September 7, 2006

Dear Members and Friends:

Thank you for all of the great responses that we received regarding the position for a new Chief and the continuing crime problem in Savannah. We had some great responses and thought we would forward them to you.

On another issue, we believe it is very important to balance our statements regarding the crime and the police department, Mayor, Chairman, City Council and County Commissioners with our appreciation for the hard work that everyone performs for the Coastal Empire. The men and women in our police department put their lives at risk every day for us and there is no way to thank them enough for their service. Even though we may have serious concerns regarding the strategies, plans and management of the department, we are proud that the men and women of our police department continue to serve and protect on a day-to-day basis.

We also need to remember that all of our local politicians, as well as the city and county managers, have the good of the community as their main interest. We may disagree on the methods of how, why, or where, but for the most part our city and county government is made up of individuals that would like to make a positive impact on our community. For example, I have met with the Mayor several times on our crime issues and there is no doubt that he is genuinely concerned about the crime in our community, and that he was fighting the war on crime long before SOS came on the scene. I think it is safe to say that we agree that violent crime in Savannah must be reduced, but that we have different ideas on how to accomplish this goal. I guess the point I am trying to make here is that, even though we may disagree on the how, we can all agree that we need to take drastic measures to reduce crime in Savannah.

Let’s start with a new Police Chief who arrives with no preconceptions and one who is ready to make Savannah once again a safe place for everyone, everywhere, everyday.

Martin

PS – Ask a friend to join SOS. Just send us an email and we will add your name to the list of members.

Please read below a few of the emails we’ve received this week…let us know what you think.

9-1-06 From today’s SMN:

ONE CHIEF FINALIST NEEDED

“Savannah City Manager Michael Brown said Thursday he is seeking one more finalist for the vacant chief’s position at the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department. .... “Some candidates are still deciding whether they want to be selected as finalists….”

Something is not right. After half a year of searching we are still “seeking” finalists for the chief’s position. This is an indication that prospective chiefs are not enthusiastic to head our department. Why?

CNT, (Counter Narcotics Team) does not fall under our chief’s direct command. Does this have something to do with the difficulty of finding finalists? How can a prospective chief be confident he can successfully attack crime if the narcotics division does not report to him, (or her)? Perhaps when candidates find out they will not command narcotics, a critical part of policing, their response is, “Thanks, but no thanks…”

Is this a hint that we need to change the job description to attract a leader up to the task of making Savannah safe?

Rolfe Glover

9-1-06 Reply to above email Rolfe – I think you hit the “Nail on the Head.” I also commented before that a new Police Chief would certainly not want such a critical unit as narcotics operating autonomously. To compound the situation they “ain’t catching anybody or any significant drugs” in a jurisdiction that is obviously awash in drugs. Further, do we want a Police Chief who would accept such a situation? Mike Horner

9-1-06 The truth is what is out of control is our POLICE DEPARTMENT our next door neighbor was knocked down in front of her house while walking her dog, she called 911 and they said do you want to come in and fill out a report? DO YOU WANT TO COME IN AND FILL OUT A REPORT! The crime rate started back up the week the sheriff’s department pulled out!

9-1-06 Thanks for the update. Last weekend, I had over $9000 worth of construction tools stolen from a locked trailer inside my locked downtown garage. The police did not even take finger prints. I went to Home Depot to start making a list of my loss only to be told by the employee there it is now a daily thing for contractors to be in there making a list of every thing stolen! I posted a reward poster and got a tip last night as to name, address, and where all my tools were from someone hungry for the reward money. I called the police this morning and told them what I had, no response. I called again the middle of the day, they called me back and said, oh well, we will take what you have. No return call, no action, nothing. They have all become so complacent they expect the crime now. I for one believe our acting Chief should remove himself from consideration for the position and retire. It is time for change. Yet, I see in the morning paper where our Mayor does not accept the report showing we do not feel safe or that crime is better. We all need to stand up really save our Savannah from this lack of leadership. 9-4-06 follow up to this story: The story of my lost tools only grows worse with time. I wrote you last week of a break in at my garage on Bolton street in which they took no finger prints, etc. I posted a $1000 reward all around the neighborhood. I received a call on Thursday night giving me the name and address of where all my tools were located. I phoned the Police first thing Friday morning, to Property Crimes, and received no call back. Mid day I called again and they finally said we will take your information. No word…

On Sunday I received a tip from the informant, he was actually in the house describing my tools to me, what was left. I called 911 and asked for an officer only to have a community support person show up. At that point I met him with a loaded 38, a permit to carry it, and told him I was going to the address to retrieve my property. He frantically radioed it in. The officers got there at the same time I did. Bottom line, only a couple of items remained in the house, a plastic tool box, etc. The officer radioed in and ask someone, anyone, from Property crimes to call them to see if they wanted to ask for a search warrant or other directions. No call ever came. The informant told us ALL of the tools were there on Friday but no one did anything about it! Is the moral here, if you want justice do it yourself?

