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			RED HOOK JUSTICE

Tell us what you think about RED HOOK JUSTICE.

Selected submissions will be posted here, so check back regularly and join the discussion.

Paul
Scarborough, ONT Canada

This is very nice that the New York government is providing opportunities for the youths to engage in something useful where they can be productive instead of getting in mischievous acts. Young people need an opportunity to guide them in order to be successful. It's a competitive field out there in terms of jobs. It is easy to be led astray by friends and bad influences. It is imperative the government officials continue to provide job opportunities and training to young people with an unbiased mind - EQUAL OPPORTUNITY for all. Thank you.

mike

As a person involved in the criminal justice system everyday, this type of court simply cannot work because of the enormous amount of resources needed and the inability of defendants to fully comply. this seemed pretty apparent on your show.

Ed Vassallo
New York

Having worked with Urban youth for the past 8 years, I want to express my appreciation for the exposure to the community court system. Red Hook Justice was a wonderful film which clearly showed the neccesity of a more hands on approach to the problems that plague the inner city population. The question is not wether or not these courts work, rather that the conventional courts do not, and why should we do anything else but try to form alternatives. Congradulations on a very powerful and meaningful film.

Ann Scott
Martinez, CA

This year I've been involved in running a family homeless shelter and in setting up a "homeless" court in Contra Costa County. So many people need help to clear their records, even when it's just traffic fines that have escalated due to non-payment. That is particularly true of parents. Renting an apartment and getting a job are pratically impossible if there is an outstanding warrant for a failure to appear. When parents can't care for their own kids a downward spiral brings every family member into way more expensive, usually public, care -- in a multitude of ways (all of them sad or bad). I wish for every county a wise program like the Brooklyn model and urge all community courts to train and offer support groups for the providers. It's a draining, rewarding and exhausting calling, but it's accomplished more effectively by healthy people.

Greentown, PA

I loved the program. I hope you show more programs like this one. Brett Taylor has his heart in the right place.When children are going from child to adult sometimes the transition is tough when there is no guidance or role model..Leroy Davis is a perfect role model..He steps in there and gets them to open up to him..Calabrese, he is wonderful..He knows he has to be tough but he is involved in that community both with his heart and mind..I could just hope that other judges were watching and would learn..The judges here are so cold and uncaring..I wish they could be more involved with the community and teach understanding and strength to move on and only you can make your life better..Thank you so much for such a great inspiring program..It was brilliantly done!!!

mike
bronx, ny

We first have to decide what we want from our court system. If we want a court system that addresses social problems than we can do that. However, if that is our choice, we should be prepared to "fix" all of the lives of the people that come into the program. I work in Bronx county and we are a glaring example of billions ofd dollars wasted every year on failed social programs. Welfare, section 8 housing, medicaid, all have one thing in common-they give something for nothing. This is not the correct approach. The three defendants featured on the show failed in every aspect of the Court process. The answe lies in holding everyone accountable for their actions and cutting back the funds we so freely hand out in welfare, housing, and medicaid every month. We can do all of the social engineering we want but we are only harming and patronizing thise we are trying to help. The Judge in the show talked about "our" community but I bet he does not live in Red Hook and would not let his children associate with the People that come through his courts. When do you stop giving people something for nothing. The other option is keep spending billions of dollars a year on failed social programs with nothing to show for it. The woman on th show kept haveing children and loosing them because of her drug use. The two brothers had no interest in complying with the court orders, and even without jobs, they had children at the age of 19. Who will pay for those kids? You and I.

Tynisha

Leroy Davis is my father -the person the world saw in Red Hook Justice is truly the person he is. Caring, dedicated and sincere - I hope the community appreciates him as much as I do. Facilities like The Justice Center are needed in every urban community to keep residents accountable for their actions and making everyone a part of the solution instead of the problem.

Alice Tapia
Brooklyn NY

I had agiant role in the developement of the Red Hook Justice Center and i'm proud of it. The Community court has changed many lives in Red Hook, including my own. Second chances should be given to everyone even people on the so called other side Courts, Cops,. Had it not been for the parties involved there would not be the Red Hook Community Justice Center.....

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