Whitaker:
community policing
POUGHKEEPSIE – Poughkeepsie’s top elected officials, and
law enforcement, addressed a crowded media briefing Friday after a month
of several violent incidents, including murders at the point of a gun.
They say they are determined to put a dent in the problem.
Not everyone who attended thinks that’s happening.
Chief Ronald Knapp pointed to enhancement at the law enforcement level,
including more street cameras which he said are “crucial to monitoring
hotspots.”
Mayor John Tkazyik talked of more collaborative efforts with Dutchess
County, law enforcement agencies and residents, repeating what has become
an eleventh commandment of sorts; “See something, say something.”
Family Partnership Director Brian Doyle spoke of the importance of prevention
at the people level.
That’s a point that resonated with Melissa Whittaker, who for the
most part, was not impressed with what she heard Friday.
She wants a better relationship with the community “so that the
community itself can do community policing.”
Whittaker is part of a group that is organizing a citizens’ march
in the city Saturday afternoon.
Mayor
Tkazyik, podium, outlines the city’s efforts
