In a bid to ramp up public safety, Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz yesterday rolled out a series of measures, including the expedited development of a real-time crime center and mobile surveillance trailers. Angered and motivated by the loss of life in recent crimes, such as the tragic case of Laken Riley, Girtz has underscored his commitment to driving the community's crime rates down to zero.
"The only appropriate number of murders in this community – and the number that we are going to be working our tails off every day for – is zero," Girtz stated, as reported in a press release by Athens-Clarke County. Besides an increase in technological infrastructure, Mayor Girtz highlighted salary increases for police officers, which led to a net gain in the force for the first time in five years.
Amidst recent upticks in law enforcement staffing, Girtz provided insights into local crime statistics, noting that in comparison to other Southeastern Conference (SEC) communities, Athens-Clarke County ranks moderately in various categories of offenses. Improvements, however, are palpable as overall crime saw a decrease in the past year, with violent crime and shootings reducing by 6.8% and 22% respectively.
Public safety initiatives aren't restricted to policing alone, according to Mayor Girtz. Rather, they encompass a multitude of societal aspects including fair housing, youth programs, and robust community outreach. Investments in these areas, Girtz argues, provide a foundational support for residents, contributing to the overall safety and security of the community.
Alongside public safety discussions, the mayor addressed Athens-Clarke County's compliance with state immigration laws, dismissing any implications that the region has adopted "Sanctuary City" status. "We contribute a document to the Georgia Department of Audits annually indicating that we do not correspond to these definitions under state law," Girtz clarified.
Details on the new public safety investments and a comprehensive account of historical and current crime data can be accessed through the official county government website.
