NEWS
Judge divulges safety proposal
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Also by Courtney Johnson:
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by Courtney Johnson
Thursday, March 8, 2007
District 8 aldermanic candidate and University of Wisconsin sophomore Eli Judge released a campus safety plan Wednesday, addressing issues such as campus watch programs and ways to more effectively communicate with sexual assault victims.
The plan, titled "A Realistic Approach for Safer Streets," specifically expresses disappointment with Police Chief Noble Wray's announcement last week that the Madison Police Department would not change the way it interrogates sexual assault victims.
"I think that rape victims are exactly that — victims — and I don't think they should become a focus of an investigation," Judge said.
The proposal advocates creating a new system for victims to report instances of sexual assault. Under Judge's plan, people would be able to anonymously report assaults online.
The plan also calls for the creation of a campus-wide neighborhood watch program, similar to the current volunteer-based Langdon Street Watch Program.
"I think any extra eyes and ears we have on the streets are going to do at least something to promote the safety of the neighborhoods," Judge said.
Judge is running against UW senior Lauren Woods in this spring's election. The District 8 seat is currently held by City Council President Austin King, who is not seeking re-election this year in order to attend law school.
Woods released her plan for campus safety, titled "A Progressive Plan for Campus Safety," last month.
"What is most ironic is that [Judge's plan] is supposed to be the realistic approach," Woods said. "While I wholeheartedly support volunteerism, I don't think it's effective, or even realistic, to promote a policy where you're relying on volunteers."
While Judge acknowledges a neighborhood watch program will not solve all the crime problems in the campus area — a violent mugging occurred on Langdon Street in late January — he said he feels a campus-wide program could help deter crime.
"I think, if anything, we should hope to get it up just for the sake of having awareness and visibility when it comes to having protection here on campus," Judge said.
The proposal also addresses the new $100,000 Downtown Safety Initiative. While Judge said he supports it overall, he expressed concern about the city's use of surveillance cameras.
"It's definitely a huge concern because (of) privacy being an enormous issue anywhere in this country," Judge said. "I think that it will be essential for the police department to work directly with the public and give full disclosure about how the tapes will be used."
A point of contention during the District 8 campaign has been the issue of whether the city should install more pedestrian-scale lighting. Woods has been an advocate of more lighting, while Judge has expressed concern about effectiveness and the cost of installation.
"If they can erect a new apartment building, then certainly we can have some new streetlights," Woods said. "I just find it highly ironic that my opponent has been a strong advocate of pedestrian-scale lighting, and now he doesn't want to tear up the streets."
The two candidates will face off in the general election April 3.
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 3:57am):
Wanna place bets on how long it takes Austin King to comment here?
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 4:18am):
I simply don't understand Lauren's quote. Judge says:
"I wholeheartedly support the expansion of pedestrian scale lighting in areas of low visibility, including North Frances St., Spring St., Lake St. (by the vacant McDonalds), and Mills St"
How is that being opposed to more lights? I'm having a LOL moment, here.
and
"Moreover, it is impractical and fiscally irresponsible to make broad claims about improving lighting in the district without specifying where"
And it seems reasonable, too. What gives?
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 4:31am):
But in the end, no one. cares. at all.
Turn out will be .05%. Why don't they focus on teaching students what city council actually does; I don't even know.
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 5:58am):
20 bucks says someone posts a lie about "I got an email asking me to comment from eli!" and absurd anti-judge remarks to then try and blame on Judge supporters in a machiavellian move. Don't even try it this time, no one actually believes you.
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 8:53am):
Judge is clearly playing defense on the safety issue. What I found interesting was his criticism of the costs of Woods' plan, like more officers walking beats on foot and bike, as "unrealistically expensive." Mr. Judge, if safety is your number one issue, are you not willing to spend the necessary resources? Woods is right - volunteers are a good addition to police, but they do not replace police.
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 9:28am):
I hate to break it to some of us, but even BERKELEY said they could not afford a substantial addition to streetlights due to cost. It's called the reality of local government. Get used to it.
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 10:55am):
I truly think - particularly given the nature of these anonymous comment boards - that the ability to anonymously report sexual assaults online is a terrible idea. If we were to allow that, would anyone like ot guess how many would then be reported implicating Ashok Kumar on a daily basis?
