Doug Solomon combats big city crime

by: Bill Liblick

Douglas Solomon has spent over 20 years dedicating his life to law enforcement. He never in his wildest imagination thought when he was promoted to Police Chief in the Village of Monticello he would entail the same level of crimes a police force in a largely populated urban area confronts.

In recent years the Village of Monticello has been plagued with increased crime related to drugs, gangs, and illegal gun possession. Solomon, a life long resident, knew he had to take drastic measures to turn things around.

And, if anyone could get the job done accomplishing major inroads combating crime, it is Solomon. In recent months, his hard work and efforts has been paying off big time.

I sat down with Solomon, who has been receiving a wide range of praise, to talk about his warfare in protecting those who live in Monticello and Sullivan County.

Addressing the recent crime wave, Solomon said, “With our economy worsening, and a large number of residents living below the poverty level, we have witnessed a dramatic increase in criminal activity. I knew I had to do something about it, so I decided to pool all the resources I had. I met with law enforcement officials including District Attorney Stephen Lungen and New York State Police Captain James Boylan. I also researched government grants that assist in fighting crime.”

In conjunction with Lungen, the Village Police Department was awarded a $60,000 "Impact Tools" grant, and the New York State Police assigned specially trained troopers and detectives to assist Solomon and his police force.

The aggressive law enforcement initiative aimed at guns, gangs, narcotics, and proactive patrol combined with undercover investigations yielded astonishing results.

During 2007, total arrests for the department neared 1500. These statistics are the highest in recorded history. Gun violence has since dropped drastically, and order was restored to several apartment complexes where open air drug dealing, gang activity and gun violence were daily occurrences.

Captain Jim Boylan told me, “Doug is one of the hardest working, most dedicated law enforcement officials in the Hudson Valley.  He has an undying devotion to the Village of Monticello. He knows how to grab all the resources he needs to fight crime.”

Boylan said it was Solomon’s solid working relationship with the New York State Police that assisted them in the recent massive drug raid throughout Sullivan County.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Jim Farrell said of Solomon, “I know him to be a man of integrity and a true leader. He leads, with distinction, the busiest police department in the county. Simply put, Doug is a just a good cop. He came up through the ranks starting out as a patrolman, sergeant and now Chief and he leads by example. He is dedicated and truly cares about the community in which he lives and works.”

Solomon is aware there has been a great deal of buzz of late about him possibly challenging Sheriff Michael Schiff in 2009.

Referring to Schiff and Under Sheriff Eric Chaboty, Solomon says, “I like Mike and Eric, but that’s not what it’s about. It’s about running on your own merits, qualifications, and ability to protect the public.”

He says he will decide within the next six months if he will run. “I did not start this rumor, but I would be crazy if I did not approach it.”

Even though he identifies more with the Democratic Party, Solomon says he is an independent.  “There is no place for politics in law enforcement, and I really don’t like politics. Once an election is over, you have to put the campaign signs away and be a cop. You have to identify with everyone.”

Schiff is not sitting back waiting for an opponent to declare. He has already been busy building up a sizable campaign war chest with several fundraisers this year alone.

Although my support for Schiff and Chaboty and all they have accomplished in just two years has been unyielding, a match up between Schiff and Solomon would be interesting and exciting to say the least.

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