Mounting frustration with crime has prompted a city Councillor to fight back with his council colleagues.
Recently we told you about Aldo Ruberto’s idea to form a committee of willing Councillors, a group that will take tips from residents about problem areas. “We will help the police by gathering information, doing the leg work, or helping the police get their case established. If the police can’t do it, they can give it to the city.”
Sometimes police are too busy to respond to every complaint, so Ruberto points out this committee will take a more in-depth approach, coming up with resolutions to change by-laws giving authorities more tools to deal with a problem. He admits it doesn’t matter if this takes a day, a week, a month or longer, as long as enough information is gathered so authorities can put a stop to these activities.
The At-large Councillor says he wants this potential group to meet with the mayor, police chief, attorney general and others. “And with some of the judges here, the head judges, and say ‘Look, this is ridiculous. These are gangs, we have to change the laws, and the rules, so that when we do bust these places, you’re not giving them bail, because they just go and set up again. We’re tired of it.'”
Ruberto stresses social service agencies would deal with social issues such as homelessness and poverty. The purpose of his idea, which he believes most Councillors, including the mayor, are on side with, will focus solely on the crime found within certain buildings and residences.
During our interview he referenced a rooming house in Dryden recently shut down for similar social issues. Ruberto says that can be done here by looking into parts of a by-law which allows certain buildings to be shut down for two years. “We’re not trying to throw people out into the streets. But you know what? If it’s a drug dealer, throw him in the streets. I have no problem with that. I would rather see him in the streets than his customers suffering, and innocent victims that get broken into with home invasions.”
The city Councillor is also aware of the Landlord and Tenants Act, which he is isn’t too fond of in some ways. He tells us the Act protects every tenant, regardless of what they do. Ruberto says while there are bad landlords that need to be dealt with, there are good landlords that need protecting. It’s these landlords who had no idea they were renting to a potential criminal, and now they’re in a tough spot.
