From what I understand...the NAACP mailed out flyer's to all the stake holders; Police department, Sheriff's department, School Officials and the Chamber of Commerce. It was up to these departments to advertise to the community.

If the NAACP was so concerned about the community then why on heaven's green earth did they not advertise it? I hope the local chapter understands why a lot us think very lowly of that organization. Vote democrat, yea right.
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I am not sure other than "money". I guess they need someone like you on board to get them straightened out about those kinds of things. I am not here to air how I personally feel about that org. but, just trying to straighten out what I have been reading on these comments as I got wind of the meeting and sucked it in and went.

You are the only brave soul that has responded for that "side". As you can see there's a lot of mistrust.
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Both are RACIST!!!!!!!!! Neither one ever accomplishes anything!!

It was a whine fest. They didn't want to come up with any solutions, they wanted to complain about racism. If more white people had been there it would have impeded their "progress". That's why the sheriff's dept. wasn't invited. This was supposed to "showcase" the guy who has been retired for 12yrs.

I have learned that the Sheriff's department, specifically Hannah, was invited to speak but he refused to. Emotions can always run high in a forum such as this as always, people have personal agenda's. You have to filter all that out and decifer what the panel was speaking about and trying to say. This did get a little way-ward because it was suppose to be about gangs in our schools. It was still very informative and productive and an eye opener. Wish you had been there!

Really??? I find that hard to believe, but would love to see the evidence...if an invitation was available...??

Just ask Hannah! Contact Police Chief Heaton. They should know.

Chief Heaton is too busy playing with CALEA and ignoring the understaffed patrol division. No wonder FPD just rides around now. The guys are burned out and job hunting again...Some things never change.

I did ask.

Again if detroit, clayton and dekalb is what successful crime fighting looks like I would hate to see what failure looks like.

I'd love to attend a informative gang seminar sponsored by the Sheriff's Department, School Board and perhaps the county or judicial officers.

I think a meeting like this could be of tremendous benefit to our community if we leave out racist organizations such as the NAACP and the Klan. And if we don't have to listen to a bunch of windbag politician and other political wannabes. But, I'll not hold my breath on that one.

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In regards to Democrats, Republicans, gangs, and other scads of coterie Kool-Aide drinkers; Remember this..... Eagles Don't Flock

What would keep teens out of gangs?? What kind of plan would work?

You have good ideas.....definitly better than us....what would work??

Tough problem... Well, teens join gangs just like they do cliques. They need somewhere to belong. Also, when people feel threatened by outside forces, they band together. It's survival instinct. It also creates a paradox: if a gang feels threatened by law enforcement, they're more likely to remain together and recruit more members for the feeling of security, whether real or imagined. The more that gangs remain together and recruit new members, the more that law enforcement cracks down. To get rid of a gang, you have to alleviate one of those factors: give them something constructive to do that creates a feeling of accomplishment. Also, the policy of "making an example" of individuals and gangs alike encourages them to stick together for security. Perhaps it would be best to work quietly but effectively in eliminating gangs. But that's just what I see in it.

Do you think have the SROs in the school helps or hinders??

The Sheriff's dept. has been very quiet about this, how much more undercover should they go?

Constructive activities, usually means some kind of adult supervision, would teens go for that??

Thanks for your thoughts.

The SROs do a nominal amount of good. They do serve as a deterrent to anyone who might want to do something stupid. However, someone truly determined to do harm would find a way around him.

We're reasonably sure that the assorted law enforcement agencies have people inside the schools. They're not hard to spot if you look. They look a bit older than the rest of us, they always want to know about drugs and other illegal activities, and they just seem to appear and disappear at random. Now, some of them could just be genuine bums, but the "informants" (or whatever you want to call them) always seem to be hiding something. I can't report on their effectiveness, but I assume it's probably mixed. They are kind of easy to spot, though.

If you can give people a constructive outlet of energy, they'll find themselves too busy to do much else. If you can construct programs that get people's interest, then they'll join up. It doesn't even have to be in school. I'm in the band and I did scouting since the first grade. At points I had almost no free time. But it was all well worth it. If you can offer an engaging, constructive program for people to join, then they will steer clear of negative influences and illegal activities.

You're quite welcome. Thanks for the discussion and your thoughts as well.

You are way cool.

So even if there was adult supervision, the teens would be ok with it if it was an activity they were interested in?

Man some of our officers look so young to me, they seem to blend in.....but for those of you who are young(when you get to be my age you will understand what a compliment that young term is) they don't blend?. Ok...

I saw your blog about getting a club started, good for you. You are making a positive difference.

