Crime Stoppers hate politicians?

UPDATES (2) BELOW

Both candidates for the Hamilton County Commission -- Republican incumbent Phil Heimlich and Democrat challenger David Pepper -- gave fiery speeches at Thursday's CrimeStoppers awards breakfast.

And it enraged CrimeStoppers leaders.

Below is part of an e-mail sent to the Enquirer Thursday by Larry J. Arszman, a board member of the Greater Cincinnati Crime Stoppers, shortly after the Enquirer story about the speeches went online.

"I attended the meeting this morning you wrote about in your article, and as an Executive Board member of the Cincinnati CrimeStoppers, I was appalled and disgusted by the lack of respect by our politicians for our organization and what we stand for. Since returning to my office I have receive over a dozen e-mails from attendees who were also offended and appalled with their "performance."

"Their attendance [Pepper & Heimlich] was supposed to be a time for them to show how they support Crime Stoppers, how they can and/or would do things to further the Crime Stopper program. Instead it turned into a mud slinging political debate... totally inappropriate for this forum. Pepper's assistant was even going table to table passing out political handouts slamming Heimlich during Pepper's speech. Totally inappropriate.

"Our organization has done more to prevent crime and get criminals off the street than either one of these candidates (even if you put them together) yet neither gave our organization the earned respect. We have had prominent political officials in the past and they have provided perspective on how the political arena, law enforcement, business and the private citizen work together to address the crime issue and that Crime Stoppers is an excellent vehicle to accomplish these goals. Both candidates totally missed this important point."

Asked what his agency expected from politicians invited to speak together at the same event 10 days before Election Day in a hotly contested race, Arszman replied:

"I ABSOLUTELY agree with you 100%... I was NOT in favor of having them speak at the breakfast but I was told that they were given parameters like our previous political speakers (as I mentioned in my earlier e-mail) so I believed they had integrity and would abide by our request. I know for a fact that while Pepper was talking one of our board members went to Heimlich and asked him to please stick to the agreed parameters. He did not. I now know they have no integrity.

"I am almost certain (from feedback in my e-mail) that we will not have political folks at future recognitions events. It detracts from the purpose of the event and sends the wrong message to our members.

"Thank you for taking the time to respond. I sincerely appreciate your time and candor.

Warm regards,

Larry Arszman"

UPDATE

This was posted as a comment:

A letter distributed today:

October 27, 2006

Larry ArszmanCrimeStoppers

Dear Larry:

I greatly appreciate your willingness to talk to me about yesterday's forum.

I just left a similar message for Mike Snowden. I would like to apologize to you and other board members and CrimeStoppers supporters for bringing too much of the politics of this obviously heated County Commission race into your wonderful event yesterday.

There clearly was a miscommunication about the purpose of our speaking. Although not in a debate format, I obviously believed that this was a forum where the audience expected and wanted to hear the two commission candidates make their case for election.

I also believed you wanted to hear our views on crime and safety. Having been informed that Mr. Heimlich had called in advance in order to be placed second on the agenda--and had been granted that request--I assumed he was under the same understanding. And indeed, his speech was the same speech he has given at our recent debates, except slightly longer.

Knowing he had been granted the privilege of going second, I indeed pre-rebutted much of what I knew he would say about myself and my record.I hope this helps explain my thinking as I came to the breakfast.

It's clear now that many or most attendees and Board Members did not expect (or want) a political debate. I can only say I'm sorry that we undermined the broader purpose of the breakfast by engaging in the kind of debate that is somewhat typical (unfortunately) with only 10 days left in an election.I deeply appreciate the hard work of CrimeStoppers, the board, and the organization. It has clearly, as you said, done much to solve and prevent crime.

I have the deepest respect for what you do. If I am granted the privilege of returning to a future event, a) I will not need to speak at all, and b) if ever asked to speak, I pledge it will not be about myself or politics, but about the great work CrimeStoppers does.Again, my apologies. Please call me anytime to discuss further.

Sincerely,David Pepper

cc: Members of the Board, CrimeStoppers

AND THIS UPDATE, also posted as a comment...

David,Thank you for your letter (above).

This will go a long way in "building bridges" with the folks who attended the breakfast and the Crime stopper membership. You are right, there was a definite misunderstanding in the communication.

As I promised you Friday during our phone conversation, if you wrote something to Crimestoppers, I was do my best to make sure all board members and anyone who attended that I was able to reach, would get your message.

I have begun that process and hopefully everyone who was there should have your letter by Monday.Thank you again for your letter and I sincerely wish you luck in your endeavors.

Sincerely,Larry J. Arszman CPP CFE

Executive Board MemberCincinnati-Tri-State ChapterCrime Stoppers.