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Friday, November 2, 2007

Plainfield's Halloween Mischief: Is Cops-only Approach Enough?

There were more smashed car windows than originally thought, I learned from emails after yesterday's post, and as the Ledger reports this morning.

I take issue with the Ledger headline (remember, the reporter is NOT responsible for these!) about the anti-vandalism focus FAILING.

It is not clear that all those broken windows are not the responsibility of a SINGLE INDIVIDUAL. As Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig makes clear, the investigation continues. If it turns out that one person is responsible for the smashed windows -- or most of them -- it would, in fact, mean that the anti-vandalism effort could be considered a success.

On the other hand, it occurs to me (old community organizer mindset kicking in) that an all-cops approach has to be problematic.

Consider that it is simply impossible to be everywhere at once. Something more needs to be considered.

One resident, as I noted yesterday, has suggested using the Auxiliary Police.

And it may just be that block associations and neighborhood groups like FOSH could develop ways of giving the police more 'eyes' on the streets.


In any event, lets give the cops credit and let the investigation develop an answer to whether or not the effort was a 'failure'.



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ARCHIVED POSTS OF PLAINFIELD TODAY FROM 11/03/2005 THROUGH 12/31/2006 ARE AT
http://plainfieldtoday.blogspot.com/

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dan,

It amazes Pete and I how many people ARE NOT vigilant - a simple thing like leaving your front porch light is a deterrent. For pennies a day you are increasing the safety and security of your home and your neighborhood. If you want to save on your electrical bill- turn off the computer when not in use or disconnect the phone, blackberry and other chargers - those cost more in energy that an energy efficient light bulb! If there is a street light out, reported it to PSEG.

Libby Price