The Erie County Community Spoke About What We Need Instead of a New Jail

As repulsive as the idea of a new jail is, our community still came out recently to discuss what it really needs to address the problem of detainee housing, substance and alcohol abuse, poverty and all the traumas that lead to arrest and detention in Erie County. Our community showed up, to not only say no, to any idea of spending our tax dollars without our consent, to carry on the same practices that we have been complaining about with the existing jail for over three years now, but to say yes to a Needs Assessment where we talked about what we need to begin to solve the problems that have plagued our City for far too long.

On June 6th, at the Dr. Eva M. Doyle Auditorium, the Community had a rational and reasoned conversation in open discussion with many people expressing their views about exactly what our community needs are in the construct of detainee housing, treatment and follow-up for community reintegration when people are ready for release.

We had those discusions in a civilized, respectful way where everyones truth was expressed and aligned with the Communities best interest. The rule of engagement for the first of many conversations that the community intends to have around the issue of how our tax dollars can best serve all of the people of Erie County no matter whether its inner city Buffalo or Amherst, is Truth.

In addition there was a panel discussion by experts and people with extensive experience in working to improve conditions at our current jail.

By Steve Hart and BaBa Eng

Dear Editor:

I am a proud daughter of the Late Bishop Nathan and Antoinette Halton, a devoted wife to Marc Pope, and a bonus mom to Moriah and Marc Jr. (MJ). My journey has led me to serve as a Senior Advisor to Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, where I have had the privilege of writing laws that directly benefit our district, the City of Buffalo, and the great state of New York.

In seeking to represent the diverse and vibrant Ellicott District, I was honored to announce my candidacy for the Ellicott District Council Seat with Pastor Pridgen at True Bethel Baptist Church, my church for nine years. The prayer and encouragement I received from my faith community have powered my campaign. I am thankful to Council President Pridgen for his endorsement and spiritual leadership, and I am grateful to share my vision for the new Ellicott District.

As your representative, I will work with you to stabilize our neighborhoods by investing in:

-Affordable and quality housing;

-Infrastructure through sidewalk and street repairs;

-Business district investment and fair development in every neighborhood of Ellicott District

All of these diverse parties came together to offer perspectives on how the socalled official needs asessment that the County Legislature agreed to, will play out unless there is constant dialogue with the community. In other words, without the community involvement at every stage of the process, the legislature could easily draft what they identify as a "needs assessment" that actually had no community input or real engagement and has no meaning to solving the problems of our community that cause people to end up in our jails in the first place.

Everyone at the meeting on June 6th expressed the opinion that the most immediate need of our community is not a new jail, but rather services in the community that people can access before they engage in behavior that would lead to an arrest and detention at the jail. We were able to chart those opinions on a poll that was given out as people entered the Dr. Eva M. Eva Doyle auditorium and collected as they left.

The poll we gave out allowed six options for the expenditure of the approximately 200 million dollars that the new Sheriff is asking for. Of the six predefined options, two were most favored by poll takers:

1. permanent low or zero rent social housing, ( not shelters) for people who are homelss, in shelters currently, or getting out of jail without a home to return to.

2. Well funded youth services, including mental health, drug treatment, restorative justice interventions, mentoring, and guided recreation services that people would be able to access as walk-ins off the street-before any crisis or episode developed.

Additional options were:

A. Community responder systems, permitting a nonpolice response to non-criminal, or even low level criminal situations.

B. Low or zero cost mental health services and Trauma Centers that would have a wide range of resources for community members in distress.

C. Community drug treatment centers for everyone and particularly people being released from our jails.

Among the suggestions from those gathered at The Community Needs Forum were also: Improved Public Transit, Robust Child Care, Senior Services and Job Training.

In addition to the general benefits of these suggestions, all of the above would reduce the stressors in our community that often lead people to criminal thinking and behavior. According to the people at The Community Forum: "Public Safety comes from having a healthy, thriving and caring community, not from having a new jail".

As a woman of color, I recognize the challenges and barriers ahead of me. I understand that I must work harder, longer, and with an unwavering determination to ensure our successes are achieved and recognized. I am ready to face these challenges head-on. It is disheartening that a woman has not served on the Common Council since 2014. It is time to change that narrative, to bring new perspectives, fresh ideas, and a much-needed voice to the decision-making table.

The redistricting of the Ellicott District has given us an incredible opportunity to celebrate and harness the power of diversity. Our district is a mosaic of unique experiences, perspectives, and cultural traditions. This diversity is not a challenge to overcome; it is our greatest strength. Together, we can be the shining beacon of light for our entire city. Together, we can set an example of what can be achieved when we work collaboratively and inclusively.

Let us build bridges that connect our diverse communities, amplify the voices of the unheard, and ensure no one is left behind. Our district deserves dedicated and effective representation, and I pledge to be that advocate for all.

I humbly ask for the community's vote and trust as we usher in a new era of inclusive leadership, empowerment, and unity. Together, we will shape the future of the Ellicott District and the City of Buffalo. Thank you, and may we forge a path to a brighter tomorrow.

Leah Halton-Pope

Dear Editor:

We must remember the struggles and sacrifices OF those who came before us because if we are not careful, we may find ourselves back to those days where we couldn’t vote, didn’t have civil rights, and didn’t have any Black political representation. Are we going back to those days? Do we deserve more from our (Black) leaders? Where are we headed? Ask yourself, do I really care, are we going to keep doing the same old same old, or are we going to look at the future for the sake of our children, and make a change. Wake up my people wake up!

-D.L. Jackson

BEAUTY RUNS IN THE FAMILY! Donna Bryant (center) poses with her daughter and granddaughter during an amazing annual Mother’s Day Gala and birthday bash recently

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