RSSGet ready for summer rerun of curfew saga
Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board
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This editorial appears in the July 2 Yakima Herald-Republic
'Once more unto the breach" is a line from Shakespeare describing a desperate King Henry V who wanted his weary troops to make one more attack against the enemy.
The same can be said of Yakima City Councilman Micah Cawley as he seeks, once more, to persuade fellow council members to adopt a curfew as a means of curbing gang violence. Cawley says he will bring this up at next week's council meeting.
The refrain of "once more" seems to be permanently affixed to this effort. We can see events unfolding like this:
* Once more the council will hear from the police chief that statistics don't support a nighttime curfew. The chief will argue, as he did earlier in the year, that most of the crimes take place from 2 to 8 p.m.
* Once more the city's legal staff will ponder weak and weary over the nuances of a city ordinance and conclude that without strong statistics from the police department to support a curfew, any action by the city could make it vulnerable to legal action.
* Despite the rising tide against him, Cawley will once more urge his fellow council members to enact an ordinance: "At some point we have to say enough is enough."
* And once more a curfew ordinance will be defeated.
History does indeed repeat itself when nothing is learned the first time around. We would hope by the third or fourth time, the message would finally sink in. Curfews are not the answer; a comprehensive approach to gang violence is.
Several weeks ago, Cawley, who is facing re-election this fall, asked city staff to take another run at a curfew ordinance but with a new twist. It would affect all ages, not just youth, and would be established, not citywide, but within a specified neighborhood.
The reason for Cawley's request was a recent spike in violence after a 20-year-old was fatally shot and several others were wounded by gunfire in Yakima's eastside neighborhoods.
Presumably this restricted curfew zone would enable statisticians in the police department to better pinpoint the incidences of violence. But it still doesn't address Chief Sam Granato's argument that crime occurs in the early evening, not late at night.
Furthermore, shutting down a 10-block area will only inconvenience law-abiding residents and will most likely push criminals and violent gang members to other parts of the city. That doesn't make the situation any better.
The City Council has taken furtive jabs at enacting a curfew for the past three years. It's time to move on to more productive discussions -- like how to keep young men and women out of gangs in the first place.
* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.
If the police will arrest and the prosecutors and judges will punish the criminals, they won't be on the street committing more crime.
This proposal is akin to re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. It's window dressing for the Vote Micah campaign.
Alas Horatio!!! Lobo and I agree on something..this is a blantant publicity stunt by Cawley...like the petulant child he really is, he just doesn't get it. It is called "UNCONSTITUTIONAL"..this is the USA...not IRAN... Start a petition drive and change the State Constitution.
Go back to school kid and get a real job. P.S. take a course in government and constitutional law.
I agree with the above. This is a stupid and time-consuming feint at the problem. It never worked and won't still. And Chief Sam is absolutley correct in the time-frame of most crimes. I, personally, have observed this as fact.
Only law-abiding kids/adults would pay any attention to the curfew anyway - do criminals behave according to the law? NO, that is why they are criminals. Get a clue and listen to the people who actually KNOW something about criminal behavior.
Please attend next weeks City Council Meeting and let Councilperson Cawley know that this is an absolute waste of time and resources. Demand that he provide the research and statistics that support his position that this is a workable solution. It's not enough to say "something needs to be done" - everybody knows that. What we need is a 360 degree, multi-agency, community based effort that addresses the many layers that contribute to the problem. Why isn't anyone in city government talking about a stronger neighborhood watch program? Is the City Council so impotent that they can't lead on this initiative? The police department is just ONE player in the solution, so the effort should not be driven based solely on recommendations from that department. What do the social agencies that work with these kids have to say about solutions? I have spoken with people that are involved in gang intervention programs and they say the they have great success with first time teenage offenders - if you want more information, contact the local ESD 105 offices and ask them about their success with intervention. While you've got them on the phone ask if there is any City partnership associated with these successful programs?
Report ViolationFor once, I am in total agreement with the Yakima Herald Editorial Board!
Cawley's idea is totally against our democratic ideals and, rather then educate and empower the community, he takes the easy route of encarcarating entire neighborhood whether the residents are gangsters or law abiding people!
Immigration Reform is on the table once again and I can not wait for this to happen because immigration reform will bring many benefits to our society, one of which is that those that oppose it will have to deal with it and not just spout off their hatred as they do every day.
I find it amusing that constitutional scholars such as Lobo, Eloy, Nick, YakRob, and HectorFranco have found that curfew laws are not only unconstitutional, but do not work as well, and some only want more social programs and less control of illegal immigration.
During their obvious ongoing research on the curfew subject matter, they have apparently missed the plethora of cities nationwide that have not only enacted curfews that are greatly reducing gang activity and crime in general, but have also passed constitutional challenges. (I’ll let you scholars do your own research).
However, I realize that members of the “good old boys and girls club” are not really interested in accuracy, just in promoting the status quo, which allows club members to retain their political power. It is also obvious that you ladies or gentlemen (as the case may be) spend too much time working at the sandwich shop, and don’t get out enough.
