Friday, Apr. 29, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Is it your community or theirs?By BEN NELMS It is no mystery that certain types of crime are increasing in South Fulton. I suppose this is not unexpected, given the number of variables that are responsible for these increases. Yet acknowledging the presence of crime and leaving it at that solves nothing and satisfies no one. Myself included. Some of you have been courageous enough to attend city council meetings to make your experiences at the hands of criminals known to the elected officials you put in office. For most people, it is one thing to voice your concerns at home or on the street, but its another thing to do so in public. Yet there is no real difference between the two even though most people think a difference exists. That having been said, theres another thing that bears mention regarding city council meetings where citizens bring their concerns. You can stop a mayor or council member on the street or in the church parking lot or call them on the phone and express you concerns about crime or anything, but it often doesnt carry the same weight as it does in a public meeting. Anyone that believes that squeaky wheel doesnt get the oil is just out of touch with reality. And I sometimes wonder when some in elected office will ever cease responding to concerns over crime by immediately responding, Well, you know its happening everywhere, not just here. Thats a no-brainer. We all know crime is on the increase everywhere that metro Atlanta is spreading. Perhaps without realizing it or intending to, elected officials that make such comments are accomplishing precious little other than giving residents the negative impression that they have already given up, that nothing can be done to stem the tide of crime. So what are citizens to do? Perhaps you, like me, have been giving this topic increased thought lately. If you have any suggestions I hope you will let me know. Ill do the same. I do know that citizens who refuse to give up always fare better than those that throw up their hands in defeat. Do we need a few real Neighborhood Watch programs in each town? Yes. Do we need be more aware of whats going on around us in our homes and in our cities? Yes. Do more citizens need to attend council meetings? Yes. And do we need to find concrete, creative ways to work with police and elected officials? Yes. Police often find themselves in a predicament similar to that of the citizens, even though some residents might not believe it. Ive covered enough law enforcement long enough to know that the cops are usually more incensed over crime that citizens are. The reason for this is easy. The cops deal with it everyday. They see the results of criminal activity all around them and for most cops, the ones that do the best job, they become more frustrated than citizens ever could. I may still be new to this area but Im not new to expanding cities. A huge factor in the increase in various types of crimes in South Fulton can be directly linked to the expanding Atlanta megalopolis. This is not an excuse, it is a reality. Remember that the South Fulton population has increased more than 50 percent in just five years and will double its 2000 figures by 2010. Thats huge. And that reality, with its influx of citizens and those just checking out the area and those interested in criminal activity are part of what happens in any similar situation, in any metro area in the world. These and other factors considered, it is no surprise that Palmetto citizens saw Chief Bobby Fronebarger make the recent shift to zone policing, that Fairburn citizens sill soon see Chief Charles Long implement his new form of accountability policing and that Union City Chief Mike Isome will undoubtedly make moves designed to combat crime increases. All these will come with the support of the mayors and councils. One thing is for sure. You stand a much better chance of protecting your family and your home when you and your neighbors report crime when it happens, not an hour later or the next day. Some of you do, but many people do not, especially if they see something happening down the street or around the corner. The criminals win when you fail to get involved. So the question is, is it your community or theirs? |
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