DA Baratta Proposes Early Intercept Program at Jail

During last week's interview with NorCo DA Steve Baratta, he told me he had just completed and submitted a proposal for an early-intervention program at the jail. Tise program would use approximately $400,000 in opioid-related funding, not tax dollars.

Under this program, casweorkers will interview newly admitted inmates during classification to identify defendants whose criminal behavior is primarily the result of substance abuse or ongoing mental health problems.

For appropriate defendants present no public safety risks, Baratta wants to develop treatment plans and bring them before a judge for reconsideration of bail.

For peoplke who sit in jail with drug and mental health problems, and wait for six months to a year to get their case resolved, no one benefits from that," he remarked.

According to a 2018 assessment done by NorCo's health provider at the jail, 72% of inmates either are or were suffering a mental illness. A whopping 23% suffer from severe mental illness with current and acute symptoms.

That's what happens when you close state hospitals. Many of the people who belonged there end up at the jail or Gracedale.

When someone is jailed, the county bears the cost of housing and feeding an inmate. Moreover, incarcerated individuals are generally ineligible for Medicaid coverage, which means the county has to pay for medical expenses.

Baratta added that even though the jail is at half-capacity, it is "in turmoil because they can't manage their operations."They don't have enough corrections officers.

Baratta Warns About NVE, a Disturbing New Form of Online Child Exploitation

During last week's interview with NorCo DA Steve Baratta, he warned of a new trend in crime called Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE), associated with online networks such as 764. Baratta said his office has encountered several cases involving the online grooming and exploitation of minors. Perpetrators, frequently young males, will manipulate teenage girls into self-harm, sexual exploitation and other disturbing conduct.

He described a recent investigation involving a juvenile male who allegedly persuaded a girl to cut herself, collect her blood, mix it with water and use it to paint a so-called blood wall containing images and slogans.

The girl recorded the activity and transmitted it electronically. The material was intercepted, allowing authorities to identify the juvenile male. Unfortuantely, at the time of the interview, investigators had yet to locate the girl and provide appropriate services.

In December or January, Baratta will begin training local police departments and school districts about this emerging threat, with the help of federal authorities. He wants to educate police, school personnel and children about online grooming, coercion and exploitation.

NorCo DA Steve Baratta "Inclined" to Seek Second Term

Yesterday, I sat down for a wide-ranging interview with Northampton County DA Steve Baratta. I had a lot of questions, and he had plenty of answers. What has he accomplished in his first term as the county's chief prosecutor?  What kind of criminal activity is trending? What are his thoughts about three recent suicides at the jail? What can he do to help inmates who might be better off elsewhere? What's his assessment of Executive Tara Zrinski? (He is much kinder to her than you might think). What does his office need? Most importantly, is he going to seek a second term? I'll be providing a detailed account of what he said in postings next week. For now, I'll tell you that he's likely to seek a second term. 

"My wife doesn't want me to run," he confessed. But he later said, "I think I am inclined right now. One more term, I think. I'm not old. I have a lot of energy. I still want to work."

He said it's too early for him to leave. "I want to be more involved in community outreach. If I'm going to leave, I'm going to leave a legacy or a footprint for the next DA to understand what is needed right now, and to have an infrastructure to continue."

Baratta has devoted his entire career to the county in various roles - assistant county solicitor, First Assistant DA, President Judge and now, as District Attorney. 

I will support him if he runs. After you read what he says about the various serious issues he's confronting, you will, too.  

Kelly Keegan Votes No to Paying Starting DA the Same Salary as a Starting PD

Yesterday, I told you that NorCo DA Steve Baratta announced has hired Frank Donchez, Bethlehem's former Police Comm'r, as an assistant prosecutor. He said Donchez's background in law enforcement and as a practicing attorney made him a worthy choice. Although he was hiring an assistant DA to an existing position, he sought a three-step upgrade for Donchez from $67,828 to $77,403. Under the Administrative Code, a three-step upgrade requires County Council approval. Last night, he got it. Council voted 8-1 in favor of the upgrade, with Kelly Keegan casting the lone No vote. 

Yesterday, I accused her of taking her cues from Executive Lamont McClure. I say this because she has been a reliable rubber stamp for him since being sworn into office.  And McClure, to be blunt, is cheap. He does not like paying people who work for the county a lot of money. Ask any union member. Ask any career service worker, Hell, ask anyone who works for the county. He even opposes much-needed pay increases to his own position. 

My accusation angered Keegan, who posted a comment here, ripping me, and followed that up with a claim at last night's meeting that this is a "drama blog." 

Actually, this blog focuses mostly on Lehigh Valley and Northampton County government, making it more of a comedy blog. Bad comedy, yes, but there it is. 

Keegan then proceeded to complain about the $10,000 payhike as well as a pension that is earned after five years, as though she were the Judy of Punch and Judy, with Lamont McClure pulling the marionette strings from above. She also argued that since she had to start as a new hire when she moved from Allentown to Easton School District, everyone should. 

Later that night, she voted to hire Aline Shafnisky as Council Clerk at a salary well above what she earned as a Deputy. 

Her own thinking is inconsistent, which is what happens when people vote as they're told instead of on the basis of what they believe. 

She's choosing to ignore the real difficulty that District Attorneys across the state and country have had in attracting new talent. She also ignored a point Baratta made for two days in a row - Donchez' salary would still be below the starting salary of an assistant public defender. "I'm asking for a salary that's competitive with what we pay our brand-new PDs," he said last night. Public defenders have a duty to represent indigent defendants, while prosecutors protect the community. That's why they represent "the Commonwealth." 

Council member John Goffredo agreed with Baratta. "I don't know why we are not allowing the guy that got elected to run the office the way he sees fit. If you think this is going to help, I would love to be in support of it. 

There was no other discussion, and Keegan found herself alone in voting No. Even Jeff Warren, the Punch to the usual Punch and Judy routine, voted Yes. 

DA Baratta Announces Treatment Initiative For Substance Use Disorder

On April 17, DA Attorney Steve Baratta advised NorCo Council that the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI), first started by Josh Shapiro when he was Attorney General, is making its way to Courtroom #1 on May 29, 1 pm. Baratta said that law enforcement is involved, but it's really more of a social services program designed to encourage police officers to refer people who commit petty offenses to immediate treatment. If the person can remain sober or clean, police would then decline to prosecute. It enables an addicted person to focus on recovery instead of criminal charges. "That kind of program is designed to make the community safer, not by arresting and incarcerating, but by healing people with substance use disorders," he said. He emphasized that the program is not for more serious offenses. "It's not a panacea, but there's nothing we can do that's going to solve everything."

The program costs nothing. "I can tell you it's going to help some people, and that's a good thing."