Monday, October 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
PROPERTY TAX / RENT REFUNDS NOW OPEN --- APPLY SOON!
State Rep. Herb Adams is reminding Portlanders that the new application period for the "Circuit Breaker," the state Rent Refund and Property Tax rebate program, officially opens its next round for applications on August 1st.
The program is open to Mainers who are renters, homeowners, or elders. New income levels have opened the rebate program to thousands of new people. Single persons who earned $60,000 or less in 2007, or those with spouses or dependents who earned $80,000 or less in 2007, are over the first hurdle.
The number of successful applicants in 2006 hit record levels in Parkside, Bayside, and East Bayside, and the average refund was about $460, says Adams.
"Generally, if your 2007 property tax was 4% of your household income, or your rent in 2007 was 20% of your household income, you are in the ballpark for a refund, " says Adams. " But it is well worth the price of a stamp to find out. "
Maine elders are eligible for refunds up to $2,000 under the same program. All applications must be filed by June, 2009.
Free applications will be available in August at the Portland Public Library and at local markets such as DiPietro’s in East Bayside, Dyer's Market in Bayside, and Terroni's and Mellen Street Market in Parkside," and every other place that will let me in the door " says Adams.
Over 200,000 Maine households qualified for the program in 2006, a number expected to hit 230,000 in 2007.
After August 1, 2008, applicants may also file online at www.maine.gov/revenue.
"The earliest applicants get the fastest refunds," says Adams. "This is one of the most successful, direct-to-you state programs in Maine history. Winter is coming, and thrifty Baysiders should pinch every happy penny."
Free forms are also available by calling Rep. Adams at 772-2565.
The program is open to Mainers who are renters, homeowners, or elders. New income levels have opened the rebate program to thousands of new people. Single persons who earned $60,000 or less in 2007, or those with spouses or dependents who earned $80,000 or less in 2007, are over the first hurdle.
The number of successful applicants in 2006 hit record levels in Parkside, Bayside, and East Bayside, and the average refund was about $460, says Adams.
"Generally, if your 2007 property tax was 4% of your household income, or your rent in 2007 was 20% of your household income, you are in the ballpark for a refund, " says Adams. " But it is well worth the price of a stamp to find out. "
Maine elders are eligible for refunds up to $2,000 under the same program. All applications must be filed by June, 2009.
Free applications will be available in August at the Portland Public Library and at local markets such as DiPietro’s in East Bayside, Dyer's Market in Bayside, and Terroni's and Mellen Street Market in Parkside," and every other place that will let me in the door " says Adams.
Over 200,000 Maine households qualified for the program in 2006, a number expected to hit 230,000 in 2007.
After August 1, 2008, applicants may also file online at www.maine.gov/revenue.
"The earliest applicants get the fastest refunds," says Adams. "This is one of the most successful, direct-to-you state programs in Maine history. Winter is coming, and thrifty Baysiders should pinch every happy penny."
Free forms are also available by calling Rep. Adams at 772-2565.
Now, Don’t Tell Us There’s Nothing to Do
Aug. 7
Children's Performance Series with Yo Yo People (yoyo tricks… and hula hooping)
12:30pm, Free
Deering Oaks Park
Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona"
6:30pm, Free
The Pavilion in Deering Oaks Park
Alive at Five Concert Series with The Brew
5-8pm
Monument Square
Aug. 8
Ellen Cherry
8pm
With Andrew Grimm & Valerie Orth
One Longfellow Square
The Longfellow Trail: An Urban Expedition ~ Family Walking Tour
11am-12pm, Adults: $5.00; Children: $2.00.
Maine Historical Society
Weekday Music Series: Phantom Buffalo
Noon-1pm
Congress Square
Aug. 9
Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona"
6:30pm, Free
The Pavilion in Deering Oaks Park
Soul Movement
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Hanifa Washington
8-11pm
Peace Folk Benefit
Meg Perry Center
Aug. 10
Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona"
2pm, Free
The Pavilion in Deering Oaks Park
Aug. 11
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
MEMIC’s Movies in the Park (rain date)
Dusk
Congress Square
Aug. 12
Super Sized Chameleons
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Tuesday Night Concert with Truth About Daisies (soulful harmonic folk rock)
7:00pm, Free
Deering Oaks Park Bandstand
Dave Wickerham, Boca Raton, FL - Pops
7:30pm, Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm, $12
Merrill Auditorium
Aug. 13
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
Sunset Folk Series with Will Gattis (piano based folk music)
7:30pm, Free
Western Prom Park
Aug. 14
Alive at Five
5-8pm
Monument Square
Aug. 15
The Longfellow Trail: An Urban Expedition ~ Family Walking Tour
11am-12pm, Adults: $5.00; Children: $2.00.