I am awaiting the business day tomorrow to ask someone there what they did with my tip and what was I supposed to do to get any help.

9-1-06 Thanks for sharing this horrifying story. The level of crime in this city and the complacency of our leaders is unacceptable. I am most unimpressed with Mr. Lovett, and believe that hiring him as chief will just bring more of the same. We desperately need a strong leader (from outside Savannah), who refuses to accept the status quo. Thanks for what you are doing.

9-1-06 I wanted to make a quick reply here to say “Thank you!” for sticking with this thing, “Thru thick and thin!”. From what I can see, it appears we will have to outlast those members of our local leadership whom I believe are hoping that folks like us will eventually get distracted by other things in our life…so they can all go back to “business as usual”. I was especially disheartened to read Mayor Johnson’s comments in this morning’s newspaper attempting to downplay the increased concern about crime that was expressed by Savannah’ians in a recent survey.

9-1-06 Martin – The situation is so bad that we in SOS should consider a march, complete with signs such as “Stop the Cime” around Forsyth Park. Hard to believe! Good luck with your efforts.

9-2-06 Nothing ever changes…I am beginning to lose hope.

9-2-06 Reading the Saturday newspaper, I noticed the article “Delivery Man Shot at club dies”. This is barely a statistic for Savannah as it occurred in Jasper County SC. However, the victim was the owner of a Savannah Restaurant who was making a delivery on the other side of the Talmadge Bridge. This location is probably less than 1 mile from Savannah. Also, not making the paper today were 2 killed in Liberty City. 9-3-06 I forwarded your story about the beating on River Street to Howard. This is his reply. Remember, he has worked with the N.Y.C. Police under Guiliani, and knows policing and weapons and well as light.

Hi Ardis,

Wow! What a sad, demoralizing story.

The bright side is you are getting a new chief of police – it is time for a fresh start. This new Chief needs to here the “people’s” side of the story and the negative impact on the quality of their lives in Savannah. This must be the SOS mission.

Hope I can be of some help. 9-3-06 Something is not right. In Friday’s paper there was an article about the police chief search that stated ‘we are still seeking finalists’. This sounds like the prospects are not enthusiastic to head our dept. If so, why? It is mine and other’s opinion that it is directly tied to the CNT problem, not being under his command. This problem could be fixed pretty quickly. Just follow your own guidelines as stated in the Public Safety Task Force findings regarding this issue.

The more recent article in the paper about public safety is full of holes. Yes, some people may feel safe in there neighborhoods, but with the climate as it is now in this city, more robberies etc, I find that hard to believe. That was a city-conducted survey also.

It is imperative that we get an excellent chief to head our city in a different direction that we are now traveling.

A concerned citizen,

Danny Lewis 9-5-06 I read the story of William Flemming’s beating, and your analysis of what’s going on with the crime statistics here in Savannah. I concur most heartily! After reading weeks worth of crime reports, I noticed that not one of the Gordonston incidents I reported to you earlier was ever reported in the police department’s own listings. It makes me wonder how much more property crime, vandalism, and worse goes undocumented (or incorrectly documented), just to make the statistics look better. I think it’s time we called Willie Lovett and his staff to task for what amounts to a giant cover-up!!! I have written both Michael Brown and Russ Abolt, urging them not to include interim Chief Lovett in the final five, just because of such deceptive practices. I also think it’s time to publicize such underhanded tactics. SOS certainly has enough “evidence” to do so! 9-5-06 Press Release forwarded to SOS by Alderman Jeff Felser: For Immediate Release Saturday, September 2, 2006

ACL Boulevard Double Homicide Investigative Update

Three arrests has been made in the August 30 ACL Boulevard shooting investigation, which resulted in the death of Andrew Coleman and Martial Washington.

SCMPD Violent Crimes detectives charged Santiago Williams, 18, and Marcus Livon Fennell, 19, both of Savannah and a 15-year-old juvenile with two counts of murder early this morning.

Their arraignment will be Tuesday, September 6, 1:00 p.m. at Recorders Court.

Police arrested the three early this morning along with recovering two weapons. Detectives believe the motive for the murders was drug related.

Around 11:00 p.m. on August 30, the three shot and killed Andrew Coleman and Martial Washington as they sat in a car in the 4300 block of ACL Boulevard. Coleman died on the scene from the wounds he suffered and Washington succumbed to his injuries later at a local hospital.

The investigation is ongoing at this time. 9-5-06 I don’t know where the perception comes from that there is a consensus that we need a new Chief immediately and that Lovett is unacceptable. A consensus, in my book, would constitute that all involved agree on the same concept and I doubt very much that this is the case since neither one of us were actually even asked for our opinion. Now, I can agree that some of you, behind closed doors, came up with that decision but that still does not make it a consensus and pretending that it actually is, factually ignores those that were not asked.

Proceeding with two projects, as you mentioned, which according to me are one and the same, will not make a difference. You can install cameras on every street corner of Savannah, you can place an officer on every corner and it still will not change anything. You can hire as many police officers as you want, and still crime will not disappear.

