>> THIS WEEK, MURDERS IN ROCHESTER AFFECT YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN DISPROPORTIONATELY.
WE TALK ABOUT THE REASONS AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
>> STATE LAWMAKERS REACTED TO THE MONEY CRISIS THIS WEEK.
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>> ROCHESTER'S NEWSMAGAZINE SINCE 1997.
THIS IS "NEED TO KNOW."
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
STATE LAWMAKERS RETURNED TO ALBANY FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.
THE PURPOSE WAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE FISCAL CRISIS IN THE STATE AND THE GROWING BUDGET GAP.
THE BUDGET WAS ADOPTED THIS SPRING.
DECLINING REVENUES ARE ALREADY SOUNDING ALARMS.
TO HELP SHED LIGHT ON THE ACTION THIS WEEK, I WELCOME OUR GUESTS.
THEY CUT A LOT OF MONEY OUT OF THE BUDGET THIS YEAR.
THE BUDGET DEFICIT IS ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE BILLIONS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
WHAT WAS REALLY ACCOMPLISHED THIS WEEK?
>> THEY DID MAKE A START ON WHAT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME PROBLEM IN NEW YORK STATE.
THEY HAVE USUALLY BEEN BAILED OUT BY WALL STREET DOING WELL AND BRINGING MORE REVENUE INTO THE STATE.
THAT IS THAT HAPPENING THIS YEAR.
THERE HAS BEEN A DEFICIT.
THEY DID CUT 6% ACROSS THE BOARD.
EVERYTHING TOOK A HIT EXCEPT SCHOOLS.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
THEY DID NOT SEND ANY ONE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP TOO MUCH.
THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING AWAY WITH THE CUTS.
MOST OF THE LAWMAKERS ARE FACING REELECTION AND A FEW MONTHS.
>> THIS WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE GOVERNOR.
HE HAD A LOT AT STAKE.
HE IS ONLY FIVE MONTHS INTO HIS ADMINISTRATION.
HE HAD TO HAVE THEM WALK AWAY WITH SOME KIND OF AGREEMENT.
IF HE ONLY GOT HALF OF WHAT HE WANTED, IT MIGHT HAVE SHOWN THAT HE WAS WEAK AS A LEGISLATOR.
THESE LEGISLATORS SAID THAT HE WAS ABLE TO BRING THEM TOGETHER AND GET AN AGREEMENT.
IT WILL NOT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE, BUT IT IS A START.
MANY OF THESE CUTS WILL BE REOCCURRING.
THEY WILL HELP IN THE FUTURE.
THEY ESTIMATE IT WILL SAVE ANOTHER $1 BILLION NEXT YEAR AFTER WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE MORE THAN 8 $5 BILLION DEFICIT NEXT YEAR.
>> IT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT FOR GOVERNOR PATERSON.
HE ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING THAT HIS PREDECESSORS COULD NOT DO.
I THINK IT WAS IN 1990 WHEN MARIO CUOMO AND THE LEGISLATURE WENT HEAD-TO-HEAD.
THEY DID NOT RAISE ANY TAXES THIS WEEK.
>> HE WROTE THAT WHILE HE APPLAUDS THE SPECIAL SESSION, HE SAYS THERE IS A NEED TO OVERHAUL GOVERNMENT.
HE SAID THAT ONETIME FIXES ARE NOT ENOUGH.
HE TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR WHOLESALE REFORMS IN MEDICAID.
DOES HE HAVE A POINT?
DO LAWMAKERS HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO DO SOMETHING MAJOR?
>> THEY HAVE NIBBLED AROUND THE EDGES.
IT WAS A STOPGAP MEASURE TO HELP CLOSE THE BUDGET GAP THIS YEAR.
IT WAS BECAUSE OF DECLINES IN BONUSES ON WALL STREET.
THE FISCAL WATCHDOGS IN ALBANY WILL SAY A LOT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.
THE GOVERNOR RECOGNIZED THAT THIS WEEK.
HE SAID THIS WAS NOT THE TIME FOR CELEBRATION RID THE BUDGET GAPS ARE EXPECTED TO GROW.
