Vallone's Park Crime Reporting Bill Comes Under Fire

"It is imperative that the City track crime in all parks and playgrounds not just on properties of one acre or greater.   The City has had enough time to create a system to track and monitor crime it just has not been a priority. "  -  State Senator Tony Avella

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON PARK CRIME REPORTS

The City Council’s Public Safety Committee – chaired by Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. – will being holding a hearing this afternoon at 1:00pm on Vallone’s proposed local law requiring the police department to submit to the Council reports of crime in parks. 

However the legislation is deeply flawed as it only require the tracking of crime in parks and playgrounds one acre or greater.

It has been repeatedly pointed out that most playgrounds are less than one acre in size.

As it stands now the bill as introduced would not track crimes in the majority of parks as most crimes do not happen in parks one acre or greater.  The bill also omits incidents that occur in recreation centers and pools.  There is no reason to exclude the tracking and reporting of crime in all parks playgrounds and recreation centers. The language should also include not only the police department but also the parks department as we know THEY do track crime through its communication division but they do not publicly release the data.

The city has had many years to comply with the reporting including the implementation of Vallone's original 2005 bill but the city has been allowed to avoid it.

"It is imperative that the City track crime in all parks and playgrounds not just on properties of one acre or greater., " State Senator Tony Avella said in a statement.

"The legislation I introduced ( S 5911) closes important loopholes that currently exist in the bill sponsored by Council Member Vallone.

My bill would also be enacted within a year.  The City has had enough time to create a system to track and monitor crime it just has not been a priority. " 

"Mr. Vallone's What happens in parks stays in parks  legislation continues to put the lives of the public and our officers in jeopardy by not requiring the city track crimes in park properties including ALL parks and playgrounds,  and recreation centers," said Joe Puleo, president of Local 983 which represents Park Enforcement Patrol officers. 

"We cannot support this legislation as written. We have tried to bring the bill's problems to your attention but our concerns have been ignored. We fully support State Senator Tony Alleva's park crime reporting legislation that actually closes the loopholes and provides an important level  of accountability. "

City Council’s Public Safety Committee – chaired by Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. – will being holding a hearing on Vallone’s proposed local law this afternoon at 1:00pm.

WHAT: Public Safety Committee to Hold Hearing on Reporting Crimes in Parks
WHEN: Friday, November 22^nd, 1:00 PM
WHERE: 250 Broadway, 16^th Floor Hearing Room