Maine Historical Society
Chamber Music
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Weekday Music Series: The Toughcats
Noon-1pm
Congress Square
Aug. 16
Elvis
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Aug. 18
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
Aug. 19
Peter Conte Wanamaker - Classical
7:30pm, Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm, $12
Merrill Auditorium
Jazz at the Sq
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Aug. 20
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
Lovesick Sessions
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Aug. 21
Latin Dancing
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Ruby Slippers Workshop: Finding Forgiveness
12:15-1:15pm
Portland Public Library, Rines Auditorium
Aug. 22
The Longfellow Trail: An Urban Expedition ~ Family Walking Tour
11am-12pm, Adults: $5.00; Children: $2.00.
Maine Historical Society
Truth About Dasies
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Aug. 23
43rd WCSH 6 Sidewalk Art Festival
Congress Street
Ukulele
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Aug. 25
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
Aug. 26
James Vivian Temple Church, London - Classical
7:30pm, Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm, $12
Merrill Auditorium
Aug. 27
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
Aug. 29
The Longfellow Trail: An Urban Expedition ~ Family Walking Tour
11am-12pm, Adults: $5.00; Children: $2.00.
Maine Historical Society
Children's Performance Series with Yo Yo People (yoyo tricks… and hula hooping)
12:30pm, Free
Deering Oaks Park
Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona"
6:30pm, Free
The Pavilion in Deering Oaks Park
Alive at Five Concert Series with The Brew
5-8pm
Monument Square
Aug. 8
Ellen Cherry
8pm
With Andrew Grimm & Valerie Orth
One Longfellow Square
The Longfellow Trail: An Urban Expedition ~ Family Walking Tour
11am-12pm, Adults: $5.00; Children: $2.00.
Maine Historical Society
Weekday Music Series: Phantom Buffalo
Noon-1pm
Congress Square
Aug. 9
Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona"
6:30pm, Free
The Pavilion in Deering Oaks Park
Soul Movement
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Hanifa Washington
8-11pm
Peace Folk Benefit
Meg Perry Center
Aug. 10
Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona"
2pm, Free
The Pavilion in Deering Oaks Park
Aug. 11
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
MEMIC’s Movies in the Park (rain date)
Dusk
Congress Square
Aug. 12
Super Sized Chameleons
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Tuesday Night Concert with Truth About Daisies (soulful harmonic folk rock)
7:00pm, Free
Deering Oaks Park Bandstand
Dave Wickerham, Boca Raton, FL - Pops
7:30pm, Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm, $12
Merrill Auditorium
Aug. 13
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
Sunset Folk Series with Will Gattis (piano based folk music)
7:30pm, Free
Western Prom Park
Aug. 14
Alive at Five
5-8pm
Monument Square
Aug. 15
The Longfellow Trail: An Urban Expedition ~ Family Walking Tour
11am-12pm, Adults: $5.00; Children: $2.00.
Maine Historical Society
Chamber Music
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Weekday Music Series: The Toughcats
Noon-1pm
Congress Square
Aug. 16
Elvis
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Aug. 18
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
Aug. 19
Peter Conte Wanamaker - Classical
7:30pm, Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm, $12
Merrill Auditorium
Jazz at the Sq
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Aug. 20
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
Lovesick Sessions
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Aug. 21
Latin Dancing
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Ruby Slippers Workshop: Finding Forgiveness
12:15-1:15pm
Portland Public Library, Rines Auditorium
Aug. 22
The Longfellow Trail: An Urban Expedition ~ Family Walking Tour
11am-12pm, Adults: $5.00; Children: $2.00.
