Taking up the cause to reduce city crime

Lancaster New Era
Jul 10, 2003
Ernest J. Schreiber, Editor

The Lancaster Community Safety Coalition has one big thing going for it as it picks up where the Lancaster Crime Commission left off - "The Big Mo." Momentum, that is.

A 76-page report from the crime commission goes into great detail about the city's crime problems, and it offers an ambitious - albeit, expensive - plan to attack them.

The commission broke new ground here with the innovative "Fixing Broken Windows" strategy toward vandalism and other petty crimes, and it spoke frankly about the high costs associated with fighting crime.

In the commission's call to action were these chilling words:

The city "is teetering on the edge of an abyss."

The 50-member, non-profit safety coalition - which first formed in 2001 - is taking these words to heart as it begins its important work at its new office in the UGI Building at 262 Conestoga St.

"The Lancaster Community Safety Coalition not only announces its new home ... but also reaffirms its ongoing commitment to making the City of Lancaster a safer, more prosperous place," said Dale Witmer, interim executive director.

The coalition's most visible and successful - efforts to date have to do with video surveillance. A camera that the coalition had installed last summer along the 200 block of East King Street contributed to a 22-percent reduction in police calls to that area. Expect to see video surveillance in more trouble spots around the city.

The coalition also can provide residents with training in crime prevention (education, a vital tool.) and, it can act as a resource - legal (through pro-bono attorneys), in particular - for neighborhoods.

For funding, the coalition is depending on the Lancaster Alliance (a group of business people), city police, public and private organizations and residents. In other words, the community.

This is consistent with a coalition that is community-led - not police led or city hall-led or state-led. Somebody is watching the criminals, but it's the community, not "Big Brother."

"We know that the answer lies in neighbors, businesses and institutions being enabled to improve the environment to prevent crime, to work with the police to zero in on specific problems and to keep an eye on our public places," said Stephen Shull, chair of the coalition’s executive committee.

Much work needs to be done in the fight against crime, but the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition - buoyed by the commendable efforts of the Lancaster Crime Commission - is off to a good start.

To be ultimately successful, the coalition needs the community's support, financially and otherwise. City government continues to do its part, despite budget constraints. And, the county will weigh in when it can. Local courts can contribute, too, but they are somewhat restricted by law.

Above all, the coalition must stay focused on the Crime Commission’s plan to cut city crime.

To be ultimately successful, the coalition needs the community's support, financially and otherwise.

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"I support the use of video
cameras as an important tool
that law enforcement and residents
can rely upon to enhance
public safety."

Mayor J. Richard Gray