As a resident of the Savannah area for over 45 years and law enforcement officer since 1978, I have to agree the violence in Savannah has not been this intense since the Ricky Givens era. Mr. Morekis is correct – there are no safe places any more. When I read about the most current Ellis Square shooting, I was quite surprised. VCA’s (Violent Criminal Actors) tend to look for less well traveled areas to select their victims. They are inclined to shun crowds, well-lit areas and potential victims who look like a ‘hard target’.
What it will take to get things under control is the hottest political topic going in Savannah right now - Increasing the number of Police Officers in certain areas, hiring more officers, higher pay, and new leaders – all good ideas. But as Mr. Morekis said, “A lot of things are understaffed.” My current agency is as well. The one commonality in all these potential solutions is time. It will take time to institute any of them and more time before any results are seen. This is not a “Burger King Situation” where we get it our way right away.
There are several points Mr. Morekis brings up which offer suggestions on how to remove ourselves from the current situation. I agree with but those are not my focus here. Several days ago Nikki Lee posted that a stolen vehicle was found because several individuals who had a description of the vehicle saw it, reported it and eventually were responsible for getting it recovered. I say ‘BRAVO”. But, in the hope I don’t offend anyone, to those same folks I say, “Where have you been?”
I for one have not yet ceded Savannah to the VCA’s out there nor am I prepared to burn it down. Our ‘gang’ is much larger than theirs. Again, Mr. Morekis states, “… the sense among criminals that they now have a larger and more effective support network than the police, than law-abiding people.” Here, here!! We as a community need to be more proactive in protecting ourselves. Collectively – Eastside, Westside, Southside and Downtown – we need to be ‘Threat Educated’ … Become a ‘crisis sensor’ meaning if you SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
Learn what you can do to protect yourself – get trained. Get educated. I am offering my services to the group – collectively or individually. I have been doing what ‘I do’ for a long time and have seen what works and what doesn’t. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. (www.gtac.us – 912-667-5667)
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What it will take to get things under control is the hottest political topic going in Savannah right now - Increasing the number of Police Officers in certain areas, hiring more officers, higher pay, and new leaders – all good ideas. But as Mr. Morekis said, “A lot of things are understaffed.” My current agency is as well. The one commonality in all these potential solutions is time. It will take time to institute any of them and more time before any results are seen. This is not a “Burger King Situation” where we get it our way right away.
There are several points Mr. Morekis brings up which offer suggestions on how to remove ourselves from the current situation. I agree with but those are not my focus here. Several days ago Nikki Lee posted that a stolen vehicle was found because several individuals who had a description of the vehicle saw it, reported it and eventually were responsible for getting it recovered. I say ‘BRAVO”. But, in the hope I don’t offend anyone, to those same folks I say, “Where have you been?”
I for one have not yet ceded Savannah to the VCA’s out there nor am I prepared to burn it down. Our ‘gang’ is much larger than theirs. Again, Mr. Morekis states, “… the sense among criminals that they now have a larger and more effective support network than the police, than law-abiding people.” Here, here!! We as a community need to be more proactive in protecting ourselves. Collectively – Eastside, Westside, Southside and Downtown – we need to be ‘Threat Educated’ … Become a ‘crisis sensor’ meaning if you SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
Learn what you can do to protect yourself – get trained. Get educated. I am offering my services to the group – collectively or individually. I have been doing what ‘I do’ for a long time and have seen what works and what doesn’t. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. (www.gtac.us – 912-667-5667)