RUDY GIULIANI GIVES HOPE TO AMERICA
by Frank Tridico
angelfire.com
Rudy Giuliani will be recognized as one of the more effective mayors in the history of New York. Noted to be a principled and firm leader, he has not always been without critics. However, even his strongest opponents have respected his charisma and deep concern for the safety and economic progress of the city. Indeed, reducing crime and encouraging economic growth have been his basic premises of his mandate in the past eight years. There is certainty that New York is a better place today than in previous years.
One of Giuliani's strengths is to to bring citizens together despite socio-economic, ethnic, racial, religious and political differences. At the forefront of his mandate is respect for differences and uniting all as New Yorkers and Americans. He draws strength from his Italian descent and sees the positive impact immigrants have had in America. As he nears the end of his second term as mayor, it is apparent that he will be remembered most as re-establishing hope and prosperity to the city.
New York has historically had the dubious reputation as being recognized as one of the more dangerous cities in the nation. In the beginning of the 1990s, the city was nearing 2,000 homicides per annum. Under the leadership and policies of Rudy Giuliani, general crime rates have been cut within to half and the homicides have diminished by 70%. In fact, between 1993 and 1997, New York City has represented 25% of the decline total of crime of the nation and the FBI has recognized New York as one of the safest cities in America."
The innovative system of CompStat of the city uses technology to pursue more advanced crime detection and prevention available. This affords law enforcement agencies to mark the city with exactitude of tendencies of crime. As consequence of this system, the police can arrest suspects before crimes originate or minimize their impact if they are in progress. This application in crime prevention techniques has contributed to a meaningful reduction of the use of the officials of force police. It has lead to greater crime prevention, more effective police procedure and more cost-effective policies.
SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN CRIME
A sampling of the most recent crime statistics (since 1993) shows:
50% drop in overall crime
70% drop in homicides
23.4% drop in rape
29.9% drop in felony assault
54.6% drop in robbery
53.2% drop in burglary
40.0% drop in grand larceny
61.2% drop in auto thefts
Shootings have fallen by 61.4% between 1993 and 1997
Shootings by Police Officers have declined 62% since 1993
New York City has provided 78% of the State’s drop in crime from 1993 to 1997
traffic-related deaths are down 26%.
The City’s homicide rate is at its lowest level since 1964. According to FBI statistics, between 1993 and 1997, NYC crime reduction accounted for a full 25 percent of the nation’s drop in crime.
Giuliani will be best remembered as a leader that helped re-establish law and the order in a period where crime rates were accelerating to disproportiately high levels. While his policies on crime have been both principled and effective, he has also shown a kinder, gentler side in light of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Evn his fiercest critics could not help but applaud the strong leadership he showed in one of the nation's darkest hours. His most humane acts were to console the thousands of families who lost loved ones in the attacks and for those who losts their lives trying to find victims. He will be best remembered for his leadership in the face of turbulent times and restoring faith in the human spirit. This is how true leadership is defined. |
