The public schools in this district have some of the lowest scores in the entire state of New York, and one of the lowest graduation rates too. The schools are old and overcrowded, the class sizes are huge, there are several uncertified teachers in our schools, and the certification curriculum/training fails to equip our teachers with effective disciplinary/class-control techniques.
This district has one of the highest incidents of violent crime in this state of New York, and simultaneously has one of the highest rates of police brutality in the city of New York. It is sometimes difficult to ascertain whom the community fears most - the violent criminal or the brutal cop. The community is victimized by both the existence of both predatory criminals and bad police officers who often needlessly harass and criminalize our youths in particular, and the public in general. Recent statistics show that the number of complaints of police misconduct has risen in the last four years. And although I am very respectful of the important role police officers play in maintaining law and order, I still believe that the Civilian Complaint Review Board should be given more sweeping powers in terms of dealing with renegade cops.
