Warren seeks method to fight crime

Warren police will start a fourth shift after the first of the year, the mayor said.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

WARREN — Two city lawmakers want a zero-tolerance program instituted to combat crime in the city, although the money to fund it isn’t available.

Councilmen Alford Novak, D-2nd, and Robert Dean Jr., D-at-large, called on the city administration to institute an effort similar to that used this summer in Youngstown in a move to reduce violent crime.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael J. O’Brien said a fourth shift will be added to the police department after the first of the year to fight crime.

The councilmen’s comments were made Thursday after the city recorded its 11th homicide Wednesday night with the shooting death of Phyllis Putnam, 46, at her home at 164 Iddings Ave. on the Southeast Side.

Detective Jeffrey Cole said two men invaded the house about 9:45 p.m. Putnam’s two adult children were also home at the time.

Shots were fired, and Putnam was found dead on the kitchen floor. The two men who rushed into the house fled.

The Trumbull County coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide, saying Putnam died of a bullet wound of the head.

There were five homicides during the same period in 2006.

Charles Fentules, who lives down the street from the latest murder scene, said he noticed there was a lot of traffic in and out of the house. He said a neighbor moved out — and told him it was because of activities at that house.

Novak and Dean said they realize the city doesn’t have the money in the general fund for a zero-tolerance campaign similar to one in Youngstown this summer that cost more than $250,000 for city police overtime.

The councilmen said the Warren administration should look toward getting grant money to foot the bill.

In Youngstown this summer, city police, sheriff’s deputies, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and federal marshals stopped motorists for traffic violations. They found a number of weapons and arrested those wanted for misdemeanors and felonies.

Despite the effort, Youngstown has experienced 33 homicides this year compared with 32 in 2006.

“It is a very big concern,” Novak said of the homicide rate in Warren.

Where there is illegal activity such as drugs, there is a good chance of serious injury or death, Novak added.

Dean said he has two concerns: the safety of innocent people and not wanting to see the city become known as a “murder capital.”

As he rides around the city, Dean pointed out that he sees a large number of cars with New York and Michigan license plates.

“Why are you coming here?” Dean said he asks himself.

Novak responded that the city is becoming a distribution point for drugs involving Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Detroit.

Dean said the city administration needs to become more proactive, but he added that he isn’t criticizing the police department.

He explained that the city must try to remove more weapons from the streets, but the people who are using them aren’t about to turn them in.

Dean said crime will continue to spread to communities outside the city without help from the county, state and federal governments.

“This may be coming to your neighborhood soon,” Dean said. “The problem is here and it needs to be dealt with.”

O’Brien said the fourth police shift will work from 7 p.m. to 3 p.m. — the peak crime period in the city. The shift will be in addition to those already working those hours.

City police officers are already attached to the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force; U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Federal Marshal Service.

Also, the mayor said the city has been successful in receiving state and federal grants to support police activities.

yovich@vindy.com