If the mayor wants a new fire station, that is entirely possible. Just separate the fire bond from the police objective. The voters of Albany know the importance of fire services, and are willing to support those efforts and services.
Separating the fire fund from police funds makes it possible to fund fire services and spark needed conversation about how police services act in regard to the public, and how departments spend public money. In the meantime, funding fire services is needed. Most likely, the city will try and spend money to win its agenda, as a vote on this matter is bound to reoccur.
Campus Security, a "cop" ideology, and an attitude the public is tired of.
In Albany, and across America, citizens are reluctant to finance a suspicious and discriminatory occupation. The mentality that police are the "protectors of freedom," is over. No longer is blind faith in a badge, the accepted norm. Increasingly, police departments are asked to be entirely accountable and less arbitrary.
In the past, Albany has had issues with rampant corruption across agencies that make up the local law enforcement web. A regional anti-drug team was disbanded, after massive corruption was exposed. Internal lawsuits within Albany Police has also exposed a climate of "above the law" ideology. One officer sued the department, winning a huge settlement and that policeman is still with the Albany Police, doing his job. There have been other lawsuits and complaints of inadequate policework along with discriminating policy. It would seem, APD has issues on both sides here.
Law enforcement is worth gold, when it is ethical and hard-working.
Fire and emergency services are also community's gold standard, but I cannot remember hearing about any crooked Albany firefighters. Fund this part of the city, as it is essential to community vitality.
Law enforcement is worth gold, when it is ethical and hard-working.
Fire and emergency services are also community's gold standard, but I cannot remember hearing about any crooked Albany firefighters. Fund this part of the city, as it is essential to community vitality.
Money well spent.
Other complaints about certain Albany cops has led to an air of distrust, culminating in a lack of ambition to fund police activities. The times we live in, with "stop and frisk" being an available tool for law enforcement, has only helped to spur the gap in public/police relations.
To fix this distrust, and improve the quality of policing the places we live, is a two-step process. First, because needs apply, we need to separate fire and police funding. Simple as that.
Second, because many good cops go unrecognized in the hyped reports of police crookedness, repairing relations with the public, by way of better training and processes, should be the police department's first task. Sensitizing police and requiring higher standards of policework, will bring about a refound respect for law enforcement.
In Albany, relations with the public, have not been encouraging. Shoddy reporting and detective work, arbitrary patrol tactics, and a general lack of respect for the public by the police, has created a suspicious attitude about police.
One can look at southern Oregon as well, as law enforcement is unfunded in many areas. People do not entirely trust police, and addressing that fact is crucial to solving the problems within police department ideologies.
Part of the sensitivity problem is a lack of prioritizing skills, as the officer that took my complaint about Oregon Sex Offender GRAEM HROMAS, actually called my ex, and asked her if I could be involved. That officer, is still as incompetent as ever, and is now of some rank.
I have heard complaints about others as well, and studies on police tactics and discrimination point to an outdated I-am-going-to-get-to-the-bottom-of-this attitude. The mentality is power rules all, and police wield that power like a magic wand.
Even rock-solid cops lean towards loyalty. This "look the other way" line of thinking, further disrupts the quality of police departments. And in essence, is wrong. What we are saying is, don't tattle on the bully. Or else.
To avoid discussions of "stop & frisk," and "loyal" royalty, and to stem debate about "police state," embracing a progressive approach to law enforcement will help lead communities into the next generation.
As far as Albany's new cop shop, fund the fire department now, as voters want that service robust. In the meantime, let's look at Albany and her law enforcement, and let's ask,
"How can we be more efficient, more ethical, and less dependent on intimidation?"
It is not just police, of course, as the sort of self inquiry can lead to examining policy and belief. As Steven Pinker said, in the fabulous book, "Why Violence Has Declined, Better Angels Of Our Nature," it is not cool to bash folks anymore. I think Pinker used a different term, but you get my point.
In Portland, police abuse has had much publicity, as has Albany, but Portland addressed some issues, and has seen significant improvement in the last 18 months. One Portland officer told me, "I try not to be a hard ass, I pick my battles," and this habit leads directly to a less discriminating, less arbitrary, presence on the street.
In Albany, relations with the public, have not been encouraging. Shoddy reporting and detective work, arbitrary patrol tactics, and a general lack of respect for the public by the police, has created a suspicious attitude about police.
One can look at southern Oregon as well, as law enforcement is unfunded in many areas. People do not entirely trust police, and addressing that fact is crucial to solving the problems within police department ideologies.
Part of the sensitivity problem is a lack of prioritizing skills, as the officer that took my complaint about Oregon Sex Offender GRAEM HROMAS, actually called my ex, and asked her if I could be involved. That officer, is still as incompetent as ever, and is now of some rank.
I have heard complaints about others as well, and studies on police tactics and discrimination point to an outdated I-am-going-to-get-to-the-bottom-of-this attitude. The mentality is power rules all, and police wield that power like a magic wand.
Even rock-solid cops lean towards loyalty. This "look the other way" line of thinking, further disrupts the quality of police departments. And in essence, is wrong. What we are saying is, don't tattle on the bully. Or else.
To avoid discussions of "stop & frisk," and "loyal" royalty, and to stem debate about "police state," embracing a progressive approach to law enforcement will help lead communities into the next generation.
As far as Albany's new cop shop, fund the fire department now, as voters want that service robust. In the meantime, let's look at Albany and her law enforcement, and let's ask,
"How can we be more efficient, more ethical, and less dependent on intimidation?"
It is not just police, of course, as the sort of self inquiry can lead to examining policy and belief. As Steven Pinker said, in the fabulous book, "Why Violence Has Declined, Better Angels Of Our Nature," it is not cool to bash folks anymore. I think Pinker used a different term, but you get my point.
In Portland, police abuse has had much publicity, as has Albany, but Portland addressed some issues, and has seen significant improvement in the last 18 months. One Portland officer told me, "I try not to be a hard ass, I pick my battles," and this habit leads directly to a less discriminating, less arbitrary, presence on the street.
In the end, over-suspicious and blatantly arbitrary law enforcement must be tamed. In a progressive state, where education and rehabilitation means more to community health, than do large jails, we should build foundations(fire dept.), only then we can address solving issues of real crime, which means less time "liming" the streets of Albany. A tactic approved by Albany Police, The City of Albany, and Oregon's own ODOT, and one of many overly aggressive approaches to homeless panhandling by the city itself.
The area that was limed, to the right side of the street in the picture, and under the bridge between the pillars. Lime filled the entire slopes. This is an auto and pedestrian "high traffic" area, and some homeless are in fact, dangerous. Lime however, is not the answer, as lime burns skin and causes toxic health situations. A barbaric approach to "problem" homeless. I am doubtful that Albany's taxpayers would warrant such a method, or approve of lime blowing in the wind around their homes and small businesses.
Boot drives for charity are well known locally, and Fire Department employees also have community safety programs for lifejackets and fire safety. APD also has community relations, of course, and these programs do very well. Officers are known at neighborhood schools and at bike safety seminars. The Albany Police Department does have its qualities. Building on those positives, will lead community voters in the direction of better local safety and a more efficient police station.
Help bridge gaps between public and police. Let's make communities stronger and tighter connected, and more respectful. Put a plan in place to fund fire service, and outline a plan to help APD build upon solid building blocks, forming a better force in the city of Albany. Or anywhere, for that matter.
