Neighborhood News and Public Safety

My next door neighbor is at it again. Sandy leads the most interesting life therefore I live mine vicariously through her. As previous articles have stated, Sandy is employed by WAGT NBC 26. WAGT, with Sandy’s help, is launching “A unique new Website that offers discounted gift certificates from quality local businesses.” Not only will this “produce guaranteed advertising results, local businesses will receive promotional exposure on two television stations (the Augusta CW).” As a consequence, we, the consumer, share in the benefits of affordable gifts certificates as well as the opportunity to browse local stores on line. This new Website, csrashopper.com, is planned for launch in September 2006 Here’s how it works: Businesses are categorized on the homepage of csrashopper.com and when a computer clicks on a local business it is directed to that local businesses ad page. This page contains as much or as little information as the business wants and provides consumers with location, links, hours, directions, contact info, etc., thereby giving us, the consumers, a chance to check out our local businesses from the comfort of our homes and, if we want we can purchase gift certificates on line. Thanks to Sandy and WAGT, Augusta is finally taking a step into the 21st Century.
During the week I get on line to read other newspaper stories in other newspapers; the AJC and Augusta Chronicle to name two. The past two weeks stories in the Chronicle have been depressing to say the least. Armed robberies, break-ins, assaults, murders, drive-by shootings, attempted and consummated rapes and child molestations have permeated the news. I’d expect this in the AJC but not here. Not here where just a few short years ago citizens were assured Augusta had no gang problems. Can you say Ostrich? After reading about all the mayhem across the river, I am so thankful that I live here in North Augusta. Yes, we have had a murder this year, highly unusual, but proximity to all the crime on the other side leaves one knowing some of it is bound to wade across the river. Our Department of Public Safety does something that they do not do over there; they are proactive whereas Richmond County is reactive. Their sheriff blames reduction in law enforcement personnel and lack of money to hire and train new deputies which is true to a point. However, the sheriff’s department has always been reactive and not proactive and Richmond County tends to cut funds to police and fire when the budget is low which seems to be a constant state of affairs for them. North Augusta not only pays our Public Safety Officers well; they treat them with respect. North Augusta Public Safety, as with all South Carolina Public Safety Law Enforcement, are trained in law enforcement as well as fire. Can you imagine what chaos would follow if Richmond County tried that?
Other articles that get my back up include the constant bickering among the commissioners, the lack of anyone being able to make a rational decision for the good of the community instead of the good of themselves and the length of time it takes to discuss the simplest thing on the agenda because so many of them love the sound of their own voices. They also think the more they talk the more their constituents will believe they actually are serving their needs. I know North Augusta is not as large as Richmond County but the basics are the same. Our fine group of government officials seem to be able to get to the actual business of government when they convene. We are so lucky to have a group of people who actually represent us, who actually have our best interest at heart and the best interest of our city. I love North Augusta. I wish our neighbors could be as lucky as we are.
A great deal has changed since this column was written. Our Public Safety Chief has moved on to greener pastures and one of the good old boys has taken his place thereby negating most of the progress made in that department. They are no longer aware of how they look or how they act when on patrol and the proactive stance has become a thing of the past. Our former Chief took pride in his appearance and expected his officers to do the same. Our new Chief, since retired, was as round as he was tall and practiced his swagger more than his job and his lack of caring showed in our officers. Gone were the days of driving through at risk neighborhoods to commune with the residents. Gone were the days of passing out “cop cards” to the children or making an effort to gain their trust. The department has become lazy reflecting its leader. He was forced upon them with threats of losing their jobs by the Mayor if they did not get on board with his appointment and the resentment showed. It took a while but the new Chief’s true colors finally surfaced and it was suggested he retire. I think he thought that he had enough information on people to secure his position forever and that he could act and do as he pleased; it finally became too much. We now have another new Chief who seems pleasant enough but I have yet to hear of any new programs he has created or raves from his officers; we shall see.