Political Insider

By Son Of A Son Of A Fireman

January 7, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this

Wow - I can’t believe I heartily agree with an idea that Robb Pitts came up with, but, this is surely a wonderful idea. One suggestion, though - don’t forget to include the firefighters in on this, too - they selflessly defend our properties and our lives also.

By 1st Time

January 7, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

First time I ever agreed with Pitts. I think it should include firefighters as well.

By JJ

January 7, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this

Who pays the mortgage?

I love the idea. These people who protect us, aren’t paid squat. I know, I have several family members in law enforcement, and various fire departments.

I’m all for this idea, but in the end, who is paying for the house? IF the departments have enough money to pay for this, why not give the officers and fire personnel a raise?

By Joyce

January 7, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this

Excellent idea. Police Officers as well as Fire Fighters, they might want to consider teachers as well.

This is one of the BEST ideas I have heard of for their compensation.

Move forward!

By Teacher

January 7, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this

The should include teachers also.

By Richard

January 7, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this

I think this would be a great idea. Some areas need a police prescence. Maybe this will cut down on some of the crime that is going on in some areas. Please place one in the empty house behind where I live…lol

By T.O.

January 7, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this

Fascinating idea and very creative thinking. If properly developed, this plan could meet multiple needs. Good luck with all the hoops that would need to be jumped through.

By Cathy

January 7, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this

sorry, cops no. Firefighters First and only. what was the thug count for the cop going into training with felonies?

By Danny

January 7, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this

There is a cop that lives at the front of my community his patrol car is parked in the driveway,yet drugs are sold openly and smoked openly. Many neighbors have spoken to him and yet nothing happens and the punks laugh and do what they do.

By VoiceOfReason

January 7, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this

As far as who’s paying the mortgage, these may be government owned homes already. If taxes are owed on a home, those city taxes actually trump a foreclosure. So even if the house goes into foreclosure and is owned by the bank, the city can still seize it and sell it for the taxes owed on it. In this case, maybe the cities could “purchase” it for the officers. Bottom line, there will be no mortgage to pay.

Sounds like a great idea. Police officers and firefighters would be great. Yeah, someone might want to add teachers, but screw that, they don’t provide me with a sense of security outside the classroom.

By dekalbofficers

January 7, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this

Here in DeKalb, we would just settle for health insurance!

By Wanda

January 7, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this

Wonder how long it would take to get this started. Sounds like a great idea.

By Gerald

January 7, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this

Good idea, but watch this expand to all local Govt. workers! Otherwise, it’s not fair. The idea will probably die on the table.

By T.O.

January 7, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this

Fascinating idea and very creative thinking. If properly developed, this plan could meet multiple needs. Good luck with all the hoops that would need to be jumped through.

By Joan Moon

January 7, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe that anyone or governing body would seize and redistribute the property of others. Too many of there owners are too poor to fix up their houses.

By TPL

January 7, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this

One problem, Rob. In many cases, the cities and counties do not own these vacant homes. Frequently, a bank owns these homes due to a foreclosure after the previous owner abandoned ship. Do you propose that cities and counties buy these vacant homes from the banks? If so, where will the money come from? If you can overcome this hurdle — then good idea, Rob!

By Yes, yes, yes

January 7, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this

Yes, yes, yes, … but to firefighters as well, and for shorter periods of time — I say ten years is better than 15 years, b/c of the health/aging issues we all face. Make it ten, and give them to cops and firefighters.

By TPL

January 7, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this

One problem, Rob. In many cases, the cities and counties do not own these vacant homes. Frequently, a bank owns these homes due to a foreclosure after the previous owner abandoned ship. Do you propose that cities and counties buy these vacant homes from the banks? If so, where will the money come from? If you can overcome this hurdle — then good idea, Rob!

By TPL

January 7, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this

One problem, Rob. In many cases, the cities and counties do not own these vacant homes. Frequently, a bank owns these homes due to a foreclosure after the previous owner abandoned ship. Do you propose that cities and counties buy these vacant homes from the banks? If so, where will the money come from? If you can overcome this hurdle — then good idea, Rob!

By TPL

January 7, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this

One problem, Rob. In many cases, the cities and counties do not own these vacant homes. Frequently, a bank owns these homes due to a foreclosure after the previous owner abandoned ship. Do you propose that cities and counties buy these vacant homes from the banks? If so, where will the money come from? If you can overcome this hurdle — then good idea, Rob!

