Democracy In Albany - New York Politics ||

Zero Tolerance Update

By DIA, Section News
Posted on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 10:25:50 AM EST

So last Saturday night chief Tuffey gets called to bail out the mayor after the mayor crashes his car into a fire hydrant. And then the following Tuesday the Times Union ran an editorial about how it appears there is a double standard for how the police are treated differently than the general public

It's only a matter of time, we're afraid, before a civilian arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated starts publicly suggesting that a double standard seems to be in place, one for the police and one for the people they apprehend. The situation is in no way helped by the suggestion by Christian Mesley, leader of the Albany Police Officers Union, that the alcohol tests given weren't reliable and that the sergeant who administered them isn't properly trained.

As for Chief Tuffey, he assumed command of the Albany police amid high hopes, and at a rather critical time. It would be devastating to the city if his leadership were subverted by the very police under his supervision.

What do you think crossed the chief's mind when he read that editorial on Tuesday?

With today's news which way to you think people are leaning? Double standard, no double standard? Now, perhaps they just don't do any tests for alcohol anymore in single car accidents late on saturday evening because the president of the police union last week said their testing devices were "corrupt" and "not reliable"? Seems only fair that if the president is correct, they should not do any testing until they get that little matter cleared up.

Prior to today's news I was already in the double standard camp. Looks like i'll be staying there a while longer.

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Zero Tolerance Update | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 hidden)

special treatment (none / 0) (#1)
by kateb on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 11:06:52 AM EST

is the only thing this mayor knows. Like what about 911?

Imagine that. Let's every single one of us call the police chief when there's something needing attention. Minor accident, you name it.

Never got a single response from this police chief about his propensity for being involved in false arrests.

Double Standards... (none / 0) (#2)
by alfrednewman on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 12:49:49 PM EST

Is there a problem when the mayor calls his chief of police when he has a propery damage accident? I don't think so.

Like it or not Jennings in the Mayor and as such he does get some privelages.

I will confess that when I have had problems in the past I would call my beat cop and have him handle it. Just like the rest of my neighbors who got to know the beat cop. Woooooooooo, did I get special treatment?

To me there is no difference with me calling up the beat cop and Jennings calling up Tuffy.

So the Mayor has issued a statement and now the same people who made claims that he was hiding the accident are now claiming that he must have been DWI.

The one thing that makes this whole "car out of nowhere" a little more plausable is the fact that a lot of the people here in Albany cant drive worth a damn. Anyone who drives around Albany sees a lot of wreckless driving on a daily basis. How many times do you see accidents on New Scotland or Madison Ave next to the Madison Theator? Every day.

If there is proof that Jennings was DWI that is one thing. But there isn't is there?
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

Proof (none / 0) (#3)
by truthbetold on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 12:58:36 PM EST

No, the chief made sure there was no proof. Why wasn't the mayor able to describe the vehicle that ran him off the road? Was he driving with his eyes closed. He doesn't know what color or if it was a truck, van or bus because there was no other vehicle.

Tuffey's quote explains it all "when the boss of the city calls, I go". The problem is he still has a duty to investigate the accident. Did they put a radio alert out for the mysterious vehicle?

[ Parent ]

Right (none / 0) (#4)
by alfrednewman on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 01:33:37 PM EST

Dark night. A windy night. At the time of the accident winds gutting to 33 MPH according to Weatherunderground.com. Car comes out of nowhere. Driver swerves to avoid a crash and ends up hiting a fire plug.

Somehow I would have a harder time with all of this if the Mayor could give a description as to color (10:20PM) and the rest.

Radio Alert? Are you kidding?

Attention all cars, Attention all cars, be on the lookout for a dark colored car on New Scotland Avenue.

There are only a couple of hundred of them an hour should be easy.

There is simply nothing that can be done in a situation like this and we allllllll know it.