Maine Historical Society
Truth About Dasies
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Aug. 23
43rd WCSH 6 Sidewalk Art Festival
Congress Street
Ukulele
8pm
One Longfellow Sq
Aug. 25
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
Aug. 26
James Vivian Temple Church, London - Classical
7:30pm, Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm, $12
Merrill Auditorium
Aug. 27
The Children’s Hour ~ Family Tour of the Longfellow House
11am-12pm, Adults: $8.00; Children: $3.00.
Maine Historical Society
Aug. 29
The Longfellow Trail: An Urban Expedition ~ Family Walking Tour
11am-12pm, Adults: $5.00; Children: $2.00.
Maine Historical Society
Project for Public Spaces
Project for Public Spaces is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build stronger communities. Founded in 1975, PPS embraces the insights of William (Holly) Whyte, a pioneer in understanding the way people use public spaces. Today, PPS has become an internationally recognized center for best practices, information, and resources about Placemaking. Three in-house training courses held at PPS in New York City are coming up: Streets as Places (September 15-16), How to Turn a Place Around (September 25-26) and How to Create Successful Markets (October 17-18). For information on all three courses, please visit http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=224710976&u=2350075 and use the links on the right side panel. Visit PPS at www.PPS.org.
IMAGES OF ANIMALS FEATURED IN EXHIBITION AT THE PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART
Opening Aug 16
From the earliest examples of American art until the present day, images of animals serve as vehicles for meaning. Native and exotic creatures alike help artists to explore issues of identity: the quality and nature of being American or foreign, human or beast, wild or civilized, innocent or worldly. These are all issues that artists grapple with in the exhibition American Menagerie. On view from August 16 through November 9, 2008, at the Portland Museum of Art, American Menagerie features more than 25 works of art drawn primarily from the Museum’s permanent collection.
While representations of creatures associated with the American continent—the eagle, for instance—helped to establish an American identity, depictions of exotic beasts tapped into concerns about the larger world. One of the icons of early American painting is The Peaceable Kingdom, a Biblical theme painted multiple times by Quaker artist Edward Hicks, among others. The scriptural verse and the painting motif alike prophesy a time of peace in which the aggressive and the meek, i.e., the leopard and the lamb, may coexist in harmony, and that “a little child shall lead them.” One of Hicks’s most fully realized treatments of the subject, including a painted frame with the words from Isaiah inscribed on it, is on loan for the exhibition from the Mead Art Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts. This remarkable painting, through its serene depiction of the creatures of the world, poignantly encapsulates American hopes for the young nation, its moral compass, and its future generations.
Portraits of children from this time also frequently feature animals as a sign of the sitter’s relative affluence, as only wealthy families would have regarded cats and dogs as pets—and worthy subjects for art—rather than beasts of burden. Animals in portraits could also convey messages about the character of the child they accompanied, alluding broadly to innocence or employing more specific symbolism dating from the middle ages. The idea of a kind of moral kinship between children and animals persisted through the 20th century, with idealized depictions of children at play. Also included in the exhibition are a collection of toys with animal themes.
Many modern and contemporary artists have also found that animal forms provide appealing and timeless themes for their work. Artists like Marguerite and William Zorach found and depicted nobility in their own household pets, while their daughter, Dahlov Ipcar, uses the widely varied shapes, colors, and patterns of the animal kingdom to create richly textured canvases and illustrations. The work of Bernard Langlais taps into the emotional power of animals, with wood sculptures and works on paper that seem to examine the inner life of creatures both domestic and untamed. Although these were trained artists, the persistence of an essentially non-academic artistic approach can be detected in their work. As earlier artists were, they are drawn to a fundamental purity—an uncontrived nature—in the motif of the animal, a concept that is reflected in their approach to their art.
Among the other artists included in the exhibition are Mildred Burrage, Will Barnet, Wendy Kindred, Scott Leighton, Hunt Slonem, and Roger Winter.
The exhibition also includes a special group of works related to political cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman, who is credited with the creation of the “Teddy Bear.” Early in his long career, Berryman created this loveable and timeless character as both a personification of and a fictional companion to President Theodore Roosevelt. Illustrations by Berryman and a group of political pins featuring the teddy bear, all on loan from an important private collection, add another layer to the idea of American animals in this election year.
