– Thursday, July 11, 2024 –
Good morning! The Current‘s public safety newsletter is back after a 4th of July break, and we’re hitting the ground running.
This week we’re reporting on large changes coming to a Savannah city board, what McIntosh County leaders said about first responders at the destructive Huston House fire and a timeline on the week of news involving Chatham County’s police chief.
Questions, comments or story ideas? Reach out to me at jake.shore@thecurrentga.org.
NEWS: PUBLIC SAFETY
Changes after police accountability cases
Savannah city leaders are proposing big changes to a little-known employment board after its decisions in police misconduct cases.
The reforms to the Civil Service Board will decrease the unelected board’s power to an advisory role in matters related to demotions, firings and suspensions.
The shift comes after the board reversed or lessened at least two disciplinary decisions in the last year made by the city manager and police chief.
NEWS: PUBLIC SAFETY
‘A big shoutout’
On Tuesday, the McIntosh County Commission took a moment to commend the county fire department — as well as neighboring units — on its work to battle the recent Huston House fire at Butler Island, according to The Current‘s Susan Catron, who was at the meeting this week.
The uninhabited, historic house was destroyed by the fire, and the department, partially staffed by volunteers, was on scene for more than 12 hours.
“Unfortunately, the Huston house was a total loss. But the response time, the reaction time, nobody getting hurt or injured. It’s just a big shout out to all of them and all that were involved,” District 2 Commissioner David Stevens said.
The volunteer firefighter stipend in McIntosh is $20 per call, and the commission voted to extend the stipend to $20 per every 3 hours on a call.
The rate was raised from $15 in 2020. Firefighters are also part of the county workers compensation and life insurance plans.
ANALYSIS: PUBLIC SAFETY
Personnel drama at CCPD
The long-awaited rollout of Chatham County’s new fire department was overshadowed last week by confusing personnel news involving the county police chief, Jeff Hadley.
On June 28, television news station WJCL reported that two months prior, Chief Hadley was reassigned to lead the county’s fire department transition, and Assistant Chief Julia Tolbert was made acting police chief: all behind closed doors.
Commission Chairman Chester Ellis, who has faced scrutiny over his transparency lapses regarding public safety, told the TV station that “the manager, who’s in charge of staff, made the decision and he informed the board … We didn’t need to go public to say anything about this that or the other.”
On the same day, the city of Beaumont, Texas, named Hadley as one of its five finalist candidates to take over as police chief.
“The Police Chief position in Beaumont is an attractive opportunity in that Texas is very supportive of Law Enforcement, the City of Beaumont is under stable leadership with a vision for the future, and the agency has had excellent leadership,” according to a document purportedly written by Hadley that Beaumont posted.
After news media reported on Hadley being named, he released a statement where he said, “In the interest of transparency, I have informed members of the Chatham County Police Department and Chatham County leadership of my selection as a finalist.”
Then on Monday, Hadley announced that he withdrew his application from Beaumont. He said the “outpouring of communication” and “kind words” he and CCPD received after he was named finalist “reaffirmed what I have known for the six and a half years that I have served this community.”
Savannah to change little-known board after police misconduct cases
City officials to alter Civil Service Board following decisions on disciplinary cases of Savannah Police Department officers.
Yamacraw residents wait as Savannah housing area continues to deteriorate
Four years ago, Savannah authorities decided to tear down Yamacraw Village in the city’s oldest downtown Black neighborhood. Today, amid bureaucratic delays, residents face worse living conditions.
Liberty County Commission takes control of funds from speed-camera violations
An investigation by The Current uncovered how the funds were spent, as well as a possible legal loophole that might justify spending on youth activities as a form of community policing.
Petition starts process for county-wide zoning vote on Sapelo’s Hogg Hummock
Community groups in McIntosh filed a petition to force a county-wide vote on a controversial zoning change for Hogg Hummock.
Ga. companies and governments push for faster climate action
Companies and local governments can’t achieve climate goals without support from electric utilities and regulators, support that some say isn’t coming fast enough.
Are you trapped in a social media echo chamber?
Understanding social media literarcy is a crucial component of safe news consumption. In order to safeguard against misinformation and confirmation bias, users need to understand the algorithm and how content is tailored to one’s preferences. Users should also carefully evaluate the source of their news and search for new perspectives.
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