March 20, 2010 · www.gothamgazette.com

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This Month's Article ...

After the earthquake in Haiti city police and firefighters flew to Port-au-Prince, where they saved six people from the rubble. How was that mission organized and how did it operate?

Recent Crime and Safety Articles from the Gotham Gazette:

City Emergency Response Team Had Key Skills for Haiti Mission | Crime Falls, but Why -- and at What Cost?

Researching Crime and Safety ...

Mayor's Management Report
Mayor Michael Bloomberg Friday issued his preliminary Management Report for the current fiscal year, a mass of numbers that purport to measure city government's performance in a number of keys areas. This year's found an increase in homelessness, a rise in the number of people seeking welfare and food stamps, an increase in the amount of time it takes to fill a pothole and a rise in average class size, as well as cleaner streets and a decrease in school crime. (February 16, 2010)

Syringe Arrests
Police activity and outdated state law keep many people from participating in syringe exchange programs, a report by three advocacy groups concludes. The report, "Stuck in the System," cited widespread arrests of people for having syringes, even though they were enrolled in syringe access programs. The report recommends that the state remove its law against syringe possession. The exchange programs were established about 20 years ago to help prevent the spread of AIDS and hepatitis among intravenous drug users. (February 3, 2010)

Hazardous Buildings
A review of buildings in Manhattan by the office of Borough President Scott Stringer found a quarter of a million open Department of Buildings and Environmental Control Board violations in the borough. The report, Falling Apart at the Seams, found 33 percent of those violations were classified as “hazardous,” meaning they warranted “immediate corrective action.” Unresolved hazardous environmental control board violations persist at almost 40 percent of Manhattan’s public schools and 60 percent of public hospital buildings. A spokesperson for the mayor has said the problem is being addressed. (January 25, 2010)

Recidivism and Drug Law Reform
People released from prison due to Rockefeller drug law reform have remarkably low rates of return to incarceration, according to the Legal Aid Society. They say the finding supports the idea that drug law sentences were longer than necessary to protect communities. (January 21, 2010)

Fatalities from Fire
New York had 73 civilian fire deaths in 2009, the lowest number ever recorded, according to a report released by the city. This represented a 15 percent drop from 2008, when 86 civilians died in fires. The report also found the Fire Department took less time to respond to fires in 2009 and that the city had the fewest number of fires ever, including a record low number of serious fires. (January 13, 2010)

National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States
The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, an independent, bipartisan commission created by congressional legislation and the signature of President George W. Bush in late 2002, is chartered to prepare a full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including preparedness for and the immediate response to the attacks. The Commission is also mandated to provide recommendations designed to guard against future attacks. The site was frozen in 2004, but still remains a useful research tool.
Center for Court Innovation
Founded as a public/private partnership between the New York State Unified Court System and the Fund for the City of New York, the Center for Court Innovation is a non-profit think tank that helps courts and criminal justice agencies aid victims, reduce crime and improve public trust in justice. The center combines action and reflection to spark problem-solving innovation both locally and nationally.
The Guardian Chronicle
A clearinghouse for Correctional and Law Enforcement News in New York and the metro area.
Innocence Project
This web site for the Innocence Project - founded by defense lawyers Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld at the Cardozo School of Law - is primarily directed at the wrongful convictions of capital defendants. But its emphasis on DNA testing makes it relevant for many crimes, including rape and assault.
New York Civil Liberties Union
The NYCLU is a statewide organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of New Yorkers' civil liberties as enumerated in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York.

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