But what has been most impressive, is how much Eloy’s grammar and spelling has improved.
1. My thought on a curfew is that is would be temporary and limited in area to the portion of the City where the current Police emphasis is taking place to act as a cool down period.
2. That it be passed as an emergency ordinance, reflecting the nature and intensity of the crime in this specific area over the past several weeks. (It’s a moot point now)
3. While there is no "statistical data" immediately available to support a curfew, as was the concern with the curfew ordinance recently discussed at Council, this is emergency legislation, limited in duration, and area, and as such may have a different benchmark than the curfew legislation previously considered by Council.
4. Finally, that an argument can be made that given the level of recent and ongoing criminal activity in the problem area, a temporary emergency curfew is more defensible than taking a position that there aren't sufficient stats and analysis to support a temporary curfew that could allow the Police to better contain a problem area where we have already made a public decision to focus resources to combat crime.
You make it sound like I’m bringing a regular curfew back and that’s not the case. I was trying to offer a temporary solution to a major problem. If the Police have a reason to stop and talk to people it could lead to the capture of criminals with warrants or guns and get some these people off the streets and behind bars before they can harm another innocent victim. I will not be bringing anything forward this Tuesday because the legal research has shown that an emergency curfew can only be implemented in riot type situations. I’m all about having a conversation to keep kids out of gangs, but you have hardened criminals shooting innocent people and something needs to be done now. I think this can be a good conversation starter. I hope this clarify what I was trying to do.
Eloy...
"Go back to school kid and get a real job. P.S. take a course in government and constitutional law."...
This "kid" reference is so typical when one can't come up with anything more intelligent to say. I think Cawley should be praised for at least thinking outside of the box and also for his efforts to get something going on the gang problem.
^^^Is it really thinking outside the box when the proposal has already been taken up and proven ineffective and unconstitutional? NO.
And yes, Yakima should demand highly educated public servants....not political wannabes like Cefus, who could be a great elected official (local or state)someday if he was more educated. His small minded solutions to big time problems will never improve Yakima.
Once again we hear from another constitutional scholar. Ones educational level will not provide any indication as to whether that individual will succeed or fail.
Case in point, 99% of the members of the US House and Senate have law degrees, and a majority of the members of the Washington State Legislature have law degrees, based on our past and present state of affairs I rest my case.
While advanced education is nice to have, it means nothing if the individual who possesses it is clueless to begin with.
All things being equal, give me an individual who possesses common sense and who wants to represent the voters wishes, over a clueless lawyer or a "highly educated public servant".
Cawley said....
"I was trying to offer a temporary solution to a major problem"...."That it be passed as an emergency ordinance, reflecting the nature and intensity of the crime in this specific area over the past several weeks.
isitfriday...
My comment on Cawley "thinking outside of the box"...was directed at his idea for an "emergency" ordinance...which to my knowlege has not been brought up before. "Temporary solution"....nothing carved in stone. I didn't see anyone else on the council coming forward....did you?
overfify-
I completely agree with you (except for the thinking outside the box business) that there is no one on council actually taking this problem on in a meaningful way. What is the value of telling the public you're going to introduce a "temporary solution" and then do the research only to find its not possible? He needed to do his homework first, then introduce a plan to the public. I'll give him props for half-assing a proposed quick-fix, and yes... I do think that's better than the silence from the rest of the council. What I can't wrap my mind around is how EVERY other member of council has not even engaged this issue! Its really sad the lack of leadership on our city council.
While Micah's idea about HOW to get the job done is likely not workable from a practical standpoint, he definitely makes some good and valid points in his reasoning to raise the question in the first place.
Perhaps the City Council would appoint a "citizen's Committee" from these neighborhoods that would include a cross-section of those who are most impacted, and put them together with law enforcement representatives who could coach the committee on the practicality and enforceability of some possible remedies that WOULD perhaps work? Then, take the recommendations to Council and see what can be done. I would definitely volunteer for such a committee. Would any of you?
Nick...
Why not expand your idea to include citizens not living in that area? They could back up the citizens most impacted that live there by lending moral support, via meetings, phone conversations, etc. I can't imagine how scary it must be for single parents or seniors that don't have a partner living in the house. I live in a relatively safe area on the westside of town, but would be more than willing to lend a hand or moral support for those living in ground zero. Sometimes just knowing people care will create an atmosphere of hope which in turn helps people to be less apathetic or too scared to get involved. Safety in numbers.
Whatever overfifty - all the help would be more than welcome. I live in the question area and keep a loaded weapon handy at all times INSIDE my home. That is the only way, at my age and condition, that I can defend myself anymore. A home invasion is a real possibility in this area. They had better not come into mine with bad behavior on their minds.
I don't go out walking around the block after school hours either, since THAT is the time frame a lot of the gang activity happens.
