Gang Activity in Buffalo?

[Genoobie]

Genoobie,

I think you just hit a home run when you said "it's all about risk"

If I am walking through Chestnut Ridge Park, the risk of me getting attacked, robbed, or shot as I walk around are many times less than if I am walking in MLK Park.

So, if I have kids and a family, I take them to someplace where they can play outside or go to the park and just enjoy themselves.

Same goes for where I will eventually choose to live. I want somewhere that is SAFE above all else, especially when I have kids.

Incidently, many of my students are their parents feel the same way, except that they own houses on the East Side that aren't worth anything to sell, so they are essentially stuck with the violence and the declining neighborhoods.

Sure, they could leave a house they own and live in without paying a mortgage, but then they would get nothing for it and have to pay rent/mortgage soemwhere else.

Still, when I talk to many of my kids, the #1 thing they want is to get OUT of the city. I think that speaks volumes.

Yes, and just how much risk is associated with driving an extra 2000 miles / yr. Do you ever think that when you put your kids in the car and drive somewhere that's probably the greatest risk they are exposed to. I *take* my kids to MLK and there's not a problem. Now of course you could say, "*phew* lucky him, nothing happened." I take my kids to *any* park in the city and that's what they do, just run around and enjoy themselves, because that's what *kids* do no matter where they are.

Now, for the existence of crime, to put it in perspective. 83 people were killed on erie county roads last year.

Bunch of car windows got shot out in Tonawanda, hasn't happened in the city. I'm not naive to say there is no crime in the city. But it is *exaggerated* to scare people and thus sell papers.

And what kid doesn't want to get away from where they live? When I talk with my kids, their things are MONEY, SEX and MORE OF EACH. Not a good representation Troll...

I respectfully disagree, if you want absolutely SAFE, don't drive, your risk of everything will be greatly reduced...

Regards.

[Trolls_r_us]

Genoobie,

Of course there is no such thing as "absolutely safe"

Still, the point remains: people are voting with their feet on this issue. The first thing that many people in the city do when they have kids is to get them into suburban schools, either by actually moving there, or by "having an aunt" who lives there that the kid "stays with."

When I worked at Sweet Home Central School as a long-term sub once, I was amazed at how many of our students came from the city of Buffalo.

I don't blame them one bit.

As far as kids being able to be kids, I still maintain that the kids I work with every day in the city (they nearly all come from Buffalo's East Side) have been exposed since childhood to a level of violence, gang activity, and drugs that no 12-13 year old should face (let alone anyone else).

That's why we exist as a charter school, because Buffalo Public Schools are like warzones. The #1 reason (by FAR) that parents AND students put down on surverys as to why they are here is SAFETY. Our school is a place where they don't have to worry about being attacked every day. There are kids who are still here at 5pm, and we have to practically push them out the door.

While I am happy for our kids to have a safe haven here, I am equally sad for the kids who do not get that chance.

You might say the news overblows the violence in the city, and maybe it does to some degree.

To me, everything in life involves a degree of risk. As you said, driving involves risk. Personally, I'll take my chances out in the sticks once I have kids.

Some say that the mean streets "are real life," and I (along with coutnless others) are just trying to shelter my kids from "the realities" out there.

I say that there are MANY realities. Just because the city is more violent doesn't mean it is any more "real" than anywhere else. There are many ways to go about life.

[Genoobie]

Genoobie,

Of course there is no such thing as "absolutely safe"

Still, the point remains: people are voting with their feet on this issue. The first thing that many people in the city do when they have kids is to get them into suburban schools, either by actually moving there, or by "having an aunt" who lives there that the kid "stays with."

When I worked at Sweet Home Central School as a long-term sub once, I was amazed at how many of our students came from the city of Buffalo.

I don't blame them one bit.

As far as kids being able to be kids, I still maintain that the kids I work with every day in the city (they nearly all come from Buffalo's East Side) have been exposed since childhood to a level of violence, gang activity, and drugs that no 12-13 year old should face (let alone anyone else).