Police reports generally are a waste of time as anyone who has ever filled one out knows it.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

: one bit of advice (none / 0) (#5)
by DIA on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 01:45:30 PM EST

when you currently are running an administration with an abysmal recent record on drinking and driving among your employees and what appears to be a very lax attitude toward the problem and the previous week two of your employees drove to work and then failed a sobriety test and then a few days later the top guy gets in a single car accident and he immediately calls the chief....and no one mentions it until a week later. Well, perhaps everyone was sober and the mystery car caused it all. But you are really, really dumb to not have tested the mayor for booze if he hadn't been drinking. Imagine if this was in the paper monday morning. Imaginary Tuffey quote:

On saturday night the mayor was involved in a single car accident. No one was injured. The mayor swerved to avoid a car and his a hydrant. I was called to the scene and we proceeded to test the mayor for alchol, just like we would any citizen. The test showed the mayor had not been drinking and can be seen on the police report filed.

Can't criticize that, can you? But they didn't do that, did they. What they did sure doesn't look very smart if everything happened as they said it did. As usual, the mayor refuses to comment. I'm not going to give you an imaginary comment from the Mayor because i don't want to give him any good ideas.
PS. As of last Sunday you no longer have a beat cop. Guess you'll have to call the chief the next time.
PSS. Bridge for sale in Brooklyn. Must sell. Will take best offer.

[ Parent ]
: You must be kidding...youself (none / 0) (#7)
by truthbetold on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 03:17:00 PM EST

Dark night? Plenty of street lights on New Scotland Ave. and the lights from the gas station light that area up like daylight. He knew the vehicle came out of the gas station but he couldn't describe it. Come on, he is only kidding himself and obviously you. And... yes, police officers put radio calls out about vehicles leaving the scene of accidents every day. Not as many vehicles on New Scotland Ave at 10:30PM.
We've all been in accidents but I never heard of anyone not having any idea of what type or color of vehicle hit or nearly hit them.
BTW it was my understanding that any accident involving a city vehicle must be investigated by traffic safety, complete with pictures. Anyone know if the officer mentioned in the paper works in that unit?
You lost as much credibility with your response as the chief did with his.

[ Parent ]

One better on the advice (none / 0) (#6)
by Just MAA on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 02:28:39 PM EST

AL- try having your mouth surgically removed from the mayors ass...maybe we could understand what you say better.

Maa (none / 0) (#8)
by alfrednewman on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 07:28:56 PM EST

Isnt that the sound a little baby sheep makes?

Maa!

DIA: I have been involved in accidents. I have been pulled over. I have been ticketed.

Not once have I ever had a field sobriety test. You only get one of those IF THEY THINK YOU ARE DRUNK.

(Hmmm and how many of these field tests have you had???)

Truth: Accident reports do not get broadcast. My wife got run off the road by some jerk that had just rolled into her at a light went around her and then took off. She went to South Station with the plate number and they wouldnt even take a report.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

One other thing (none / 0) (#9)
by alfrednewman on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 07:52:37 PM EST

There is enough legitimate citism of the Mayor, the Common Council, and everyone else in this city to go around.

So why make shit up?

The mayor was with a couple of thousand people during the game. Has anyone come forward to claim they saw him drunk?

No?

And frankly, as Albany is such a small little town made up of people who just love to talk trash, wouldnt it have been more suspicious if the Mayor had made up some vehicle description? Who would have known?

"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

never been pulled over in NY state (none / 0) (#10)
by DIA on Sun Dec 10, 2006 at 06:26:05 AM EST

got me on a road trip once out of state.

never been in an accident (spun off a few snowy and icy roads in my day, got lucky and never hit a hydrant or tree. I wasn't drunk, but i was young, which can be just as dangerous.)

Your points are valid. Expect by the way it was handled. There was no need for the chief to be there except if you think the mayor needed emotional support? If the mayor doesn't feel comfortable dealing with the police who respond to calls and needs the chief to intervene, we've got a problem.

I stand by my opinion. If there was nothing wrong s than they are very dumb with how it was handled. So, either very dumb or drunk. Neither one makes me feel good.

You know, I had to hear a lot of people defend the great and noble john sweeney for quite a while. I had my opinion of him. He was too chicken shit to debate so we just had to go with the facts in the paper and his behavior. Check out the paper today. That story shows a pretty unstable person. A mean, delusional child.

