Word: Dangerously thin blue line
January 10, 2009 at 5:00 am by Thomas Wheatley in Word/FoundA Jan. 7 killing 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 victim John 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.
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