THE LEGISLATORS RECOGNIZE A LOT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.
>> THEY WILL HAVE TO DECIDE ON PRIORITIES AND BECOME MORE EFFICIENT.
THEY MAY HAVE TO LOOK AT TAXES.
GOVERNOR PATERSON SAYS HE DOES NOT WANT TO RAISE TAXES BUT THEY MAY HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT.
IT WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE GOVERNOR TO GET THIS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR.
HE IS OFF TO A GOOD START THIS TIME.
>> THINGS SEEM TO BE GOING WELL AND ALBANY.
WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH MEDICAID FOR A LONG TIME.
DO THEY HAVE THE WILL TO DO SOMETHING NOW?
>> THAT IS THE LARGER QUESTION.
WHEN THEY COME BACK NEXT YEAR AFTER THE ELECTION, IT COULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT LANDSCAPE.
THE DEMOCRATS COULD BE IN CHARGE OF MOST BRIDGES.
A DIFFERENT POLITICAL LANDSCAPE.
WE WILL HAVE TO SEE IF THERE IS THE POLITICAL WILL TO DO THINGS.
THE REPUBLICANS MAINTAIN THE MAJORITY OF THE SENATE.
THOSE WILL REMAIN CRITICAL ISSUES.
>> WE ARE RUNNING SHORT ON TIME.
WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPERTY TAX GAP.
WHERE DOES THAT STAND RIGHT NOW?
>> GOVERNOR PATERSON AND THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ARE AT ODDS RIGHT NOW.
THE GOVERNOR GOT A VICTORY BUT THE DEMOCRATS PRETTY MUCH TO FIGHT HIM.
THE GOT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND THE MILLIONAIRES' TAX WHERE TAXES WOULD BE RAISED ON PEOPLE MAKING MORE THAN CERTAIN AMOUNTS.
THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT WANT TO DO THAT.
THERE IS A SPLIT.
SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE PASSED HIS TAX-CUT PROPOSAL.
THAT IS THE NEXT STEP HE WILL HAVE TO WORK OUT.
I THINK HE WILL HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME BEFORE ELECTION DAY.
I AM SURE HE WILL PURSUE THAT INTO THE NEXT YEAR.
>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
YOU CAN GO ONLINE TO LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW AND OTHER SEGMENTS.
WWW.WXXI.ORG
YOU CAN CLICK ON THE LINK FOR AUDIO POD CASTS.
>> THE NUMBERS ARE STAGGERING.
THE DEATH RATE FOR YOUNG BLACK MALES IS HIGH.
IN ROCHESTER, THE STORY GETS WORSE.
THE HOMICIDE RATE AMONG YOUNG BLACK MALES IS 264 FOR EACH 100,000.
A DOCUMENTARY LOOK AT THE DEATH LAST MAY OF ONE YOUNG MAN, DANIEL DAVIS.
>> THE LAST TWO YEARS OF HIS LIFE, HE STARTED [INAUDIBLE]
>> HE GOT MISGUIDED.
I TOLD HIM THAT THE STREETS WOULD EAT HIM UP LIKE THEY DO THE OTHER PEOPLE.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DYING.
HE TOLD ME NOT TO SAY THAT.
>> IT SEEMS LIKE ALL OF US MOTHERS ARE ALWAYS TALKING TO THE KIDS ABOUT THEIR FRIENDS.
SOMETIMES YOU WANT THEM TO SEEK THAT THE PERSON IS NOT A FRIEND TO THEM.
>> TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION, I WELCOME LESLIE BARNES FROM THE MONROE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS.
WHAT IS PROBATION?
>> IT IS THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE OF MONROE COUNTY.
THE AGENCY WORKS TO REDUCE CRIME AND ENFORCE PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE DO IT TONS OF THINGS.
I COULD PROBABLY TALK THE ENTIRE TIME ABOUT A WIDE VARIETY OF INTERVENTIONS THAT WE PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY.
THAT INCLUDES THE COURTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THE FAMILIES.
WE ARE INTERESTED ON WORKING ON PROBATION TO A PROVISION WITH YOUNG OFFENDERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> WHAT PUTS SOMEONE ON PROBATION RATHER THAN JAIL?
