September 1, 2006

Dear SOS Members & Friends:

Summer is over and it’s time to get re-engaged. From all of the information we received, crime in Savannah is much worse than it was when we started SOS last January. We have heard from federal officials, state officials, police officers, retired police officers, media personnel and downtown residents. The consensus is that we need a new Chief immediately! Chief Lovett is unacceptable. We need new blood to invigorate the department and take the steps necessary to turn this situation around. If you know Michael Brown or Russ Albolt please let them know that we need a Chief, sooner rather than later, and it must be an applicant from outside of Savannah.

Please be careful if you are going downtown after dark. Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to anything out of the ordinary. Keep your doors locked.

Onto other matters – The SOS Board met yesterday and voted to proceed with two projects. The first item is a presentation on cameras and lighting to be scheduled for a September program. This presentation will tie into our second project which is to install lights and cameras, in a downtown ward to be named later. Piggley Wiggly and SOS have joined forces to completely outfit one park with cameras and lights so that the idea can be replicated in all of the downtown parks. We would like to congratulate Piggley Wiggly for being the first good corporate citizen to come forward to help us fight crime. We hope that the idea of corporate sponsors to help fight crime in each ward, will be an idea that ignites our business and residential communities in the common goal of a safer Savannah for everyone, everywhere, everyday. The committee chairman for this project is Mike Horner. If you would like to be involved please contact Mike at the SOS email address.

The First Board of Directors for SOS was announced yesterday at the Board Meeting. Those appointed to the Board of Directors are: Martin Sullivan, William Baugh, Lee Beckman, Norman Laird, Dan Lockwood, Dicky Mopper, Rob Roberts, Adger Ross, Karen Bogans and Mike Horner. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors please contact eileen@saveoursavannah.com

Regards Martin Sullivan