Council will send message
By DAVE GOSSETT, staff writerArticle Photos
STEUBENVILLE - City Council is preparing to send a message to criminals.
"We are telling criminals in our community that we are taking the streets back. And we are telling our citizens that we are taking action against crime," stated Councilman at large Eddie Joe Chanoski.
Red, white and blue signs declaring Steubenville to be a "Zero Tolerance City" will be posted at all of the city's main entrances.
"Everyone driving into the city will know we have zero tolerance for crime here. We will also put similar signs with a toll-free telephone number to report criminal activities in our neighborhoods, " added 6th Ward Councilman David Lalich, who chaired council's safety committee meeting prior to the council's sunshine session.
"We will make signs available for our businesses to put in their windows that will show everyone who is with us. The only people who will be opposed to this campaign will be the criminals," said Chanoski.
The zero tolerance campaign started earlier this year when council and city administration officials met at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort for a two-day session.
Lalich said city officials have been discussing a campaign to send a strong, clear message to city residents.
"We are cracking down on crime through police work and using our new anti-crime surveillance cameras. We are serious about zero tolerance for crime in our community," said Lalich.
During a sunshine meeting, Lalich introduced an ordinance that will repeal the city's economic development incentive program.
City Manager Bruce Williams had suggested council review the 2006 ordinance citing a lack of funds to offer to new businesses that meet the city's criteria.
"My concern is if a developer opens a business and then goes out of business.
"You don't need a formal policy. A developer can always come to the city on an individual basis seeking some type of incentive," Williams explained.
Fourth Ward Councilman David Fortunato proposed an ordinance to transfer 11 downtown properties purchased at a Jefferson County auditor's sale.
Fortunato said the parcels were purchased "at reduced prices for our land banking program. We hope to use these properties to entice a business or developer to locate in our downtown district."
Council also agreed to hold its final regular meeting of the year on Dec. 23 and to cancel the Dec. 30 sunshine session.
(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)
