A bill outlawing the paranoia-inducing chemicals passed the House on a unanimous vote earlier this year, and a similar measure could clear a Senate committee next week.
Republican Senator Elder Vogel of Beaver County said a statewide ban is critical, even though many municipalities have already made the substances illegal. “Because a lot of police departments are asking for it. The DAs are asking for it. I mean, the state district attorneys association is very supportive of the issue,” he said. “It’s a real issue in the southeast, but it’s also becoming more of an issue in the west and southwest here.”
Erik Arneson, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, said it’s not clear whether the Senate will approve the House bill, or pass its own measure. “. That’s a very common negotiation that we have with House leadership,” he explained. “That hasn’t been set yet. But one way or the other we are optimistic we can get a bill to the governor’s desk on that before the budget is done, or around the same time the budget is done in June.”
The latest high-profile warning sign of bath salts’ danger comes from West Virginia, where a man was arrested this week for killing a neighbor’s goat while wearing high heels and women’s’ underwear. He told authorities he had been high on bath salts for days, when they arrested him on animal cruelty charges.
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hearing on DNA Backlog Finds Progress
When Pennsylvania State Representative Larry Farnese (D- Philadelphia) learned that a serial rapist in his hometown might have been able to continue his crime spree because police did not have DNA evidence that could have linked him to multiple crimes, he called for a hearing to find out what was going on with the system. Police records show they had the DNA of the accused rapist in hand for nearly three months before it was added to the database where it could be matched to the other crimes.
What Farnese found was that at one time the state DNA lab was working with an 80-day backlog, which has been whittled down to 60 days in recent months. Farnese says the goal is to get it down to 14 days in the near future. However, he notes that in many European countries a one-week backlog is considered to be unacceptable.
Farnese says during the hearing it became clear to him that the employees in the lab are working as hard as they can. He says the number of employees and the equipment available limits the lab’s workload.
While funding levels were not specifically part of the hearing, Farnese says there was discussion on how to best use the state’s assets, including privatization options. “We determined based upon the hearing that it would cost more to box, protect and ship, then get them back and upload those samples, than it would to do it in house,” says Farnese. “So it is actually more inefficient to ship these to a third party testing lab.” Farnese says last year the state lab processed DNA samples from 1,924 active crime cases and uploaded 23,938 DNA profiles to the database.
The hearing comes as legislation that would increase the number of crimes for which DNA testing is done is making its way through the state legislature. Some believe that bill could increase the number of DNA samples processed by the lab by 400%.
What Farnese found was that at one time the state DNA lab was working with an 80-day backlog, which has been whittled down to 60 days in recent months. Farnese says the goal is to get it down to 14 days in the near future. However, he notes that in many European countries a one-week backlog is considered to be unacceptable.
Farnese says during the hearing it became clear to him that the employees in the lab are working as hard as they can. He says the number of employees and the equipment available limits the lab’s workload.
While funding levels were not specifically part of the hearing, Farnese says there was discussion on how to best use the state’s assets, including privatization options. “We determined based upon the hearing that it would cost more to box, protect and ship, then get them back and upload those samples, than it would to do it in house,” says Farnese. “So it is actually more inefficient to ship these to a third party testing lab.” Farnese says last year the state lab processed DNA samples from 1,924 active crime cases and uploaded 23,938 DNA profiles to the database.
The hearing comes as legislation that would increase the number of crimes for which DNA testing is done is making its way through the state legislature. Some believe that bill could increase the number of DNA samples processed by the lab by 400%.
State Police Commissioner: New DNA Testing Would Swamp Dept.
A new bill expanding Pennsylvania’s DNA testing is raising logistical concerns for the Commonwealth’s acting State Police Commissioner.
The measure, authored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, would collect DNA samples from people arrested for felonies and eight misdemeanors. The legislation broadens the scope of crimes leading to automatic DNA tests. It also shifts the timing of the swabbing, from after a conviction to after arrest. The bill would require the destruction of DNA samples for people found “not guilty.”
Governor Tom Corbett , Pennsylvania's former Attorney General, hasn't decided if he would sign the measure if it's passed.
"I don’t have a problem with a database of somebody who has been arrested and convicted. I think they have to be convicted. I haven’t read the bill so give me fair comment, but my personal opinion: if somebody is arrested, if you’re going to take DNA it has to be -- arrested, take the DNA, but it goes in a database after conviction."
At a recent budget hearing, Acting Commissioner Frank Noonan said the legislation would increase Pennsylvania’s DNA processing caseloads by 400 percent. “We will need about 35 analysts. The equipment’s very expensive. We would have to consume other equipment, as well as a facility,” he said. “And the one thing – I would just like to caution it is not something that people could say, ‘ok, go and do it,’ and we could just flip a switch. … It would take at least a year for us to get ready. It takes at least a year to train these analysts. So it’s something that – if we do decide to do it it has to be planned, there has to be a planned growth to our DNA laboratory.”
