Monroe Mayor Against Formation of Crime Committee; Councilman Responds
By: Staff
Updated: January 6, 2013
MONROE -- A Monroe city councilman is responding to Mayor Jamie Mayo about creating a new crime committee.
Councilman ray Armstrong of district one plans to propose a resolution to create a crime review committee.
Mayor Mayo opposes it, saying it is an unnecessary duplication of an internal process already in effect.
Councilman ray Armstrong of district one plans to propose a resolution to create a crime review committee.
Mayor Mayo opposes it, saying it is an unnecessary duplication of an internal process already in effect.
Below is an official statement from Mayor Jamie Mayo in regards to an agenda item for the January 8, 2013, Monroe City Council meeting, in which Councilman Armstrong proposed the city council be allowed to establish a Crime Review Committee for the Monroe Police Department.
"Public Safety remains a continued focus area of my administration. That is evident by our commitment to provide our police personnel with new and enhanced equipment, improved facilities and better wages. We have also initiated an effort for our police department to attain national accreditation. However, it is most evident by the annual crime reports that have shown a steady decline in overall crime for the past several years.
For the past few years, members of the Monroe City Council have joined me, and my department heads, to participate in multiple community meetings where we discuss city projects & goals, as well as neighborhood issues and concerns. Furthermore, Police Chief Quentin Holmes holds multiple community meetings each year to specifically address crime, neighborhood watch programs, our Business Watch program, community policing, and engage with citizens to hear their concerns and issues with crime and the police department.
The resolution submitted by Councilman Armstrong, to establish a review committee to study crime in the City of Monroe, is not one that my administration supports because it is an unnecessary duplication of an internal process already in effect; and, more importantly...it violates the role of the city council--as defined by our own City Charter. Such a committee would obviously be formed to help direct the Police Department efforts. This is clearly an administrative function, not a legislative function.
NOTE: On page six (6) of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Monroe, Section 2-06 Prohibitions (B), states, "Except as provided elsewhere in this charter neither the council nor any of its members shall involve themselves in the manner in the appointment, removal, direction or supervision of any City administrative officer or employee."
The purpose of the "crime review committee" would be to help direct the police department in methods of operations it should implement to address crime in the City of Monroe. This clearly violates the Home Rule Charter."
--Mayor Jamie Mayo, City of Monroe.
Here is a letter Armstrong wrote Saturday regarding the crime committee:
Public safety is a major focus of mine as well. It is a fact that there has been an alarming amount of crime involving armed entry into homes with residents present, attempted murder of a lady hit in the head with a hammer and requiring her to enter ICU with a brain hemorrhage, homes burglarized, drive by shootings and multiple other violent crimes. A recent domestic violence resulted in an officer killing a young man holding a knife at a woman's neck. All this causes great concern among citizens of Monroe.
Many residents have attended recent town hall meetings and are still concerned. They want more done to reduce crime and are willing to participate with neighborhood watches and increase awareness of the dissemination of information through social media, etc. They have requested further information regarding reduction in police personnel, area patrols, response times, and crime statistics for our area. They say they are willing to assist Chief Holmes and have asked for a committee to review crime in Monroe.
I would be negligent in my duty if I did not respond to the concerns of our citizens. They are concerned that even though we are reassured, more can be done and they are willing to do their part.
Our citizens are computer savvy. They report to me, Internet sources showing Monroe as near the highest in domestic violence in the country, three times the murder rate per capita compared to the average of the state, and four gangs in Monroe. They want accurate and complete information.
In review of the City Charter it is totally appropriate to form this committee and not unprecedented.
On page six of the Home Rule Charter for the City Of Monroe, the mayor suggests "...neither the council nor any of its members shall involve themselves in any manner in the appointment, removal, direction or supervision of any City Administrative officer or employee."
This committee has no intention to remove, supervise, etc anyone.
Support for this committee comes from Section 2.07 which says, "...the city council may make investigations into the affairs of the City and the related conduct of any
City official, officer, employee, department, office or agency and for the purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and require the production of evidence."
The purpose of this committee is to compile information, encourage citizen involvement, recognize officers who have done outstanding jobs, and to disseminate information.
This committee intent is to better understand the problem and make recommendations to the Mayor. Committee findings supportive of information reported by Chief Holmes not only will alleviate fears but will restore confidence in our police department.
Crime is a city wide concern and this committee will bring in and unite citizens from all districts. This is a win-win for everyone.
Ray Armstrong, MD
City Council District One
Here is a letter Armstrong wrote Saturday regarding the crime committee:
Public safety is a major focus of mine as well. It is a fact that there has been an alarming amount of crime involving armed entry into homes with residents present, attempted murder of a lady hit in the head with a hammer and requiring her to enter ICU with a brain hemorrhage, homes burglarized, drive by shootings and multiple other violent crimes. A recent domestic violence resulted in an officer killing a young man holding a knife at a woman's neck. All this causes great concern among citizens of Monroe.
Many residents have attended recent town hall meetings and are still concerned. They want more done to reduce crime and are willing to participate with neighborhood watches and increase awareness of the dissemination of information through social media, etc. They have requested further information regarding reduction in police personnel, area patrols, response times, and crime statistics for our area. They say they are willing to assist Chief Holmes and have asked for a committee to review crime in Monroe.
I would be negligent in my duty if I did not respond to the concerns of our citizens. They are concerned that even though we are reassured, more can be done and they are willing to do their part.
Our citizens are computer savvy. They report to me, Internet sources showing Monroe as near the highest in domestic violence in the country, three times the murder rate per capita compared to the average of the state, and four gangs in Monroe. They want accurate and complete information.
In review of the City Charter it is totally appropriate to form this committee and not unprecedented.
On page six of the Home Rule Charter for the City Of Monroe, the mayor suggests "...neither the council nor any of its members shall involve themselves in any manner in the appointment, removal, direction or supervision of any City Administrative officer or employee."
This committee has no intention to remove, supervise, etc anyone.
Support for this committee comes from Section 2.07 which says, "...the city council may make investigations into the affairs of the City and the related conduct of any
City official, officer, employee, department, office or agency and for the purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and require the production of evidence."
The purpose of this committee is to compile information, encourage citizen involvement, recognize officers who have done outstanding jobs, and to disseminate information.
This committee intent is to better understand the problem and make recommendations to the Mayor. Committee findings supportive of information reported by Chief Holmes not only will alleviate fears but will restore confidence in our police department.
Crime is a city wide concern and this committee will bring in and unite citizens from all districts. This is a win-win for everyone.
Ray Armstrong, MD
City Council District One
Comments
I think Dr. Arstrong has an excellent idea. He has explained his reasons for suggesting the committee be formed and there is no intent to violate the law or usurp the authority of the mayor.
Herbert O.
January 6, 2013 at 10:27 pm
I think Dr. Arstrong has an excellent idea. He has explained his reasons for suggesting the committee be formed and there is no intent to violate the law or usurp the authority of the mayor.
Herbert O.
January 6, 2013 at 10:27 pm
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