By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Common Council reports that quality of life crimes are ruining city living for residents. Lawmakers will be hosting a public hearing at 6:00 PM Tuesday night to discuss efforts to battle so called "Quality of Life" crimes.
Some lawmakers have blamed the Buffalo Police Department for not cracking down on booming music from car radios, littering and even public urination.
Mayor Anthony Masiello said he believes the police ddepartment is doing a good job, despite changes in manpower levels and an increase in street crimes.
But he said they must make a better effort to crack down on quality of life violators.
"I do think our police officers have to fully understand, that while times are tough, and demand for their time can be excruciating, they are still going to have to pull over people who are playing loud music and put a stop to it," said Masiello. "It is just part of their job. Yes they are stretched for manpower, but everyone is these days, and we all have to do more. But I'm confident our police department will do the job."
Recently the Common Council adopted a resolution calling for the creation of a Police Department Quality of Life Squad. It would work directly at curbing those type of crimes by issuing more summonses, and even arrest - when needed - for the use of illegal sound systems.
But Masiello said it should really be up to the entire police force.
"I would rather have all 800 police officers issuing the citations for loud music and littering then a squad of four or five. I think every single police officer must know that this is important to us. If they are not responding to a homicide or burglary that have to deal with these quality of life crimes. I would much rather have, and I support the police commissioner, that every police officer within the department is dealing with these issues."
Commissioner Rocco Diina recently vowed that his department will give more attention to these crimes. He said police have cited 77 people under a city ordinance for these types of violations.