Noonan says the increase could cost more than $13 million dollars. A Pileggi spokesman is skeptical of the estimate, saying other states have made similar transitions at a cost of less than $2 million.
The measure, authored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, would collect DNA samples from people arrested for felonies and eight misdemeanors. The legislation broadens the scope of crimes leading to automatic DNA tests. It also shifts the timing of the swabbing, from after a conviction to after arrest. The bill would require the destruction of DNA samples for people found “not guilty.”
Governor Tom Corbett , Pennsylvania's former Attorney General, hasn't decided if he would sign the measure if it's passed.
"I don’t have a problem with a database of somebody who has been arrested and convicted. I think they have to be convicted. I haven’t read the bill so give me fair comment, but my personal opinion: if somebody is arrested, if you’re going to take DNA it has to be -- arrested, take the DNA, but it goes in a database after conviction."
At a recent budget hearing, Acting Commissioner Frank Noonan said the legislation would increase Pennsylvania’s DNA processing caseloads by 400 percent. “We will need about 35 analysts. The equipment’s very expensive. We would have to consume other equipment, as well as a facility,” he said. “And the one thing – I would just like to caution it is not something that people could say, ‘ok, go and do it,’ and we could just flip a switch. … It would take at least a year for us to get ready. It takes at least a year to train these analysts. So it’s something that – if we do decide to do it it has to be planned, there has to be a planned growth to our DNA laboratory.”
Noonan says the increase could cost more than $13 million dollars. A Pileggi spokesman is skeptical of the estimate, saying other states have made similar transitions at a cost of less than $2 million.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
New Benchbook Will Set Pars for Sex Crime Cases
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has released a new manual to help state District Court judges in sex crime cases.
Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin says the “benchbook” is an update of a 2007 version for Common Pleas judges, compiling newer standards and ‘best practices’ for judges taking part in sexual offense cases.
Eakin says the new book updates sexual assault definitions, addresses practical aspects (such as setting bail), and includes resources and references on sexual assault and rape crisis centers.
“There are sensitivities and intricacies in sexual assault cases that are unique to it, and this was an effort to give the front line courts something to help them recognize issues and deal with the things that are unique to this type of crime,” says Eakin.
Eakin says the Benchbook Advisory Committee that crafted the manual included a mix of prosecutors, defense attorneys, researchers, and other practitioners to ensure there was no bias toward either the victim or the accused.
Superior Court Judge Jack Panella was the book’s principal author; he also wrote the 2007 version for Common Pleas Courts.
Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin says the “benchbook” is an update of a 2007 version for Common Pleas judges, compiling newer standards and ‘best practices’ for judges taking part in sexual offense cases.
Eakin says the new book updates sexual assault definitions, addresses practical aspects (such as setting bail), and includes resources and references on sexual assault and rape crisis centers.
“There are sensitivities and intricacies in sexual assault cases that are unique to it, and this was an effort to give the front line courts something to help them recognize issues and deal with the things that are unique to this type of crime,” says Eakin.
Eakin says the Benchbook Advisory Committee that crafted the manual included a mix of prosecutors, defense attorneys, researchers, and other practitioners to ensure there was no bias toward either the victim or the accused.
Superior Court Judge Jack Panella was the book’s principal author; he also wrote the 2007 version for Common Pleas Courts.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Megan's Law Loopholes
The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association is calling on the legislature to eliminate loopholes in Megan's Law which requires sex offenders to register with the state.The D.A.'s group says a gap in the law allows out-of-state sex offenders to come into Pennsylvania and not be penalized for not joining the Pennsylvania Sex Offenders Registry.
The state's prosecutors are seeking to plug a loophole in Megan's Law that allows convicted sex offenders moving to Pennsylvania and homeless offenders to escape penalties for failing to register.
Greg Rowe, the legislative liaison for the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Office Association says that this is a broad Public Safety issue.
"District Attorneys from around the state in many different counties have experienced this problem."
Dave Freed, Cumberland County District Attorney, says he has seen at least six of these loophole cases in his county, and that the legislation just corrects the original drafting problems.
"It's not that anyone in the legislature wanted to protect out of state offenders or protect homeless offenders it was simply that the drafting didn't cover it. What this fix does is cover it, and closes the loopholes."
State Representative Bryan Cutler is the co-sponsor of the bill that has passed the House. Cutler says that it's hard to tell how many out of state offenders are out there.
"I don't know that we can have an estimate at this time because they're not required to register under some of the offenses and some of the loopholes that are out there."
