Local Government Priorities (Herald Sun Op-Ed 4/24/2007)

Op-Ed published in the Durham Herald Sun, 4/24/2007. (This is one of several op-ed pieces from 2006 and 2007 being placed into the blog as it is being created in early 2008.)

Local Government Priorities

Several weeks ago a couple of the Durham Conservative Club (DCC) members attended a meeting at which the Durham delegation to the NC Legislature was asked to talk about priorities, and field questions about same. There were few issues regarding increased financing for fighting crime, and increasing crime prevention.

DCC has, as one of its key issues, that of this same subject. While it is clear that the city and county benefit from increased spending on growing a great place for economic development, we feel that the issue of crime prevention needs considerably more attention. Following are several areas of insufficient funding by the state and/or the local governments. The problems have been defined by the Crime Cabinet as:

• too few magistrates
• antiquated computer equipment and systems
• a need for providing magistrates with sworn officer assistance
• foot patrols in high crime areas

The revolving door that has been frequently referred to seems to be primarily a problem of the arrest system itself. The remedies are already known, and all it takes is some funding to get it done. The DCC regards this funding to be essential not just a part of a wish list. Most of our members, as does Mayor Bell, feel safe in our neighborhoods, but a few of us do not.

• It is unacceptable that some Durham residents must put up with hearing gunshots most nights.
• It is unacceptable that some families must keep their children off the sidewalks to feel safe.
• It is unacceptable that elders don't feel safe sitting on their own front porches.

We request urgent action by the County Commissioners to spend money to upgrade computer systems, and add several deputies to operate those systems at the side of the magistrates. We request that the City add security level officers at a cost of about 2/3 that of sworn officers to conduct foot patrols in troubled neighborhoods. And, we request the Commissioners to demand from the NC Legislature the addition of 6 magistrates to the current low number of 13.

Other counties with populations similar to ours have magistrate numbers of 16 in Robeson and 22 in Gaston. It would not take much juggling and no tax increases in either city or county rates to provide the judicial system with the tools to keep those arrested for crimes from being released while out on bail or with existing outstanding warrants. Both local governments are in the final stages of the 2007/2008 budget. Now is the time for action at both local government levels. Stating that the NC state should be paying for some of these requirements is not, to us, a valid reason to abandon them.

The results of providing an adequate magistrate operation will most certainly include:

• fewer parolees released on new crimes
• higher bails for repeat arrests
• increased identification of child support violators
• fewer criminals on the street

We will continue to study the issues of juvenile crime, and to assist organizations that can get results.

Contributed by Ruthy Jones and Jack Steer, members of the Board of the DCC.