Posted April 21, 200619 yr From the 4/21/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Mayor pushes crime-fighting effort The mayor spoke of the challenges and opportunities of his first 100 days. By NANCY TULLIS VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER LIBERTY — Mayor Jay Williams is working with federal agents to plan an aggressive attack on Youngstown crime this summer. He pointed to 2003 as a goal to reach or exceed. He said there were only three homicides in the city that summer instead of the 10 or 12 predicted for this year. Williams was the keynote speaker for the banquet of Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods — ACTION — at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex Thursday. ACTION's mission, as stated in the event program, is to build a multiethnic, multiracial interfaith organization to develop strategies to reduce poverty, fight racism and other forms of discrimination and injustice. The mayor spoke of the challenges and opportunities of his first 100 days in office. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/313202920213766.php
July 29, 200618 yr From the 7/29/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Williams is confident city can get a grant The mayor wants a crime prevention program similar to the 2003 one. By DAVID SKOLNICK CITY HALL REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jay Williams said he is encouraged that the city can receive federal help to fight crime here after discussing the topic with the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. Williams met Friday with U.S. Attorney Greg White. Williams wants a program similar to the Gun Reduction Interdiction Project, a 2003 local-federal program in Youngstown. The program resulted in the arrest of nearly 400 people between late June and early September of that year. There was one murder in the city during that time frame in 2003. There have been five murders in the city this year between late June and Friday. The program that paid for an increased presence of local and federal law enforcement in Youngstown has changed since 2003, Williams said. Williams said White told him he'd speak to federal agencies to determine what could be done as well as the logistics and cost of such an effort. White didn't give the mayor a time frame for developing a plan. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/335697207778075.php
August 1, 200618 yr Trust me, we need it! Although we only have 16 homicides this year -compared to around 25 last year at this point- arsons and rioting is a daily occurance. Just last night a riot at a Taco Bell on the South Side got all angry and shot at the windows of the building, scary side of town at night.
August 24, 200618 yr From the 8/23/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Mayor: Let's take city back Plans are being made to require security officers at events at city venues. By HAROLD GWIN VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jay Williams believes people can choose to do one of two things after the shooting death of a man at a youth football game Saturday: Sit at home, or push forward with renewed commitment to safety and taking back the community. He's choosing to do the latter. It would be unfortunate should teams from suburban communities decide to no longer bring their children to play in Youngstown, Williams said. There have been peewee games played in the city for decades without incident, and those games will continue to be played at city venues, he added. Larry C. Jones, 31, of Ravenwood Avenue, was shot and fatally wounded during a Volney Rogers Youth Football League game at the former South High School stadium Saturday. The man who shot him in front of at least 600 people escaped and was still at large late Tuesday. The Mahoning County coroner's office said Jones was shot multiple times, but the only fatal wound was a shot to the chest. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/322840862227334.php
August 25, 200618 yr Both from the 8/25/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Police identify suspect in stadium shooting Witnesses initially were reluctant to tell authorities what they'd seen. By HAROLD GWIN VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — The city prosecutor credited two detectives with developing leads that identified the suspect in a homicide Saturday in the former South High School stadium. Detectives Pat Kelly and John Kelty uncovered some very credible witnesses who were able to identify Anthony M. Caulton, 25, of Youngstown, as the shooter, said city Prosecutor Jay Macejko. The detectives had to overcome a number of obstacles to gather that information, he said. Police had said early in the investigation that witnesses weren't forthcoming with many details, despite the fact that there were more than 600 people in the stadium when Larry C. Jones, 31, of Ravenwood Avenue, was shot multiple times by his assailant. Police Chief Jimmy Hughes held a press conference Monday, calling on witnesses to come forward and offering to accept anonymous tips if people were afraid to openly reveal what they'd seen. Detective Sgt. Elrico Alli said the plea for witnesses seemed to help as more tips began coming in. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/323771402322269.php