From the earliest examples of American art until the present day, images of animals serve as vehicles for meaning. Native and exotic creatures alike help artists to explore issues of identity: the quality and nature of being American or foreign, human or beast, wild or civilized, innocent or worldly. These are all issues that artists grapple with in the exhibition American Menagerie. On view from August 16 through November 9, 2008, at the Portland Museum of Art, American Menagerie features more than 25 works of art drawn primarily from the Museum’s permanent collection.
While representations of creatures associated with the American continent—the eagle, for instance—helped to establish an American identity, depictions of exotic beasts tapped into concerns about the larger world. One of the icons of early American painting is The Peaceable Kingdom, a Biblical theme painted multiple times by Quaker artist Edward Hicks, among others. The scriptural verse and the painting motif alike prophesy a time of peace in which the aggressive and the meek, i.e., the leopard and the lamb, may coexist in harmony, and that “a little child shall lead them.” One of Hicks’s most fully realized treatments of the subject, including a painted frame with the words from Isaiah inscribed on it, is on loan for the exhibition from the Mead Art Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts. This remarkable painting, through its serene depiction of the creatures of the world, poignantly encapsulates American hopes for the young nation, its moral compass, and its future generations.
Portraits of children from this time also frequently feature animals as a sign of the sitter’s relative affluence, as only wealthy families would have regarded cats and dogs as pets—and worthy subjects for art—rather than beasts of burden. Animals in portraits could also convey messages about the character of the child they accompanied, alluding broadly to innocence or employing more specific symbolism dating from the middle ages. The idea of a kind of moral kinship between children and animals persisted through the 20th century, with idealized depictions of children at play. Also included in the exhibition are a collection of toys with animal themes.
Many modern and contemporary artists have also found that animal forms provide appealing and timeless themes for their work. Artists like Marguerite and William Zorach found and depicted nobility in their own household pets, while their daughter, Dahlov Ipcar, uses the widely varied shapes, colors, and patterns of the animal kingdom to create richly textured canvases and illustrations. The work of Bernard Langlais taps into the emotional power of animals, with wood sculptures and works on paper that seem to examine the inner life of creatures both domestic and untamed. Although these were trained artists, the persistence of an essentially non-academic artistic approach can be detected in their work. As earlier artists were, they are drawn to a fundamental purity—an uncontrived nature—in the motif of the animal, a concept that is reflected in their approach to their art.
Among the other artists included in the exhibition are Mildred Burrage, Will Barnet, Wendy Kindred, Scott Leighton, Hunt Slonem, and Roger Winter.
The exhibition also includes a special group of works related to political cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman, who is credited with the creation of the “Teddy Bear.” Early in his long career, Berryman created this loveable and timeless character as both a personification of and a fictional companion to President Theodore Roosevelt. Illustrations by Berryman and a group of political pins featuring the teddy bear, all on loan from an important private collection, add another layer to the idea of American animals in this election year.
Portland Trails Events
TRAIL STEWARD SATURDAYS
Trail volunteers meet the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month to work on various trail maintenance projects. To be added to the email list, email info@trails.org
May 14 – Sept 10, 2008
Back Cove Weekly Race Series
Wednesdays, 6:00 PM
An informal weekly race around Back Cove. Free to the public, but donations support Portland Trails. Meet at the Preble Street extension parking area, Back Cove Trail.
Portland Trails Discovery Trek Series 2008
Friday, August 15th at 5:30pm
“The Remains of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal”
with Bud Quinn, Portland Trails' Volunteer Trail Steward.
Learn about the fascinating history of the C&O Canal while enjoying a magnificent trail. Meet at the entrance to the Fore River Trail at the end of Hobart Street , off of Congress Street .
Friday, September 12th at 5:30pm
“Casco Bay's Lobster Fishery”
with Susan Olcott, Outreach Coordinator for the Ocean Conservancy.
Learn about the local lobster fishery, past and present, as you stroll along the waterfront on the Eastern Prom Trail. Having worked in the lobster fishery as a biologist and lived on Chebeague Island for a year, Susan will discuss how lobsters are fished in Casco Bay and the culture of the fishing communities on the nearby islands. Meet at the iron globe on the corner of Commercial Street and Franklin Arterial.
Friday October 3rd at 5:30pm
"Explore the Eastern Cemetery "
with Christina White, founder of Spirits Alive , an organization dedicated to the preservation and beautification of the historic Eastern Cemetery.
