UFT Backs Vance for DA, Cites Prevention Philosophy

The Chief-Leader/Adrienne Haywood-James VANCE HAS 'SPECTACULAR' IDEAS: In endorsing Cyrus A. Vance Jr. (left) for Manhattan District Attorney, United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said 'not only is he a talented lawyer, he is a committed progressive,' adding the former Assistant DA's ideas for community-based crime-prevention work in schools prompted the union's endorsement.

The United Federation of Teachers endorsed Cyrus A. Vance Jr. for Manhattan District Attorney Aug 26, with President Michael Mulgrew praising him as a candidate with "spectacular ideas . . . on how we can make the legal system and the justice system not only work for the community, but work with the community."

The endorsement is the UFT's first in a major race this year. It joined Teamsters Local 237, the Sergeants Benevolent Association and current Manhattan DA Robert M. Morgenthau, who announced his retirement earlier this year after 34 years in the job, in supporting the former Assistant DA.

Tough Three-Way Race

Mr. Vance is in the final weeks of a closely-fought battle with former State Supreme Court Justice Leslie Crocker Snyder, a former prosecutor who has the backing of numerous lawenforcement unions, and former Assistant District Attorney Richard Aborn, who is supported by the Working Families Party.

"Not only is he a talented lawyer, he is a committed progressive," Mr. Mulgrew said. "He is committed to working with schools to educate children about guns, drugs, bullying and violence in order to prevent crimes long before they occur. That work will strengthen our schools and make our communities stronger."

Mr. Vance, who spoke fondly of his son's experience in the city's public schools, said he'd "had the privilege to see the opportunities and the possibilities that our public schools present, as well as their challenges."

His education platform revolves around his plan for community-based prosecutors attached to police precincts in Manhattan. "A team of prosecutors aligned to precincts will know block by block, building by building, the crime issues in those neighborhoods and in those schools," he said. "They'll have assistants in the office working in collaboration with those schools, aware of what are the issues in the schools that we can help resolve."

Would Focus on Prevention

Mr. Vance added that because he felt "a crime prevented is far more valuable than a crime prosecuted," preventive work would be the focus of these community prosecutors. "We'll be receiving information from the school about incidents so we can, as a law-enforcement agency, understand what's going on, nip things in the bud, work collaboratively with the communities and the schools. . . to engage in proactive help early on."

Mr. Mulgrew said Mr. Vance's pitch on the subject had been compelling. "He was so committed to the preventative piece, that was what drew us towards him, as educators," he said. "He talked about what he does for the school system, and how he wants to work with schools not only to prevent crime, but also to help people understand what's going on inside of the schools individually."

Mr. Vance declined to talk about citywide issues, such as the UFT's upcoming contract and whether the union should receive raises in line with those an arbitration panel recently awarded to Transport Workers Union Local 100.

"I want Teachers to be paid fairly. . . but I'm not sure I'm knowledgeable enough to talk about percentage raises, so with respect, I'm going to demur," he said.

The Democratic primary is on Sept. 15, and should decide the election as there is no Republican candidate in the race.