By Cathy

January 7, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this

I know I’ll make some people mad but, sorry Cops NO. Firefighters First and only. With the number of recruits with felony records being what 1 in 3, I don’t want a Cop in my neighborhood. I’d much rather have an EMT or Firefighter any day, they are the selfless ones. And sorry again but -ell no to teachers either. Really where do you stop? Sanatation Workers? Why not?

By OneChris

January 7, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this

YEAH PUT A COP IN THE HOOD FOR FREE That is not going to work. He has lost his marbles. GIVE THEM A FULL PAYCHECK FIRST!

By Percy Brooks, lll

January 7, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this

I think that a more apprioate way to handle it would be to give each rookie police officer a Section 8 Housing Voucher.Let the Voucher covert into a mortgage loan. Then let the police officers locate their new housing of their choice and be responsible for payins 30% ofd their monthly gross income to purchase the home. It can be implemented as HUD Pilot Homeownership Program through the Fulton County’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Percy Brooks,lll

By Donny

January 7, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this

A nice idea, but these abandoned and vacant houses are owned by someone. It’s a rare occasion where a city or county government ends up with a property, and in most cases when it happens it’s not a desirable property.

Also a 15 year commitment becomes a form of indentured servitude.

By Motoryclist

January 7, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this

Depends. Who owns these home. Is the city going to steal them from banks and citizens that had to move? In he end, someone pays. There is no free ride, unless you are a crook or CEO (which is the same thing). Now it adds up. Rodd owns a bunch of vacant houses that he wants the city to buy from him (at what is likely an inflated rate).

By BiteMe

January 7, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this

For cops and firefighters, YES! But to teachers and government WORKERS?!?!?! HA HA HA HA AH HA! Workers…..Please. The thought alone makes me want to laugh and spit out my coffee all over the place. But alas, I shall contain my laughter.

Great idea, but good luck with it. Everybody will start with cries that they deserve the same treatment, when really they don’t. Cops and firefighters protect us and risk their lives and deserve our upmost respect. Teachers and government workers don’t.

By Matt

January 7, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this

Shouldn’t we include teachers, emt’s, firefighters, etc.? Great idea in theory but who will buy the houses from the banks? And who has the right to decide who deserves a house? What happens if they leave their jobs? What happens if they are fired from their jobs? To many what if’s.

By Cee

January 7, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

Regarding your comment “Cathy” too bad you feel that way about cops, if you ever are in a situation where you are being robbed or harmed, dont bother calling 911 since you dont have any respect for cops. You do know that the Army used to take convicted felons, and they still protected our country the same way a graduate from Yale would do. Dont be so ignorant and pass judgement on something you read in the papae or heard in the news. You big Dummmy.

By Motoryclist

January 7, 2009 10:50 AM | Link to this

Depends. Who owns these home. Is the city going to steal them from banks and citizens that had to move? In he end, someone pays. There is no free ride, unless you are a crook or CEO (which is the same thing). Now it adds up. Rodd owns a bunch of vacant houses that he wants the city to buy from him (at what is likely an inflated rate).

By Motoryclist

January 7, 2009 10:50 AM | Link to this

Depends. Who owns these home. Is the city going to steal them from banks and citizens that had to move? In he end, someone pays. There is no free ride, unless you are a crook or CEO (which is the same thing). Now it adds up. Rodd owns a bunch of vacant houses that he wants the city to buy from him (at what is likely an inflated rate).

By Mell

January 7, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this

Corrrections officer have these thugs every day help them uot too!!!

By cee

January 7, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this

Regarding your comment “Cathy” too bad you feel that way about cops, if you ever are in a situation where you are being robbed or harmed, dont bother calling 911 since you dont have any respect for cops. You do know that the Army used to take convicted felons, and they still protected our country the same way a graduate from Yale would do. Dont be so ignorant and pass judgement on something you read in the papae or heard in the news. You big Dummmy.

By Matt

January 7, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

Bite Me, Please explain why teacher’s don’t deserve this?

