Posted on 10/29/2008 12:15:12 PM PDT by pabianice
First hearing set for Nov. 6
WORCESTER, MA — Several city councilors last night hailed a proposed ordinance regulating knife possession in the city.
Some councilors said the ordinance is an important first step in addressing the recent spate of knife attacks in the city, saying something is needed to curb the use of knives in assaults.
The proposed ordinance was advanced last night by the City Council, which referred it to the council’s Public Safety Committee for a hearing tentatively scheduled for Nov. 6.
District 3 Councilor Paul P. Clancy Jr. said the ordinance should be viewed as an extension of the zero-tolerance policy that the public schools have in regard to weapons possession.
“We have a zero tolerance for these weapons in our schools and now we need to extend it out into the community,” Mr. Clancy said. “This is an ordinance the council needs to pass. It will make it a safer community for all.”
Under the ordinance, developed by the Police Department, Worcester district attorney’s office and city officials, any knife with a blade larger than 1.5 inches would be illegal to carry; people caught with such knives in their possession would be fined $300, as permitted by state law.
While some councilors were concerned about the impact of the ordinance might have on those who carry such knives for personal use or recreation, District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. assured the councilors it would be targeted primarily at the after-hours bar and nightclub crowds where there has been an outbreak of knife-related violence.
He emphasized that the police would have a lot of discretion in enforcing the law to assure that people aren’t wrongly caught up in its net.
“The mode of violence in this city has changed to knives,” Mr. Early told the City Council. “The mind-set is that you don’t need to carry a gun any longer because you can carry a knife and there is no penalty for it. That needs to change. We need to treat knife violence as serious as violence with guns because it is a more personal crime and sometimes can be more lethal.
“We are not looking to hurt those people who use knives for recreation, hobbies or hunting,” he added. “The police will have a lot of discretion. What we want to do, though, is plant the seed to change the mind-set that it’s OK to carry knives.”
When Councilor-at-Large Gary Rosen asked Mr. Early if he thinks the $300 fine will deter people from carrying knives, the district attorney responded that similar ordinances have worked effectively in other cities and towns. He added that the violation of the ordinance could become a criminal matter if the violator fails to pay the $300 fine.
District 4 Councilor Barbara G. Haller, chairwoman of the council’s Public Safety Committee, said her committee will hold a hearing on the ordinance Nov. 6, with the hope of getting it back to the entire council for its next meeting Nov. 10.
The surge in knife violence in Worcester began in 2006 when there were 85 stabbings. The number increased to 118 last year, and this year it is on pace for 148, or a 24.5 percent increase over last year.
Most of the stabbings have occurred between midnight and 5 a.m., especially after the bars and clubs close and at after-hour parties. Mr. Early said the problem has reached “epidemic proportions.”
In a related matter, the council asked the city manager, police chief and License Commission to consider adding a voluntary condition to alcohol licensing in the city that would allow clubs, bars and other liquor establishments to scan entering patrons with a magnetic wand in an effort to detect concealed knives and other weapons.
District 2 Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, who co-sponsored the order with Mr. Clancy and Councilor-at-Large Joseph M. Petty, pointed out that the proposal is not groundbreaking because it is used at arenas and stadiums across the country and even at some local clubs and bars.
But with the dramatic increase in knife violence in the city, he said, it is something worth considering.
“We need to help protect the people who go into restaurants, nightclubs and other liquor establishments,” Mr. Palmieri said. “None of us has a quick answer to resolving (the knife violence), but this could be a step in the right direction. No one in a restaurant or nightclub should be carrying a weapon. We should look to put a workable plan in place.”
What could be wrong with that? s\
He emphasized that the police would have a lot of discretion in enforcing the law to assure that people aren’t wrongly caught up in its net.
Whoever believes this deserves to be stabbed repeatedly with a plastic spork...before sporks are made illegal.
Though we often focus on the firearm provision of the 2nd amendment “right to keep and bear arms” ... I would think it would apply to knives as well.
H
Selective enforcement is a hallmark of a police state.
2018......Now that guns, knives, baseball bats, tire irons, sicks of wood, metal, plastic or any other firm objects have been banned from carrying in public, we are now seeing a rise in assaults from zuchinni wielding thugs...
Hospitals are reporting numerous cases of emergency room treatments of zuchinni beatings about the head and shoulders..”It’s horrible to see and have to treat.” says one anonymous nurse, who refused to give her name because she secretly carries a concealed zuchinni on her walk to her car at night....
LOL!
When knives are outlawed only outlaws will be able to eat steaks.
Absolutely incapable of learning from empirical evidence. Many places, e.g. Britain and Australia, have shown that knife attacks are the result of gun bans and that knife bans just lead to assaults with other weapons. “But we can make it work.”
What’s wrong with fruit? You think you know it all, eh?
Palin:
Can’t we do something else?
Idle (Welsh):
Like someone who attacks you with a pointed stick?
Sgt.:
Pointed stick? Oh, oh, oh. We want to learn how to defend ourselves against pointed sticks, do we? Getting all high and mighty, eh? Fresh fruit not good enough for you eh? Well I’ll tell you something my lad. When you’re walking home tonight and some great homicidal maniac comes after you with a bunch of loganberries, don’t come crying to me! Now, the passion fruit. When your assailant lunges at you with a passion fruit...
There's another crowd that prefers pipes (easily obtained at work ~ the pipefitters and plumbers union folks have plenty of free time to make them).
Then there's the flashlight brigade (wannabee street cops ~ love the heft of heavy lead D-Cell batteries).
Undoubtedly these groups have influence in their commnities hence the campaign against knives.
Where would she conceal a zucchini once all clothing is banned?
lets face it people should no be allowed to have sharp pointy things...some one could get hurt what if they took a rock and chipped it into a point...
IT HAS BEGUN...the right to bear arms...the right to protect ones self and family....take away all weapons from law abiding citizens and what do you have....??...
Well................................
You could tell because she’d walk like she enjoyed it...*G*
OK..I’m going no further......
“Woostah”, the second largest city in New England, has been a haven for radical laborites and statists for a long time. Its inhabitants are usually too drunk and bitter about the Bruins to vote anyway else.
Now about passing a law for the police to use judiciously...I hear a racism claim already the first...or third time (whenever) a police officer decides to “use” the law to arrest someone.
And what of the cub scouts pocket knife or the knives that the chef carries to work. 1.5” is pretty short. Can electricians and plumbers still carry “box cutters?” Do fishermen on their way to the lake have to put their knives in a locked case out of reach for transport or can they just keep it holstered on their belt?
Here is the real solution...Make committing a crime with a weapon illegal. That's what they should do. That would clear up all ambiguity and send a real message to the evil doers.
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