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 1:15pm):
Well, the real question 10:55AM, is how many he TRULY would be responsible for ;)
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 1:55pm):
8:53AM, Austin King. Count it. Someone owes me a drink.
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 3:18pm):
Clearly Judge made an effort to reach out to everyone involved in the issue- everything an alderman should do. Austin just seemed to try and go around people in order to push his own agenda.
The fact that the county exec and sheriff endorse Eli's plan speak volumes to its effectiveness and practicality.
http://studentsforjudge.org/ideas/safety-release.pdf
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 8:14pm):
The County Exec endorsed Woods months ago - she's just now endorsing Eli Judge because the conservative union thugs like Tim Sullivan and Dode Lowe pressured her to do it. The Sheriff beat a more progressive, more qualified African-American candidate, and apparently is hoping Judge will too.
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 9:23pm):
According to the article:
"What is most ironic is that [Judge's plan] is supposed to be the realistic approach," Woods said. "While I wholeheartedly support volunteerism, I don't think it's effective, or even realistic, to promote a policy where you're relying on volunteers."
Hmm... On the other hand, I do think its realistic that I'll get the millions of dollars I need to get my plan working, that's realistic Lauren.
She doesn't think volunteers from the 8th District will work? She should tell that to Drew Willert or Alex Sheridan, to all the members of PAVE and the hundreds of other students who care enough about the community to make it a better place, AS VOLUNTEERS! So I guess they're not effective or realistic. Langdon Street Walk, Lauren thinks its time for you to go; you're not doing enough...
She obviously doesn't know the people in this district.
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 9:29pm):
Hi Austin King. Stop posting. Are you calling the sherrif a racist? That's sick.
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 9:31pm):
lauren woods=puppet on a string
Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 9:50pm):
Ashok, where you at?
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 12:13am):
haha, you think lauren woods would speak to the langdon street area? hell no. she's not running to serve district 8. she's running because austin promised her a quick and easy victory, only she is finding opposition, EVERYWHERE.
Ashok Kumar, where you at?
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 12:34am):
"Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 8:53am):
Judge is clearly playing defense on the safety issue. What I found interesting was his criticism of the costs of Woods' plan, like more officers walking beats on foot and bike, as "unrealistically expensive." Mr. Judge, if safety is your number one issue, are you not willing to spend the necessary resources? Woods is right - volunteers are a good addition to police, but they do not replace police."
Yes. That is why he raised it first as his ONLY issue, whereas Woods was harking her call for social justice in the area.
Meh, Woods is screwed. No students will vote for her, just give it up.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 12:36am):
"Anonymous (March 8, 2007 @ 9:23pm):
According to the article:
"What is most ironic is that [Judge's plan] is supposed to be the realistic approach," Woods said. "While I wholeheartedly support volunteerism, I don't think it's effective, or even realistic, to promote a policy where you're relying on volunteers."
Hmm... On the other hand, I do think its realistic that I'll get the millions of dollars I need to get my plan working, that's realistic Lauren.
She doesn't think volunteers from the 8th District will work? She should tell that to Drew Willert or Alex Sheridan, to all the members of PAVE and the hundreds of other students who care enough about the community to make it a better place, AS VOLUNTEERS! So I guess they're not effective or realistic. Langdon Street Walk, Lauren thinks its time for you to go; you're not doing enough...
She obviously doesn't know the people in this district."
Heh, she also hasn't done any volunteer work on the STREETS, another reason why she's screwed. But attending meetings a month before running is what counts!!!!
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 12:36am):
Clearly based on these comments, Eli's posse thinks that a black woman is incapable of forming her own opinions or drafting her own policies, and thus must be a "puppet" of King and Kumar, and that only King and Kumar are posting in support.
Shame, shame.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 1:53am):
"Clearly based on these comments, Eli's posse thinks that a black woman is incapable of forming her own opinions or drafting her own policies, and thus must be a "puppet" of King and Kumar, and that only King and Kumar are posting in support.
Shame, shame."
Actually, I think Ashok Kumar can't either, there go indian kids.
Oh and asian kids, there goes Phil Ejercito.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 3:30am):
12:36AM:
I have never in my life met either Judge, or Woods, and let me tell you that if this is how a Woods supporter takes criticism, you guys are a sorry bunch.
~ A pissed off UW student sick of this bullshit.
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