That's why we exist as a charter school, because Buffalo Public Schools are like warzones. The #1 reason (by FAR) that parents AND students put down on surverys as to why they are here is SAFETY. Our school is a place where they don't have to worry about being attacked every day. There are kids who are still here at 5pm, and we have to practically push them out the door.

While I am happy for our kids to have a safe haven here, I am equally sad for the kids who do not get that chance.

You might say the news overblows the violence in the city, and maybe it does to some degree.

To me, everything in life involves a degree of risk. As you said, driving involves risk. Personally, I'll take my chances out in the sticks once I have kids.

Some say that the mean streets "are real life," and I (along with coutnless others) are just trying to shelter my kids from "the realities" out there.

I say that there are MANY realities. Just because the city is more violent doesn't mean it is any more "real" than anywhere else. There are many ways to go about life.

I hope to challenge the dominant paradigm on this one. I have kids and I am choosing to remain in the city. I totally agree that no-one should be exposed to the level of violence that your kids are exposed to. I couldn't agree more, I am saddened that not *every* child gets that chance. I don't think you can shelter kids forever, but yes, as long as possible. Better yet, try and give them tools to cope with it and effect change by becoming advocates for education and better neighborhoods.
The only problem is that people vote with their feet and then that scares some people. See the thread on the reaction to some kids assaulting a teacher. So now the trend continues where not just the city suffers surrounding areas begin to suffer. Money moves away. The cycle continues. Developers win, green space is eliminated and *no* problems are solved.
Good luck out in the sticks, and I wish you the best. But just remember you can *never* move far enough away. The problem will always be here unless people shift their thinking.
As far as BPS being a warzone, I've only been there for four years and I think it's gotten a little better each year. The kids are different somehow, I can't explain why, but it seems like there are fewer fights each year in our school.

Regards.

[Dr Funky]

FYI Im not stupid, I know Buffalo has a high crime problem

[steven]

As far as BPS being a warzone, I've only been there for four years and I think it's gotten a little better each year. The kids are different somehow, I can't explain why, but it seems like there are fewer fights each year in our school

BPS is not a warzone, no its not the greatest system in the world But in my travels I have seen a lot worse (bet you didnt expect to hear that from me ).

Their problem is compounded by the local media that leaps on Buffalo schools any chance they get.

Case in point. Ragin and I where having lunch the other day at a diner in S. Buffalo. While reading the paper we came across two incidents in suburban schools, one in GI some teacher was (I think not sure if I remember it right) downloading porn in school on school time, the other involved some students in another burb getting out of hand. Both where tiny little little articles buried in the back of the paper and I probably wouldn't even have seen them had I not been eating a leisurely lunch and chatting about the news.

Dearest Ragin, the leader of nimby nation laughed, looked at me and said what I was already thinking, "if it would have happened in the city it would have been on the front page"

Sad But very true. Perception trumps reality in the minds of most WNY'ers. I have seen MLK mentioned several times as if its some war zone. When was the last time there was an incident in MLK? Outside of the festival 2 yrs ago I cant remember. I do remember a couple of things at Delaware park last yr though.

Go figure

[Dr Funky]

Their problem is compounded by the local media that leaps on Buffalo schools any chance they get.

Case in point. Ragin and I where having lunch the other day at a diner in S. Buffalo. While reading the paper we came across two incidents in suburban schools, one in GI some teacher was (I think not sure if I remember it right) downloading porn in school on school time, the other involved some students in another burb getting out of hand. Both where tiny little little articles buried in the back of the paper and I probably wouldn't even have seen them had I not been eating a leisurely lunch and chatting about the news.

Dearest Ragin, the leader of nimby nation laughed, looked at me and said what I was already thinking, "if it would have happened in the city it would have been on the front page"

Dont get a big ego, but for once I agree with you here.

Dont think Im backing down from what Ive always said but I agree here.

Do you remember when they showed those fights in Buffalo schools a while back?

1. Why the hell were news cameras at Buffalo high schools?

2. All that was, was a fist fight. Nothing more.

Those happen all the time in schools everywhere

[Surfing USA]

All that was, was a fist fight. Nothing more.

