Crime is up in Oneonta.
A Daily Star front-page story
Tuesday about the increase in
many crimes was a reality check.
Many people say the area is a
great place to raise a family, and
for the most part it is true.
But even a pretty little city
placed in the hills of upstate New
York is not immune to crime.
Oneonta Police Chief Joseph
Redmond suggested that the
increase in crime is due to the
economy. He also said drugs may
be a factor in the 103 burglaries in
2009, up from 86 in 2008.
The burglaries are not only by
out-of-town implants to Oneonta,
either. Young drug users from the
area have been linked to some of
the burglaries.
One can’t help but notice the
prevalence of drugs in the area
just from reading the almost-weekly,
if not daily,
stories about
controlled substance
users in
sellers.
It’s easy to
say, “Those people
should get
help. We have
resources in the
area. There’s
the unemployment
office for
those who are
out of work.”
But reality is
not that easy.
The economy
may be a factor
in the increase
of drug use or
drunken driving
(arrests for driving
while intoxicated or ability-impaired
by drugs or alcohol were up
about 55 percent).
Maybe people are looking more
for an escape, and can’t find it in a
cop film at the movies.
Maybe they mistakenly feel
there’s more reason to drown sorrows
or dull the pain with illegal
substances.
We live in a small a community
where many people wave to their
neighbors, celebrate local spelling
bee champs, don’t lock their cars
when running into the store to get
a carton of milk and don’t always
chain-lock back doors.
People are trusting in small
communities. But Oneonta’s a real
place with real problems.
And residents need to be more
vigilant about little habits that
could prevent a lot of incidents,
such as burglaries.
People should lock their doors.
Turn a couple of keys and protect
the contents of your automobile
and home.
The city police department is
being aggressive about targeting
drunken drivers and responding to
calls for assistance.
Oneonta’s not Mayberry.
Citizens need to be smarter
about protecting themselves.
Editorials
We aren’t immune to crime in our community
- Editorials
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Cheers
To new school lunch standards, the All County Band Festival, and welcoming home Army Spec. Michael Dow.
Continued ... -
Have a heartfelt Valentine's Day
"I love you." "Be mine." "You're cute when you're spending money."
Continued ... -
Embargo no longer serves a purpose
Fifty years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy signed executive order 3447, banning trade with Cuba "in light of the subversive offensive of Sino-Soviet Communism." As this anniversary passes, it's worth asking whether this policy has had its desired effects and how much longer it should remain in place.
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Women must win fight for opportunity
The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will recommend that Congress officially allow women to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines.
Continued ... -
Center helps victims of child abuse and neglect
We learned some good news about some terrible news in a story by reporter Joe Mahoney in Tuesday's Daily Star.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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Chamber made excellent choices on service awards
A special committee selected by the Otsego County Chamber has made two excellent decisions regarding the organization's annual awards for service to our communities.
Continued ... - Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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Cheers
To Michael Shea, Terry Bliss, and the passage of the bill to allow Otsego's exit from MOSA.
Continued ... - Monday, February 6, 2012
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A sad tale may come to an end with arrests
People are almost always sad, and sometimes outraged, whenever something awful happens to a fellow human being.
Continued ... - Saturday, February 4, 2012
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Pill abuse should be a priority for police, pols
Sens. Charles Schumer of New York and Mark Pryor of Arkansas proposed a bill this week to help police combat a disturbing trend of increasing prescription drug abuse.
Continued ... - Friday, February 3, 2012
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More needs to be done to aid vets with PTSD
The recent story of Stamford grandmother Melody DiGregorio grieving the loss of her grandson, Air Force veteran Edward "Drew" Snyder, brings home the debilitating and often-unreported effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on our service men and women.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 2, 2012
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Area 'shocked' at underage drinking? That's shocking
It has been referenced so often that it has become a cliché.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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School's new lease on life a welcome development
It is a big place designed to echo with the sounds of young people in a healthy learning environment.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
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Cheers
To the Central American Youth Ambassadors Program, to Ray Preston and to the NCOC building trades class and the Prattsville Fire Department.
Continued ... - Monday, January 30, 2012
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Mitt's not at fault for loopholes in tax code
As the longtime frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney has faced withering attacks from rivals seeking to upset him.
Continued ... - Saturday, January 28, 2012
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Rest in peace, Naples and Stalter
Our area recently lost two important and influential members of our community: Oneonta surgeon Dr. Kenneth D. Stalter and newly elected Sixth Ward Council Member Mike Naples.
Continued ... - Friday, January 27, 2012
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Case closed on 2 years of turmoil
"Case closed."
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Oneonta Mayor Dick Miller was referring to possible criminal charges against fired police officer Michael Breen on Wednesday, but Miller just as easily could have been talking about the more than two years of turmoil the city has endured with its police department. - Thursday, January 26, 2012
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Obama played his cards right Tuesday
Despite a daunting economy and a challenging re-election campaign, on Tuesday night President Barack Obama displayed what Mark Twain called "the calm confidence of a Christian holding four aces" in his State of the Union address.
Continued ... - Wednesday, January 25, 2012
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Searching for votes instead of honor
Say what you will about John McCain, the Republican nominee for president in 2008 who inflicted an ignorant Sarah Palin upon an unsuspecting nation.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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Cheers
To MLK Jr. Day events, Diana Nicols, and Jordan Beers and Mariah Ruff.
Continued ... - Monday, January 23, 2012
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Dignity not enough to show in speech
After weeks of watching the often unseemly, if not downright humorous, antics of the Republican candidates for his job, President Barack Obama should have little trouble providing at least one thing Tuesday night in his State of the Union address. Dignity.
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Cheers