August 28, 200618 yr From the 8/27/06 Warren Tribune Chronicle: City puts pressure on crime By JOE GORMAN Tribune Chronicle YOUNGSTOWN — The strategy of cracking down on drug offenses in the city’s first federal Weed and Seed site was successful, the leader of the law enforcement portion of the program says, but a leader of a block watch group in the area says the South Side is no safer than before the program began. As the city prepares to embark on its second Weed and Seed area with help from Youngstown State University and other police agencies, police Lt. Rod Foley said crime declined when the city ran the program from 2000 to 2005 on South Side. ‘‘We stepped on the drug problem as much as we could,’’ Foley said. ‘‘We figured if we could taken them (drugs) off the street, we could stop some of the violence.’’ But Katrina Love, head of the Fosterville Block Watch, said things look the same to her. ‘‘I don’t see what accomplishments have been made,’’ Love said. ‘‘There’s been no change. It’s the same as it was before.’’ Full article at http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=8007
August 28, 200618 yr From the 8/28/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Killing adds urgency to plan A recording called 'Stopping the Violence' will be available to the public in January. By SEAN BARRON VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT YOUNGSTOWN — Local entertainment groups and producers had been planning for several weeks to use Eagle Heights Academy to tape a video and make a compact disc aimed at addressing the spate of violence in the city. The Aug. 19 shooting death of a Youngstown man in front of about 600 adults and children during a peewee football game at the former South High School stadium gave the project an added sense of urgency. Eagle Heights Academy occupies the former South High School building. The school at 1833 Market St. was the site of the free program Saturday that featured a taping and video session, sponsored by Whole Man Ministries Stopping the Violence committee. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/286899612880771.php
August 29, 200618 yr Both from the 8/29/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Mayor and police chief head to crime summit The Los Angeles police chief and a Harvard criminologist are among the speakers. By DENISE DICK VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jay Williams and Police Chief Jimmy Hughes are joining with counterparts from across the country in a summit on violent crime. The Police Executive Research Forum's National Violent Crime Summit begins tonight at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., and runs through Wednesday. "There's been an uptick in violent crime across the country," Williams said earlier this month. He said he read a newspaper article about the summit and contacted officials involved to try to get the city included in the list of participants and was invited to attend. "It's by invitation only," the mayor said. According to its Web site, the Police Executive Research Forum is a national membership organization of "progressive police executives from the largest city, county and state law enforcement agencies." This week's summit is part of the "2006 Critical Issues in Policing Series: National Violent Crime Summit." Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/364379120013689.php
September 1, 200618 yr From the 8/30/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Youth league talks continue YOUNGSTOWN — City and Northeastern Ohio Youth Football League officials are still in discussions about the league's continued play in the city, Mayor Jay Williams said. Williams met with league officials this week when some suburban teams were reconsidering whether to let their children play at fields in the city after a man was fatally shot Aug. 19 at a peewee football game at the former South High School stadium. "I would say at this point that the talks have been productive," Williams said Tuesday. "We're still in discussions and I will reserve comment until we have additional information." Rick Thomas, league secretary, said a news conference is set for Thursday at Ipes Field with Williams and Joseph McRae, city park and recreation director, to talk about plans for the league's season. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/326114932463716.php
