"The recent violence on Lark Street is the culmination of a disturbing and unacceptable “culture of lawlessness” in Albany. City officials, including Mayor Sheehan and City Auditor Applyrs are punishing businesses that have invested in our city. I do not believe that is right.

The attack on the owner of Shogun Sushi in May and smashed windows at the Lionheart in July was not due to owner negligence. The same is true for the stabbing on Lark Street last month and Bitchin’ Donuts getting caught in crossfire last week.

Cafe Hollywood deserves a proper investigation before being shut down. Early indications point to a premeditated “hit” with a weapon hidden in the establishment. There are limits to what an on-premise security team can accomplish. If it turns out that a security lapse was the issue, then we take the proper actions.

Those we elect are responsible for keeping us safe. Blaming a business is not going to fix the problem. The bad actors and criminals will bring violence to a new city address or neighborhood. Cafe Hollywood loyal patrons just lost another place to gather in Albany.

This public safety issue is far from new. Yet we now have public officials finally recognizing the “crisis."

We need to empower and support the police department and embrace community policing. Judges must have the authority to keep dangerous repeat offenders off our streets. And we need to take responsibility for those whose behavior causes many to avoid Albany businesses. The people on our streets with mental health, substance abuse and poverty issues are the responsibility of city leadership. We need to help them with compassion.

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“We need to lead, not blame."

Contact: News@DanForAlbany.com