Language to remove these loopholes was included in Castle Doctrine legislation that was approved last November but vetoed by then Governor Ed Rendell. The Castle Doctrine bill would have expanded a citizen's right to use deadly force to defend himself.
The state's prosecutors are seeking to plug a loophole in Megan's Law that allows convicted sex offenders moving to Pennsylvania and homeless offenders to escape penalties for failing to register.
Greg Rowe, the legislative liaison for the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Office Association says that this is a broad Public Safety issue.
"District Attorneys from around the state in many different counties have experienced this problem."
Dave Freed, Cumberland County District Attorney, says he has seen at least six of these loophole cases in his county, and that the legislation just corrects the original drafting problems.
"It's not that anyone in the legislature wanted to protect out of state offenders or protect homeless offenders it was simply that the drafting didn't cover it. What this fix does is cover it, and closes the loopholes."
State Representative Bryan Cutler is the co-sponsor of the bill that has passed the House. Cutler says that it's hard to tell how many out of state offenders are out there.
"I don't know that we can have an estimate at this time because they're not required to register under some of the offenses and some of the loopholes that are out there."
Language to remove these loopholes was included in Castle Doctrine legislation that was approved last November but vetoed by then Governor Ed Rendell. The Castle Doctrine bill would have expanded a citizen's right to use deadly force to defend himself.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
City Councilman Hears from Community on Police Accountability
A Tuesday night hearing at the Shiloh Community Missionary Baptist Church in Homewood addressed upcoming legislation for more police transparency. Pittsburgh Councilman Ricky Burgess' bill would establish policy for off-duty police, and compel the Pittsburgh Police Bureau to produce an annual report on the make-up of the police force; any legal action against police officers; average response times; arrests by charge, race and gender by zone and specialized units; conviction rates and traffic stops as well as recruitment and retention.
Burgess says that a lot of people are interested in the duties and requirements of off-duty police officers. "I think there needs to be a clear policy that states what off duty police officers should and should not do, and what is the responsibility and the city's commitment to them so that both sides are clear. I think that recent events have lead us to need to have that process clarified."
He says that the majority of his constituents are behind him and that he has not yet heard from the opposition directly. Burgess is willing to make compromises to his legislation but believes that the conversation and public discussion is incredibly important.
Councilman Burgess' legislation was proposed after allegations of police brutality against 18 year old Jordan Miles, who was allegedly beaten by 3 plain clothed officers while walking to his grandmother's house in Homewood.
Burgess says that a lot of people are interested in the duties and requirements of off-duty police officers. "I think there needs to be a clear policy that states what off duty police officers should and should not do, and what is the responsibility and the city's commitment to them so that both sides are clear. I think that recent events have lead us to need to have that process clarified."
He says that the majority of his constituents are behind him and that he has not yet heard from the opposition directly. Burgess is willing to make compromises to his legislation but believes that the conversation and public discussion is incredibly important.
Councilman Burgess' legislation was proposed after allegations of police brutality against 18 year old Jordan Miles, who was allegedly beaten by 3 plain clothed officers while walking to his grandmother's house in Homewood.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Speakers Testify on City Police Reform Legislation
Experts from law enforcement, academia and the legal arena spoke out in support of proposed police reform legislation at Pittsburgh Council Thursday. The post-agenda meeting centered on an ordinance drafted by Councilman Ricky Burgess that would require routine data collection by officers and law enforcement administrators. That data would include everything from routine traffic stops to incidents involving the use of force. The information would be published in an annual public report that would specify the make-up of the police force; any legal action against police officers; average response times; arrests by charge, race and gender by zone and specialized units; conviction rates and traffic stops as well as recruitment and retention. Vic Walczak, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania says in the 1990's Pittsburgh police were forced to abide by a consent decree that help bring the department in line. But he says he's sure the police union will come out against the legislation as hamstringing their operations, "that is demonstrably false because other police departments around the country do it, and the city of Pittsburgh police department has done it--they were forced to do it under the consent decree--and crime went down." Walczak says there's a perception in the black community that it is under siege, "and until and unless the city measures what their officers are doing and publicizes it, they can't credibly come out and say there's no problem." Wayne Babish, a former police officer and adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh supports the legislation and says over time, police officers will recognize its benefits, "a police chief would welcome and view this proposed legislation as an opportunity to communicate and collaborate with elected officials." Burgess' legislation was sparked by the alleged beating of Jordan Miles, a black high-school student, by white, plain-clothed police officers in Homewood in January 2010. An investigation into that incident is still pending.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Crackdown on Mortgage Fraud
The Mortgage Fraud Task Force of the U.S. Attorney's Office is marking its 3rd anniversary today with the filing of charges against another 14 individuals connected to 7 different fraudulent schemes.
