It Is Time To Reorganize And Be Heard!
Posted by SOS Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:06:00 GMT
Article #59
July 23, 2007
Dear Members and Friends:
IT IS TIME TO REORGANIZE AND BE HEARD!
I have been remiss keeping everyone informed on the crime situation in Savannah and the undertakings of Save our Savannah. There are many excuses, lazy, work, vacation, apathy (say it ain’t so) and some health issues. Be that as it may, Save our Savannah is back and working towards a safer Savannah for everyone, everyday.
Let’s review our progress since we first started paying attention to crime in Savannah. Number one and by far the most important is the hiring of Chief Berkow. All of you that had a hand in his selection need to pat themselves on the back. I have heard very positive feedback regarding the Chief’s time in Savannah. He is implementing the changes necessary to improve our police department. Chief Berkow is working on hiring practices, physical training, department reviews, shift allocations, strengthen procedures in the evidence lock up and many more. Every indication is very positive and we believe the Chief is capable of achieving the necessary changes if politics does not raise it ugly head.
The city has promised to have the cameras in the park by the end of this year if at all possible. Progress to date is slow but moving forward. The installation of the cameras will just be the beginning of an overall plan to implement lights and cameras as part of a technology based solution to reducing crime.
Lately there has been a lot of crime news particularly in regards to gangs. That is the bad news. The good news is that the arrest rate is up 40%. Improvements have been seen in arrests, officer morale and response time that is necessary as part of the overall changes needed. Congratulations to the Chief – please keep up the good work. Let us know if Save Our Savannah can help you in any way.
Some of the things we have on our agenda for the near future are:
1. Change the name of Save Our Savannah to a more appropriate public relations name. There are approximately 800 members and we should be able to come up with something more suitable to the changing environment. Please send in your suggestions for our new name.
2. Schedule an Advisory Board Meeting within the next three weeks. (Please advise if anyone is interested in joining the Board.)
3. Proactive contact with City and County Officials to create a plan to include, Judges, Prosecutors, Police, Parole officials and the public that will make Savannah the Safest City in the United States. Our public officials should know that we will not settle for anything less.
4. We will be joining forces with other organizations to help devise a plan to get guns out of the hands of felons. No I am not anti gun but as Rudy said, “Guns don’t belong in the hands of felons.”
5. Help with the Police Foundation – more information to come.
The most important element in making Save Our Savannah program effective is your participation. What ideas would you like to see us try to incorporate? Please call Eileen Nuzzo or me at 912-352-3800 to discuss your thoughts.
Thanks to all of you for caring about crime in Savannah and the positive ways in which to improve.
Martin