Quoted below is an email we received from one of our members that voices the kind of passion we need in this fight. We must all understand and go forward with the knowledge that this is only the beginning. We are only on the threshold of this progress, of this crime reduction that we all demand and deserve. Our congratulations go to the SCMPD for all their hard work, and their obvious efforts, but these recent successes are short-term solutions, and together, we need to focus on long-term projects and dramatic results.

With this in mind, please do not let the fire of this fight extinguish. We are all a part of this issue; you play as large a part as your neighbor, your boss, or your local officials. Please continue to spread the word about Save Our Savannah, about the crime in our community, and about the progress we can make as a unified force. Encourage membership, send feedback, brainstorm for ideas on how you can help, or on larger projects for the community. Our status as an organization is still impressive as far as our short-term goals are concerned, but we need the support and action of the community to make this a successful, long-term, far-reaching project.

Here is the email we received:
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 8:24 AM Subject: Here We Go Again

I have been somewhat satisfied of late in that our City Officials seem to be moving, albeit slowly, in the direction of making some needed changes to address our crime situation, including, finally, appointing a commission to select a new Police Chief.

I was being lulled into complacency with these announced initiatives (most of which all of us had been advocating for months) when I read in this morning’s paper about the robbery and car jacking of Vernice Rackett outside of the new Fresh Market store on Abercorn. Three black men, brandishing a gun, jumped into her car, stole her purse and then drove off in her car. This woman will remain terrified for a very long time.

Let’s face it, Savannah’s crime is out of control and requires immediate, drastic steps to turn things around. The bad guys all have guns and they all seem to have very extensive criminal records. The robbery of Mrs. Rackett was not done by novices. These men were obviously hardened, experienced criminals who should not be on our streets. Mrs. Rackett is lucky to have escaped with her life. Mrs. Peloquin last year was not so lucky. Just a few days ago, a young female SCAD student was robbed at the southern end of Forsyth Park. She could have suffered the same fate as Jennifer Ross.

What to do? The Probation and Parole people should start massive unannounced checks for weapons (which they are authorized to do) on their clients. The City Judicial system should re-visit all their decisions to bond out criminals with multiple past offenses and incarcerate them. Can anyone think of a reason why someone should be walking our streets with 20, 30 or more past offenses?

The pressure has mostly all been on the Police. Let’s start putting some pressure on our judicial system to keep the bad guys off the street. I am meeting with Spenser Lawton tomorrow morning to try to get a handle on what is going on with our judicial system.

Please keep the pressure on.

Mike Horner

Please send your feedback to martinsullivan@saveoursavannah.com.

Thank you for your support!

Martin Sullivan

martinsullivan@saveoursavannah.com

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