 Susan Monteverde, SafeD Athens President
SafeD Athens Inc is a nonpartisan 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to enhancing safety and security infrastructure for the campus and city of Athens communities by working with law enforcement, city government, state entities, and the University of Georgia, Athens campus.
We are data driven and we strive for the right answer not the most expedient one." SafeD Athens contracted a BBB Director of Outreach Services to do a 5-day assessment of homelessness on the streets of Athens. According to the assessment, half of those engaged were from out of town. Time is of the essence because city government is about to allocate $7.5 million in ARP spending on homeless services.
Block by Block has a two fold function. One of those functions is to service students at UGA. "We have been in conversations at UGA for a more robust safe ride program and a whole array of services that can be helpful in town."
"We have a current Block by Block (BBB) proposal out to UGA and the Board of Regents which includes safety and outreach ambassadors. All of our programs tie together to integrate safety and security."
More information regarding data and SafeD Athens can be accessed at their website and the following links.
- A Win-Win for UGA, the Homeless and Residents - Distinction should be made between two very different roots of “homelessness.” There are...Read More
- Safety and Security not a Priority to City Government - UGA Parents for Safety and Security (3300 strong) and its nonprofit extension SafeD Athens (900 strong) never wanted...Read More
- Gang Activity Continues - Gang activity in Athens-Clarke County continues to be a high safety/security risk...Read More
- Aggravated Assaults Continue - Aggravated assault as defined by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) policy have continued...Read More
You can get up to date information on the social media pages linked in the press release below.
Go to safedathens.org to learn more. This is an effort you will want to support.
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SafeDAthens.org
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Jerry Saulters
Athens-Clarke County Police Chief
- Community outreach: Build more meaningful outreach. Funds are needed to expand outreach.
- Engage with youth in a meaningful way, but it takes foundation fundsL
- Police Foundation Tax Credit (see additional information and flyer below). These donations help to fund programs and opportunity that otherwise would not be funded. Outreach that is effective requires financial support to expand.
- 3 major issues:
Homelessness: 6 to 7 hours a day dealing with homelessness, drug abuse, mental health. No Law code for homelessness. No current ordinance against vagrancy. Code for aggressive pan handling. Looking for legislation that may be forthcoming.
Shootings: Drive-by shootings
Fentanyl: Last year 59 deaths from Fentanyl. 127 doses of NARCAN were administered in Athens last year, which does not include doses administered by EMS or Fire Department. Selling Fentanyl is a felony.
- Gangs - In Athens, a lot of gangs are homegrown. Young kids are getting recruited into these gangs. Recently there have been some good prosecutions. ACCPD Gang Unit increased from 4 to 7. Most shootings downtown are gang related. In every gang related instance the PD has made an arrest. One [random} text can lead to gang violence. Gangs are recruiting in neighborhoods.
- Cadet Program - youth from all neighborhoods and mentored by officers.. Funds for only 10 positions for youth cadets. We need to pour into our youth.
- Community Police Academy (formerly Citizen Police Academy): Great opportunity for the community to see, first hand, the responsibilities of law enforcement officers. Next CPA begins MARCH 4th.
- ACCPD is currently down 40 sworn officers. Total of 330 staff, 242 sworn, leaving 202 now.
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SUPPORT THE ATHENS-CLARKE POLICE FOUNDATION
by using a dollar for dollar tax credit.
APPLY NOW!
Chief Jerry Saulters has publicly endorsed the Athens-Clarke Police Foundation (ADPF) .
"I encourage you to explore the Foundation’s website and consider how you can help..."
(Chief Jerry Saulters)
INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED TO BEGIN THE TAX CREDIT PROCESS
*In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 48-7-29.25, the Law Enforcement Foundations listed above have been certified by the Department of Revenue to be eligible for the Qualified Law Enforcement Donation Credit Program for Calendar Year 2023 based on current information.
athenscpf.org
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ATHENS HOMELESS POPULATION
"HOMELESS DATA POLICE REPORT 2018 - 2022"
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KIRRENA GALLAGHER, CANDIDATE
COMMISSIONER (DISTRICT 2)
Kirrena will face former commissioner, Melissa Link, in a Special Called Election to fill the unexpired term of Mariah Parker who resigned.
EARLY VOTING BEGAN MONDAY, FEB 27
Vote at the Elections Office Downtown now through March 17.
Election Day: March 21
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VOTER INFORMATION for
DISTRICT 2 SPECIAL ELECTION
Election Day: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Last Day to Register to Vote: Tuesday, February 21.
Last day an Absentee Ballot application can be accepted: March 10.
Absentee Ballots mailed: Beginning February 27, 2023.
Advance Voting Begins: Monday, February 27-March 17 at the Elections office (8am)
Saturday Advance Voting: March 4 and March 11.
To check your voter registration or verify your commission district please go to: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/
Contact the Elections office-833-822-VOTE (8683)
District 2 Map (select image to enlarge)
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DISTRICT ATTORNEY DEBORAH GONZALEZ
IMPORTANT EVENT:
Concerned citizens of Clarke and Oconee should fill the seats at the following meeting:
The public needs to be heard "Listening Session" with D.A. Gonzalez
Wednesday, March 8 at 6pm
Athens Public Library on Baxter Street.
