Mayor speaks out about crime

Mayor Tim Shannon spoke out at his annual State of the City address about the current crime wave.

Public safety is the top priority for city government in 2012 and a “very aggressive” policing plan is on the way to stop incidents like the spree of firearm use over the last few weeks in the Center City, Mayor Tim Shannon said Thursday.“I think what we need to do is we need to take a look at some of the mandatory jail time for non-violent crime, have that maybe looked at and rescinded, and save some of that space in jail for these violent crime offenders and gun offenders,” Shannon said. “Folks in the neighborhood need to step up and help our police. They need to be the eyes and the ears.”

It is a crying shame that the commissioner of Public Safety, Dave Vanaman, is doing absolutely nothing. He has no ideas to combat the crime. He just sits there on his high horse and says, we are doing something but I am not going to tell you what we are doing. Meanwhile, nothing is being done.

I have some questions, Why haven't the State Police been called in to assist? When Camden has a problem they are there quick enough. Why hasn't the incompetent sheriff Bob Austino offered to have Sheriff Deputies assist on patrols. When Mike Barruzza was sheriff, he was quick to offer assistance. It seems that the only thing Austino wants to do is patrol in Bridgeton for his friend and party compatriot Al Kelly.

As commissioner of Public Safety, Dave Vanaman needs to step up to the plate, and actually take control of his department rather than trying to figure out new ways to be witty and snide at city commission meetings.