September 1, 200618 yr From the 8/31/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Demonstrators protest city's crime rate The mayor said he shares the protesters' frustrations. By DENISE DICK VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — About 25 residents, mostly from the city's East Side, picketed along Boardman Street to protest the city's crime rate, with signs reading "Quality of Life?" and "More taxes, less protection." "I don't feel safe because of the shooting," said Jackie Adair, an East Sider, referring to a June episode when a man inside of his house was shot in the leg. Much of the problem stems from one house in the neighborhood, she said Wednesday. Maggy Lorenzi, a community activist and member of Southern Block Watch, believes it's an issue of the city's priorities. "They're not prioritizing," said Lorenzi, referring to the city administration. "The main priority to them is business, but substantial, private businesses will not come to a city with crime like this." Lorenzi ran for mayor in 2005. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/25493180175881.php
September 3, 200618 yr I'm glad they decided to stay in the city. From the 9/1/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Peewee football to move to Ipe Field The vote was unanimous to continue to play in the city. By DENISE DICK VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Northeastern Ohio Youth Football League teams will continue to play games in the city, but they'll go back to Ipe Field. Some parents within the league, which includes teams in the city, the Mahoning County suburbs and Howland, had reconsidered sending their children to play at fields in the city after a man was fatally shot Aug. 19 during a peewee football game at the former South High School stadium. The teams playing when the shooting occurred were part of the Volney Rogers Youth Football League. "Youth football will continue to be played in the city of Youngstown, and in my mind there was never a question of that," Mayor Jay Williams said at a news conference Thursday at Ipe Field, Midlothian Boulevard. The games will move from the South High stadium to Ipe Field and the police department will provide security at the games, the mayor said. The logistics are still being worked out. "But this is about the kids, so you're not going to see armed guards along the sidelines," he said. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/367162824981997.php
September 23, 200618 yr From the 9/21/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Residents, police discuss gangs and juvenile crime Officials said the court has served about 700 juveniles on probation from the South Side. By NANCY TULLIS VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Residents should not hesitate to contact police or juvenile authorities, no matter how small the problem, police and juvenile court officials told Southern Boulevard Block Watch members. Police Chief Jimmy Hughes and five probation officers from Mahoning County Juvenile Court spoke at Wednesday's block watch meeting at St. Dominic Parish Center. The meeting topic was "Let's take back our neighborhoods," and focused mostly on criminal gang activity and juvenile crime. "Don't be afraid to call about the little things," said Bill Ward, a YPD patrolman. "The little things are important. When your neighborhood falls apart, it starts with little things." More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/297585634034084.php
February 16, 200718 yr From the 12/30/06 Youngstown Vindicator: Homicide rate remains among highest in U.S. Compared with population, blacks are disproportionately homicide victims. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — If the city makes it through tonight without a homicide, the murder rate drops 9 percent from 2005 — but the rate is still among the highest per capita nationwide. The city recorded its 30th and 31st homicides Dec. 24, giving it four fewer than the previous year's total. With an estimated 2000 population of 79,271, that's one killing for every 2,557 residents. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/321127488235631.php
February 16, 200718 yr From the 1/18/07 Youngstown Vindicator: To fight crime, involve kids in neighborhoods The community activist hopes to make a helpful connection with youths in area. By KATIE LIBECCO VINDY.COM CORRESPONDENT YOUNGSTOWN — Maggy Lorenzi is urging citizens on the South Side to work with youths in their neighborhood who are on probation to fight crime and violence in the area. She asked members of the Southern Boulevard Blockwatch to work with the kids through the Juvenile Justice Center and their probation officers. About 25 people who live in or around a quadrant of Youngstown that covers Florida Avenue to Midlothian Boulevard and Southern Boulevard to Market Street attended Wednesday night's meeting at St. Dominic's Parish Center. "We're just trying to make a difference in our neighborhood," Lorenzi said. She and others had worked with some youths on probation on the South Side previously in small projects, but are interested in getting the others involved in the block watch to do the same. She noted there are 700 children on probation on the South Side. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/287993754810641.php
