Projects beat busy, rewarding

By JOE LoTEMPLIO
Staff Writer

April 14, 2008 12:09 pm

— PLATTSBURGH -- For City Police Officer Charles D. Scott, there seems to be something different to do every day.
Scott serves as the Plattsburgh Housing Authority community police officer.
His duties include providing background checks on potential tenants, responding to problem calls and working with kids.
"It can be a very busy position, but it is also pretty rewarding because you can have an impact on people's lives."
Scott covers all of the Housing Authority's units in the South End and Center City.
He works from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday though Friday, except for the summer, when he is on the job from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A big part of Scott's job is clearing potential tenants. He does criminal history checks on anyone over the age of 16.
Anyone with a violent or drug-related arrest within the past five years is automatically ineligible.
Scott said he finds something on applicants' records about 25 to 30 percent of the time.
But if would-be tenants have proven their worth despite previous brushes with the law, they could still have a chance.
"Sometimes people make mistakes, but if someone is honest and has shown they can be good for 10 years, then we can give them a chance," Scott said.
When he is not doing background checks, he is often responding to complaints.
"They are mostly neighbor issues. But I try to be proactive and deal with them before they come to a head."
Scott said the number of complaints within the Housing Authority units is probably less than the rest of the city.
"I know the projects do get a bad rap, but there are a lot of family people here who work hard every day."
There are also some less desirables, who drink like there is no tomorrow.
"Yes, we have those, but it's just like any other segment of the population," Scott said. "If they don't listen and do what is expected of them, they get evicted."
The Housing Authority approached the city about having an officer stationed on location decades ago.
The authority pays for half of the officer's salary and benefits.
Police Chief Desmond Racicot said the position is needed.
"It is a high-density population area, and it has access to hundreds of kids."
"The program has been very successful, not only in terms of crime prevention, but in terms of solving crimes, as well."
Working with kids at the authority's education and recreation facility for children, the Ted K Center, is indeed one of Officer Scott's most rewarding duties.
"If a kid is having a bad day, sometimes I can talk to them for just two minutes, and it helps them.
"I try to get out and let people see me and know me, so that way they see me as just a human being, just like them."
jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

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