>> IT IS AN ORDER BY THE COURT THAT IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION.
OUR OFFICERS SUPERVISE THE OFFENDER TO HELP INSURE THAT THE KEY CONDITIONS OF PROBATION.
THERE HAVE BEEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES DONE.
SOME SAY THEY CAN HELP TO MANAGE THE RISKS AND HELP THEM BECOME LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE REALITY OF THE WORLD TODAY IS NOT THAT SIMPLE.
THE PEOPLE WE ARE WORKING WITH ON PROBATION ARE FACING SOME EXTREMELY LARGE CHALLENGES.
>> WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY VIOLATE PROBATION?
>> THAT ARE ULTIMATELY RISK RETURNING TO THE COURT.
IT COULD RESULT IN THE EXECUTION OF THE ORIGINAL SENTENCE WITH INCARCERATION.
WE DO WORK WITH THE OFFENDERS TO HELP THEM BECOME LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.
WE DO A LOT OF ENFORCEMENT.
WE WORK WITH AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT.
CHIEF MORE TALK ABOUT A CEASE-FIRE AND IMPACT LAST NIGHT.
WE ARE INVOLVED IN ALL OF THOSE ACTIVITIES.
WE WORK WITH OFFENDERS TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY THE STRENGTHS SO THEY CAN BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
THAT IS THE BALANCE.
A PROBATION OFFICER IS A BALANCE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL AND A SOCIAL WORKER.
IT IS A COMPLEX ROLE.
OUR STAFF ALL HAVE A MINIMUM OF A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN HUMAN SERVICE FIELD.
MANY OF THEM HAVE MASTER'S DEGREES IN MANY YEARS OF WORKING IN OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCIES.
IT IS A BALANCE OF ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL WORK.
I OFTEN SAY IT IS NOT JUST TO CATCH SOMEONE DOING WRONG.
WE WILL DO THAT.
IF THEY VIOLATE A PROVISION, WE ARE OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY DOING CURFEW CHECKS.
WE SHARE INFORMATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
WE ALSO WANT TO HELP PEOPLE TO DO THINGS BETTER.
WE WANT TO GIVE THEM THE SKILLS TO DO GOOD THINGS.
>> THERE ARE TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS.
THERE ARE DEGREES OF VIOLATIONS.
HOW MUCH LEEWAY AS DO OFFICERS TAKE WITH THE PROBATIONERS, THEIR CLIENTS?
THEY ARE NOT AUTOMATICALLY SENT BACK TO COURT WAS A VIOLATION?
>> THERE IS A LOT INVOLVED IN THOSE DECISIONS.
IT DEPENDS ON THE LEVEL OF RISK THAT A PROVISION OPPOSED TO THE COMMITTEE.
IN OUR HIGH-RISK CASES, THE NIGHT WATCH OFFICERS DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE ARREST FOR SOMEONE WHO IS IN VIOLATION OF CURFEW.
OTHER SITUATIONS MAY RESULT IN MORNINGS OR ADMINISTRATIVE REPRIMANDS BEFORE A VIOLATION WOULD BE FILED WITH THE COURT.
ANYTIME THERE IS A VIOLATION THAT WE ARE AWARE OF, THOSE ARE DOCUMENTED.
THEY COULD ULTIMATELY BE USED IN THE VIOLATION PETITION.
>> I AM SURE YOU HEAR FROM MOTHERS AND OTHERS THAT THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE THEIR SONS IN JAIL THAN DEAD.
THE IMPLICATION IS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED THE PROBATION OFFICER TO HAVE TAKEN THEIR KIDS OFF THE STREET.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT.
I UNDERSTAND OF THE MOTHERS ARE SCARED.
I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT SENTIMENT.
I WOULD SAY TO THE MOTHER THAT IS OK FOR TODAY, BUT THEY WILL COME HOME.
UNLESS WE ARE WORKING ON WHAT IS CAUSING THE REST, WE WILL BE IN THE SAME SITUATION 30 DAYS, SIX MONTHS, ONE-YEAR FROM NOW WHEN YOUR SON IS RELEASED FROM JAIL AND BACK HOME.
