In Response to Schumer Request, AG Holder Agrees to Send Top Ranking Official to Newburgh; Agrees to Pay "Personal Attention" to City's Crime Problem

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer secured a commitment from United States Attorney General Eric Holder to send a top level Justice Department official to Newburgh, NY, which has seen crime skyrocket as the city has been infiltrated by gangs and plagued by episodes of youth violence. The top level official will be able to determine what federal crime fighting resources can be sent to Newburgh to combat the city's spike in crime. Newburgh has become a prime example of a growing national problem of gangs and violence in smaller communities, as it has become the scene of shootings, beatings and murders. This spike in criminal activity threatens to derail the promising economic revitalization efforts forged by community leaders. At the hearing, Schumer pressed Holder to send a high-level team from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to Newburgh to assess the situation, work hand-in-hand with local law enforcement officials and recommend steps that would make the community safer and determine what federal resources can be brought to bear. Holder also agreed to pay "personal attention" to combating the city's crime problem.

"The crime situation in Newburgh is heart-breaking and unacceptable and we must address it head-on," said Schumer. "The FBI and other federal agencies have the resources to step up here, work with local law enforcement leaders and make a real difference, and I think Attorney General Holder understands this. It's a real relief to know that we will have the full weight of the federal government coming down on those who wish us harm. We've seen far too many of our young people hurt and killed to stand by for a moment longer."

At the hearing, Schumer asked Holder:

I want to discuss a problem that is affecting New York -- gang violence. As you know, I recently sent you a letter regarding this matter and briefly wanted to follow up this morning.

The National Gang Intelligence Center's 2009 Gang Threat Assessment found that gangs are increasingly migrating from urban areas to suburban and rural communities. Unfortunately, there are two small communities in New York that are all too familiar with this reported increase: Newburgh in the Hudson Valley and Brentwood on Long Island.

The situation in Newburgh has become shocking over the past year: there are reports of shootouts in the town streets, strings of robberies, and gang assaults with machetes. Indeed, homicides are up, rape is up, robbery is up, and gun crimes are up. Anecdotal evidence suggests that gangs in the area have started targeting schools to recruit new members.

Newburgh could very much benefit from increased federal resources.

Therefore:

Would you agree to go to Newburgh yourself , or send a high level official, to meet with local law enforcement and community leaders to discuss this increasing gang presence?

Holder responded:

Yes I would agree to have somebody, if not myself, go to Newburgh for the purposes you indicated.

Schumer asked:

A local newspaper in the Hudson Valley, the Times Herald Record, reported that the FBI has brought Newburgh's violent gang situation to the attention of the White House. Will you commit to having the appropriate agencies in your Department examine the violence in Newburgh to determine whether increased federal resources are warranted -- as I believe them to be?

Holder responded:

Yes, we are committed to that.

The full video can be found at http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=4470. Schumer's portion starts at minute 108.

The City of Newburgh is facing an almost unprecedented spike in violence, and the intense financial difficulties faced by the community -- as well as communities across the country -- is only making dealing with the issue all the more difficult. Newburgh and cities like it are simply unable to deal with the rising rate of crime because they do not have the resources to put more cops on the beat, purchase high tech crime fighting equipment or place police officers in schools, especially in times like these. In his letter, Schumer called on the Attorney General to provide these additional resources and send a high ranking Justice Department delegation to the City of Newburgh to work with and coordinate with local police to establish a plan of action to stem the rising tide of crime. Schumer praised the city police force, the Orange County Sheriff's office and New York State Police for their efforts and said that any further assistance could only benefit the community. Schumer also praised local leaders and community members who have forged economic revitalization plans for Newburgh.

Schumer said that the DOJ has become involved in similar cases. For example, in Brentwood, NY the FBI and other federal partners are working closely with local law enforcement, are prepared to meet with local community leaders, and have agreed to significantly increase resources to fight gangs operating in the area. In his letter to Holder, Schumer cited the National Gang Intelligence Center's 2009 Gang Threat Assessment that found that gangs are increasingly migrating from urban areas to suburban and rural communities, expanding gang influence in most regions. Schumer said that Newburgh illustrated this trend, and it must be reversed.

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