What you may have missed at the Columbus Crime Task Force meeting on May 15, 2021:
*UPDATE* Homeland Security Executive Director spoke at Rotary today, May 18. Audience Question: “Last night, we were given the impression Homeland Security was going to save Columbus. But from what I am hearing, your department, with its 24 employees, can offer ideas, specialized training to our officers, encourage the city to apply for a competitive grant, and go to our schools and present your youth preparedness programs.”
“That’s correct,” said the director, “We offered many ideas and shared lots of thoughts, three weeks ago, when we were here.” The questioner continued, “Has the city asked for the specialized training and have you been invited into the schools?” The executive director answered “Not yet. The grant application opens June 1 and closes around mid-July.”
It was later noted that the city did ask for legal training (e.g. fifth amendment rights, etc.) and was told that the homeland security office would direct them to the agency that does that, since Homeland Security does not.
The Meeting: Local news reported “mayor welcomes being in public eye” but he was a no-show last night, just like he was for the Commercial Dispatch’s candidate forum.
Chairman Leroy Brooks thanked Bill Gavin for putting him in charge of the crime commission. Said the mayor had a knee injury. “The mayor and council are very concerned,” said Gavin, about the crime and shootings. He mentioned that the city was looking into a homeland security grant.
“This meeting is about more than last week’s shootings. We need citizen input about the community, green space, and how to make Columbus a better place to live and have a comprehensive plan,” said Brooks.
*The task force may not be aware of the 2012 Comprehensive Plan that the city paid about $75,000 for—and is pretty good! Let’s pull it off the shelf, dust off the dirt, and implement it.
Brooks continued, saying, “Some people have a perception the city is dirty. And that needs to change.”
Chief Shelton said the police are going to be more proactive. “We’ve been reactive up ‘til now. But that’s changing. “
Sheriff Hawkins said “We need education, prevention, and incarceration. There are lots of guns on the street and 10% of career criminals commit 90% of crimes.” He continued, saying that we need rehabilitation. “We need to busy the youth and young adults with sports and projects, so they are too busy and too tired to commit crimes.”
D.A. Colom says that crime and gun violence occur across the country and in every city, and that we need recreational activities. He went on to say that we need data (know where to target) and we need to put up cameras, but not tell people where they are located. He doesn’t think the city uses residents’ Ring doorbell data to maps those crimes.
Brooks said the committee has been working just a few months, but it’s the best committee he has served on in 37 years. They are still working with Homeland Security to have “a calm community” as opposed to the “Wild Wild West.” “Someone has to write this grant.”
Q&A Summary. The city allowed for questions but gave few answers. People got up and asked questions but did not receive answers. Sometimes, Chief Shelton answered, like when someone asked, “Does Columbus have a curfew?” Shelton answered “Columbus has a curfew Sunday-Thursday 11pm and 12pm on Friday & Saturday. The policy is being reviewed.”
One woman made many points:” Parents work. Many have three jobs. Kids take care of themselves because no one can afford day care. Guns don’t kill. Why are they shooting? Why not prosecute? What are the consequences of this behavior? It’s a cycle. Cameras? Why not leadership programs? What about Big Brothers/Big Sisters? How about public transportation? We dismiss the cycle. We need leadership and I just don’t see it. Some drive an hour for a job, but we have roundabouts? How about a ballpark? Good programs for youth. What are you doing for the long term? Remote education is failing.” The audience cheered.
A man said that, about a decade ago, city officials told him to stop comparing Columbus to other cities and said, “We’re not Tupelo.” “Well, all of these other cities have surpassed us. Our tax money is flowing to these cities. We need to invest in Columbus,” he said.
*At this point in the meeting, people were asked to state their names.
Susan discussed the lack of accurate police investigation. “Recently, a policeman told a neighbor, ‘Don’t go over there, it’s a dead body.’ Only later did the neighbor discover that there was no dead body. Maybe. They were told someone was dead and the next day told no one was dead. The ambulance didn’t have sirens, lights, and remained still for 20 minutes. Not because of a deceased body in the ambulance, but because someone was alive. Everyone concluded the ambulance wasn’t rushing off because no one needed saving because they had already died. (It’s confusing and scary.) How about training police in communication, like saying ‘this is an active crime scene’ or something more appropriate?” Susan asked.
George stressed the importance of officer training. and the lack of training creating more challenges for citizens. He talked about being stopped at a checkpoint and it not being handled in the best way.
Brian, who is part of a two-man special unit, spoke passionately, as he held up guns his unit has pulled off the street. “We target the crime.” He encouraged citizens to download the P3 app that is private and said, “We should track property owners and renters against crime and map!” He kept talking, but I was distracted by all the people saying, “THIS is who should be the next police chief.” I agreed with them.
Cameras: How about expanding? How much do they cost? Chief Shelton doesn’t know because “Joe Dillion does that.” (FYI: Joe Dillon is a consultant for the city who is paid $92 per hour.) Shelton said the “12 cameras are just a start.” No one mentioned that the city does not know how many cameras they have. For 15 years, the city has not had an accounting of their cameras, vehicles, or computers, according to the auditor.
Trish shared that her friend’s vehicle was vandalized at the Riverwalk, but the police told her they don’t and can’t look at the camera footage, as they are too short-staffed. One person whispered that the cameras at Lee Park are broken (and have been) and that’s why the park keeps operating as a drug drop.
Sheriff Hawkins answered JD’s question: “The Sheriff’s Department can investigate in Columbus because it is a part of Lowndes County.”
John wanted to know “Is there some immediate action that can be taken—by the committee, by the city, by the citizens?” Brooks answered that, in July, there may be some federal money to give to essential workers. He will learn more about potential grants tomorrow, May 18. Brooks concluded with a story, encouraged all of us to seek mental health, even joking that he may need some help, too.
