What is wrong with this city?! (Columbus, Savannah: house, live in, safest)

[ellie]

Good question. I've been here long enough to have seen this repeated in several waves. I once thought it enough to be an active and visible resident of marginal neighborhoods and get to know my neighbors. I still write letters to elected officials. I vote. I spread information about progressive ideas.

But other than camping out on the steps of city hall and making a public nuisance over the issue, I don't know.

What do you think?

[Newsboy]

I'm with Ellie. Other than making a big noise, what can we do? I just saw on the 10 o'clock news that the whole community is up in arms and the police department, city hall and media are getting slammed with phone calls and emails demanding action. I know it seems puny, but at least it's a start. The sleeping giant has been awoken.

If somebody organized a "safe streets" march through downtown, I'd be at the front of the line.

[Onthemove2014]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

Perhaps the question should not be "What's wrong with this city," but instead, "What's wrong with certain people."

Maybe just making it harder to get guns would help. But the NRA thinks it's our right to carry arms.

There is no doubt that some people are having a hard time with not enough money to buy the things they want. Guns provide an easy way to get more. Get a gun and you won't need a paycheck.

(in case there are some that don't understand, I am being sarcastic)

Tell me about how criminals care about getting guns legally to rob people.

[ellie]

I believe one of the reasons crime has gotten worse is because our imported former police chief Berkow left and went back to LA. He was using scientific research techniques to home in on crime "families" to track their activities and actually prevent crime before it happened. We had a relatively good run when he was here.

Now that old Willie Lovett is chief we've gone back to the old out-moded status quo, who knows what. We need a more sophisticated way to get a handle on our problems. The old way is not working.

And we need to increase what we pay police officers so they know they are appreciated. I've heard they receive scandalously low salaries here. (we could dock the city mamager's pay by half and spread the wealth)

[tinkerbellefrozenincanada]

Will be first time travelling to Savannah soon, any tips on safety?

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by ellie

I believe one of the reasons crime has gotten worse is because our imported former police chief Berkow left and went back to LA. He was using scientific research techniques to home in on crime "families" to track their activities and actually prevent crime before it happened. We had a relatively good run when he was here.

Now that old Willie Lovett is chief we've gone back to the old out-moded status quo, who knows what. We need a more sophisticated way to get a handle on our problems. The old way is not working.

And we need to increase what we pay police officers so they know they are appreciated. I've heard they receive scandalously low salaries here. (we could dock the city mamager's pay by half and spread the wealth)

Agreed. I miss Berkow.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by tinkerbellefrozenincanada

Will be first time travelling to Savannah soon, any tips on safety?

Despite last weekend's unfortunate spike in violence, I still say Savannah is no more dangerous than any other similar place. And after the awareness that's been raised by these incidents, you can believe everybody will be on their toes. I was just downtown tonight, and there were police on every street corner, in every hotel lobby. I don't know how you could NOT feel safe in Savannah right now. Just be smart and you'll be alright.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by ellie

Good question. I've been here long enough to have seen this repeated in several waves. I once thought it enough to be an active and visible resident of marginal neighborhoods and get to know my neighbors. I still write letters to elected officials. I vote. I spread information about progressive ideas.

But other than camping out on the steps of city hall and making a public nuisance over the issue, I don't know.

What do you think?

What progressive ideas?
My definition of progressive ideas does not address the basic flaw that has caused the breakdown of the family unit that is at the core of crime.

[ellie]

Heck, I don't even remember what I was thinking three days ago.

BUT -- I really think there's away to end generations of welfare without being so freaking hateful. Unfortunately, it would probably require stricter checks and balances and create more gov't than about 50% of our population wants.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by ellie

Heck, I don't even remember what I was thinking three days ago.

BUT -- I really think there's away to end generations of welfare without being so freaking hateful. Unfortunately, it would probably require stricter checks and balances and create more gov't than about 50% of our population wants.

It seems to me we've been throwing money at social programs since the Johnson years, and it does no good. The solution IMO is fathers in the home helping to raise their own children. Call me old fashioned.