RALPH RODRIGUEZ
FOR CITY COUNCIL
Harrisburg city councilman Ralph Rodriguez made history four years ago being the first Puerto Rican American elected to Harrisburg City Council. Rodriguez is dedicated to the community and has over two decades of service. In 2012, Rodriguez founded his own 501 C3 All You Can Inc, designed to help at-risk families in the greater Harrisburg Area. Since then, Councilman Rodriguez had successful terms as both the Public Safety chair and now the Public Works chair. Some of his works include the Parent Task Force and Hot Spot Saturdays. "Hot Spot Saturdays," a community beautification and public safety initiative designed to encourage City residents to participate in cleanups throughout the summer. This initiative removed over 150 tons of waste and illegal dumping materials from our area, saving the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. Rodriguez is a proud father, husband, educator, business owner, and community advocate. Although we've had a successful first four year term, there is still much to do. Join the team to RE-Elect Harrisburg City Councilman Ralph Rodriguez for Harrisburg City Council. We're moving Harrisburg forward.
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Harrisburg city councilman Ralph Rodriguez photographed at his childhood home. June 28, 2022. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com
Councilman Ralph Rodriguez and Legendary Actor Tommy Davidson
Councilman Rodriguez "True Hero"
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After attempted break-in, a victim saw an opportunity to change a young man's life
In January, there was an attempted break-in at a nonprofit run by Ralph Rodriguez, a city councilman in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The suspect, who wore gloves, a hat, glasses and a mask, took off running when confronted by Rodriguez. All he left behind was a grainy image on a doorbell camera. So, he could have gotten away with the attempted break-in, if only he hadn't reached out to Rodriguez on social media, offering his name and a confession.
"I have to be willing to face the consequences and that is what I'm ready to do," he told Rodriguez.
For most crime victims, that would be case closed. But for Rodriguez, it was an opportunity. He didn't want to add another young man to the prison rolls, especially one with no prior criminal record. So instead of pressing charges, he pressed for answers.
"I actually took the time to hear his story, see the environment in which he lives in," Rodriguez said. "And I get it. Poverty has a way of pushing you to do things that you would have never imagined you were even capable of doing."
The young man, 22-year-old Rashawn Turner, agreed to talk to CBS News on the condition that his face not be shown.
"I made a severe lapse in my judgement that night," Turner said. "My father was struggling with basic needs and I was like, I can't sit here and just wait for what little we still have to be taken away. I have to do something."
When Rodriguez heard that, he did something. He started sending him money.
"Making sure he's financially good and has some clothes on his back," Rodriguez said. "Because what he doesn't need any more is any more disappointments. I'm pretty sure people have told him things in his life and dropped the ball 10 out of 10 times. It's just not what I'm prepared to do."
He also gave him part-time work, painting the very place he just tried to burglarize and set him up with job training.
"I thought there would be no one willing to help me, but you never know, you just have to ask," Turner said. "But I wasn't willing to ask."
Turner said he is not going to waste his second chance.
"You just need a shot," Rodriguez said. "And I'd be remiss if I didn't try my best to give you that shot.