February 16, 200718 yr From the 1/31/07 Youngstown Vindicator: City plans crackdown after killing of 4 people The slayings are 'a punch in the gut to fight back,' the mayor says. By DAVID SKOLNICK CITY HALL REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — After a quadruple slaying that Mayor Jay Williams described as "shocking even by Youngstown standards," he said the police department is going into "zero-tolerance" mode. "Every available officer will be in every available cruiser with specific instructions," he said. That means effective immediately, police will pull over vehicles for infractions such as failing to have rear bolts on license plates or ticket people for littering for at least the next 30 days, Williams said. The plan is for zero tolerance to reduce crime and put criminals on notice that they won't be able to get away with anything in Youngstown, he said. "This is a punch in the gut to fight back," Williams said about the four homicides in the second-floor bedroom of 548 W. Evergreen Ave. on the city's South Side reported to police at 10:24 p.m. Monday. Three of the four victims had criminal records. Police said an ongoing feud may be the motive for the killings. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/297240319905397.php
February 16, 200718 yr From the 2/12/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Crackdown is making a difference, mayor says The mayor wants to be sure money is in place to continue the sweep beyond 30 days. By D.A. WILKINSON VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jay Williams said he was recently driving on Glenwood Avenue when he saw city police running radar. "The police radar was pointed at my vehicle," Williams said. The mayor recognized that he was going a bit too fast and slowed down. The message, he said, is "the law applies to all of us." Williams said people he knows who have been cited by police under a zero-tolerance policy say "they feel more empowered, they feel more safe." The crackdown went into effect after the execution-style slaying of four people Jan. 29. No one has been charged in the killings. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/332093033499073.php
June 5, 200718 yr Both from the 2/18/07 Youngstown Vindicator: 20 stops made as crackdown continues YOUNGSTOWN — City police made 20 stops as part of the mayor's zero-tolerance Saturation Interdiction Patrol crackdown on illegal activity Friday and Saturday. Of the 18 motorists stopped, 11 were cited for driving under license suspension and two adults were cited for no operators license. The stops included two pedestrians, a woman walking down the middle of Oakhill Avenue around 8 p.m. Saturday who admitted to police that she was carrying a crack pipe, and a woman walking on Hillman Avenue around 9 a.m. Saturday who was charged with loitering for purposes of prostitution after police saw her try to get into a car that had circled the block several times. The other 18 were all traffic stops, most for failure to have a front license plate on the vehicles, but there were some stop sign violations and drivers operating at night with only their parking lights on. One stop was a 15-year-old Lucius Avenue boy who got nervous when he saw a police car following him, stopped the car he was driving, jumped out and ran into a nearby house. He was cited for driving without a license. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/305611425684851.php
June 5, 200718 yr From the 2/22/07 Youngstown Vindicator: High crime rate makes renewal necessary, official says The tax won't be hard to sell to voters, an official said. By PETER H. MILLIKEN VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Moments after the Mahoning County commissioners unanimously placed a permanent half-percent sales tax renewal on the May 8 ballot, Anthony T. Traficanti, chairman of the county commissioners, said failure of the tax would likely put the county in fiscal emergency. "The jail would be closed," he said Wednesday. If the commissioners were facing closing of the jail, Traficanti said he believes they would impose the tax. "We would have no choice,'' he said. About 70 percent of the county's general fund goes to judicial and law enforcement spending. Commissioners acted on the tax a day before today's 4 p.m. filing deadline at the county board of elections for getting issues on the May ballot. The campaign for the tax begins immediately. Sales tax renewal supporters, who have formed a "Committee for Our Future" to promote the tax, announced they'll meet at 7 p.m. today at the Structural Iron Workers Local 207 hall at 694 Bev Road in Boardman. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/326747439376644.php