U.S. Attorney David Hickton says in those 3 years, 105 defendants have been charged with 75 of them convicted or pleading guilty, and the remaining cases are pending..."this is a very important priority for this office."
Hickton says he believes that the mortgage fraud problem has peaked and that the task force has been a factor....
"We also have to acknowledge that the environment which created this with less restrictions has been remedied by the banking community and others. So, we think the problem is on the wane, but it's still there."
Hickton says over the last 3 years the indictments have involved 2,500 properties and $500 million in fraudulent loans, and that anyone who participates in the fraudulent transactions should be aware....
"If it's the seller, the borrower, the closing agent, the mortgage broker or the appraiser, they're all potential targets of these prosecutions."
According to Hickton, mortgage fraud is a double whammy for owners trying to pay for their homes...
"It hits many of our communities where people are struggling. It leaves people in a position where the community has been affected, homes are abandoned, families are victimized and then it can lead to a secondary level of crime where the abandoned home becomes a site of secondary criminal activity."
Hickton says there are no plans to end the work of this task force.
U.S. Attorney David Hickton says in those 3 years, 105 defendants have been charged with 75 of them convicted or pleading guilty, and the remaining cases are pending..."this is a very important priority for this office."
Hickton says he believes that the mortgage fraud problem has peaked and that the task force has been a factor....
"We also have to acknowledge that the environment which created this with less restrictions has been remedied by the banking community and others. So, we think the problem is on the wane, but it's still there."
Hickton says over the last 3 years the indictments have involved 2,500 properties and $500 million in fraudulent loans, and that anyone who participates in the fraudulent transactions should be aware....
"If it's the seller, the borrower, the closing agent, the mortgage broker or the appraiser, they're all potential targets of these prosecutions."
According to Hickton, mortgage fraud is a double whammy for owners trying to pay for their homes...
"It hits many of our communities where people are struggling. It leaves people in a position where the community has been affected, homes are abandoned, families are victimized and then it can lead to a secondary level of crime where the abandoned home becomes a site of secondary criminal activity."
Hickton says there are no plans to end the work of this task force.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Coalition Against Violence: Stop The Killings
In reaction to published reports that the rate at which Pittsburgh Police are able to solve or “clear” homicide cases slipped in 2010, the co-convener of the Coalition Against Violence says his hope is to get the number of murders to as close to zero as possible. Co-convener Tim Stevens says, “We literally must have a zero tolerance for violence. We have to put value on life, and somewhere along the line, it appears we have begun to devalue life because how can you explain our ability to so quickly and so readily kill each other with guns?”
Stevens says it is extremely important to the community and to the families of the victims to have the crimes solved. “They know they will not get their loved ones back, but at least to know that the person who did the crime is found and is serving time is helpful to their mental health, and the mental health of the community in that people are off the streets who need to be off the streets,” says Stevens. He says that begins with better police/community relations. He says he hopes that will be a focus of everyone in 2011. Stevens believes residents need to understand that police have a very tough job, but police need to understand how much power they have. “They have the ability to possible kill you and it needs to be handled in a very diligent and protective manner so that the community can give the police as much respect as possible.”
Stevens says the relationship between police and the black community was damaged by the beating of Jordan Miles and it will take a great deal of effort to over come that damage. However, he says the community must work with police whenever they have information. He says it is not “snitching” to help the police. “My understanding is ‘snitching’ is between those who are committing crimes, snitching on others who are committing crimes. We are talking about the community who is not committing crimes, to share information with police, which hopefully will help the crimes be solved more expeditiously,” says Stevens.
The Post Gazette reports the clearance rate in 2010 fell to 50% from 72% in 2009. However, there are still cases pending in court and police are still working on other cases that could result in arrests this year.
Stevens says it is extremely important to the community and to the families of the victims to have the crimes solved. “They know they will not get their loved ones back, but at least to know that the person who did the crime is found and is serving time is helpful to their mental health, and the mental health of the community in that people are off the streets who need to be off the streets,” says Stevens. He says that begins with better police/community relations. He says he hopes that will be a focus of everyone in 2011. Stevens believes residents need to understand that police have a very tough job, but police need to understand how much power they have. “They have the ability to possible kill you and it needs to be handled in a very diligent and protective manner so that the community can give the police as much respect as possible.”
Stevens says the relationship between police and the black community was damaged by the beating of Jordan Miles and it will take a great deal of effort to over come that damage. However, he says the community must work with police whenever they have information. He says it is not “snitching” to help the police. “My understanding is ‘snitching’ is between those who are committing crimes, snitching on others who are committing crimes. We are talking about the community who is not committing crimes, to share information with police, which hopefully will help the crimes be solved more expeditiously,” says Stevens.