Earlier this week you said we were all crazy to believe the mayor had crashed his car. How long do we have to be right about everything until we get some credit but not being wacky conspiracy theorists?

The current adminstration is almost proud in their arrogance. They believe the law doesn't apply to them. The mayor has said he doesn't want to listen to anyone. He has said "this is my city". The cops are showing up to work drunk and nothing happens. Here's a question for you? If you drove to the police station and they thought you were drunk and you blew over a 0.10, what do you think would happen? I bet you'd be arrested because you would be guilty of DWI. The cops got to go to work. No DWI. All of this is a pattern that has continued to repeat itself and nothing changes. We've already got one dead cop who was drinking and driving. While you and the other mayoral supporters continue to keep your heads in the sand about this we are all just going to have to wait until someone else is killed due to a drunk driver. Trust me, i'm not going to gloat about being right.

and whether the mayor was drunk or not, we still have a very unbalanced budget and it already looks much worse for next year. Weird how only the liberal democrats these days are for balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility.

[ Parent ]

: I said you were crazy? (none / 0) (#11)
by alfrednewman on Sun Dec 10, 2006 at 07:08:05 AM EST

Bender? Fender? Bullshit? (none / 0) (#4)
by alfrednewman on Fri Dec 8th, 2006 at 06:14:43 AM EST
alfrednewman
OK, so someone emails DIA a scoop that they saw what was supposed to be the mayors SUV in a repair show and now people start acusing him of having a DWI accident and telling him to come clean.
Terry, you know damn well that a press release will just fuel fires and that the rumors will just continue.
DIA? Proof? Or is this another case of where proof simply isnt required.
And it happens. Press release is issued and you guys still are implying that he must have been drunk.
It seems to me that this is a very good time to solve some of the behavioural problems that the Albany Police department has. Contract time.
Maybe it is time to eliminate the contractual ability of the police union to defend the trouble makers in its ranks.
How about adding a provision that the State Police has to administer booze tests to all to Albany cop suspected of drinking.
Speaking of drinking on way to wine tour.
Cheers
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

AL?? (none / 0) (#12)
by Just MAA on Sun Dec 10, 2006 at 08:19:36 AM EST

Things you should be truly thankful for in the New Year-
The 1st Amendment
Woman and men defending that right (I'm pretty sure you never did)
That the proverb "the rod is made for the fools back" doesn't apply in this country
You don't loose credibility points for being illiterate:
Acusing

Accusing

Isnt

Isn't
Behavioural= Behavioral
trouble makers= Troublemakers
That your paycheck is not based on the presenting of facts
That no one thinks you're a dork for calling an old lady a baby sheep. (OK I lied on that one everyone thinks you're a dork...but not for making fun of names only). In the new year may I suggest you get some focus?

Hey Maa (none / 0) (#14)
by alfrednewman on Sun Dec 10, 2006 at 07:40:49 PM EST

The only old lady that I knew who posted on here was Mumms, and she knew where my paychck came from. Gosh I miss her. Truely a class act. RIP.

I am sure that I am going to have some of the people who know me start laughing at this one:

My paycheck *is* based on** my charm** and how I present facts. Anyone who truely knowns me know that I am, infact, Mr Charm. I'm warm and fuzzy. And I am the very model of diplomacy and sobriety.

"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

: And Maa (none / 0) (#16)
by alfrednewman on Sun Dec 10, 2006 at 07:51:39 PM EST

Telling me to have my mouth surgically removed from the mayors ass is rude and not the conduct of an old lady. Old, maybe. Lady, certainly not.
Shame. My mother taught me better than that.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

These combat boots were made for walking (none / 0) (#18)
by Just MAA on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 05:48:29 AM EST

Al- Voice- (and Hawk in advance for what I think of your narrow, broad brush painting of people and delusional correlation of bits of information into something you believe worthy of print... as if a rational person would believe it.)
Let me extend my sincerest apologies for being rude. It is the time of year we should reflect and be kinder to one another. Sorry.

