Word: Dangerously thin blue line
Police forces are stretched thin and residents want answers.
A Jan. 7 murder and armed robbery at the Standard Food and Spirits sparked community outcry — and questions over who’s to blame for a rise in Atlanta crime.
“The idea that we have a city where this kind of violence can happen is completely unacceptable. … What we have seen is cuts in police hours made by Mayor Shirley Franklin without consultation and collaboration.”
— Atlanta Councilmember Mary Norwood, who attended a Thursday morning vigil for Henderson, in a Jan. 8 AJC article.
“I proposed a modest tax increase in early 2008 dedicated to public safety and the Council chose to roll back taxes in spite of our warnings. … Norwood has never sought to discuss the budget recommendations with me and I find her remarks today to be ludicrous and irresponsible.”
— Franklin’s response to Norwood, in a Jan. 8 press release.
“i would be happy to pay more taxes for a safer community. but our family can and will leave if the city doesn’t address this problem.”
— Adam Bartolett, in a post on the Atlantans Together Against Crime and Cutbacks’ Facebook page.