Article 54 – December 14, 2006

Dear Members and Friends:

Another holiday season is upon us. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah.

This year our primary goal was to hire a dynamic police chief and Chief Berkow certainly fits the bill. His resume is that of a no-nonsense manager who demands results. The City and County are well served by his appointment. Congratulations to everyone for asking for the best.

Our second project is the “lights and cameras” in the downtown squares. We are moving forward rapidly with this project. We are partnering with the City to help them help us shine a light on crime. The Chamber of Commerce has indicated a willingness to help with the project. Currently, we are evaluating different strategies to raise $650,000 so that all of the work can be done within a year. We will keep you advised.

We cannot expect the Chief to make a difference without the participation of all of you. We need to continue to communicate and participate for a safer Savannah for everyone, everyday, everywhere. There is an ongoing discussion regarding the CNT. Most of the information I have received favors an organization that will report directly to Chief Berkow. Conceptually this seems like the only reasonable solution. It is not working now and it needs fixing. For the Drug Division not to be under the Consolidated Police Force just does not make sense. I guess my question is: Is there another city anywhere where the drug division is not under the Chief of Police?

The comments above are my personal thoughts and I would like to hear from the membership how they feel on this issue and whether or not they feel SOS should be more vocal in supporting a CNT under Chief Berkow or a CNT controlled by politicians. Below please refer to a letter to the editor in the Savannah Morning News by Mike Horner. It is an example of many of the recent letters to the editor.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Happy Holidays

Martin

Simple solution to CNT brouhaha

The solution to the CNT impasse is simple. Do not allow the CNT members to operate within the jurisdiction of the SCMPD. Better yet, eliminate this total waste of taxpayer dollars altogether.
It is an extremely dysfunctional organization which has done a very poor job of controlling the drug problems in Savannah. Drug dealers are pushing their product in plain sight all over Savannah.
Further, the responsibility for controlling the drug problem should be placed at the precinct level.
Each and every officer should have the mandate to stop drug trafficking and should be trained to that end including how to develop and handle sources of information. Approximately 85 percent of the crime problems in Savannah emanate from the need to acquire money in order to acquire drugs. It is therefore unfathomable to me to turn the vital function of interdicting the drug trade over to an independent and uncontrollable department.
Each precinct therefore needs to take ownership of this task and be deeply involved in controlling same.

MIKE HORNER Savannah