Police chiefs back Ga. justice reforms
The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police express their appreciation and support of Gov. Nathan Deal’s criminal justice reform efforts, which have helped to reduce the overall crime rate in Georgia by 24 percent.
Accountability Courts addressing special areas, including drugs, mental health, and veterans’ needs have been established in nearly every judicial circuit. Georgia’s prison population has experienced a 6 percent reduction, saving millions to be used for other vital programs.
Senate Bill 407 will create judicial data exchanges enabling courts to electronically transfer data between criminal justice agencies. This system will speed handling cases and reduce costs caused by repeatedly entering the same data by various criminal justice agencies. This legislation also provides judges the flexibility to release indigent defendants on their own recognizance or community service, helping local governments cut costs associated with housing persons for minor offenses.
Implementing innovative, proactive legislation that challenges the status quo, addresses citizens’ needs, and improves government efficiency only occurs through visionary leadership and informed decision-making. We applaud the Governor and State Legislature for implementing well-designed initiatives to resolve long-standing issues and look forward to collaborating on future initiatives.
FRANK V. ROTONDO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE
MARTA name still just fine in ATL
Continue with MARTA! Many of us have had our fill of politically correct name changes. Older Atlantans, who are still able to move rapidly, can no longer find their way around town. With no more landmarks and new street names, we might as well be in Dallas. MARTA sounds good to me. Metro Atlanta means just that. “ATL” does not. So why not “Moving All Rapidly Through Atlanta”? Also, no multimillion-dollar painting contract would be required. Just one less temptation for a questionable purchasing department.
BOB BLAHNIK, TUCKER
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