PROBATION IS TRULY AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH AN OFFICER AND FOR THE OFFICER TO WORK WITH THE FAMILY TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CULTURE AND THE KID.
WE TRY TO PUT A PACKAGE TOGETHER TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.
NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR THE NEWS IN THE MORNING THAT YOUNG PERSON HAS BEEN MURDERED.
I WAS LISTENING TO YOUR SHOW LAST NIGHT.
THAT IS THE SINK.
OUR OFFICERS HAVE.
WHEN WE HEAR THE NEWS THAT SOMEONE HAS BEEN KILLED, WE DO NOT KNOW IF IT WAS ONE OF OUR OFFICERS OR A PROBATION.
WE WONDER WHAT WE COULD HAVE DONE.
THE WE HAVE DONE MORE ENFORCEMENT?
SHOULD WE HAVE ASKED FOR A WARRANT?
COULD WE HAVE DONE MORE RISK REDUCTION OR GIVEN MORE REFERRALS?
THAT IS A DIFFICULT PLACE TO BEGIN WHEN SOMEONE IS DEAD.
IT IS HARD.
THOSE ARE THE CHALLENGES OUR OFFICERS FACE EVERY DAY.
WE HAVE AN EXTREMELY DEDICATED STAFF AT WORK TO ENGAGE WITH FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO ENFORCE THE ORDERS.
>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE WORKLOAD AND WHETHER OFFICERS HAVE BEEN A TIME TO GIVE PROPER ATTENTION TO THE PETITIONERS?
>> WORKLOAD IS A CONCERN.
IT DOES VARY.
THE CASELOAD FOR THE MORE HIGH-RISK OFFENDERS INVOLVED FIVE OFFICERS DEDICATED TO WORKING WITH THE POPULATION OF HIGH RISK, YOUNG OFFENDERS INVOLVED WITH GANGS AND STREET VIOLENCE.
WE HAVE THREE OFFICERS THAT ARE ON NIGHT WATCH.
WE HAVE OTHER OFFICERS THAT WORK STRICTLY WITH GANG-RELATED YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE NIGHT OFFICERS HAD A CASELOAD OF ABOUT 25.
THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OFFICERS MAY HAVE A CASELOAD OF UP TO 145 OFFENDERS.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
YOU CAN GO ONLINE TO LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW AND OTHER "NEED TO KNOW" SEGMENTS.
>> THE NEWS IS NOT ALWAYS BAD.
SOME DONE IN MANAGE TO BREAK THROUGH THE OBSTACLES.
WE'RE JOINED BY ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT SUCCESS.
WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PATHWAYS TO PEACE.
PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES OF WHAT LED YOU TO A HILLSIDE.
>> IT STARTED ON MARCH 3, 1996.
MY FATHER WAS MURDERED IN THE CITY OF ROCHESTER.
THROUGH THAT PROCESS, MY FAMILY ENDED UP LOSING OUR HOUSE, CARS, INSURANCE.
WE LOST A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOU HAVE A BETTER LIFE AND FUTURE.
IN THAT TIMEFRAME, I GOT INVOLVED WITH GANGS AND HANGING OUT ON THE STREETS.
I GOT SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL MULTIPLE TIMES.
I INTERACTED WITH THE ROCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT.
>> THE PRESSURES WERE ENORMOUS, THE BURDEN WAS ENORMOUS.
HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO BREAK OUT OF THAT?
>> MOST PEOPLE DO NOT.
MY MOTHER WAS A PRAYING MOTHER.
I HATED HER FOR ALLOWING CERTAIN THINGS TO HAPPEN TO ME IN MY FAMILY.
IT WAS NOT HER FAULT.
IT WAS JUST CIRCUMSTANCES.
HILLSIDE IT IS A PROGRAM TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE.
THEY SENT A YOUTH ADVOCATE INTO MY LIFE.
HE ENCOURAGED ME AN EMPOWERED ME TO MAKE A BETTER FUTURE FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY.
>> WHAT IS HILLSIDE?