Discover this "museum without walls" and visit the interment sites of notable area residents while learning about conservation efforts here. Meet at the Congress Street entrance.
Sunday September 21, 2008
9th Annual Portland Trails 10K
"Trail to Ale"
The Portland Company, 58 Fore Street in Portland
Register online with Active.com
Trail volunteers meet the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month to work on various trail maintenance projects. To be added to the email list, email info@trails.org
May 14 – Sept 10, 2008
Back Cove Weekly Race Series
Wednesdays, 6:00 PM
An informal weekly race around Back Cove. Free to the public, but donations support Portland Trails. Meet at the Preble Street extension parking area, Back Cove Trail.
Portland Trails Discovery Trek Series 2008
Friday, August 15th at 5:30pm
“The Remains of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal”
with Bud Quinn, Portland Trails' Volunteer Trail Steward.
Learn about the fascinating history of the C&O Canal while enjoying a magnificent trail. Meet at the entrance to the Fore River Trail at the end of Hobart Street , off of Congress Street .
Friday, September 12th at 5:30pm
“Casco Bay's Lobster Fishery”
with Susan Olcott, Outreach Coordinator for the Ocean Conservancy.
Learn about the local lobster fishery, past and present, as you stroll along the waterfront on the Eastern Prom Trail. Having worked in the lobster fishery as a biologist and lived on Chebeague Island for a year, Susan will discuss how lobsters are fished in Casco Bay and the culture of the fishing communities on the nearby islands. Meet at the iron globe on the corner of Commercial Street and Franklin Arterial.
Friday October 3rd at 5:30pm
"Explore the Eastern Cemetery "
with Christina White, founder of Spirits Alive , an organization dedicated to the preservation and beautification of the historic Eastern Cemetery.
Discover this "museum without walls" and visit the interment sites of notable area residents while learning about conservation efforts here. Meet at the Congress Street entrance.
Sunday September 21, 2008
9th Annual Portland Trails 10K
"Trail to Ale"
The Portland Company, 58 Fore Street in Portland
Register online with Active.com
Editorial
District Attorney Stephanie Anderson's decision to dismiss Drinking in Public charges with No Further Action (NFA) findings was met with stunned incredulity by Bayside residents and business owners. As word seeped out around the neighborhood, folks began to recognize that upswing in "layouts" and people drinking on their steps may be more than the typical summer upswing, but rather the result of a revolving door policy that allows people arrested for drinking in public (DIP) to be back on the street again in just a few hours.
An exchange of letters between District Attorney Anderson and Portland Police Chief Tim Burton [see below] illustrates the growing frustration between police, County Jail authorities, and the DA's office. The reluctance of judges to sentence offenders to more than "time served" drained DA's office of resources and barely allowed time for folks to sober up and clean up. From a patrol officer's point of view, why should he or she bother with the hassle of arresting someone if the person was going to be on the street again in no time?
The adoption of the NFA policy raises several questions for Bayside residents and property owners. What options exist for patrol officers who often see their role as actually helping people from doing further self inflicted harm? What are residents supposed to do about issues such as obstructing a public way (sitting Indian style in a circle blocking a sidewalk or blocking a street)? What sort of activity rises to a level of being actionable? The new policy creates a threshold where any intrusion upon a resident's quality of life is supposed to be taken in stride. Why ? Bayside may always have more calls for service than more sedate, neighborhoods, but what sort of official policy position would be purposely implemented in a manner that was virtually guaranteed to make matters worse? What was the DA thinking?
Anyone who has had the experience of a feeling trapped in her or his home while a group of folks sits on their steps and drink and yell, or anyone who has had folks camp in his or her backyard leaving their trash and HUMAN WASTE behind knows it can be unbelievably frustrating and dispiriting. Why have a garden, or a courtyard, or a place to hang the wash if it is only going to be trespassed upon? North Deering residents don't routinely walk out of their houses and see someone urinating on a tree. People in Bayside do. Parents in other neighborhoods don't spend nearly as much time having to plan safe routes for their kids to get to activities as Bayside parents do. The chilling effect on property values and people’s general sense of well-being makes creating a caring cohesive neighborhood even more daunting.
