The only thing I need to add to your blog post is this: Fayette County has been rather generous in responding to the Sheriff's Dept's requests. It is the Sheriff's responsiblity to spend that money in ways that keep good employees and attract more high-quality applicants. Although most people want more money (and, hey, who doesn't want more money?), you can also attract and retain good employees with a better work environment, sufficient equipment to do the job and creative rewards for good performance. It is also a morale-killer to have croneyism, nepotism and other destructive practices that reward incompetence and punish excellence.

Now, let me be clear: I am NOT criticizing the Sheriff. I don't work for him so, I have no idea if any of that applies to his department. That being said, if the County has been generous and people are still leaving, that is not the fault of the county. So, while I agree that our first and best defense is a well-supported and well-funded law enforcement organization, remember that the taxpayers can only put the money in the right accounts. The proper management of the department and the proper expenditure of the funds we provide is important to our safety, as well.

As a side note, it is sad that you have to qualify your statement by saying, "this is not a racial statement". You didn't make any reference to race as the basis for the criminal activity and I can't imagine how anyone could read your statement to have a racist undertone. So, relax. The facts are what they are; our neighboring counties are repositories of crime, drugs, unemployment, underemployment, under-education, poverty and economic oppression. And that affects people of all races in those counties; trust me, I see them (in every skin tone) eating from garbage cans every day on my way to work.

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If you and I are always in agreement, one of us is likely armed and dangerous.

We have a great sheriff's dept. We just need more of them. They have made helping citizens a priority. When people call with a concern they will answer the phone, or call right back. No matter how small the problem, they seem geniunely concerned.

What can the average person do?
When crime moves in most of the good people get tired of the fight and just move.

Fayetteville seems to be where riverdale was 15-20yrs ago. That is very scary when you look at what that crimehaven is today. PTC is getting just as bad.
What can the average person do other than form neighborhood watch groups?

is the LONG border it shares with Clayton. Henry has the same issues. Clayton's bed was made years ago when Charlie Griswell and Co would approve ANYTHING to be built in the County. They have never done much in the way of code enforcement, and it's all coming home to roost. All the apartments that were allowed around 15-20 years ago where the final nail in the coffin.

I should know, I grew up in Morrow, graduated in the early 80's.