June 5, 200718 yr From the 3/18/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Speaker emphases time spent with kids The support group formed last month partly to address violence in the city. By SEAN BARRON VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT YOUNGSTOWN — Lynn Parker was tired of seeing the effects poverty, drug-addicted parents and crime had on many kids who live near her home on the city's South Side, so in August 2005, she and her husband, Joseph, became proactive. Instead of just hoping someone else would make the problems go away, they opened a community center on Glenwood Avenue to provide youngsters with encouragement and a sense of safety. The center also has people dedicated to listening to the kids — something Lynn Parker is convinced will put youngsters on a path to overcoming difficulties and making positive choices. "We see the need and devastation. We can't see the devastation and not try to do something about it," she said, adding that many inner-city kids have various talents but need someone who believes in them. Lynn Parker was one of about 20 people who attended a Supporting Parents meeting Saturday at Heart Reach Ministries, 211 Redondo Ave., on the city's North Side. The two-hour support group session was set up mainly to empower parents and grandparents to face in positive ways various challenges related to parenting. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/379116757234281.php
June 5, 200718 yr From the 3/22/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Youngstown residents learn to spot gangs Some children join gangs as young as 6, a BCI speaker said. By SEAN BARRON VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT YOUNGSTOWN — George Duval knows that most of the 20 to 40 kids who congregate at certain houses in his Judson Avenue neighborhood are likely doing more than merely hanging out. Many cause problems by swearing at some residents and playing music too loud, for example; recently, a few jumped on and assaulted his 5-year-old son. For Lynne Holloway of Hilton Avenue, part of the problem in her neighborhood has been kids who fight and threaten others their age. She also has noticed graffiti on some vacant homes in her area — a sign of possible gang activity. Vandalism and occasional gunshots are a fact of life for Ralph Smith of Judson Avenue. Part of the problem he also sees is parents who don't properly supervise their youngsters, Smith said. Duval, Holloway and Smith were among about 100 area residents who attended Wednesday's Southern Boulevard Block Watch meeting at St. Dominic School, 3403 Southern Blvd. Most of those who came wanted to learn more about gangs and what they can do to address various problems they see in their communities. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/4321169182979.php
June 5, 200718 yr From the 3/24/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Police zero in on South Side dumping grounds Police say lawlessness pervades the neighborhood. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — South Side properties that become dumping grounds for trash and hangouts for criminals are being targeted by police. Patrolman Bill Ward, in response to complaints by residents and Councilman Paul Pancoe, D-6th, visited two vacant structures Thursday. He also spoke to a homeowner about cleaning up property. Ward's findings were passed on to the city's housing and litter departments. At 72-74 W. Florida Ave., Ward found an abandoned Buick in the rear yard of the brick duplex and red-tagged it for towing. He also found garbage and debris someone dumped in the yard. The officer said the garage is unsound and appears near collapse. Ward said in his report "a general spirit of lawlessness" exists in the neighborhood, noting many stolen vehicles have been found there and a recent homicide was just two blocks south. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/321498357880722.php
June 5, 200718 yr From the 4/4/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Cops cracking down on lawless South Side area The ward's councilman says 'The police officer who responds to complaints is a godsend.' By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — Denae Allen and her two boys no longer take barefoot walks in her West Florida Avenue neighborhood of Youngstown. Broken window glass from abandoned houses and smashed beer, wine and whiskey bottles litter the sidewalks and yards near Allen's attractive gray stucco house. There are also beer bottle caps, shards of glass from car break-ins and pieces of sharp metal or plastic strewn all around. Three years ago, Allen and her sons — 11 and 5 — moved to the South Side from a rural section of the East Side known as the Sharon Line. In their old neighborhood, barefoot walks were safe. Now, while sidestepping broken glass, "My kids find wallets and purses in the street," Allen said. Explaining the children's finds, she said: "People get robbed, and cars parked on the street get broken into." Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/288575340919789.php
June 5, 200718 yr From the 4/11/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Vacant Youngstown houses harbor dog fights The deputy dog warden said police have several suspects. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — Vacant houses on the East Side are luring dog-fight promoters who then dump carcasses of ravaged dogs in the streets like trash. "Dog fights are very secretive; [promoters] will go to vacant houses like these," Deputy Dog Warden Dave Nelson said Tuesday as he stood outside a ramshackle house at 2545 Wardle Ave. "It's big business, a lot of money bet. They usually set up a pit in the basement and let the dogs battle to death then throw them out on the side of the road." Nelson said evidence of dog fights was found at 2545, 2606 and 2633 Wardle. All three vacant houses are wide open, filled with trash, broken glass and animal feces. The front yard at 2606 is also littered with old tires. "It's a dumping ground out here for dogs," he said of the sparsely populated street dotted with woods. "Sad, very sad." More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/291068343785670.php
