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Abstract: This article explores racial disproportionality in criminal justice processing in an era of punitive criminal justice policies and mass incarceration. Using arrest data from New York State, the authors compare the racial disparity in prison sentencing with the disparity at arrest while controlling for crime type and criminal history of the arrest population. Findings show that the racial disparity in prison sentencing at the state level is established before courts begin criminal case proceedings. Scholars and policy makers interested in the sources of racial disparity in incarceration should concentrate on the processes that generate crime and arrests. However, a decrease in racial disparity at prison sentencing, relative to arrest, suggests that the practices of courtroom actors still merit scholarly attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent federal district court decision found that the New York City Police Department engaged in unconstitutional policing. Officers stopped millions of minority young men over the span of several years. Most of those stopped were innocent of any wrongdoing. This article uses qualitative and quantitative research methods to investigate these inequities, examining the views of both the police and those who were stopped. The authors find that pressure on officers emanating from headquarters was responsible for much of the illegal behavior by lower-level officers. Additionally, youth in minority neighborhoods felt mistreated by the police; this led to distrust in the police. The authors suggest solutions to ameliorate this painful episode in police practice. The article concludes with specific recommendations such as reducing management pressure on officers and police developing community partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1988, when Lillian Borrone became the director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Port Commerce Department, she was the first woman in the world to head a major port. During her 12-year tenure, she revitalized the port’s cargo trade. She spearheaded the recovery of a faltering entity through vision, astute marketing, and an inclusive, participatory management style. Her achievements contain valuable lessons for all managers who want to revitalize agency operations. Her career path also serves as a key information source for how women can advance in the male-dominated transportation field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, resulted in a rapid response by government to evacuate the area and, in subsequent days, to bring the city back to a semblance of normalcy. This article provides a case study of government action in New York City during and after the World Trade Center catastrophe. What is most striking is the skill and intensity of government's response to the emergency and the hard work, dedication, and bravery of New York City's government officials. This article presents government and public service at its finest, under some of the most difficult conditions one can imagine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On September 31, 1968, young men in their 20's and 30's assembled at the Syracuse University Conference Center at Lake Minnowbrook in the Adirondacks to assess the contemporary dimensions of public administration. The participants, representing 27 different universities and agencies across the country, devoted three-and-a-half days to free and essentially unstructured discussion. The papers and some additional readings from the Public Administration Review were mailed in advance. Topics included normative theory, empirical theory, comparative public administration, administrative decision making, organizational theory,, collective negotiations in the public service and higher education for public service. The focus of public administration has been and remains public-administered organizations, but much greater emphasis and analysis should be devoted to the political and public context in which these organizations function. Public organizations must find additional supporters and resources to cope with the multiple revolutions now shaking them.

The article discusses some developments related to public administration. It highlights that the size and complexity of the government of New York City are such that its experience in internal administration deserves special attention. Recent comments on developments in the Office of Administration are especially welcome. These have been prepared by Philip Finkeistein, executive assistant to the deputy mayor and Sigmund G. Ginsburg, special assistant to the deputy mayor and senior management consultant, both of the Office of the Mayor-Office of Administration, New York City. The focus of their comments is upon developments in the Office of Administration, the mayor's primary resource for the coordination and management of the far-ranging activities of the metropolis. Another line of action is a management practice and manpower utilization review of the city government, adapted from the federal approach. The management review program undertook to identify the changes necessary to make the structural reorganization effective.