Those happen all the time in schools everywhere

Even in Mayberry! Opie was involved in a couple of brawls. Although, I don't recall any on school grounds.

[unioncop]

what about Ralphy from a Christmas Story

[Genoobie]

Dont get a big ego, but for once I agree with you here.

Dont think Im backing down from what Ive always said but I agree here.

Do you remember when they showed those fights in Buffalo schools a while back?

1. Why the hell were news cameras at Buffalo high schools?

2. All that was, was a fist fight. Nothing more.

Those happen all the time in schools everywhere

Finally some sense here...

Yeah, but Dr. F, did you see all those *black* kids fighting?? Makes for a great media grab, especially if you want to sell ever more expensive homes...

Regards.

[Dr Funky]

Finally some sense here...

Yeah, but Dr. F, did you see all those *black* kids fighting?? Makes for a great media grab, especially if you want to sell ever more expensive homes...

Regards.

It looked like it was a chance for the news to make blacks look bad. (Captian Obvious to the rescue)

I think a teacher just got arrested or something in Lewiston for snorting Coke in front of her students......

[Ragin]

I think a teacher just got arrested or something in Lewiston for snorting Coke in front of her students......

link please

[WNYresident]

A story


Supply teacher arrested over coke

Monday, February 12, 2007

Police subsequently found traces of white powder in the classroom. When they confronted Donatelli at her home, she handed over a small green bag of powder and two pen caps – both of which tested positive for the drug - and admitting to using cocaine in front of the children.
'She stated that she had a probloem, that she had an addiction, something she's been struggling with,' said Sergeant Frank Previte, of the Lewiston, NY police.

[Dr Funky]

link please

Still think Im lying huh?

http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local...040000021.html

LEW-PORT: Students: Sub used cocaine in school

A Lewiston-Porter substitute teacher was arrested Tuesday after allegedly using cocaine while on school property last week.

Joan M. Donatelli, 59, of the Town of Lewiston, was charged at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Donatelli was teaching a fourth-grade class at the Lewiston-Porter Intermediate Education Center on Feb. 1. During the day, at least two students saw what they thought was Donatelli using drugs, said Sgt. Frank Previte of the Lewiston Police Department.

“They were not sure what it was,” he said of the students. “They believed it may have involved drug use or drug abuse.”

The students informed administrators, who in turn told police that afternoon. Police examined the classroom that afternoon and found some evidence of drug use. After being confronted later that day, Previte said Donatelli eventually confessed to using drugs.

A white, powdery substance was confiscated from Donatelli that tests revealed was cocaine, Previte said.

Donatelli recently began working as a substitute after teaching full-time in the district. She served as the first-grade department chairperson in parts of 2003 and 2004.

Superintendent Don Rappold sent a letter home to parents last week informing them that “a substitute teacher in your child’s classroom may have a substance abuse problem.” Intermediate Center Principal Tamara Larson referred a reporter seeking comment in her office to Rappold, who also declined comment.

“The letter is the letter,” he said.

Parent Greg Sitek of Lewiston was surprised upon hearing the news when picking up his son from school Thursday.

“Shocked, disturbed,” was his initial reaction. “I would think there would have to be some sort of drug testing.”

Lew-Port is a “drug-free zone,” according to a policy posted on the district’s Web site. Anyone caught with drugs in their possession within 1,000 feet of this zone is subject to as much as 16 years incarceration, the policy said.

Previte was quick to praise the two students, whom he declined to identify, for telling someone.

“They did what they were supposed to do,” he said. “In this case, it worked very well.”

Donatelli was only charged with two endangerment counts because police have to prove students saw the illegal act as opposed to just hearing about it, Previte said. She has been banned from the school campus since Feb. 1, Rappold’s letter said.

Donatelli was issued appearance tickets and released. She is scheduled to appear at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in Lewiston Town Court, Previte said.

[Ragin]

A story


Supply teacher arrested over coke

Monday, February 12, 2007

Thanks Res ..

I was under the impression it "just happened".

[Dr Funky]

Thanks Res ..

I was under the impression it "just happened".

It happened in February which is a lot more recent than the Buffalo fight