By Ann

January 7, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this

The Federal Bureau of Prisons does this with some of it’s employees, so it’s doable. Keeping graft out of it will be the issue. A centralized community of homes would work best for effieceny of maintenance and operation. That way the Dept. acts as landlord and easily allows for personnel changes and moves.

By ETG

January 7, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this

To Cathy, I hope your local dispatch center logs your address as not wanting cops in her neighborhood. That way, when your home is burglarized or your property is stolen, they don’t have to waste their time responding or trying to recover your possessions. Maybe the fire department can handle the investigation instead!

By BiteMe

January 7, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry, Matt. I’ve never known a teacher who put their life on the line for me or anybody I know. Most of my teachers were arrogant and didn’t care about teaching any of us and frankly never earned my respect.

Now, what about our fighting Service Men and Women? Why not add our soldiers to this list with cops and firefighters?

By Randy

January 7, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this

Why not include everyone, your local plumber, electrician, roofers, bankers, post office employees and so on. ll these people provide services at which they are under paid. Since this Bush/Obama administrations are so hell bent on us becoming a socialist society this idea would fit right in. Why can you people not see where we are headed? If our founding fathers had wanted a socialist government they would have founded it that way but that is not the case, Americans have fought many wars to be allowed to have the freedoms and choices we have had in the past but we are now entering into areas that defy those freedoms and choices. It’s time to wake up America, if you want socialism move to where it’s offered and in the meantime give me my American Republic government back! and by the way we are a Republic and not a Democracy. Learn our history folks.

By Gandalf, the White!

January 7, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this

“From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!”

By booty1967

January 7, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this

Dear God Almighty, please send them to southwest Atlanta! Our street has been devastated by mortgage fraud, and we have seen an increase in crime because of the horrible economy and the glut of vacant houses. I have no doubt that having cops living in these homes would deter crime. Commissioner Pitts, please start with the 30310 zip code!!

By Cletus Snow

January 7, 2009 11:05 AM | Link to this

Maybe we should extend the free ride to all govt agencies since they have extreme job security. If there are freebies to be had why not help the original homeowner? he’s the one whose made the investment in the home. Makes more sense to me to get him a job with the PD, unless he has a criminal conviction, and fire the felons we’re paying to enforce the law.

By ETG

January 7, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this

To Cathy, I hope your local dispatch center logs your address as not wanting cops in her neighborhood. That way, when your home is burglarized or your property is stolen, they don’t have to waste their time responding or trying to recover your possessions. Maybe the fire department can handle the investigation instead!

By Mark

January 7, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this

Pitts is an IDIOT. Who’s going to pay for this? Why should they get free housing? Still wondering what they’re doing to fix the bad public perception they have since shooting at 92 yro women, dealing/faking crime scenes and lying while on duty. Give me a break.

By ETG

January 7, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this

To Cathy, I hope your local dispatch center logs your address as not wanting cops in her neighborhood. That way, when your home is burglarized or your property is stolen, they don’t have to waste their time responding or trying to recover your possessions. Maybe the fire department can handle the investigation instead!

By ETG

January 7, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this

To Cathy, I hope your local dispatch center logs your address as not wanting cops in her neighborhood. That way, when your home is burglarized or your property is stolen, they don’t have to waste their time responding or trying to recover your possessions. Maybe the fire department can handle the investigation instead!

By Randy

January 7, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

Why not include everyone, your local plumber, electrician, roofers, bankers, post office employees and so on. ll these people provide services at which they are under paid. Since this Bush/Obama administrations are so hell bent on us becoming a socialist society this idea would fit right in. Why can you people not see where we are headed? If our founding fathers had wanted a socialist government they would have founded it that way but that is not the case, Americans have fought many wars to be allowed to have the freedoms and choices we have had in the past but we are now entering into areas that defy those freedoms and choices. It’s time to wake up America, if you want socialism move to where it’s offered and in the meantime give me my American Republic government back! and by the way we are a Republic and not a Democracy. Learn our history folks.

By Peaches

January 7, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

I think this is a fantastic idea. Our police offices put their lives on the line every day for us for borderline proverty salaries. This is the least we can do for those who give us some much and receive so little! This idea should be country-wide!

By Bummer

January 7, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this

Most of the cops I know already think they are above the law. Now we need to let them think they are above the finances of the average citizen?

By Tray

January 7, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this

Hate to break it to some, but military does give you a ‘free’ house if you are married and want to live on base.