Today, you have more organizations that want to reduce crime then ever before: SOS, United We Stand, Take Back Savannah, Central Precinct Neighborhoods Against Crime, Never Settle for Less Gang. How many more do we need? What will it take for Savannahians to see that a united approach is the only solution?

Something to ponder about and to submit to your board members. Let’s see what their response is going to be…. 9-5-06 Chief Lovett is unacceptable

9-5-06 (We couldn’t resist …a little humor to break the monotony…) HOW TO INSTALL A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM 1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men’s used size 14-16 work boots.

2. Place them on your front porch, along with several empty beer cans, a copy of Guns & Ammo magazine and several NRA magazines.

3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazine.

4. Leave a note on your door that reads: Hey Bubba, Big Jim, Duke and Slim, I went to the gun shop for more ammunition. Back in an hour. Don’t mess with the pit bulls—they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up real bad. I don’t think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell from all the blood. PS – I locked all four of ‘em in the house. Better wait outside. 9-5-06 Our office was burglarized on Sunday. The idiots got my signature stamp and keys to a condo association we handle. They stole my laptop (they thought) but only got the case! They did take time to take a x%x*# but I guess they were in too much of a hurry to flush. Crime is definitely getting worse! Also think some of head cops are turning their head. I told you I filed a report with the head of detectives which I believe was buried. I plan to check with Internal Affairs soon to find out. 9-5-06 Dear Sirs: I, along with so many others, are anxiously awaiting announcement of our new police chief. Let me share now the disappointment of a large percentage of our residents, if Interim Chief Lovett is kept in this position much longer. Savannah’s crime is rampant! We desperately need ‘new blood’ by hiring an assertive/aggressive applicant from OUTSIDE Savannah. A brand new beginning for our fight against the outrageous amount of crime taking over our City. We need this ‘outsider’ with new ideas & a zealous approach to implement extraordinary measures to stop these criminal punks in their tracks! This new police chief should definitely have control over our Savannah Counter Narcotics Team! As Savannah News pointed this out in their 8/20/06 editorial AGAIN, this was part of the city/county merge agreement, yet, never has been implemented! Ridiculous! We citizens want this done & done now! The fight against crime involves the drug war! We demand that there be unity in this battle. Our streets are being taken over by persons acting like they live in the ‘Old Wild West’. This is unfair to the law-abiding, tax paying citizens! Clean up our streets & keep them that way. That is your most important job as our elected officials….citizen’s SAFETY !

Sincerely, A Very Concerned Savannah Citizen 9-5-06 I understand that some of the downtown crimes are being suppressed in the media, such as the attack on one young man outside Kevin Barry’s pub on River St. the other night…this victim was allegedly attacked by 3 or 4 ‘youths’ and he remains in the hospital…I work as a tour guide and am familiar with the tour companies not wanting the crime reports being in the newspapers for fear of affecting the tourism…I will not sugar-coat Savannah’s crime issue when asked by a tourist….what’s your (and SOS’) take on unreported crime? 9-5-06 just saw an email form you posted on our mail room bulletin board. i agree crime is not down aug 25, car vandelized and air let out of tires on broughton st aug 26, car broken into in lane behind my loft on broughton st was speaking with the police officer while he was writing the report about my car being broken inito and it is a sad state of affairs in savannah. what really sucks was that i moved inot my loft the night of 25th, it was my first night there. i would like to help, let me know if there is anything i can do 9-5-06 match what I heard. Believe it was Andrew Sauers wearing the tux who was the first one approached. Martin, this cannot go on. Our children are worth more than this. I fear for my grandchildren. Our elected officials, all of them, are treating us like some kind of children who don’t understand what is going on. Crime has gotten worse and worse. The police chief search is ridiculous. Willie Lovett seems so anxious to get the job he will do and say anything to make us think life is safe. Or maybe he does so at the direction of Brown and Abolt.

I know SOS means well as did all the crime groups that came before. I am afraid it is going to take something pretty strong to make a change but darned if I know what it is. I joined the Citizens Crime Commission in the 90’s but crime (except for Jivens) wasn’t anything like what we have today and we thought it was bad then. 9-5-06 I was so excited when SOS first began. I thought maybe things were going to improve in Savannah, where my son was attending college. Two weeks ago his bicycle was stolen. He wouldn’t report it because “Mom, the police won’t do anything”. Then this past week his apartment was broken into. The door was broken down and his room mate chased the intruder off with a bat so nothing was taken and thank God, the “good guys” weren’t hurt. When the police were called they DIDN’T EVEN GO UPSTAIRS TO SEE THE DAMAGE DONE!!!! Unbelievable! So when my kid told me “the police won’t do anything” he was right on the money. Nothing will change in your city, I’ve decided. My newest campaign is to get my kid to move out of Savannah – so sad! I don’t think there is any hope of things changing.