I agree with you. Something must be done. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the town hall meeting format. They seem pretty impotent to me and are so unpredictable. Some crazy lady could stand up and the story could be 100% different that what you've intended or hoped for (note: Mike Castle and the beginning of the birther movement)
If you have a press conference, I think you need to announce something. The moms are certainly compelling, but I wouldn't just get up and ask for help from the community -- make that part of your event, but not the whole thrust of it. Maybe you borrow some of the best practices from the other cities ala Charlie Butler's email -- making it easier/safer for people to cooperate. That seems to be the biggest issue -- how do you break through that no snitching mentality.
Have you given any more thought to a MET team? I remember doing it twice when your dad was in office and the outcomes were temporary, but impressive.
Lastly, I wouldn't worry about being blamed for the murder numbers. I would rather you be faulted for trying something that didn't work than not trying something at all.
> Subject: Wilmington Idea
> From: 261penn@gmail.com
> Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:16:24 -0400
> To: tedkaufman@comcast.net; hbiden@rosemontseneca.com; acdonilon@aol.com; smacklera@gmail.com; margaret_aitken@hotmail.com
>
> Fact -- In Wilmington there were three homicides (and potentially a fourth victim who is in critical condition) in 10 days. Two of these have been in broad day light, one in a stable neighborhood and the other on a was used basketball court under 95. One of victims was wheel chair bound from a previous gun shoot wound.
>
> Fact -- we are on pace to break last years record of 27 homicides.
>
> Fact -- Approx 60 people were in and around the basketball court. Police arrived in 3 minutes. No on was willing to cooperate with them on the scene -- no one. (some have since but only after the fact)
>
> Fact -- Such non cooperation is increasingly the rule and not the exception. It has gotten much worse even since beginning the job in 07. The relationship between law enforcement and the community is, to a large extent, broken.
>
> Fact -- Non cooperation has become a serious impediment to the successful investigation and prosecution of homicides (and all other violent crimes.)
>
> Fact -- No elected/appointed leader, other then a brief vigil on good Friday (before the most recent homicide) by a loan city councilman and some clergy, has spoken up or out about these murders. Not the Mayor, not the chief, not press of council -- no one. In most cities of this size, the Mayor, DA, or Chief would be appropriately before the microphones at the scene of these tragedies at least expressing the righteous indignation of the community, empathy for the victims, and a desire to see that justice is done.
>
> To that end, I think I should have a press conference soon at the scene of one of these homicides to express some version of the above sentiments, as well as a plea for help from the community itself. Specifically, I think I should make direct appeal for their cooperation and participation in our efforts. I should make it clear that I understand that non cooperation on the part of some is born out of a legitimate fear of retribution or lack of faith in our ability to actually get justice or do justice or some variations of both. Make it clear though that these crimes will likely go unsolved or on prosecutable without their participation and help.
>
> My thought (actually the head of my victims unit) is to then let several mothers of young male homicide victims make a similar plea on behalf of their sons, whose murders remain at large in spite of many witnesses being present (we have such cases). I could be flanked by clergy and law enforcement etc.
>
> You get the picture.
>
> Thoughts?
>
>
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