Over the last several years, I have worked with stakeholders in the criminal justice system as part of my Smart Justice Advisory Council. It seeks sensible and creative sentencing solutions and deals with the root causes of crime that infringes upon lives. I’ve talked to law enforcement personnel, judges, our district attorney and local and state lawmakers.
More importantly, though, I’ve talked to Kate Boccia of Alpharetta, who recently shared her story in the AJC’s Personal Journeys’ feature. She has learned more about the criminal justice system than she ever anticipated. Her son, who struggled with a heroin addiction, is in prison charged with armed robbery. Boccia took her personal turmoil and turned it into action, fighting to get young people access to addiction treatment and the courts to rethink their handling of drug-related issues.
Boccia’s story is replicated throughout Fulton County and metro Atlanta as the experience of many parents. Drug use and abuse are responsible for much of the violent and property crime we deal with every day.
Since 1984, total index crimes (which includes violent and property offenses) have increased 39 percent; total violent crime is up 25 percent. Not coincidentally, that is the period when street drugs, such as crack cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, became much more prevalent. We also battle recidivism — young offenders who commit multiple and more serious offenses and fill our jails. That criminal culture makes it difficult for businesses to thrive and leaves residents on edge. The situation may sound hopeless. It isn’t.
I have listened to concerns of urban, rural and suburban residents in this county who share the same worries. They want safe neighborhoods, and incarceration is no longer an effective deterrent to criminal activity.
What’s needed are different approaches, such as accountability courts, which treat substance abuse and other social problems of first-time offenders to make them less likely to return to our jails. They include opportunities for first-time offenders to function in society outside of a cell and get their lives together. There are lots of interesting and innovative approaches out there. That is where you come in.
Next Thursday, I will host one of my Crime and Safety Summits from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Riverwood International Charter School, Sandy Springs. It will feature law enforcement and criminal justice professionals, but I also want to hear from those who have been impacted by addiction, suicide and crime. The hope is that we can put recommendations into practice to make neighborhoods safer.
With your help, we can make this happen.
John H. Eaves is chairman of the Fulton County Commission.
