Deval Patrick’s public safety plan garners public support

Serghino René

It barely made the local evening news, but the recent endorsement of Deval Patrick by Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral is a tremendous vote of confidence for the gubernatorial candidate’s views on crime and prison reform.

With nearly two decades of law enforcement experience, Cabral reviewed the plans of each of the gubernatorial candidates and came away supporting Patrick.

Her endorsement is considered to be key, largely because she was able to defeat a well-connected opponent in the race for Suffolk County sheriff. Cabral’s victory signaled a giant first step in the emergence of a politically strong black and Hispanic community coupled with the willingness of white voters to elect an African American candidate.

“Patrick’s plan is very solid and has common sense,” Cabral said. “There is nothing high in the sky about it. It’s practical and it doesn’t reinvent the wheel unnecessarily.”

Earlier this month, Patrick introduced his public safety plan, which would include hiring 1,000 new police officers, create stronger partnerships throughout the state among law enforcement officials and community leaders, expand community policing and support more youth initiatives.

Patrick, a former civil rights attorney for the Clinton White House and corporate executive for Coca Cola and Texaco, among others, described his plan as a strong combination of fairness, forward thinking, and, most important, firmness.

“Response to crime must above all be firm,” Patrick said. “I see communities where minor crimes are not tolerated, government is proactive and equal protection and fair treatment are leadership values.”

Patrick’s plan also intends to create a statewide anti-crime council, which would bring together mayors, district attorneys, police, clergy, youth workers and officials from neighboring states to develop strategies for intervening in the lives of young people and targeting gun and drug trafficking.

Other highlights of Patrick’s plan include limiting the number of individual gun purchases in Massachusetts to one per month, strengthening the ability of prosecutors to protect witnesses of gang violence, establishing a “zero tolerance” policy for domestic and sexual abuse, producing well-trained and well-equipped officers, reforming the state’s prison system and expanding economic opportunities.

“Working together with youth, parents, civic leaders, schools and churches, we will, once again, create a community-wide effort to protect and uphold the law,” Patrick said.

Patrick’s plan comes at a crucial time when gun violence is on the rise throughout the state. Homicides in Boston have hit a ten-year high. Drugs and guns are plaguing the economic stability of several inner-city communities. According to recent statistics, shootings in Boston have gone up 75 percent within the first half of 2006 and murders have increased by 32 percent.

Cabral described Patrick’s leadership style as engaging, consistent and inclusive.

“People are starving for credible leadership,” said Cabral. “[Patrick] has an incredible background and he knows what he’s talking about. His open and inclusive style is inviting, not dictatorial. He will have no problem standing up before the legislature on issues that need to be challenged with an eye towards good collaboration.”

Cabral says many people are disengaged with the law enforcement system and that there needs to be a cooperative relationship between law enforcement officials and the community. She particularly agrees with Patrick on the need for prison reform.

“For the sake of both cost containment and public safety,” Patrick said, “the state will have to refocus our corrections system on the dual task of punishment and rehabilitation.”

Patrick said that rehabilitation is key, largely because the majority of inmates eventually return to the streets. He vowed to ensure that inmates are prepared to re-enter society through skills training, education and substance abuse treatment programs. The point, Patrick argues, is to make sure that inmates “are less dangerous than when they went in.”

“The best and cheapest form of public protection is prevention,” Patrick went on. “The best way to prevent street and violent crime of any kind is to ensure that everyone has a job and economic opportunity and a stake in our society and communities.”