420 Summit

Counting heads in the 'hood

Schenectady is doing a tax reassessment — nothing new for one of the highest taxed areas in the country — but this one comes with a twist. The Data Collectors, who are expected to ‘survey’ every home in the city, are mandated reporters.

In New York, mandated reporters who fail to report neglect or mistreatment can not only be prosecuted for a Class A misdemeanor but can be sued in civil court for monetary damages. This might make one err on the side of caution and it will be interesting to see if the city and county have the wherewithal to actually investigate any complaints, and there will likely be many, they receive.

While I’m all in favor of protecting children something about this procedure strikes me as being a little big brotherly and ripe for abuse. Our police department is not exactly known for it’s integrity and I can easily see them strolling down the hall to the clerks office, mentioning their interest in a given dwelling and suggesting they send out the big scary ex-cop Data Collector dude. The definition of neglect is pretty vague and it wouldn’t be hard to establish ‘good faith’. At that point it’s just a matter of a quick, mandated, call and they have their access.

It would seem to me that people trained to measure lots and count bedrooms may not need, or even desire this added responsibility and are always free, like anyone else, to file a report whenever they see fit.