June 5, 200718 yr Both from the 4/24/07 Youngstown Vindicator: State panel: Probe is high priority The ethics commission investigation should take about three to four months. By DAVID SKOLNICK VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — An investigation into whether Rick Alli may have improperly received two public-sector salaries is among "the highest of our priorities," the executive director of the Ohio Ethics Commission said. A violation of the state's ethics law is considered a first-degree misdemeanor and, if convicted, the person faces punishment of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, said David E. Freel, the ethics commission's executive director. In some cases, those found guilty also could be forbidden from holding a public-sector job for seven years. Attorney General Marc Dann fired Alli on Friday, about 3 1/2 months after hiring the former Youngstown police detective sergeant as his chief of law enforcement operations. While Alli stopped working for the city police department after 31 years in early January, no one can find a resignation letter from him. Dann fired Alli for what the attorney general said is double dipping. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/305528877711068.php Alli still has department gear, cell phone line Police are going through records to see who else left and stayed on the payroll. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — As of Monday, Rick Alli still had most of his Youngstown Police Department equipment and his voice-mail message was still on his YPD cell phone. It's been nearly four months since Attorney General Marc Dann hired Alli as chief of law enforcement operations, based in Columbus, with an annual salary of $118,000, more than double his salary as a detective sergeant. Dann fired Alli last week after confirming the former YPD public information officer had been double dipping — drawing checks from YPD for unused vacation and accumulated time and paychecks from the AG's office. The Ohio Ethics Commission is investigating the matter at Dann's request. A call to Alli's YPD cell phone Monday showed the service was still active and carried this message: "This is Rick Alli, public information officer for Youngstown Police Department. I am away from my phone or on the other line. If I don't get back to you within the next hour, please try again." Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/297128597104262.php
June 5, 200718 yr From the 4/25/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Sgt. Alli officially quits YPD The former cop said he'll buy his police department gun for $1. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — Rick Alli's resignation letter to the city police department arrived nearly four months too late. Had Alli resigned in early January, he'd still be Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann's chief of law enforcement operations in Columbus making $118,000 annually. Alli accepted the "top cop" job but stayed on the YPD payroll to string out his vacation and accumulated time. Having Alli on the YPD payroll as a detective sergeant after he left to work for Dann ended badly for all involved late last week. Dann, once he confirmed Alli was drawing two checks, fired him and asked the Ohio Ethics Commission to investigate. Jennifer Labatte, civil service commission administrator, said Alli's resignation letter arrived in her office midafternoon Tuesday. The letter will be put in Alli's personnel file and copies sent to the finance and risk departments, she said. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/288735975075614.php
June 5, 200718 yr From the 5/9/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Two arraigned in shooting death of child YOUNGSTOWN — Two men charged in a weekend drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of 3-year-old Cherish Moreland, of Hilton Avenue, were arraigned Tuesday in municipal court on upgraded charges of aggravated murder. They had been charged with felonious assault pending Cherish's condition. She suffered a gunshot wound to the head and died Monday. Bond remains at $1 million each for Damon K. Clark Jr., 22, of Dogwood Lane, and Stoney Williams, 18, of Dorothy Avenue. A preliminary hearing is set for May 18, but Detective Sgt. John Kelty said he expects the case to be presented directly to a Mahoning County grand jury. Kelty said because the victim was under 13, the men could face the death penalty. Cherish was shot on Stewart Avenue on the city's East Side as she walked with her aunt. One of the bullets hit the girl on the right side of her head. Police have identified Williams as the shooter. http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/304134970168909.php