>> IT FOCUSES ON FIVE ISSUES.
ONE INVOLVES SCHOOL SUSPENSION, ATTENDANCE, ISSUES AT SCHOOL, BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS INVOLVED IN THAT AGE GROUP.
>> TELL US ABOUT HALF WHAT IS TO PEACE AND HOW YOU DEFINE SUCCESS.
>> IT IS A STREET-LEVEL OUTREACH TEAM THAT WORKS TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE FIND RESOURCES AT ALTERNATIVES IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THEM GET AWAY FROM VIOLENT CRIME.
WE LOOK AT RATES OF RECIDIVISM.
WE LOOK AT HISTORIES OF VIOLENCE.
WE LOOK AT THE SCHOOL, THE COMMUNITY, THE HOME.
UPON COMING INTO THE PROGRAM WITH US IN GOING INTO DIFFERENT GROUPS, THEY ARE ABLE TO SHOW MORE CONTROL OVER THEMSELVES.
THERE ARE LESS THE HAVERHILL REFERRALS IN SCHOOL.
NO VIOLENT INTERACTIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
WE ALSO HAVE CLIENTS THAT GO FORWARD AND COMPLETE COLLEGE.
WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF THIS YEAR.
>> HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS SOMEONE LIKE OUR GUEST TO GIVE HIM HOPE?
>> I WAS WORKING AT HILLSIDE BEFORE OF IS WORKING AT THE CITY.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOUNG MEN LIKE HIM.
IT IS ABOUT BUILDING REPORT.
WHEN A YOUNG MAN IS SEEKING A WAY OUT FOR THEMSELVES AND NOT SURE ABOUT WHAT DIRECTION TO GO, YOU HAVE TO BUILD REPORT AND TRUST WITH THE INDIVIDUAL.
THE INDIVIDUAL HAS TO WANT IT FOR THEMSELVES.
YOU FIND A WAY TO BUILD ON THE STRENGTHS THAT ALREADY HAVE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF VERY TALENTED AND INNOVATIVE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE TALENTS THEY HAVE.
THEY HAVE TO GO ALONG WITH THE STATUS QUO IN TERMS OF HANGING WITH THEIR STREET FRIENDS.
>> YOU WERE 15 YEARS OLD.
THAT IS AN IMPORTANT AGE.
YOU HAD A LOT OF ROLE MODELS TREE OF WHAT ALLOWED YOU TO BREAK AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE YOU WERE SURROUNDED BY ON A DAILY BASIS?
>> A LOT OF THE PEOPLE I HUNG OUT WITH ON THE STREETS WOULD GET INVOLVED WITH CRIME AND COMMIT DIFFERENT ACTS.
I WOULD GET CAUGHT.
MY FRIENDS WOULD GET CAUGHT.
NOBODY WANTED TO STICK TOGETHER.
IN THE HILLSIDE PROGRAM, WE HAVE A BROTHERHOOD.
WE HAVE USED ADVOCATE THAT IS LIKE A FATHER FIGURE.
HE MADE SURE I WENT TO SCHOOL AND WAS HOME WITH MY FAMILY.
HE MADE SURE I HAD A JOB OR WAS SOMEWHERE BEING PRODUCTIVE.
THEY PROVIDED THE GUIDANCE TO HELP ME CHANGE MY LIFE.
THE WILL TO CHANGE MYSELF WAS REALLY THE CORE EFFORT.
>> WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE WITH THE LEGAL SYSTEM?
DID THEY TREAT YOU WELL?
WAS THEIR SUPPORT?
WERE YOU TREATED PROPERLY?
>> I WAS TREATED PROPERLY.
THE COURTS AND THE POLICE ARE THERE FOR ONE PURPOSE.
THEY'RE THERE TO DEFEND OR PROSECUTE.
THE POLICE PROVIDE EVIDENCE TO MAKE SURE THE COURTS CAN FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATIONS.
A LOT OF OFFICERS ARE VERY NICE.
THE MAJORITY OF MY TIME WAS SPENT WELL.
THANK GOD I DID NOT REALLY GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE SYSTEM LIKE SOME YOUNG PEOPLE DO.
