Otis Jennings Knows How To Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe Because He’s Done It Before

Crime, Safe Streets and Quality Neighborhoods

Syracuse, NY August 31, 2009 - “We have too much crime and not enough jobs in our City” Otis Jennings, the endorsed Republican candidate for Mayor of Syracuse, said today at Columbus Circle where he detailed plans to combat a rising tide of violence.

Jennings continued, “Both of these remain serious problems in our community, despite tireless efforts by numerous residents and civic groups to fix them. Crime of all types and high urban unemployment are cancers upon our neighborhoods.”

“We need a Mayor who can interact and communicate with every Syracuse neighborhood and can be trusted to make every neighborhood significantly safer,” said Jennings. “My 30 years of experience working in every community in Syracuse, especially my work with young people, is an invaluable asset for building relationships between residents and law enforcement.”

Stepping Up Enforcement

Well-known and comfortable in every Syracuse neighborhood, Jennings said, “I will take an active role developing the contacts law enforcement need to weed out the bad element. I believe we have one of the best Police Departments in the country but they must have citizens willing to come forward and work with them.”

Syracuse will receive $3 million in Federal Stimulus funds to add 14 police officers. Department officials have said those officers will go into patrol, community policing, narcotics, criminal investigations, and crime reduction.

“Great,” Jennings said, “But we must make sure the extra police officers stay in place after this two-year temporary stimulus funding ends. All too often, extra officers disappear into the ranks used to fill slots left open by retirements and other departures. That’s a budgeting gimmick I won’t use. Understaffing the police department weakens the department, reduces response time, and leads to a rise in crime.”

“Additionally, we need new ways for the police to connect with young people. I will create a Police Athletic League (PAL) to foster friendships and respect. I grew up in New York City and the local Police Athletic League helped me understand police officers are more than just law enforcement. They became friends and mentors,” said Jennings.

“Recently, there has been an increase in violence toward immigrants in our city. This is unacceptable. The number one function of government is to keep the peace and to keep EVERYONE in the community safe,” said Jennings, “And I make that commitment to everyone, including recent immigrants and those whose ancestors were immigrants. For nearly all of us come from families that were immigrants at one time. We need to always be mindful of that.”

Saving Our Young People

“The gangs are doing a better job of mentoring our young people than we are,” he continued, “We have 5,000 middle school students at risk and just hoping they will turn out okay isn’t working. FBI analysis has shown that the majority of juvenile crime occurs during the 3pm-8pm hours. I call for a community wide drive to create outstanding 3pm-8pm programs for kids to be kids; where they can learn the civic skills they need to become future adults in our society. My City Hall will reduce the temptations of the gang lifestyle that are being offered to our youth”

“And to those who may choose to commit crime under my watch, I promise my loyalty is to the voters who want to rid our City of crime from graffiti damaging the property of our business owners and marring the highway entrances to our City, sadistically maiming dogs to guard illegal drug dealing, all the way to committing the ultimate crime of taking another’s life. My administration will handcuff those who choose to hurt others and offer a hand-up to all who choose to improve their quality of life.”

Quality Of Life

“I want every neighborhood in Syracuse to be a pleasant neighborhood. People have to be respectful of one-another and to help bring that about I will follow the example of former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani by tackling nuisance crime,” said Jennings. That means enforcing the laws covering noise levels, loitering, littering, verbal harassment, etc.

“In many parts of our City the quality of life has declined, and hope for a turnaround is being challenged by the worse recession in 75 years. In order to tap into our City’s potential we must have a shared commitment to fix the basics, build on our assets, create quality neighborhoods and balanced growth. These objectives can be achieved when all stakeholders work together: residents, City, county, business, law enforcement professionals and agencies, churches, charities and educators – anyone who has a vested interest in the success of Syracuse and in turn Central New York,” said Jennings.

“We need to do better removing the barriers that stand in the way of current and potential residents who want home ownership in Syracuse. Our City has affordable, available housing for people of all economic situations. We must find practical financial solutions that close the widening gap between available properties and potential buyers. We also need to implement the recommendations from the 2005 SUNY-ESF housing study to reverse the City’s declining population and restore the abandoned properties across much of our City,” said Jennings.

“And while downtown continues to build on the vibrant urban/metropolitan lifestyles offered by Armory and Franklin Squares, the city needs to take the next step. Immediate improvements include providing more lighting, parking and police presence to accommodate families, seniors, students and others who want to dine and shop in Syracuse,” said Jennings.

“We also need to preserve the unique flavor of our neighborhoods (such as Tipperary Hill, Westcott and Eastwood) while increasing accessibility to these areas. I want the Connective Corridor to be completed as soon as possible,” said Jennings.

“We also need to look toward the future and the upcoming possibility of removing the I-81 overpass from downtown Syracuse. I urge every City resident to participate in the upcoming discussions. We should all consider the potential benefits of unlocking close to 100 acres of prime development land as well as reconnecting neighborhoods” said Jennings.