Teachers, sorry, and as much as a good idea it may be, you do not deserve free houseing. First off, whether you’re a good teacher or not, you DO NOT put your life on the line. The random shootings at schools unfortunately do happen, but most teachers run, too. Cops and firefighters run the other way.

The gov’t has a right to repossess a house from either a homeowner or bank if they fall behind on property taxes. after the Repo, they sell it and keep the money to pay off the taxes owed. If they repo the houses, i say give it to the cops/firefighters.

However, they need to pay insurance and property tax out of their pockets. In NO WAY SHOULD OUR TAX MONEY BE USED FOR THIS.

By Meg

January 7, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this

If you trust the government completely… This would make police officers more dependent on the government, not just for their jobs but for their homes. They’re already banning guns and pushing for ammo to be priced out of our reach, this gives the government a domestic army with no choice but to obey, or lose their home and livelihood.

By ETG

January 7, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this

To Cathy, I hope your local dispatch center logs your address as not wanting cops in her neighborhood. That way, when your home is burglarized or your property is stolen, they don’t have to waste their time responding or trying to recover your possessions. Maybe the fire department can handle the investigation instead!

By Meg

January 7, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this

If you trust the government completely… This would make police officers more dependent on the government, not just for their jobs but for their homes. They’re already banning guns and pushing for ammo to be priced out of our reach, this gives the government a domestic army with no choice but to obey, or lose their home and livelihood.

By Matt

January 7, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

Bite Me, Sounds like you were a problem student. Teachers may be arrogant but the students keep them that way. And more times than none so do the Parents. What you fail to see in the education system are the behind the scenes episodes that go one daily:

Students that are unruly because mommy and daddy let them have what ever they want. And in mommy and daddy’s eyes they can do no wrong.

Parents who expect the teachers to raise their kids, without any recourse for bad behavior.

Insurance companies that control the school boards which in turn make it impossible to discipline students due to the fear of being sued by slack-a* parents who are looking for the easy button in life.

State mandated tests that are beyond ridiculous but hold all teachers responsible if the student fails. God forbid it should be the students responsibility.

The list goes on. Ask any teacher! I will say that you are right about the Armed Services. As a former soldier it would have been nice to receive some sort of housing help. Have you ever seen what men and women of the Armed Services get paid? It is an insult to them!

Bite Me, Before you come down on teachers, I challenge you to do their job. YOU did graduate from high school? Maybe you even went to college? So their is no keeping you from giving back, right?

By CannotHappen

January 7, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

If we cannot afford to pay a decent salary, where is the money going to come from to buy all of these houses? Somebody owns vacant houses whether it is an individual or a lender. They would have the right to redeem the property if there was a tax sale. There is not going to be a fair way to decide who gets a $75,000 house and who gets a $250,000 house. This STUPID idea is Rob Pitts. President elect Obama shouldn’t be blamed for this foolishness.

By Meg

January 7, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

If you trust the government completely… This would make police officers more dependent on the government, not just for their jobs but for their homes. They’re already banning guns and pushing for ammo to be priced out of our reach, this gives the government a domestic army with no choice but to obey, or lose their home and livelihood.

By real

January 7, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

Whose going to pay the mortgage? Correction on the protect issue. You are protected if you live in the right neighborhood and have skin tone. Otherwise you live in fear of all in authority

By real

January 7, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

Whose going to pay the mortgage? Correction on the protect issue. You are protected if you live in the right neighborhood and have skin tone. Otherwise you live in fear of all in authority

By Gayla

January 7, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this

Finally…someone comes up with a way to turn it around and do something reasonable and good with this crisis. It’s will also help solve the police retention issues and give them the opportunity to stop having to work so many extra jobs to make ends meet. And, yes, it should be aval for figherfighters as well.

By T.O.

January 7, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this

Cathy

Your position only shoots yourself in the foot. When agencies cannot recruit or retain response times, morale, experience levels- everything suffers. No small degree of community order is maintained by a proactive and visible police presence and when assistance is needed there is a response. Imagine needing a deputy or officer for the domestic dispute next door, for the car accident, for a natural or man made disaster or any number of other emergencies- and no one responding.