DA Deborah Gonzalez to speak on public safety at library program: HERE
Sheriffs, DA join AG Chris Carr in anti-gang summit at Athens Tech:
State Attorney General Chris Carr convened a meeting of his Anti-Gang Network Tuesday at Athens Tech, pulling together...Read More
Embattled DA's Office Losing Key Staffer (Classic City News): HERE
In 2024, Clarke and Oconee will vote on a new District Attorney. Public Safety requires a District Attorney whose policies and procedures insure safety on our streets.
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Georgia Square Mall
(Atlanta Highway) Redevelopment
Information LINKS
The Mall Redevelopment project has gone through many stages including proposals and developers. This has been a complicated and constantly moving target. Commissioner Hamby has been a strong proponent of keeping a focus on the Community Benefit Agreement, and his remarks (below) to the Mayor and Commission on February 21 are important to note.
Town Hall Today: Public invited to discuss Mall Project (March 3, 4pm) - HERE
View Online HERE
This important vote will be held at the March 7 at the Mayor and Commission meeting.
- FEB 6, 2023: TAD ALLOCATION District 1 (Terminus Analytics) HERE
- MINUTES: Mall Redevelopment Committee (February 3): Meeting VIDEO
- 2020: TAD-1-Mall-Area-Redevelopment-Plan: Detailed schematics and 78 page explanation - HERE.
- Commissioner Mike Hamby - WGAU with Tim Bryant: MALL REDEVELOPMENT (AUDIO)
- FEB 21, 2023: Mayor & Commission Special Called and Agenda Setting Session
Public Comment:
Michael McLendon (ACI supporter) comments: VIDEO
- Commission Discussion:
Commissioner Mike Hamby explains his views on the delay of the vote on the Mall Redevelopment: VIDEO
Motion:
Motion and approval to hold the Mall Redevelopment Mall Zoning Request and Community Benefits Agreement March 7: HERE
Vote to be held at the March 7th Mayor and Commission Meeting
- Opinion: Why the rush to seal Ga. Square Mall redevelopment deal? HERE
- FEB 22, 2023: Georgia Square Mall Redevelopment Votes Postponed Again (Flagpole) - HERE
- FEB 21, 2023: Mayor & Commission Special Called and Agenda Setting Session - Tabling of the Mall vote: (11:31-12:04) HERE
- Ordinance to Amend the Code: HERE
- Article: Commission Delays Votes on Georgia Square Mall Redevelopment (Flagpole) HERE
- Community Benefits Redacted Version (Leavan Group) - HERE
- Mayor & Commission (February 7, 2023) HERE
Minutes: HERE
- Article: FEB 21, 2023: Mall Redevelopment Hits a Snag (WUGA): HERE
- Document Attachment #9: FEB 8, 2023: MALL AREA TAD committee recommendation_Final Edits
- Mall Area Redevelopment Committee Meeting - Dan McRae Community Benefits (approx.1 hour - very informative step-by-step) HERE
- Financial Analysis: Attachment #7 — HERE
- FEB 17, 2023: Updated Staff Report —HERE
- Feb 17, 2023: “Master Planned Development Application Report” dated December 12, 2022, as well as 31 pages of the document described as “Georgia Square Mall
- Redevelopment Concept Plan” with cover page dated 10/19/2022 and stamped “Binding 1-11-2023”. Said report is on file and available for public inspection – HERE
- A site plan for the Georgia Square Mall Redevelopment and a staff recommendation (PDF) to the Planning Commission for the mall redevelopment.
Georgia Power impact Analysis - Athens Mall Redevelopment - Athens-Clarke County - Implan Analysis
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$10,000 DONATION MATCH CHALLENGE
ATHENS CLEAN & SAFE PAC
An offer of matching funds up to $10,000 exists to support the operations of the Athens Clean & Safe Political Action Committee (PAC). Similar contributions helped get candidates elected during the 2022 Primary. This PAC will go a long way in determining the level of effectiveness the Athens Clean & Safe will be able to have moving forward.
With the 2024 election season fast approaching, ACI will be looking at the Commission District races in 2, 4 6, 8 and 10 as well as the Western Circuit District Attorney race. The DA office is currently held by Deborah Gonzalez. Athens Classic, Inc. must be prepared to support qualified candidates who reflect the ACI mission of the well being of Public Safety, Public Education, and Public Health in this county. Donations to the Athens Clean & Safe PAC is the foundation of these funds.
Please consider a generous gift to make the best of the $10,000 Matching Funds. We are grateful for every contribution.
Make checks payable to: Athens Clean & Safe PAC
Mail check to: Athens Clean & Safe, 525 Milledge Terrace, Athens, GA 30606
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REPRESENTATIVE HOUSTON GAINES
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Recent updates include:
HB 229: Will require district attorneys and prosecutors to uphold the law and do their job. This bill is aimed at prosecutors who are failing to prosecute by establishing a mechanism in law to remove DAs and solicitors from office if they fail to uphold the law.
HB 231: Another measure aimed to ensure there is a way to rein in rogue prosecutors. HB 231 would establish the Prosecuting Oversight Commission, creating a structure similar to the oversight that judges have in our state.
FEBRUARY UPDATES: Full Version HERE
JANUARY UPDATES: Full Version HERE
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