One of the highest compliments a political blogger can receive is when a locally elected official actually joins the conversation. Everyone benefits, especially the reader. I've never seen a police officer join in a conversation about a city issue. Until now. Both Mayor Sal Panto and an Easton police captain have joined in a conversation about perceived racism in Easton's parks.Neighbors of Easton has recently added six new opinionated and informative bloggers with their own perspective about Shadtown. Among these newcomers are Tim Pickel, former president of Easton City Council, as well as Easton activists Dennis Lieb, Tim Hare and Terrence Miller.
Miller, writing as HopeUnseen, describes the experience of a black teenager ejected from a park earlier this summer when he took his litle brother there, during the day, to shoot hoops. Easton, plagued by vandalism, gang and drug activity in some parks, has enacted a ban directed at teens with too much time on their hands and too little supervision. But the black teen who was ejected this summer was just watching his little brother. He feels he's been targeted because of his race. "I guess it’s because I’m just another black kid from New York they don’t want here.”
Miller's post has drawn some interesting and heated reactions. Popular Easton Mayor Sal Panto offers a staunch defense of the ban. An Easton police captain actually joins the conversation, mincing no words in expressing himself. These leaders are actually willing to respond to their critics. That speaks highly of them, and demonstrates pretty convincingly that racism is the last thing on their minds. I hope they continue to participate. Here are some excerpts.
Mayor Sal Panto: "I see plenty of teens in the playground all summer playing basketball and not being asked to leave. Communication is a two way street and one call and this could be avoided. It is unfortunate that you waited this long and chose to place it here rather than calling."
Terrence: "Months ago I informed [city council member] Jeff Warren that your ban was fostering a sense of racism along with other repercussions. He defended your decision and offered no opportunities to alter it."
Mayor Sal Panto: "[T]he city has responded with programs for the youth -- have you been to the teener bball league at Vanderveer? Have you been to the bbal league with Shiloh Church and the Easton Police Department. After school activities at the Saints? These are just a few of the new programs. We need many more. We need job training, GED classes... but the city can only do so much."
Michael Vangelo, Easton Police Captain: "I'm confused. 2 or 3 months ago, on this blog, Terrence Miller alleged that the police were lazy, would not even exit their cars and this was the cause of gang members loitering in the park in the 600 Block of Walnut St. In this short period of time the police have done a 180 and Easton is a "Police State". What flavor will he spin next month? ... It is so convenient to criticize while sitting behind a computer and composing your thoughts. Try making split second decisions at 3:00 am while a drunken idiot is in your face. Until you walk in our shoes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year please don't attempt to tell us how to do our jobs."
Unfortunately, Mrs. Terrence bashes the Mayor and police captain for offering their opinions. "So from where I sit it's as if we were all hanging out on our front porches yakking about the issues we see, when all of sudden, a police cruiser pulls up with Mayor Panto and Capt. Vangelo in it. They jump out, run over to the porch, tell us to shut up and listen to how things really are in the city, instead of taking any time to listen to and address the perceptions of those they are supposed to be serving."
I hope to see that police cruiser pull up at Neighbors of Easton again. We all win when we can engage our leaders in conversation. It prevents many misunderstandings. With all due respect to Mrs. Terrence, if they were not listening, they would not be on the blog.
Mayor Panto, please do not use this disgusting forum to have a real important discussion. Ohare is a responsible member of the community.
ReplyDeleteMichael Vangelo, the Easton Police Captain might have hit upon something here.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it's a pain in the butt, perhaps the Captain ought to invite Terrence for a couple of nights of ride alongs. I do realize the potential liability issues, but some city's utilize this program.
When I was 16 a police cruiser would pick me up at the Rialto theatre at the end of the day to make the box office's nightly deposit. More then once we got side tracked on various calls. All I can say, it was a learning experience! Nothing like stuck in the back of a cop car with a bag of money and a half whacked unwashed drunk asking why I was be taken prisoner.
I highly encourage Mr. Vangelo to consider it. Especially on the evenings that are of most concern. If nothing else, perhaps Terrence would be able to understand it's not as personal as he seems to believe.
"COPS" is a TV show, when your there in person and at risk, it's entirely more real... Never knowing what the outcome will be and whether a person is an armed nut job or not.