The Post Gazette reports the clearance rate in 2010 fell to 50% from 72% in 2009. However, there are still cases pending in court and police are still working on other cases that could result in arrests this year.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Jail Guards Charged in Beating of Inmate
Two Allegheny County jail guards have been charged in the beating of inmate David Kipp. Arii Metz and Marcia Williams, both with ten years on the job were charged with several counts. Metz was charged with aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy, among other counts. Williams was with criminal conspiracy, un-sworn falsification to authorities, obstruction of the administration of law and official oppression. Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt said both Williams and Metz and a third guard, Timothy Miller, are suspended without pay and a preliminary hearing will be held next week. The alleged beating took place in the intake/processing department and Allegheny County Jail Warden Ramon Rustin says that while there are cameras throughout the facility, they don't capture everything, "This area in our processing, I don't consider it a blind spot, but it doesn't capture every single area." Kipp was taken to the county jail on October 13 on drug and assault charges with no visible facial wounds. But when he showed up for a hearing he had visible bruising and bandages on his face and his defense attorney Kevin Abromovitz told he judge his client suffered a broken nose and perforated eardrum and he didn't believe the injuries were caused by another inmate. FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Rodriguez says civil rights charges under the color of law code are pending against one or more of the corrections officers.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Castle Doctrine Bill Passes
The House has passed a bill expanding a person’s right to self defense in Pennsylvania. However, many Democrats are upset, because they weren’t allowed to debate the measure before a vote.
The Castle Doctrine bill lets a person use deadly force to defend his or her property, and limits the duty to retreat first, before fending off an intruder or attacker. It passed on a 159-38 vote, after Minority Leader Sam Smith successfully used a parliamentary move stifling debate, and prohibiting members from offering amendments.
Democrat Dwight Evans said the maneuver hurt the House’s credibility.
"You may win this today, but mark my words. If you’re round here long enough, there will be a day when there’s something you want to express – there will be a day. And someone will do the same thing to you."
House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin says that’s exactly what Evans and other Democratic leaders did last week, when they inserted severance tax language into an unrelated Senate bill, in order to bring it to the floor without considering amendments.
However, other Democrats opposed the essence of the legislation. Representative Dan Frankel of Pittsburgh said citizens already have the right to defend themselves and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association sent House members a letter urging them to reject the legislation. The letter said, "Under current law, a resident never has the duty to retreat if he or she is threatened inside of his or her home or place of work, regardless of whether the person can safely retreat. Moreover, outside of home or work, a person has a duty to retreat only if that person knows that he or she can retreat with complete safety. Current law affords great protection to residents threatened by deadly force, while balancing the need to reduce violent physical confrontation."
"Law abiding citizens who protect themselves from criminals will not be the beneficiaries of this bill. Criminals will. This legislation is a ready-made defense for violent criminals -- a defense which their attorneys will exploit in court," the district attorneys' letter said.
A Senate Republican spokesman says leaders in the upper chamber are receptive to the bill – but there are only three days left to get it passed this year.
The Castle Doctrine bill lets a person use deadly force to defend his or her property, and limits the duty to retreat first, before fending off an intruder or attacker. It passed on a 159-38 vote, after Minority Leader Sam Smith successfully used a parliamentary move stifling debate, and prohibiting members from offering amendments.
Democrat Dwight Evans said the maneuver hurt the House’s credibility.
"You may win this today, but mark my words. If you’re round here long enough, there will be a day when there’s something you want to express – there will be a day. And someone will do the same thing to you."
House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin says that’s exactly what Evans and other Democratic leaders did last week, when they inserted severance tax language into an unrelated Senate bill, in order to bring it to the floor without considering amendments.
However, other Democrats opposed the essence of the legislation. Representative Dan Frankel of Pittsburgh said citizens already have the right to defend themselves and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association sent House members a letter urging them to reject the legislation. The letter said, "Under current law, a resident never has the duty to retreat if he or she is threatened inside of his or her home or place of work, regardless of whether the person can safely retreat. Moreover, outside of home or work, a person has a duty to retreat only if that person knows that he or she can retreat with complete safety. Current law affords great protection to residents threatened by deadly force, while balancing the need to reduce violent physical confrontation."
"Law abiding citizens who protect themselves from criminals will not be the beneficiaries of this bill. Criminals will. This legislation is a ready-made defense for violent criminals -- a defense which their attorneys will exploit in court," the district attorneys' letter said.