Things MAA needs to be thankful for in the New Year:

·    That I am not a lady according to Miss Manners aka. Ms. Charm, aka. warm and fuzzy aka., Alice and I can use the word ass in anyway that seems to fit.
·    That I am able to recognize "who is who" and what their agenda is.
·    That like Mumms I can RIP because the depth of this intellectual discussion group is void of the profundity of its acclaim. With the exception of DIA who I think is one of the most reliable commentators of the various media outlets out there; this group consists of about 5-6 regulars who are so transparent that I feel cause the group to be limited in developing more members.
·    On to bigger and better things!

Enjoy the New Year. Thanks!
Just MAA

[ Parent ]

: Well Maa (none / 0) (#20)
by alfrednewman on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 06:33:48 AM EST

I am thankful that your faculties are intact enough that in the FIVE days you have been actively posting that you can divine "who is who" and what all of our agenda's are.
It took me several times longer to realize that people that I had been sparing with actually shared many of my own core values and that there is sometimes wisdom even in the rants of people who I disagree with.
I will credit your rapid assessment of all of us on your advanced wisdom and experience- not because you come off as a typical self absorbed, knee- jerk, judgmental, self righteous old bat.
It is the time of year that we should reflect on what we are thankful for and to look to improve the new year.
I am thankful for Andy and Sons on Delaware (and I am thankful that my orders no longer get screwed up now that you-know-who) is serving a more established clientele.

"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

Zero tolerance update (none / 0) (#13)
by hawkny on Sun Dec 10, 2006 at 09:32:58 AM EST

When Tom Whalen was mayor, the police pulled him over on Madison Avenue for a lane change, one evening. The police didn't like Whalen's attutude towards them. He was, at the time, calling for city residency for all policemen, and others on the city payroll. Several cops I knew at the time said that Whalen was being tailed constantly by cops as a way of intimiding him. This was the police union's way letting the mayor know that the police "were in charge of Albany's streets" not City Hall.
Since Tuffy has become chief, some of the rank and file in the police department, are, in a variety of ways attempting to do the same thing. They are trying to intimidate the chief, the mayor, and the residents of the city because they are being leaned on by the chief, the press, etc. for their errant ways. Has anyone noticed, for instance, that the police are regularly cruising uptown neighborhoods, to "boot" ticket scoflaws now. And, in certain throughfares they are regularly bagging commuters for questionable infractions, etc..its all apart of their little "war" with city hall.
My guess is the mayor called his friend, and his police chief, Jimmy Tuffy, when he hit the hydrant, to ensure that he was not railroaded by patrol officers who are angry with him for bringing in Tuffy, to run the police department. He won't say so, but its my guess that he is as afraid of these mercenaries in uniform, patroling Albany's streets with loaded weapons, as much as we the citizenry are, and as Tom Whalen was supposed to be after the cops bagged him on a moving violation some 16-18 years ago. Try to stare at a cop in a police car today, in Albany, and he/she will pull you over for some minor infraction. The cops are playing hard ball politics these days, the only way they know how....by being bullies and intimidators. And, this is only the beginning. I hope that Tuffy and Jennings have the stomach to stick it out with these guys. If not,its gonna get an awful lot like Schenectady around here...

: hawkny (none / 0) (#15)
by alfrednewman on Sun Dec 10, 2006 at 07:45:17 PM EST

Albany cops have always been that way. They always cruise the neighborhoods at night booting while letting the commuters go free. They generally are rotten.
Nothing new
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]
: whalen and the cops (none / 0) (#17)
by DIA on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 04:56:48 AM EST

I never pulled over Whalen, so i can't tell the stories in first person. But the stories i know were that he liked to drink. And drive. And that when they pulled him over/rescued him while driving drunk they took him to his favorite restaurant and gave him coffee and waited for him to sober up.
So, i'm suspect of your premise. However, if you are correct we are in worse trouble than i thought. After 14 years of running the show even jerry is scared of the cops?
I will admit i've heard people say they are getting pulled over more in arbor and west hill. I thought it was because they were trying to crack down. I don't see how that sends any sort of message to the mayor, if that is what you think is happening.

