Comments on: Decatur City Commission Addresses Recent Increase in Crime Occurring in Decatur and Throughout Atlanta

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 03:21:46 +0000

Given that Kirkwood is in Atlanta (right?), an entirely different jurisdiction in so many ways, I’m not sure what we can do from the City of Decatur side. We are so lucky in Decatur to have a long-standing Decatur Rec that ties together youth sports, recreation, camps, and after school programs, crossing income levels and neighborhoods, so well that it is woven into the fabric of our community. Kirkwood youth probably have access to the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and church groups but I’m not sure that those institutions have permeated the community in the same way that the partnerships between Decatur Rec/COD and CSD have. There are proven successful anti-gang and neighborhood empowerment movements that have successfully driven violence out of neighborhoods in other cities. But not sure that the political will and financial support exist in these times to initiate and sustain those kind of efforts. It’s too bad because I’m not convinced that relying on law enforcement and arming ourselves will be enough to address 15 year olds with guns on crime sprees coming in from neighboring areas. It may divert crime from one street to another or from one home to another but won’t necessarily prevent it happening in our community.

By: smalltowngal

smalltowngal — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 00:16:03 +0000

We have freedom, indeed, but we are a LONG way from having equal opportunity. Recognizing that does not constitute making excuses for criminal behavior.

By: wagen

wagen — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 00:12:17 +0000

By: MCB

MCB — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 18:01:56 +0000

I like your style, Rob. I seriously want to coordinate groups of people walking the neighborhoods, at least at night. Yes, many of these happened during the day, but it would at least send a message to those trolling the neighborhoods looking to size them up. Don’t rely on others to do what you want done.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 17:09:04 +0000

Don’t worry. School will start again soon and these little punks will be the government school system’s problem again.