A Senate Republican spokesman says leaders in the upper chamber are receptive to the bill – but there are only three days left to get it passed this year.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Anti-Crime Initiative Begins
Pittsburgh Police and federal authorities have begun holding face to face meetings with members of violent groups in the city in an effort to reduce the number of homicides and youth crime. The police bureau has identified 37 violent groups with more than 1,400 members as part of the Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime (PIRC). Police Chief Nate Harper says the 55 offenders who were brought in for the first "call-in" session have influence within their groups.
Under the PIRC structure, the next time a crime occurs by a member of a group all members will be held accountable. When it comes to a homicide, there will be no plea bargains; the hardest arm of the law will be delivered. Then, group offenders will be brought back in for another call-in to reinforce the PIRC message.
Acting U.S. Attorney Robert Cessar told the 55 that future violent offenses would be prosecuted under federal racketeering and conspiracy laws...
“Seeing photos of their former peers, who are now serving life sentences in federal prisons around the country, really seemed to send a message. These offenders seemed surprised to learn that being charged with a federal offense often means pre-trial detention and, if convicted, a mandatory minimum sentence that is served in a federal prison far away from family and friends.”
Listen to a report by WDUQ's Kevin Gavin
Under the PIRC structure, the next time a crime occurs by a member of a group all members will be held accountable. When it comes to a homicide, there will be no plea bargains; the hardest arm of the law will be delivered. Then, group offenders will be brought back in for another call-in to reinforce the PIRC message.
Acting U.S. Attorney Robert Cessar told the 55 that future violent offenses would be prosecuted under federal racketeering and conspiracy laws...
“Seeing photos of their former peers, who are now serving life sentences in federal prisons around the country, really seemed to send a message. These offenders seemed surprised to learn that being charged with a federal offense often means pre-trial detention and, if convicted, a mandatory minimum sentence that is served in a federal prison far away from family and friends.”
Listen to a report by WDUQ's Kevin Gavin
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Anti-Gang Program Gets Underway
Pittsburgh City Council has approved a second $200,000 outlay for the Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime, or PIRC--a program announced in 2008 and modeled after a successful effort in Boston.
PIRC Coordinator Jay Gilmer says the first meeting with gang members will take place next month, when community members, social service providers, and law enforcement will deliver a clear message that violence must stop. The accompanying message will be that the community cares about the gang members and needs them in neighborhoods doing good things, but if they can't abide by the rules, law enforcement will try to take them away so they can't hurt people.
For those who want to turn their lives around, Gilmer says there will be social services available through Pittsburgh Community Services in the Hill District: drug treatment, educational opportunities, job training, and more. Gilmer says the group One Vision One Life is also a critical partner, contrary to a recent study that found them to be ineffective.
The PIRC has a contract with the University of Pittsburgh to evaluate the program.
PIRC Coordinator Jay Gilmer says the first meeting with gang members will take place next month, when community members, social service providers, and law enforcement will deliver a clear message that violence must stop. The accompanying message will be that the community cares about the gang members and needs them in neighborhoods doing good things, but if they can't abide by the rules, law enforcement will try to take them away so they can't hurt people.
For those who want to turn their lives around, Gilmer says there will be social services available through Pittsburgh Community Services in the Hill District: drug treatment, educational opportunities, job training, and more. Gilmer says the group One Vision One Life is also a critical partner, contrary to a recent study that found them to be ineffective.
The PIRC has a contract with the University of Pittsburgh to evaluate the program.
Council Okays $200K for Crime Reduction Program
Pittsburgh City Council unanimously okayed $200,000 in contracts with the non-profit groups Pittsburgh Community Services and One Vision, One Life to provide social services to gang members in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime (PIRC) was proposed in 2008 and Council originally authorized $200,000 for planning. Council President Darlene Harris says not all of that money has been used and this new grant is to get the initiative implemented.
"I'm encouraged that this possibly could help. Any tool that we can utilize is another way to work with young people and hopefully reduce crime."
Harris says it's been proven to work in Boston and she hopes it will be successful in Pittsburgh.
Council passed the measure only after an accountability amendment was added by Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak ..“We need this program to get off the ground. We have authorized nearly a half a million dollars for PIRC over two years. Its time to get serious about protecting our neighborhoods. We need to know how the funds are being spent and what impact PIRC is having on our neighborhoods.”
The measure requires the PIRC administrator to provide quarterly reports with details information on the program's activities and next steps for implementation..
"I'm encouraged that this possibly could help. Any tool that we can utilize is another way to work with young people and hopefully reduce crime."
Harris says it's been proven to work in Boston and she hopes it will be successful in Pittsburgh.
Council passed the measure only after an accountability amendment was added by Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak ..“We need this program to get off the ground. We have authorized nearly a half a million dollars for PIRC over two years. Its time to get serious about protecting our neighborhoods. We need to know how the funds are being spent and what impact PIRC is having on our neighborhoods.”