Great explanation. These types of ideas also were discussed at the meeting. Gang crime is different from all other crime. We have never had this in Fayette. Now we do, and someone needs to understand this mentality to get a grip. That what I have been trying to get across to some folks...you explained well!!

I'd love to see the Sheriff's dept step up to the plate on this issue. Hasn't happened though.

I've noticed they've kept their distance from this whole gang thing. Board of education has been talking about this, Fayetteville police chief talking about this, NAACP has been talking about this.

Fayette Sheriff's office? Nothing.

Hannah shows up, sits on his hands in the back row. That's not leadership in my book.

Am I missing something here?

Nope, not missing anything. I think the Sheriff's dept. may be over their heads and behind the times with some of this. It may be the time for new blood, new ideas, CHANGE, and you know that's always hard for people.

You mean like what happened in Clayton County?
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It's called standing your ground and fighting back and not flying out of here. Clayton people fled and fled quickly. This crime situation can be stopped if implemented properly with someone who has experience in this type of crime. Don't ya think?

And just how should "they" have fought back? As for the crime are you telling me that old "Victor" can't cut it. Care to talk about the their school board?
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It not how they should have...they didn't want to. Most came to Fayetteville and PTC. Now, most of us residents, who want to can fight back. It starts with good leadership. That's what you have to figure out.

Some did fight only to be told they're racist. As property values moved they fled. Now if accreditation is lost what will happen? I do hope good leadership is elected in Clayton County. If not, it's their fault.
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Is the best solution.

________
In regards to Democrats, Republicans, gangs, and other scads of coterie Kool-Aide drinkers; Remember this..... Eagles Don't Flock

They have a few lawsuits because of their "change of color". Those lawsuits will be paid for by the taxpayers. The same ones who thought change and more crime was a good thing.

I'm surprised that sniffles, nitpickers and main stream don't live in clayton county.....I wonder why not ?? ....change is good...isn't it??

I live here because I like the schools here and I like the golf cart paths.

You know, skyspy, you're getting a bit tedious with your constant "us vs. them" ragging on Clayton vs. Fayette. Yeah we all know Clayton county had it's golden era when you lived there, but something you conveniently overlook is the fact that Clayton had a good industrial base back there in the 1960s, you didn't need a college degree to work at the Ford plant or handling luggage for Eastern airlines. A bunch of cheaply constructed houses made life pretty good then.

Eastern is long gone and the Ford plant has shut down. Jobs dried up and those cheaply constructed houses began falling apart. White flight and the people that could afford it moved to bigger homes being built in Fayette county.

I don't know what the average household makes in Fayette, but I'd imagine it's a heckuva lot higher than Claytons. Yet for some reason you insist on comparing the two counties as if it was "apples to applies". It's not. Fayette is much more affluent than Clayton.

Mostly pilots lived there....ford workers lived in east point....

Yes, and Delta executives lived in College Park, Delta employees lived in Riverdale and East Point. Where are they now...Fayetteville,Fayette County and PTC. So, what's the point again?

is how quickly a place can fall, when crime moves in and white flight takes off.

That is why I'm concerned about crime here. I was responding to sniffles post.

Don't forget the mess with the school board.
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The schools....because of the crime problem they can't attract certified teachers,....because of that,... they have lost their certification....again. Gee, change is good,.... silly me, what was I worried about??.

The sheriff's dept is busy actually working in the streets......they haven't been retired for 12yrs......

If the Sheriff's department can't spare one person to speak to a community meeting on a crime subject that a good many people have been talking about lately, it indicates one of two things to me:

1. Sheriff Randall Johnson is not capable of managing his resources effectively or efficiently, or
2. Sheriff Randall Johnson doesn't think this issue is important

Tough call.

They weren't invited. It's that simple.

Cheers! It's good to get our white conservative terrorist hating blogger back.

How's your volunteer work going on at the Huckabee Headquarters. I'm sorry about the pay reductions, but at least your fighting for something you believe in.

________
In regards to Democrats, Republicans, gangs, and other scads of coterie Kool-Aide drinkers; Remember this..... Eagles Don't Flock

I hate it when that happens.

but I'm being nice and asking before I get......
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I yam what I yam....Popeye

2. Although Randall hasn't officially retired yet, he is NOT in the office. Hannah is.

I believe what has been reported in the Citizen gave highlights and in a sensational style. I was there. This was to be a forum to discuss kids and the gang problem. It became a forum for all kinds of things but...putting all that aside, listening ears on, the panel did give suggestions on how to handle crime, get kids involved in community activities, and how to spot if your child is getting involved in a gang. The door of communication was at least opened.