[ Parent ]

Whalen & the Cops (none / 0) (#19)
by nitevision on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 06:10:22 AM EST

I did some homework - Whalen was pulled over in a traffic stop. He was not ticketed but the next day ordered the two cops to present themselves in his office. I am told it was not a pleasant meeting.

It's true that "The Tanned One" has created lots of enemies, needlessly I might add, but all the talk about this accident is based on rumor and gossip. A little blurb from the Mayor's office a week ago could have ended the story. Waiting for the story to appear in DIA and the Times Union was a huge mistake. That delay fueled the rumor mill. Not one person has said they saw Jennings drinking. I wonder if the police union president will again claim a "corrupt" investigation?

Nitevision (none / 0) (#21)
by alfrednewman on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 06:47:40 AM EST

Somehow I don't think that had the Mayor released a blurb it would have done anything except start the yapping that much earlier.

My reaction to this is predictable- Its not news. However, had the mayors office released a statement before this I would be joining the rest of you guys wondering "why" if it wasn't a big deal why a statement is being issued.

I certainly do not see statements being released everytime a new dent shows up in any of the other vehicles being issued to other city employees.

This is a loose - loose situation. Ironically enough the only way for the Mayor to come out of this one looking good is if he had actually creamed who ever it was that cut him off. Assuming, again, that there were several hundred witnesses- preferably a cross section of the political spectrum that would attest that the Mayor was perfectly faultless.

"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

al (none / 0) (#22)
by DIA on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 07:37:19 AM EST

I know you don't trust my sources, but i do.

Reported value of damage to the vehicle? $10,000.

Mayor wrecked his car in a single car accident. As i've pointed out, he works for us and we pay his salary. I think if he dents his fender, no big deal. He wrecks the car we provide him with and he doesn't tell us, I've got a problem. Not sure how you run your business/manage your employees but that ain't how I run mine.

[ Parent ]

Thats quite a wreck (none / 0) (#23)
by alfrednewman on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 08:13:52 AM EST

Actually I do trust most of your sources, DIA.

I see a double standard here. One one level you want the Mayor to be treated like everyone else (no special treatment) and on the other you want him to be treated differently (report non-injury accidents to the public).

All of the people in the city theoretically work for us. Everyone- not just the ones we don't like- should be held to a higher standard.

"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

seeing double (none / 0) (#24)
by DIA on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 08:48:46 AM EST

hey, the mayor and chief get to have double standards, why not me?

I don't see a double standard. You can crash your car every day for the next month and i could care less. Don't write me an e-mail. Don't blog about it.

The mayor wrecks his car we need to know. the tresurer wrecks her car...we should not give her another one because why the hell does the treasurer need a car...got a little off track there...ANYONE driving a vehicle that is paid for with tax dollars who wrecks the vehicle in a single car accident...we need to know. Why? Because what if they do it again?

Could just be coincidence but the people I like hold themselves to a higher standard. You find my anywhere that i've said there should be two standards and i'll be happy to try to explain it. Don't think you'll find it. The city of albany needs to raise the standard of how our employees do business. Plain and simple. And you and i agree on that.

[ Parent ]

: Yes we do. (none / 0) (#25)
by alfrednewman on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 09:24:41 AM EST

"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

Lots of damage (none / 0) (#26)
by truthbetold on Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 03:43:17 PM EST

I viewed the crash site today and it looks like there had to have been lots of damage. The fire hydrant has been replaced. It is about two feet from a telephone poll and one can see where the force of the crash drove the old hydrant into the poll, ripping out large chuncks of wood.

The mayor is lucky not to have been injured. I'd be surprised if the air bag didn't deploy.
There is a street light on the pole above the hydrant and lights on both adjacent polls. Newman's argument that it was too dark for the mayor to notice vehicle type or color is weak.

Also didn't notice any tire marks in the road but with anti-lock breaks nowadays I don't know if that is significant.

Most gast stations have video to prevent people from stealing gas. If a video exist it may give clues as to what happen?

Most importantly, city vehicles involved in accidents must be investigated by traffic cops, complete with pictures. Any one know if traffic coppers investigated and took pictures?

[ Parent ]

Zero Tolerance Update | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 hidden)

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