By Eileen Buckley & Ashley Hassett
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-956580.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Another member of citizens panel reviewing police reorganization has resigned. Former Erie County Sheriff Tom Higgins issued his resignation becoming the fifth to leave in recent days.
But as WBFO's Eileen Buckley reports, members of the Joint Police Reorganization Commission are pledging to move ahead with their mission despite recent controversy.
Police Reorganization interim Chairman Joseph Mascia was joined by four other commission members at a City Hall news conference Tuesday. The citizens panel has been in the center of controversy since last week's drug arrest of its former Chairman Ricky Allen.
The Buffalo Common Council formed the commission to study police manpower and quality of life issues. But it has become a political hotbed. Some lawmakers accuse Mayor Brown of attempting to undermine the panel.
However, Masica and the commission is pledging to move forward with its work...
Commission member Darnell Jackson, a well-known community activist, defended the panel. He described the arrest of Allen as one bad apple.
But at least one council member, University District lawmaker Bonnie Russell doesn't believe Jackson should serve on the panel because of his past felony.
Another political issue regards the remarks made by South District council member Michael Kearns. He accused Police commissioner Daniel Derenda of causing problems by warning that something big was coming down prior to Ricky Allen's arrest. Kearns had little to say about his remarks concerning Derenda. He told reporters he only appeared at their news conference to support the commission, then refused to take any questions.
The commission wants the Mayor and the Council to fill 13-vacancies on the citizen's panel. But the Mayor has already said he would not appoint any members to the commission.