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This comment area is closed to new submissions. Visit ITVS.org to continue the conversation about this film.
7/11/07
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.....
5/31/05
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.
5/26/05
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.
5/25/05
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!!!
5/25/05
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.
5/25/05
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.
5/25/05
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.
5/23/05
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.
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