The measure requires the PIRC administrator to provide quarterly reports with details information on the program's activities and next steps for implementation..
Monday, June 28, 2010
Poplawski Trial Delayed
The judge hearing the case of accused police killer Richard Poplawski has agreed to put a hold on the trial until April. Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffery Manning listened to arguments today from assistant public defender Lisa Middleman who asked for the delay saying she needed more time for experts to review Poplawski’s school, medical and other records. She says those experts will not be available until September. The trail was to have begun in October. Jury selection will now begin April 11th with the trail to begin April 25th. The jury will be pulled from a pool of Harrisburg area residents due to the high profile nature of the case. Poplawski is accused of killing three Pittsburgh Police officers in April of 2009 as they responded to a domestic dispute call in Stanton Heights.
Thefts at Duquesne Light Substations
A $10,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever has been responsible for stealing or buying stolen copper and aluminum from Duquesne Light substations.
“These thefts threaten the safety of our workers, which is unacceptable,” said Joe Vallarian, spokesperson for Duquesne Light, in a statement. “Taking these materials also can cause interruptions in our customers’ electrical service, as well as threatening the lives of the thieves themselves. A substation is a very dangerous place to attempt to remove copper or aluminum.”
According to news reports, over the weekend, a man was found in a New Brighton substation, possibly electrocuted. A bag with pieces of copper and aluminum were found nearby.
Whenever the price of copper and aluminum rise, thefts of those materials also increase.
“These thefts threaten the safety of our workers, which is unacceptable,” said Joe Vallarian, spokesperson for Duquesne Light, in a statement. “Taking these materials also can cause interruptions in our customers’ electrical service, as well as threatening the lives of the thieves themselves. A substation is a very dangerous place to attempt to remove copper or aluminum.”
According to news reports, over the weekend, a man was found in a New Brighton substation, possibly electrocuted. A bag with pieces of copper and aluminum were found nearby.
Whenever the price of copper and aluminum rise, thefts of those materials also increase.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wagner: Better Photos of Offenders Needed
Auditor General Jack Wagner says Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law website needs to become more user-friendly.
Wagner’s special report gives the Megan’s Law website, which is operated by the State Police, a C minus.
The Auditor General says the site’s search engine needs to allow more flexibility, so misspellings and typos don’t prevent people from accessing needed information.
He’s also calling for higher-quality photographs of offenders.
"You see many examples in this report of sex offender photographs that are grainy, that are blurry. That are too light, that are too dark. The offender’s eyes are closed, offenders are wearing hats. You really can’t identify."
Wagner says the website should have multiple color photographs including profile views, of each offender, that include the date in which the photograph was taken.
Wagner’s report also recommends incorporating mapping software into the website, so users can pinpoint the exact location of sex offenders’ homes.
The State Police did not respond to calls for comment.
In a letter to the Auditor General’s office, a State Police official says the organization is working on including mapping features, but the effort has been held up by budgetary restraints.
Wagner’s special report gives the Megan’s Law website, which is operated by the State Police, a C minus.
The Auditor General says the site’s search engine needs to allow more flexibility, so misspellings and typos don’t prevent people from accessing needed information.
He’s also calling for higher-quality photographs of offenders.
"You see many examples in this report of sex offender photographs that are grainy, that are blurry. That are too light, that are too dark. The offender’s eyes are closed, offenders are wearing hats. You really can’t identify."
Wagner says the website should have multiple color photographs including profile views, of each offender, that include the date in which the photograph was taken.
Wagner’s report also recommends incorporating mapping software into the website, so users can pinpoint the exact location of sex offenders’ homes.
The State Police did not respond to calls for comment.
In a letter to the Auditor General’s office, a State Police official says the organization is working on including mapping features, but the effort has been held up by budgetary restraints.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Commission: No One Spoke Up for Juveniles
The commission created to investigate Luzerne County’s “cash for kids” judicial scandal says the county experienced “a collapse of the rule of law,” and that everyone from judges to lawyers to the general community shares part of the blame.
The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice’s final report says what happened in Luzerne County, where two judges allegedly shuffled juvenile offenders into privately-held detention centers in exchange for millions of dollars in kickbacks, was an isolated incident.
Chairman John Cleland says no one including defense attorneys, prosecutors, police or probation officers stepped up to challenge or report what Judges Mark Ciavarella or Michael Conahan were doing.
"Now in other counties, there might be a breakdown in one or maybe two aspects of that. And the others would come into play and the system would right and balance itself. But it is astonishing to all of us, I think, the total collapse that we witnessed."
Cleland says some of the details were shocking.
