Latest News

November 27, 2020

Times Union: "Report: Reducing solitary confinement could save New York $132M annually"

By Amanda Fries | Nov. 27, 2020 ALBANY — Reducing the use of solitary confinement in prisons could save New York and its localities $132 million annually over the next 10 years, according to a report released by the Partnership for Public Good. The report conducted by the Buffalo Niagara …

November 23, 2020

Shrinking Jails, Rising Costs: Erie County's Wasteful Jail Budget

"Shrinking Jails, Rising Costs: Erie County's Wasteful Jail Budget," analyzes the dramatic decline in the county jail population and compares county spending on jails with spending on mental and public health. The Erie County jail population is shrinking rapidly, but jail spending does not …

November 17, 2020

PPG's Comments on Proposed Proactive Rental Inspection Legislation in the City of Buffalo

On November 17, 2020, the Buffalo Common Council Legislation Committee discussed ordinance amendments that would create proactive interior rental inspections in the City of Buffalo. PPG Community Researcher Sarah Wooton shared the following remarks during the session.

November 11, 2020

Buffalo Common Council Summary: Week of November 9, 2020

Each week, PPG summarizes important takeaways from the major Buffalo Common Council meetings. We also include information from Council meetings related to our Community Agenda items.

November 3, 2020

Concerns on the Proposed SAS Data Center and Bringing Predictive Policing to Buffalo

Last week, the City of Buffalo announced a proposed 3-year contract with SAS Institute to create a data analytics center and “use predictive modeling to determine best practices,” with “police training and practices” as the first use of the technology. We urge the Buffalo …

November 2, 2020

Buffalo Common Council Summary: Week of November 2, 2020

Each week, PPG summarizes important takeaways from the major Buffalo Common Council meetings. We also include information from Council meetings related to our Community Agenda items.

October 30, 2020

Buffalo Common Council Summary: Week of October 26, 2020

Each week, PPG summarizes important takeaways from the major Buffalo Common Council meetings. We also include information from Council meetings related to our Community Agenda items.

October 28, 2020

Buffalo News: "Column: The odds for real police reform? Don’t bet the house on it"

By Rod Watson | Oct 28, 2020 Under the Taylor Law and Triborough Amendment, police don’t get any contractual increases once the contract ends, but they do continue to get the longevity increases that were written into the old pact. In Buffalo’s case, Evans …

October 27, 2020

WKBW: "Questions linger over multi-million dollar Buffalo police data analytics proposal"

By Madison Carter | October 27, 2020  A multi-million dollar funding request has landed with Buffalo’s common council. The police department is seeking to enter into a contract with SAS Data Management systems to analyze the newly announced police reforms out of Mayor …

October 26, 2020

Invest in Community Safety and Health, Not More Weapons, Say Buffalo Residents and Community Groups

On Friday, October 23, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, together with Common Council President Darius Pridgen, announced three new initiatives under their Buffalo police reform agenda—tasers, a lasso-type restraining device called BolaWrap, and a data analytics center. This announcement

October 18, 2020

Buffalo Common Council Summary: Week of October 19th, 2020

Welcome to PPG’s weekly Buffalo Common Council update! Each week, PPG summarizes important takeaways from the major Buffalo Common Council meetings. We’ll also include information from meetings related to our Community Agenda items.

October 11, 2020

Buffalo Common Council Meeting Update: Week of Sunday, October 12, 2020

Each week, PPG summarizes important takeaways from the major Buffalo Common Council meetings. PPG will also include information from meetings related to our Community Agenda items.