ALBANY DA BLASTS 'LAW ENFORCEMENT FIEFDOM'

David Soares Says Mayor And Police Officials Have Been Working Against Him

ALBANY -- District Attorney David Soares declared war today on top
Albany County law officials he said have worked privately against him
since the day he took office.

The county prosecutor blasted the "law enforcement
fiefdom" of Mayor Jerry Jennings, Police Chief James Tuffey, Albany
County Sheriff James Campbell in responding today to sharp local
criticism of a speech he gave Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia,
in which Soares urged Canadian officials to steer clear of America's
failed drug policies, .

In a phone interview today from Canada, Soares characterized their
attacks as a blessing in disguise.

"This has brought it into the open two years before 2008," he said,
referring to when he will be up for re-election for a second
four-year term. "This has just moved up the timeframe. They want me?
They'll have to go after me."

Soares said 60 percent of the county's overall crime and more than 79
percent of its violent crime occurs in fewer than 75 blocks in the
city of Albany. Soares noted the city has had four police chiefs in
the past two years.

"I would say to the mayor, he should focus on economic development
and allow the lawmen to enforce the law," Soares said. "He has been
running that department. It's time to remove the politics."

Mayor Jennings replied, "I'm sorry David is so paranoid about this. I
thought he was part of the team."

Tuffey said he aims to be up-front with people.

"I'm not going to get into a war of words with someone on foreign
soil," Tuffey said. "But we are making a difference on the streets of Albany."

Soares said his first year in office has been contentious, "but I
refuse to go along, to get along. ... They have taken every
opportunity to criticize my administration. But I am committed to
bringing change to Albany County."