By Dumb Idea

January 7, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this

The vacant homes are not owned by the city or county. They may have a lien or other vested interest but most of these are still owned by banks. The property has to be purchased from the bank or other mortgage holder. Where does this money come from? An increase in Taxes? It is a zero sum game, someone wins and someone loses. I for one pay enough in taxes (this includes coverage for public services like law enforcement and fire agencies) that I should not subsidize these agencies. Novel idea but is not rooted in practicallity but rather in socialism.

By Dee

January 7, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this

While many of you would be happy to live in a socialist country ( for the good of whomever) I am not. Many have played by the rules and have not had anything given to them and now have it taken away by taxing agencies, gubbmint, insurance companies etc. 15 years of service and you get a home ( at what price) who gets the gains if and when sold. Just more of the democrats redistributing the wealth. There is no special group, we are all Americans. pull yourself up by the bootstraps and quit looking for a handout.

By Lulu

January 7, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this

Bottom line is who pays for the home. This isn’t a new idea. Investors in the RE market and cities with huge slum problems have been doing it for years but on the hush side and the policemen didn’t end up owning the homes. When they quit being police they quit getting “a Break” on housing. In exchange their presence as a dweller was to park the police car prominently and to be aware of what was going on in the neighborhood. In short to act a deterant for vandals so the investors could feel some protection for trying to build up a neighborhood.

By Paladin

January 7, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this

HUD tried this a few years ago but had to shut it down because the cops, firefighters and teachers were defrauding the system by renting out the properties and/or selling them for a profit.

There might be some merit to this idea, but the program MUST have an effective monitoring and enforcement arm. Assuming that could be done, why stop there? Why not give houses to low-paid city or county employees to keep them on the payroll, reduce training costs, and keep them in the area to reduce commuting costs?

By glenn129

January 7, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this

Most policemen would not want to live in these rundown homes in neighborhoods not safe for their children.

By in town resident

January 7, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this

GREAT IDEA, definitely include fireman and probably should include other health (hospital folks, nurses, techs etc) and safety professionals. GREAT IDEA, now make it happen instead of just talking about it

By KCK

January 7, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Gandalf, I hope you’re just being sardonic … and that the hammer and sickle days are behind us.

By Police Officer

January 7, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this

Apparently Cathy has had a run-in with an officer that she didn’t like. Georgia law prohibits felons from being police officers. Federal law prohibits those convicted of domestic violence from being a police officer. A few have slipped through the cracks but the state has been clamping down and weeding those out. Also, please provide your data that 1 in 3 academy students is a felon. I’m willing to bet you can’t do it because it just isn’t true. If the state knew they were a felon, they wouldn’t be there in the first place.

As far as the housing issue goes… The federal government is providing millions in dollars for local governments to buy up these properties and do as they choose with them. This is where the money would come from to purchase the homes.

However, I see a lot of issues that would come up with this. There are a lot of officers. How would you decide which ones are worthy of being given a home and which ones are not? This is just one of the bigger issues I see.

I’ll just stick to my own home. I work hard and will continue to pay my mortgage unlike a lot of other people out there. I’ll also continue to stick my neck out for subpar pay to know that I’m making a positive difference for my family and other families out there even though there are ungrateful and downright ugly people like Cathy out there.

By Fred

January 7, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this

I guess you guys missed the point on why he is including police only. It would probably be in the jurisdiction they work in, in a high crime neighborhood, and you would be expected to handle any problems in the area in your off time. Fire fighters and teachers don’t handle 911 calls in their off time, so essentially it’s not going to be “free” there is no such thing.

By Weee it's free

January 7, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

and the freebies (give away programs) start!

By Kitty

January 7, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

If the home was lost to taxes and the city/state took possession, then the home is owned already by due of a tax lien, isn’t it?

By woodscraps

January 7, 2009 12:44 PM | Link to this

For the people asking who pays the mortgage…

I think it depends on who forecloses - the bank or the government. If it’s the bank, this is more complicated. If it’s the govt., then it’s easy. The city forecloses on properties for failure to pay taxes all the time. Whoever had the mortgage is stuck with it, just without the property now.

By Cathy

January 7, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this

Such venomous remarks! AJC Sunday Oct. 12, 2008 Written by:Tim Eberly ” One in three recent Atlanta Police Academy graduates have criminal records”. Sorry, I said felony didn’t I?