Food For Thought On Crime

I had lunch with George Kaloroumakis, Director of Corrections, Tuesday.  I asked him what type of criminals he was seeing from a Department of Corrections view.  His first comment was the rise in gangs. He then mentioned the rise in inmates released from ECI that were residing in the area.  But He was most concerned about the increasing lack of respect for law and society, especially among younger people.

George commented that recently a nationally known rapper was seen on TV sporting a red bandana from his hip pocket.  He said that was a typical sign to indicate an affiliation with the Bloods gang.  His concern revolves around young adults seeing gangs as a place to belong.  Unfortunately, gangs tend to be a closed society with little or no respect for the larger Community.

When asked how to break the cycle he noted that getting a high school diploma while in jail seemed to be one of the better predictors of success for someone leaving jail.

My take on this.

His comments mirrored those of Davis Ruark.  Strong neighborhood involvement in raising children and providing them experiences other than gang activities may be the key to breaking the cycle of increasing violence. In the interim, a comprehensive law enforcement effort is needed.  I’ll ask Barbara Duncan, SPD, to speak at the January WNC meeting.

I’ve attached the Notes that Cindy took from Davis Ruark’s Presentation in November.  Please keep the SPD staffing information to trusted folks.  We don’t want the bad guys to know how many police are actually on the street.  Davis concurred with the notes and the caveat on the release.

Terry Potterton

Chair, WNC

410-546-3997

Wicomico County States Attorney Davis Ruark was born and raised in Wicomico County and has lived here all of his life with the exception of when he was attending college.  He has been actively involved with the Wicomico States Attorney’s office since 1983.

Serving as the Wicomico States Attorney has been a trying and demanding job. He has seen ups and downs in crime over the last 27 years. Two factors have been most notable.  The age of the violent offender has dropped dramatically and the rise in gang activity.

Twenty seven years ago it would have been rare to see a 15 year old with a hand gun.  Over the last 12 years that has changed dramatically.  There is a lack of lawlessness and lack of respect for law and human life.  Particularly for the 15 and 16 year old kids who don’t expect to live – it’s easy for them to take another person’s life.  There has been a rise in hand gun violations by juveniles.  Within the last 8 months, the State’s Attorney’s office has seen 20 cases, and this is indicative of what we are seeing on the streets.  The most recent group who were convicted of murder; 3 received life sentences and 1 received 20 years.  Two weekends ago, the Salisbury PD removed 5 guns off of Church Street. 

There has also been a rise in gang activity.  A gang is defined as two or more young people who spend time together for social reasons and may engage in delinquent behavior.  The two gangs Salisbury is currently dealing with are TTP (Tree Top Piru) and 9 TRE.  Both are sects of “The Bloods.”  They are engaged in our area and they just don’t like each other.  They do have what is known as “Trade Memberships” which is unusual.  This is when friendship overrules gang membership. That said, there is a lot of gang on gang violence.

ECI inmates are also a concern.  They are released and many return or relocate into our community.  They befriend people who are residents while at ECI.  When they go in to ECI they may not be affiliated with any gang, but when they come out many are full-fledged gang members.  They receive an education in crime while serving out their term.  ECI is like the finishing school for the criminal.

Any individual, 16 years old and over charged with a handgun violation is tried as an adult.  Prior criminal history generally does not enter into the trial (propensity evidence).  It is considered in the sentencing phase. Sentencing of violent offenders with three convictions = 25 year sentence without parole which may be reduced to 18 years with time off for good behavior.

The current downside of fighting crime is that all governments are hit with extreme fiscal problems.  The City of Salisbury, in Davis’s opinion, needs 35 additional police officers to fight crime.  Currently Salisbury has 92 officers.  With the shifts in the City we’re lucky to have 5 police officers on the road.  Friday and Saturday there are 8 police officers on the road.   He has grave concerns for the citizens and police officers.  The city has a high rate of turnover in police officers.  Just recently, the city had two officers complete the academy and two weeks later they left the force.  Another concern is that the police officers run from call to call and never get to know the community, which he feels is very important.

Our newly elected Wicomico States Attorney Matthew Maciarello will continue to function well with all law enforcement heads and the leadership. The new police chief has ideas to assist which includes utilizing civilians.  This would be a short term answer. Besides addition of police officers, addressing gangs is a big step.  There is a gang task force in place.

The newspaper court briefs often provide a distorted view of the results of the criminal justice process.  For example a case in District Court may be listed as NOLLE PROSE when the case is moved to a higher court.

Davis feels the community must be involved.  The health of a community depends attracting businesses and jobs.  For people who are looking to relocate to an area, the first things they look at are the schools, quality of life and crime, which dominates the headlines What can we do?  What are the solutions?  Develop relationships with the residents, develop a rapport.  Develop neighborhood relationships and watch out for one another.  Know who belongs in your neighborhood and who doesn’t belong.  When someone doesn’t belong, call the police.

The WNC as a group can provide some input to try to alleviate some of these problems by increasing public knowledge and neighborhood watch programs.  It’s an old concept but we need to revitalize and watch out for our neighbors.  Political decisions rest with the leadership of the City of Salisbury and Wicomico County. Primary responsibility of government is to protect its citizens.  Make is known to city and county government!!  Police officers are being furloughed.  This should not be.  Involve the citizens of Wicomico County.  Know the leadership of the neighborhoods.  Establish mobilizations.  Inform everyone…information is everything.

Davis stated it is important for all of us to get into the neighborhoods.  See how others live.  Ride along with the police officers on a Friday or Saturday night.  Involve our institutions and churches.  Commitment is needed for the long term.