. Aaron Kopp, 23, of Niskayuna, was later charged with driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.18 -- more than twice the threshold for DWI, Wrubel said. Kopp was treated by paramedics at the scene. He is scheduled to appear in City Court at a later date. In October 2006, an off-duty Lawrence was arrested after he allegedly lost control of his car, sending it flipping into a ditch near Watervliet Shaker Road in Colonie on Oct. 14. He also allegedly had fought with a passenger who wanted to report the crash to authorities. At the time, Lawrence was placed on leave. Lawrence had been charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, a misdemeanor, and harassment, a violation. Disposition of those charges was not clear late Friday. -- Rob Gavin
Schenectady County's attorney, Christopher Gardner, said he was unaware of any request for a delay.
Shouldn't the county attorney be aware of the status of legal proceedings in which Schenectady County is a party? I suspect that Attorney Gardner may not be forthcoming in his statement.
I presume that Mr. Gardner's former position as the Chairman of the Schenectady County Democratic Party had nothing to do with the sealing of the records and the delay in the $2.5M settlement until after the election for Schenectady County Sheriff (between Buffardi and Moffett) had concluded.
On Jan. 2, nine graduates of the Police Academy and their families assembled at the Schenectady Police Department for the traditional gun and badge ceremony. They were joined by veteran Schenectady police officers, administrators, members of the City Council, Mayor Stratton and representatives from each of the local news agencies. The purpose of this gathering was to recognize a significant accomplishment by these individuals which for many is both the culmination and beginning of a lifelong dream. These nine new offi cers had successfully completed the mentally and physically challenging Police Academy and were about to embark upon a career in law enforcement. Unfortunately, rather than being a joyous occasion for these nine eager new officers, Mayor Stratton turned it into a media event. Instead of congratulating these new additions and welcoming them to his force, Mayor Stratton used this ceremony as an opportunity as a platform to once again chastize the Police Department by commenting on past and current issues which the department is dealing with or has moved past. The mayor went so far as to threaten each of these new officers by making comments such as, “While we hope your career is long, I can say with a bit of levity that it probably won’t be if there is anything short of the goals that we have set forward.” This was neither the time nor the place for these comments. The mayor’s statements were completely tactless and unprofessional. The gasps and appalled looks of the people in the room confirmed the inappropriateness of his comments. We recognize that we have had more than our share of problems, but we are actively working with the police administration to remedy them. Please let these young new officers at least start their careers with a clean slate and a positive outlook. Our hope is that the nine individuals who have taken an oath to “protect and serve” are not discouraged by the ill-advised, negative comments made by Mayor Stratton. BOB HAMILTON Schenectady The writer is president of the Schenectady Police Benevolent Association, and the PBA’s executive board also endorsed the letter.
The police union doesn't like the fact that the Mayor is telling them to clean up their act of they will have to find employment elsewhere. Many of us in the private sector were given similar messages when we were hired called the company's policy and conditions of employment. They would list a number of offenses for which you would be terminated if you didn't comply. Welcome to the real world Bob.
Perhaps Mr. Hamilton forgot that HE was one of the major contributing factors with the problems concerning the SPD! I have yet to read or hear of his admission to excessive time off and the supporting of corrupt police officer. I know, I know....they will say that it is 'in the contract'. I say that perhaps Hamilton should be replaced as well.
And as far as Mr. Stratton........it's a little too late. Where was his oversight of the SPD? He let them run amuck for years!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
It is a joyous occaision that requires a leveled straight line and standard that must not be bent....whether Mr.Stratton was the person to level it I'm not sure....it would probably be better if it had come from the commish......
Mr. Stratton is building a podium for himself for later......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
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