June 5, 200718 yr From the 5/17/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Talks are moving, union president says The union has worked without a contract since Nov. 30, 2006. By DAVID SKOLNICK CITY HALL REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — The head of the Youngstown police patrolmen's union said negotiations with the city on a new contract are progressing. Representatives of the city and the Youngstown Police Association, which represents 117 patrol officers, met Wednesday in an effort to get closer to a contract agreement. "Hopefully we can settle this," said Edward Colon, YPA president, who added that he was pleased with the progress made during Wednesday's negotiation session. The city and the union met briefly May 7 with Michael Paolucci of Cincinnati, the fact-finder assigned to listen to both sides and render a nonbinding decision. But Paolucci recommended the parties resume negotiations and both sides agreed to do so. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/307868209264066.php
June 5, 200718 yr From the 5/24/07 Youngstown Vindicator: $200K Weed/Seed grant will fight N. Side crime More than 250 of these programs exist in the U.S. YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University will receive a $200,000 grant for continuing support of the Youngstown Weed and Seed program, designed to fight crime and restore community infrastructure on the North Side. Assistant U.S. Attorney General Regina B. Schofield recently announced the grant. Weed and Seed is a strategy designed to prevent, control and reduce violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods and to bring in services that promote crime prevention and neighborhood revitalization. The funding is administered by the Community Capacity Development Office, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs. "This funding helps rebuild and restructure communities that have suffered because of criminal activity and social decay," Schofield said. "These strategies encourage residents to work with law enforcement agencies to deter crime, identify resources and restore community cohesiveness." More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/311143778926739.php
June 5, 200718 yr Both from the 6/5/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Five new patrol officers sworn in The city has a new $230,000 anti-gang grant. YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jay Williams swore in five new officers to what he called the finest police department in Ohio. The ceremony took place Monday in city council chambers with family and friends looking on. The new officers are: Ryan Laatsch, 23, of Akron; Shawna-Cie Ott, 26, of New Castle; Shakir Perkins, 26, of Youngstown; George Anderson, 37, of Boardman; and Bridget Quinn, 25, of Struthers. Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said the new officers will have some in-service training to learn how the department operates before getting their patrol assignments. He said all except Perkins have previous law enforcement experience. Hughes shook hands with the new officers and posed for photos with them. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/289049752986445.php
June 8, 200718 yr From the 6/8/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Alli receives undisputed portion of severance The city won't pay the ex-police officer any more money until an investigation is finished. By DAVID SKOLNICK CITY HALL REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — The city's board of control agreed to give $25,661.92 in severance pay to Rick Alli, which includes no money he accrued while on the police department's payroll and when he was not on active duty. The ex-police detective sergeant is seeking $29,340.07 from the city for unused sick and vacation time as well as hazardous-duty and longevity pay between Jan. 5 and April 24, when he wasn't working for the city. "This is the funding that isn't in question or dispute," said city Finance Director David Bozanich, a board of control member, of the pay approved by the board Thursday. Other board members are Mayor Jay Williams and Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/24969186170643.php
June 14, 200718 yr From the 6/13/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Pooches back on patrol in Youngstown Ninja and Jocko's partners want to get trading cards with the dogs' photos. By PATRICIA MEADE VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — (The "Cops" theme, sing along) "Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do — whatcha gonna do when they come for you?" If you stop dead in your tracks, good choice. If you run like the wind, still a good choice, but not for you — for Jocko and Ninja. They're large dogs trained to apprehend a runner by biting whatever body part is available, usually an arm or leg. If you stop running, they'll bark — only — until their partner arrives. They love their work. Their partners love them. The revived Youngstown Police Department K-9 Unit is operating again with Jocko, a mottled black/brown Dutch shepherd, and Ninja, a mostly golden Belgian Malinois (pronounced mal-in-wah). The 2-year-old male dogs, after five weeks of training with their partners in Columbus, are officially on duty taking commands in Dutch and English. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/351834571352770.php
