Articles
September 27, 2003
By Denise Barnes
The Washington Times
Judges, Residents Explore New Approach to Justice
Judges and other D.C. Superior Court officials yesterday
met with Southeast residents to explain a new problem-solving
approach to criminal justice.
"Community Court," the new program, calls
for judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors and treatment
providers to work with residents to achieve the best
outcome for victims, defendants and their communities.
The Metropolitan Police Department has employed a similar
approach called community policing to improve its crime-fighting
capabilities.
"The more cooperation between the police and citizens,
the better the police can do their jobs," Chief
Judge Rufus G. King III said during the town hall meeting
yesterday. "We need community involvement in the
courts. Once a person is found to be an offender, what
will the solutions be?"
About 15 of the 50 participants were Ward 8 residents
in the East of the River Community Court Town Hall Meeting,
a four-hour forum at the National Children's Center
on Martin Luther King Avenue SE. They told court officials
of their concerns about quality-of-life issues from
minor disturbances to prostitution and open-air drug
markets.
"Most of us who work in the court system don't
know a lot about fighting or shouting in the neighborhood
- the things that can make it hard to get through
the day. Community Court is a great way to solve issues.
The courts need to know first-hand what the problems
are," Judge King said.
Judge Noel Anketell Kramer noted an increase in misdemeanor
offenders.
"They are not murderers or armed robbers. They
are drug users, many who live in the East of the River
community. We can get them drug [rehabilitation] help
and help them to find employment. We have the ability
to change lives, not just have trials," said Judge
Kramer, who presides over the Criminal Division East
of the River Community Court.
About 15 residents participated in an electronic question-and-answer
survey that asked them to rate their community's quality
of life and assess their neighborhood's strengths and
weaknesses. They cited auto theft, illicit drug sales,
vandalism and gang-related violence as major problems
and concerns.
Longtime resident Brian Reed said he has seen a lot
of change in his neighborhood, but much of it has not
helped the people who live there.
"There's a lot of development going on in the
neighborhood, but none of the people who live here can
get jobs. That's disheartening for young people to see,"
Mr. Reed said.
Alice Tolbert, who has lived in Southeast for 14 years,
said she hasn't seen any positive changes in her community.
"I see a lot of drug trafficking. I see a lot
of police cars in the neighborhood [converging on one
car] when I have 12 guys behind my home selling drugs,"
Ms. Tolbert said.
"I've had bullets coming through my home after
I've had surgery. I see the trash. We have several churches
in the neighborhood, we have a lot of schools, we have
businesses, and still we have nothing," she said.
Copyright (c) 2003 News World Communications, Inc.
Reprinted with permission of The Washington Times.
^back to top
|