>> I AM SURE THERE ARE FUNDING PRESSURES.
I'M SURE YOU ARE FEELING THE BRUNT OF THOSE.
WHAT MORE IS NEEDED?
WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE?
>> AS YOU KNOW, THE CITY HAS A SHORTFALL WHEN IT COMES TO OUR PRESENT ECONOMIC STABILITY.
WHEAT SEEK FUNDING FROM DIFFERENT ENTITIES.
THE UNITED STATES STATE DEPARTMENT AND OTHERS.
WE NEED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MORE INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN GO ON THE STREET AND DO THE WORK NECESSARY TO MAKE CONTACT WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND HELP THEM FIND ALTERNATIVES TO GET AWAY FROM THE NEGATIVES.
YOU HAVE TO BE FOCUSED.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN JUST HANG OUT.
IT IS ABOUT FINDING OTHER ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE RECREATIONAL OR VOCATIONAL.
FUNDING PAST TO BE BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT.
PEOPLE HAVE TO PUT AS MUCH FAITH IN THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WHO DO INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION WILL BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS THOSE DOING SUPPRESSION.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO JUST ARREST OURSELVES OUT OF THE SITUATION.
THERE HAS TO BE 7 AVAILABLE, TANGIBLE, FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WE LIKE TO THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE THAT POSITIVE FORCE WILL HELP INDIVIDUALS BECOME POSITIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
>> IF SOMEONE CROSSES THE LINE AT A YOUNG AGE AND GETS INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THOSE OUR FORMATIVE YEARS.
THAT IS WHEN YOU DEVELOP SOCIALLY AND IN SCHOOL.
MANY YOUNG MEN HAVE LOST THOSE FORMATIVE YEARS.
HOW CAN YOU GET THOSE BACK?
HOW CAN YOU OVERCOME THAT?
CAN BE OVERCOME?
>> IT CAN BE OVERCOME IF YOU HAVE THE DESIRE TO WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE.
IN MY CIRCUMSTANCES, I WANTED THAT CHANGE.
I WAS TIRED OF BEING SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL.
I WAS TIRED OF SEEING MY MOTHER CRYING.
I WAS TIRED OF FEELING HARASSED BY THE POLICE.
THEY WERE DOING THEIR JOB.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF THINGS.
SOMEONE NEEDS TO REALLY WANT TO CHANGE, OTHERWISE IT WILL KEEP GOING BACK TO THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCE.
>> A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE GET A CRIMINAL RECORD.
IF THEY TALK TO AN EMPLOYER OR A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER, HOW CAN THEY OVERCOME THE STIGMA?
THEY NEED SOMEONE TO GIVE THEM A BREAK.
>> WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS MOVING BEYOND THAT.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT SOME YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN A CRIMINAL RECORD.
THAT SHOULD NOT BE STOPPING POINT FOR THEM IN BEING ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND BE PRODUCTIVE.
MAYOR DUFFY AND THE BUREAU OF YOUTH SERVICES ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO OFFER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THOSE SAME INDIVIDUALS.
THROUGH OUR OFFICE, WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO REFER SOME YOUNG PEOPLE TO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WOULD HELP THEM BE SUCCESSFUL.
IT OFFERS THEM NOT ONLY A JOB, BUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CAREER.
THOSE THINGS ARE NECESSARY TO CHANGE THE TIDE FOR SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS.
SOME HAVE NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY.
YOU HAVE TO WANT IT.
YOU HAVE TO BE DILIGENT ABOUT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS.
>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE TODAY.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
THE CENTER FOR GOVERNMENTAL RESEARCH EVALUATED THE HILLSIDE PROGRAM.
THAT FOUND THAT THOSE EXPOSED TO THE PROGRAM GRADUATED.
THAT COMPARED TO 31% OF URBAN STUDENTS.
NEARLY 80% OF THE GRADUATES WENT ON TO COLLEGE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> GO TO ROCHESTER ON DEMAND, CHANNEL 111.
YOU WILL FIND A SELECTION OF RECENT "NEED TO KNOW" PROGRAMS.