June 16, 200717 yr From the 6/16/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Fact finder hears sides in city, union dispute YOUNGSTOWN — Officials with the city and its police patrol officers union presented their sides to a fact finder after negotiations failed to produce a contract. The city and the Youngstown Police Association, which represents 117 patrol officers, have 32 unresolved contract issues, said Edward Colon, the union's president. Of those, 19 are "major issues," including salary, medical coverage and residency requirements, he said. The two sides presented their proposals Friday to Michael Paolucci of Cincinnati, the fact finder assigned to this matter. Paolucci is to render a nonbinding recommendation that can be rejected by either side. If the recommendation is rejected, the contract's terms are resolved by a binding arbitrator. The union's contract expired Nov. 30, 2006. The city approved three-year contracts last week with two other unions: the Youngstown Police Ranking Officers Unit and the Teamsters Local 277. Full article at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/321895092031546.php
February 19, 201015 yr Police near Youngstown make grisly discovery Officers kill dogs that were eating dismembered body Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 11:23 AM ASSOCIATED PRESS LIBERTY, Ohio -- Authorities say they found a dismembered body inside a house with three dogs, which had been eating the remains. A dog warden says body parts were "all over the place." Liberty Towship Police Chief Richard Tisone says the dogs were vicious and kept officers from entering the home Tuesday evening, so they had to shoot two of the animals. Tisone says police had gone to the house just north of Youngstown after neighbors reported they hadn't seen the man who lived there for weeks. Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/18/dismembered-corpse-eaten-by-dogs-near-youngstown.html
February 19, 201015 yr I didn't know this thread existed. Maybe I'll post something here now and then.
March 18, 201015 yr Judge jails J.J. Cafaro Published: Thu, March 18, 2010 @ 12:10 a.m. By ED RUNYAN [email protected] AKRON John J. Cafaro, former vice president of the Cafaro Co., was booked into jail Wednesday for failing to give a federal judge details of his personal finances. ... By outward appearances Wednesday morning, the 58-year-old Liberty Township man expected to walk back out, convicted of a felony but free on bond until a sentencing hearing at 10 a.m. June 8. ... But instead of walking out of court, he was taken out in handcuffs several hours later and moved to the Summit County jail in Akron to await a second hearing at 11:30 a.m. Monday. More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2010/mar/18/by-ed-runyan/
March 19, 201015 yr http://www.vindy.com/news/2010/mar/18/who-tried-rob-whom/ Who tried to rob whom? Comments Email Print ShareThisPublished: Thu, March 18, 2010 @ 4:28 p.m. YOUNGSTOWN — City police are still trying to determine how an ax-wielding man ended up pinned to the ground by a man missing one leg on the city’s South Side. Police found the 49-year-old Lakewood Avenue man holding an ax but pinned down by a 49-year-old Dorothy Avenue man who told police his artificial leg fell off while he was running moments earlier at 1:38 a.m. today. Both men claimed the other tried to rob him.....
March 19, 201015 yr ^That kind of stuff is like white noise to me. It never crossed my mind to post it here. (not that it isn't worthy of being posted...) Forum members might also find this interesting: Man indicted in North Side arson Published: Thu, March 18, 2010 @ 7:30 p.m. YOUNGSTOWN The Mahoning County grand jury has indicted a 52-year-old North Side man on an arson charge in an Oct. 20 fire that destroyed a vacant 1900-vintage stone mansion at 259 Park Ave. http://www.vindy.com/news/2010/mar/18/man-indicted-in-north-side-arson/ It's just a short article.
March 19, 201015 yr ^^ I've been laughing for an hour at that axe story. Brings to mind a blurb from the Tribune this past New Years day, in which a pedestrian was struck with a hammer by a man who had pulled up alongside in an SUV, got out, did his hammer business, then got back in and drove off. The victim said he knew his attacker and did not wish to press charges.
March 19, 201015 yr Good to see they caught and sentenced the arsonist. I hope this guy gets help, instead of just sitting in jail. http://www.vindy.com/news/2005/dec/14/man-gets-6-months-in-jail-probation/ He has even had a letter to the editor published about landlord responsibility to maintain their historic homes and the negatives of blight around Wick Park. (I can't find his letter at the moment) So, he probably thinks he's doing the public a favor by burning these historic mansions.
Create an account or sign in to comment