Suffolk County recently opened our new State mandated correctional facility in Yaphank, adding 440 new beds at a cost of $176 million. Unfortunately, Suffolk is also under orders from the State to build yet another phase of the correctional facility to add another 360 beds at an estimated cost of at least $100 million. If these numbers seem startling, it’s because they are. Suffolk County’s entire 2014 Capital Budget is $136 million and that covers road and bridge work, work at our Community College, and the parks network, among other assets.
In the face of this tremendous financial burden, we have recognized that we must think about how we deal with crime in Suffolk County. It is time to invest resources to keep people out of jail. After all, rarely do correctional facilities actually prevent recidivism; rather they often create better criminals. Sheriff DeMarco has recognized this and has proactively worked within the jails to identify inmates who show potential to become productive members of society. He has made great strides toward the goal of ensuring that his wards do not return to his care.
It is this pro-active approach that we now will take to the streets. As we talk about breaking the 30-year cycle of crime that has plagued North Bellport, we must determine how to reach the small minority of residents at the root of the problems. Often times these young men and women find their way into gangs in search of a family. Or perhaps without any job prospects, selling drugs seems like the best route to fast cash. Sometimes they end up in gangs strictly out of peer pressure. Regardless of the reason for choosing gangs and drugs, most of them eventually realize that there is no future in that life. It is our job to help them come to that realization sooner than later.
Our new Deputy Commissioner, Risco Mention-Lewis, was hired just for that purpose. To help convert our SCPD from not just a reactionary force that solves crimes, but a pro-active entity that prevents crime before it’s considered. She has a movement called the Council on Thought and Action (COTA) that does two things: It empowers the community to stand up to the bad actors, but even more importantly; it allows those bad actors to turn their lives around. It assures them that there will be a support system to encourage the right choices that lead to a productive life. There will be job training and counseling to treat addictions; while COTA itself provides the positive reinforcement people need to succeed. But we also make it clear, there is no second chance; one slip-up will lead to lock up, pure and simple. We are not forgiving crimes, we aim to prevent them.
COTA will take some time to establish, but it has proven its worth. It is based on nationally recognized programs that have proven effective. While some may question the approach, we cannot afford the alternative. Our communities cannot endure an endless cycle of crime and gangs; and Suffolk County cannot afford to lock up hundreds more, at a cost to the taxpayers of $400,000 per bed. It is time to take a new approach that will break the cycle and give these people and their communities a chance to prosper.
Suffolk County Legislator Rob Calarco represents the 7th Legislative District which includes Patchogue, East Patchogue, North Patchogue, Medford, and Gordon Heights. A smaller portion of Blue Point and Middle Island are also included in the District. He is Chairman of the Government Operations, Personnel, Housing & Consumer Protection committee, Vice Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, as well as a member of the Health Committee and the Ways & Means Committee of the Suffolk County Legislature.