The Oxford-Portland Street corridor has one of the highest numbers of calls for service of any area in Portland. Cumberland Avenue ranks high on the list, too. (Weekly crime statistics are available at:http://police.portlandmaine.gov/crimemonthly.asp#calls) Taking a set of law enforcement tools from the hands of police officers is counterproductive in the extreme.
Enforcing Drinking in Public, layouts, refusal to leave, and other laws against so-called minor offenses has the dual benefit of creating a better, safer environment for residents and may possibly be an entree to the offender’s getting help. While it's true that jail isn't necessarily the best place to make changes and point one's life in a better direction, it's also often true that a precipitating event is required to cause people to make positive changes.
The mixed messages sent by different service providers, Portland Police, Health and Human Services, and the District Attorney's Office have a devastating and confusing effect on Bayside. The Bayside Neighborhood Association has worked hard to promote dialog between agencies, residents, and authorities, with mixed results and a decidedly indifferent attitude on the part of providers and government officials. But, it's not their steps that are getting pissed on, not their employees who feel unsafe going to their cars on a winter afternoon, not their houses that they can't find suitable tenants for.
District Attorney Anderson is an administrator with limited resources. However, when she institutes a general policy she really needs to consider the implications for the area most affected.
Steve Hirshon
An exchange of letters between District Attorney Anderson and Portland Police Chief Tim Burton [see below] illustrates the growing frustration between police, County Jail authorities, and the DA's office. The reluctance of judges to sentence offenders to more than "time served" drained DA's office of resources and barely allowed time for folks to sober up and clean up. From a patrol officer's point of view, why should he or she bother with the hassle of arresting someone if the person was going to be on the street again in no time?
The adoption of the NFA policy raises several questions for Bayside residents and property owners. What options exist for patrol officers who often see their role as actually helping people from doing further self inflicted harm? What are residents supposed to do about issues such as obstructing a public way (sitting Indian style in a circle blocking a sidewalk or blocking a street)? What sort of activity rises to a level of being actionable? The new policy creates a threshold where any intrusion upon a resident's quality of life is supposed to be taken in stride. Why ? Bayside may always have more calls for service than more sedate, neighborhoods, but what sort of official policy position would be purposely implemented in a manner that was virtually guaranteed to make matters worse? What was the DA thinking?
Anyone who has had the experience of a feeling trapped in her or his home while a group of folks sits on their steps and drink and yell, or anyone who has had folks camp in his or her backyard leaving their trash and HUMAN WASTE behind knows it can be unbelievably frustrating and dispiriting. Why have a garden, or a courtyard, or a place to hang the wash if it is only going to be trespassed upon? North Deering residents don't routinely walk out of their houses and see someone urinating on a tree. People in Bayside do. Parents in other neighborhoods don't spend nearly as much time having to plan safe routes for their kids to get to activities as Bayside parents do. The chilling effect on property values and people’s general sense of well-being makes creating a caring cohesive neighborhood even more daunting.
The Oxford-Portland Street corridor has one of the highest numbers of calls for service of any area in Portland. Cumberland Avenue ranks high on the list, too. (Weekly crime statistics are available at:http://police.portlandmaine.gov/crimemonthly.asp#calls) Taking a set of law enforcement tools from the hands of police officers is counterproductive in the extreme.
Enforcing Drinking in Public, layouts, refusal to leave, and other laws against so-called minor offenses has the dual benefit of creating a better, safer environment for residents and may possibly be an entree to the offender’s getting help. While it's true that jail isn't necessarily the best place to make changes and point one's life in a better direction, it's also often true that a precipitating event is required to cause people to make positive changes.
The mixed messages sent by different service providers, Portland Police, Health and Human Services, and the District Attorney's Office have a devastating and confusing effect on Bayside. The Bayside Neighborhood Association has worked hard to promote dialog between agencies, residents, and authorities, with mixed results and a decidedly indifferent attitude on the part of providers and government officials. But, it's not their steps that are getting pissed on, not their employees who feel unsafe going to their cars on a winter afternoon, not their houses that they can't find suitable tenants for.
District Attorney Anderson is an administrator with limited resources. However, when she institutes a general policy she really needs to consider the implications for the area most affected.
Steve Hirshon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)