Most of our officers at the sheriff's dept. rarely are in the office.

Randall is usually patrolling in the field, and usually on the "frontline" the north side of Fayette County. He doesn't ask any of his deputies to do anything he wouldn't do himself. He is on the frontline between us and clayton-crime-filled-county.

If you leave a message they will return your call, but it is usually from a cell phone.

This county has been fighting off crime from clayton-crime for many years. This isn't something new. They have been doing a great job of keeping us safe for many years.

What kind of good ideas did you come up with???

The point is we need someone who will hit the ground running. Our current sheriff is out in the field everyday. Someone who has been retired for 12yrs. will be in the office making coffee and doing crossword puzzles. That's not what we need. Again if detroit or clayton county is what success looks like when it comes to crime prevention, I would hate to see what complete and utter failure looks like!

I do think it is good that someone who is retired has taken an interest in our community. I think it is great to get involved no matter what age you are.

Why is it that I don't believe you?
On the "front line!"
There is no need for such icing on the cake!
Will the current sheriff take his hundred weeks of leave and sick time off, or will he get paid for it over a year or so? Seems none of them ever charge any vacation time off!
All that has nothing to do with how the department is managed generally, but we don't need to hear more and more BS!
I don't even know the guys from Detroit, but just how do you know he will drink more coffee than any other officer, or do cross-word puzzles?
Lets be straight and honest.

No, I mean, I don't think Randall is around. Check it out, and I may be wrong, but, I believe Hannah is in charge. Yes, I totally agree that in the past and with Fayette's past, Randall and his charge have done a great job. Don't get me wrong there. BUT, it is now not Clayton crime coming into Fayette. Crime is coming here from Atlanta inner cities. Safe? I do not feel safe anymore. I rarely shop at the Pavillon anymore. Catlytic converters are being stolen from cars who's owners are in Ingels shopping during daylight hours. Purses are being snatched everywhere in daylight hours. Buisness's are being broken into early mornings. Where are the police?

Not sure about the comment about someone "who has been retired for 12 yrs"... Wisdom, experience, educated, FBI trained all of that doesn't ever go away. That is if you are referring to Dave Simmons running for Fayette County Sheriff. So, I just state to you, maybe it is a new day when we can put into office someone who has what we need to fight crime steeling our "way of life" why wouldn't we at least listen to what he has to say?

One of Simmon's plan is to require those in his department who want to be promoted is to get more education. There are ways to provide education without needing tax money. He wants to put more plain clothes officers patroling and catching these criminals. AND there is much more...a plan from someone who knows by living it!

First of all the arrest reports list the addresses of the criminals....most have come from clayton...a few from fulton-crime county.

I'm sure Dave Simmon means well, but he has been out of the game for 12yrs. Crime fighting has taken on a new twist in technology in the last 5yrs. to say nothing of 12yrs.

We already have many plainclothes and off-duty officers patrolling the northside of the county...so lets not re-invent the wheel. They have been doing that for the last 5yrs.

In order to run for the sheriff the current deputies will have to take a leave of absence from the sheriffs dept. in order to qualify to run for sheriff. I don't know how many months, I think it is 2 or 3 months right before the election. I doubt that Hannah is running the office right now...but I could be wrong.

Anyone who is elected as sheriff will have 12months to certifiy as an offficer of the law. That is 12 months we don't have. We need someone who will hit the ground running. They already have an administrative assistant to make coffee at the sheiff's office we don't need to elect someone for that job.

My greatest hope is that we can hang on to our property values by keeping crime low.

I can see you are pretty passionate in your beliefs. That's really great. All I am trying to say is don't close your brain on at least hearing others; Dave Simmons is one to at listen to. As far as the technology, Simmons has stayed involved and is quite current on all aspects of new technology. Ask the folks who reside in Whitewater Creek about the security systems now in place over there. It is my understanding that he is or has had a Security company. He hasn't been dead for 12 years Sky. As far as plainclothes, we need more 'cause it ain't workin. He has a plan, try and listen to it. As far as the 12 months, that still won't be idle time. He has plans for that to!

I value my property. That is a very big concern for me and many and you. That's why I want you to listen put your other issues concerning Simmons aside and listen.

We do need more officers, but our taxes would have to be raised to pay for them. That is what the problem is....it is not that the police chiefs and the sheriff have not asked for more officers....they have asked... many times. The taxpayers are the ones who fall short.

Personally I would not mind having my taxes raised to live in a safe place.