"You have a situation where you have a seven—an 11-year-old little boy who owes 488 dollar in fines and costs. And the judge says, can you pay it? And he says no. and the response is, put handcuffs and shackles on him and get him out of here and put him in detention. And nobody in the courtroom said a word."
The Commission issued 43 recommendations, including making it more difficult for juvenile defendants to waive their right to counsel, and creating a statewide office to help families of defendants appeal sentences.
The report says judges and lawyers should receive more ethics training, and face stiffer penalties for ethical violations.
The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice’s final report says what happened in Luzerne County, where two judges allegedly shuffled juvenile offenders into privately-held detention centers in exchange for millions of dollars in kickbacks, was an isolated incident.
Chairman John Cleland says no one including defense attorneys, prosecutors, police or probation officers stepped up to challenge or report what Judges Mark Ciavarella or Michael Conahan were doing.
"Now in other counties, there might be a breakdown in one or maybe two aspects of that. And the others would come into play and the system would right and balance itself. But it is astonishing to all of us, I think, the total collapse that we witnessed."
Cleland says some of the details were shocking.
"You have a situation where you have a seven—an 11-year-old little boy who owes 488 dollar in fines and costs. And the judge says, can you pay it? And he says no. and the response is, put handcuffs and shackles on him and get him out of here and put him in detention. And nobody in the courtroom said a word."
The Commission issued 43 recommendations, including making it more difficult for juvenile defendants to waive their right to counsel, and creating a statewide office to help families of defendants appeal sentences.
The report says judges and lawyers should receive more ethics training, and face stiffer penalties for ethical violations.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Pittsburgh Crime Down for 3rd Straight Year
A drop in both violent crime and property crime in Pittsburgh mirrors a nationwide trend, according to FBI statistics released Monday.
The FBI report says violent crime in the city fell 8% from 2008 to 2009, while falling about 5% nationwide. There were 271 fewer cases of violent crime in Pittsburgh, including a steep decline in murder rates. 39 people were murdered in the city last year, as opposed to 72 in 2008.
The FBI says Pittsburgh property crime decreased by about 6.7%, a slightly higher rate of decline than the national average of about 5%. 12,625 property crimes were reported in 2008, while 11,775 were booked in 2009.
Crime fell in every category listed by the FBI.
The FBI report says violent crime in the city fell 8% from 2008 to 2009, while falling about 5% nationwide. There were 271 fewer cases of violent crime in Pittsburgh, including a steep decline in murder rates. 39 people were murdered in the city last year, as opposed to 72 in 2008.
The FBI says Pittsburgh property crime decreased by about 6.7%, a slightly higher rate of decline than the national average of about 5%. 12,625 property crimes were reported in 2008, while 11,775 were booked in 2009.
Crime fell in every category listed by the FBI.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Groups Don't Want Arizona Immigration Law in Pennsylvania
Arizona's new immigration law and the introduction of a similar measure in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is spurring action in Pittsburgh's legal and immigration community. David Harris, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh says the glaring problem with the legislation is that it is counter productive to fighting crime. Harris says not only are illegal immigrants five times less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans, but the law drives a wedge between law enforcement and the immigrant community. That divide will keep victims and witnesses from coming forward to report criminal activity.
Arizona Senate bill 1070 requires law enforcement to question individuals they deem reasonably suspicious about their immigration status during police encounters. Harris says a number of law enforcement organizations are coming out against Arizona's law--including the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Major City Chiefs Association--because it stymies their mission of fighting crime. Harris says the law is also on shaky legal ground because immigration enforcement is usually the realm of the federal government, not the state. He doesn't dispute citizen's desire to have stronger border enforcement, but says this type of legislation does more harm that good.
A forum taking place Monday evening will feature a panel of speakers--including Harris, Vic Walczak, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania and Christina Powers of the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center, among others. They will discuss what the actual Arizona law says and why they think it doesn't make sense for public policy or public safety. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Friends Meeting House, 4836 Ellsworth Avenue in Pittsburgh.
Arizona Senate bill 1070 requires law enforcement to question individuals they deem reasonably suspicious about their immigration status during police encounters. Harris says a number of law enforcement organizations are coming out against Arizona's law--including the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Major City Chiefs Association--because it stymies their mission of fighting crime. Harris says the law is also on shaky legal ground because immigration enforcement is usually the realm of the federal government, not the state. He doesn't dispute citizen's desire to have stronger border enforcement, but says this type of legislation does more harm that good.
A forum taking place Monday evening will feature a panel of speakers--including Harris, Vic Walczak, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania and Christina Powers of the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center, among others. They will discuss what the actual Arizona law says and why they think it doesn't make sense for public policy or public safety. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Friends Meeting House, 4836 Ellsworth Avenue in Pittsburgh.
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