On that note: I have noticed, and appreciate, along with my law-abiding neighbors, the significantly increased police presence. They are making arrests almost daily, sometimes more than one, in this area, of individuals who look suspiciously like they could definitely be gangers and for sure, are many who have had the "attitude" locally in any case.
THANK YOU YPD!
The point is - get it started. Fine tune it as we go.
Nick - I think your idea is the best one I've seen suggested yet. And yes, I would be willing to be on that committee. I'm also with overfifty as well - it should not be limited to representation from the "problem" areas - we have enough exclusiveness in this city already.
Micah - thanks for providing clarity regarding your curfew plan - it helps to get the story directly, rather then filtered through media or second hand heresay. I applaud you for taking the initiative to address this problem. I hope you will consider presenting Nick's idea to Council about the Committee - it could be effective in providing focus and outreach to those neighborhoods that really need attention, and could also come up with a strong and revamped neighborhood watch program for the entire City.
Regarding this myth that higher education creates better public servants - bah. As someone else said - common sense, inate intellegence, experience, and ethical integrety are worth far more then a piece of paper. Having a broader view doesn't hurt either.
I will be at the council meeting. I will contact Micah before or after privately, to identify myself to him and make my offer and proposal then.
Report ViolationA curfew is just a deterant, not a solution. I don't think Cawley is suggesting that this is the answer. And this stemmed from a citizen whom was fed up with grafitti on a regular basis to her property.
When Chief Granato said his statistics do not show support of having a curphew, then my question is this. How do you even show a stat if the curphew detered a crime? You couldn't, it's impossible. Gang issues are tough and I read a lot of interesting comments on what should be done but no realistic solutions. Yakima did have an ordinance years ago which was a tool the police could use. But then the cities legal team once again ran scared because it was unconstitutional somewhere else. Others cities do have them, so how did they manage that?
They had a back bone that's how. As I said a curphew is not a solution, but it's something. It's the lack of people stepping up to the plate that deter's the police from doing their job. Don't bother commenting on my spelling or my grammar, because it's people like yourself that don't help the rest of us. If you really want to help the City of Yakima, leave the sarcastic comments behind and start to do something instead of telling people about their constitutional rights. We are AMERICANS. Lets act like it and take care of each other.
I have come late to this party, but agree with all of your comments opposing a curfew. We do have a problem, but it is simplistic to think a curfew--especially one set at 9:00--will solve our gang/graffiti problem and it will only create a whole new set of offenders. We all complain when city hall spends our money foolishly, and I for one don't want to have to pay for litigation that is sure to arise from this not-well-thought-out proposal.
Report Violationbaglady-
I too hate to see the squandering of funds when they could be better spent outside of a courtroom, so I will let you come to your own assumption of my feelings towards the City Manager negligently retaining the Police Chief given his track record and actions. But that being said it is well known that other cities in our state do implement a curfew and they continue to use it. Why? Simple, it has worked for them and given them the desired effect they wanted from it. Yes, there is a potential for legal injunction against a curfew, the same potential there was for years when the old curfew was in effect. There is a potential to some degree with ANY law, rule, or regulation. Please correct me if I am wrong, but that never came up before. And the other cities in the state aren't being challenged either.
Bottom line regardless is that Councilman Cawley asked the legal team to look into an emergency curfew and he got their opinion on it and he made a decision based on it not to move forwards with it.
I am very surprised that a simple inquisition about an idea has sparked such a response and media attention. I can only assume that since I don't see any of this media drama hunt going on about other Councilmen/women that they have absolutely no ideas or thoughts to entertain.
(This comment has been removed by a Yakima Herald-Republic moderator)
Katsfm-
Assuming you are correct who cares and what's your point? You are clearly attempting to defamate character and skew things for your own benefit.I would love to hear how you think this has to do with this topic, but I am confident you are too cowardly or illiterate to form that response.
Haha "I just wanted to let people know", I haven't heard that since middle school playground second recess.
What would I have to gain or benefit is nothing, like I said, I wanted people to know. how is public knowledge defamation? The minute council members start running for office themselves and their families become relative public figures. Sounds like you spend too much time on middle school playgrounds.
Report ViolationKatsfm,
As a member of the good old boys and girls club, it is apparent that you along with your other club members have become quite disparate as we approach the November City Council elections. Since you and your club can not come up with anything substantive, it is now apparent that you and your club have decided to become more ethically challenged. This is easily observed by your attempt to make some kind of negative insinuation involving a relative of a political candidate.
One thing is readily apparent, and that is, you along with your other good old boy and girl club members should spend less time in smoke filled rooms, and more time taking ethics classes.
I'm glad you bring that up Billy Bob, "substantive" is most definitely not a word I would use in the same sentence as Micah Cawley. Neither does he have the experience or education whatsoever to even hold a local government position. I haven't endorsed any candidate. I just find it ironic that you brought up school when writing about Micah.
Report Violationshould it not be public knowledge that Laurel Cawly, wife of Micah Cawley is The "show killer? on 94.5 kats?
Report Violation
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