CITY GOVERNMENT
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

The regular meeting of Council was held this date at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison followed by the Invocation by Pastor Clarence Teddy Williams.

Upon Motion of  Alderman Bell, Seconded by Alderman Hall and unanimously carried.  The following appointments to boards, commissions and authorities were approved.

Park and Tree Commission

Kenneth H. Barthels, Jr.

Cealan Clifford

G. Randy Tate

Mary Todesea

Savannah Zoning Board if Appeals

Thomas Edison Branch III & Zoning Board Representative on MPC

Savannah Economic Development Authority

Kalpesh Patel

Willie J. Seymore

Housing Authority of Savannah

Kay Ford

Comments

Alderman Thomas stated he wanted to express his condolences to the family of George Adkins Jr. who at 15 was murdered by a 16 year old last weekend in the McDonalds parking lot coming from the movies.  All indications report that he was a innocent bystander.  His concern is the continued crime in the streets of savannah which have become alarming.  The Chief of Police and the police department under the City Manager is doing a monumental job but the reality is that crime has increased in his district at levels he has never seen before.  He's not taking anything away from other districts but he volunteered to serve this district and there has been numerous crimes involving young people, senior citizens, crime in apartment complexes, Walgreens, the carnival at the mall, and Georgetown which now requires some type of taskforce to focus on the best practices to combat this type of behavior.  The capture and release program for juvenile justice need to be more aggressive and he's concerned about citizens arming themselves against this kind of behavior.  He asked that the City Manager direct the staff and especially the police department to reign in resources, trends, and patterns that other communities are using to help us with crime.  He appreciates all members of council and he recognize that it is a problem through out the city but his district is overwhelmed with this kind of behavior.

Mayor Deloach thanked Alderman Thomas and he speaks for everybody up here.

Alderman Hall agreed and stated that crime spikes in all districts and that the police department is doing the best with what they have and we should give the chief all resources necessary to curve violent crime.

Alderman Johnson stated it's a societal issue, it's bigger than the police department, and what we need is  radical and unconditional methods to deal with young people behavior, parenting, and the school system.  Crime is fluent and it moves all around the city.

Alderman Bell stated it is a community problem and it is the responsibility of each and every member of council and the savannah citizens at large. We need to engage the community with support of the churches, ministers, clubs, and organizations to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens.

Alderman Bell introduced and welcomed Mrs. Cynthia Deloach wife of Mayor Deloach who was visiting with us today.

There being no further business, Mayor DeLoach declared this meeting of Council adjourned. 

The recorded City Council Meeting is located on the City of Savannah website.