HOMICIDE REDUCTION White commends city for achievement
The U.S. attorney said he senses a commitment and a mission in the city.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mayor's Task Force on Crime and Violence Prevention this year used the theme "expectations create results."
Greg White, U.S. attorney for the northern district in Ohio, couldn't agree more.
White said he and city leaders set out in summer 2003 to gut the city's homicide by firearm rate per 100,000 residents. The rate was the nation's fourth highest, triple that of Cleveland.
Last year, the city's homicides -- 19 -- were the lowest in 20 years.
"It was an effort to change the expectations of how much this community was going to take," he said. "That was the expectation and that created the result."
White was the keynote speaker before about 150 people Monday at the task force's annual banquet at the Youngstown Club downtown. The group handed out its 2004 Peace Awards at the event.
White credited community groups and local and federal law enforcement agencies for the achievement.
Success
White, appointed in early 2003, said the homicide reduction would be the pinnacle of his tenure should he be replaced if there is a change in presidential administrations next year.
This year to date, the city has had 15 homicides.
"Working together works. This community is an example of that," White said. "There's nothing I feel better about than what we've accomplished here."
White used a couple of examples in the federal government to illustrate what's happening in the city.
White was on an aircraft carrier not long ago, noting the thousands of young sailors aboard. The ship's motto was "Look ahead."
White said he senses a commitment and a mission in the city to help young people here do just that. In fact, recognizing the lowered homicide rate is a celebration of the young people who might otherwise be dead without the effort to save their lives, he said.
"We're looking ahead. We can't do otherwise," he said. "Where we're going is much, much better."
Bill of Rights
White also talked about his trip to the Department of Justice before being named U.S. attorney.
Deep in the executive offices is a five-sided room with a glass table that hold a copy of the Bill of Rights. Engraved under the document are the words "When justice is done its citizens, the United States, wins."
White then noted the recent indictment of Michael Budd, formerly second in command at the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department, and three current and three former corrections officers. All charged with conspiring to violate the civil rights of an inmate who allegedly was ordered beaten in the jail.
"We are a nation of law. Everyone is accountable under the law," White said.
rgsmith@vindy.com