Zero tolerance policy having positive impact on city crime

For the first six months of this year, compared with the first six months in 2002, total violent crime cases in the city of Youngstown declined 15.5 percent; total property crime dropped 3.5 percent. That good news can be attributed to the zero-tolerance campaign launched by city hall. We urge Mayor George M. McKelvey and Police Chief Robert Bush not to let the decline lull them into a false sense of security.
Youngstown is still at the mercy of criminals who have no respect for the law or the community. Now is the time for McKelvey and Bush to take an even harder line against individuals who are destroying the quality of life in Youngstown. Zero tolerance should be expanded to include relatively minor violations, such as littering and speeding in residential areas.
In addition, the mayor's office should monitor the courts to make sure that individuals with criminal histories are sent to jail for a long time. The message must go out that if you've chosen a life of crime -- yes, it is a choice, despite what some judges, especially on the municipal court bench, might believe -- Youngstown will be a very inhospitable place.
(The court system's role in the zero-tolerance campaign will be addressed in an editorial in the near future.)
No public outcry
The success of the strategy is not only reflected in the drop in the number of crimes, but in the attitude of honest, law-abiding citizens. There has been no public outcry in reaction to the get-tough policy, and that should spur the police department to not only keep the pressure on the professional criminals, but to target those who have no qualms about violating the city's noise ordinance, indulging in unruly behavior that forces residents to be on their guard, or breaking traffic laws, including driving without a seat belt.
The war on crime isn't about targeting any particular group or turning the city into a police state. It is about giving people a chance to live safe, peaceful lives. The zero tolerance concept isn't new. New York City is a prime example of the success of a program that focused on every aspect of the city's life that had long been described as crime-ridden and ugly. Today, New York City officials talk about clean, safe streets, the comparatively low crime rate and the significant improvement in the quality of life.
Youngstown deserves a similar chance at renewal.
Chief Bush is quick to credit the men and women in his department for the success thus far of zero tolerance, saying, "They're aggressive out there." Officers are not only taking the criminals off the streets, but are cracking down on individuals with open containers and loud music violators.
"That sets the tone, even in the department." the chief says.
But we remain concerned about the attitude of some judges. It is a waste of time for police to attack crime aggressively when the courts keep giving professional criminals a pass.
As Bush points out, his officers are paying attention to troublemakers early, writing better reports and helping prosecutions be more successful. The judges must do their part.