Sal's in an impossible position. When Philly cops made a push for more community policing, it was called provocative and incendiary in crime-ridden, mostly black neighborhoods. The idea was abandoned and the result was an increase in crime, a murder per day, and a "don't snitch" culture that rules the city. Race relations seem at an all time low, in Easton and everywhere else. I get the feeling Sal wants black and white kids safe in all neighborhoods. No good deed goes unpunished.
ReplyDeleteMy friend takes his six-year-old son to bball courts in Allentown playgrounds. When I asked him about his son's safety, he explained that it was his responsibility to teach his son how to handle himself so he can stay safe in the city. BTW, when I asked him about the recent stabbing at the Cumberland court, he explained that only Cumberland residents use that court, and that it was "their stuff" being fought out. God help us, but I believe we live in a world where this man is doing the right thing by his child.
ReplyDeleteThis ban has survived two years and was never aimed at race.
ReplyDeleteIt's really a mixed bag, having City officials comment on a blog by and for residents--it depends completely on the officials that post and where they're coming from.
ReplyDeleteIdeally, it could be terrific, if officials would not just tell residents how we they feel, but ask how they do feel. Some really great discussions could be had that way, and it would go a long way to building trust in the community.
What can be a drag is when City apologists populate a blog with propaganda. At least Mayor Panto and Captain Vangelo have the integrity to post their names. The apologists tend to post anonymously.
But I agree, Bernie, that commenting does show that these officials are keeping their collective finger on the pulse, and it's refreshing for residents to be able to engage with officials in such a modern format. Hopefully they will keep doing so, and not be chased off so easily.
The park ban is not racist, and cannot be, unless of course, the actual writing of the ordinance were to say, "so we can keep the black kids out" or something crazy like that. What I felt Terrence was suggesting was that Easton as a community needs to address issues of racism that affect our city's kids, and one way to do that is to not impose restrictions on public spaces without providing comprehensive positive programming for good kids in those parks so that they don't feel like the bad kids ruined it for them, and that the City is lumping the good kids and bad together and restricting them all. Without that balance, it's easy for good non-white kids to make the leap to assumptions of racism, which just continues to add to racial tension in the Valley as kids get older and make their way out of their parents homes and into the community at large.
And I cannot speak for experiences with all officers of the EPD, but can only say that in my experience in conversations with various officers, I have gotten the impression that they have a pretty good grasp on the need for cultures to be tolerant of one another, and for how differences in culture and perspective can cause friction--they seem pretty realistic and easy-going about it. I have not as of yet seen any evidence of racist behavior from the EPD and think they are doing a good job for the most part. But I do agree with Theresa Miller, that they should be driving with their windows down (this is department policy, as I understand it) and WW residents have been working together with Lt. Remaley on trying to get officers to be a little more open in their interactions with residents. But overall, everyone I have spoken to has said that response has been fast, and residents really appreciate that.
Whether or not to have a park ban is, I feel, a topic worthy of debate. Hopefully Mayor Panto and Captain Vangelo will stay involved.
Noel, It was a great blog. Although people got testy, it was good reading and we know where everyone stands. It is credit to all of you.
ReplyDeleteYo Noel, how is the Treatment Center going?
ReplyDeleteYo, Anon--I wish. I will keep wishing...no news that I know of--I'll be tuning in here to catch any updates.
ReplyDeleteThe treatment center will not be in Bethlehem Twp. It is a safe place where good people want to turn their lives around.
ReplyDeleteIt will be right next to the prison where it is best located.
Thank you.
Thanks, NIMBY--way to share responsibility for Bethlehem's criminals (which we house for you). Check the Morning Call's interactive crime map for a comparison--Bethlehem and Allentown have more crime happening in them than Easton:
ReplyDeletehttp://projects.mcall.com/crime_map/
No wonder you don't post your name.
Way to go Bernie ,Noel is right we do need dialogue on this and it is my personal feeling that when I needed the police for an incident with a SLUMLORD, I had an immediate response. And having lived on the corner of a so called "HOT SPOT" I watched Community policing work and saw unbiased community policing.... heck,we have 10 year olds running around unsupervised. THIS IS A COMMUNITY ISSUE where all parties need to be at the Table!!!
ReplyDelete