The past year in Statham, there have been four armed robberies, two of which occurred last month at gas stations.
Police chief Steve Martin approached the city with the idea of offering a reward for citizens with information to come forward. He said that the police department had received some tips, but nothing substantial enough to make an arrest. He thinks citizens need more incentive.
“Any money that (the city) might be able to offer would hopefully move things along,” Martin said.
He added that an issue with offering an award is that there could be more than one suspect, and the reward may have to be paid twice.
Statham City Hall
Info sought concerning Statham robberies, Council asked to offer reward
Council member Gayle Steed suggested instead of the money coming from the city, that maybe the businesses affected by the burglaries would offer a reward.
Martin said that he didn’t think the business would, considering the amount lost in the robberies.
“My concern is the longer we go from the act of committing the crimes, the harder it’s going to be to get information needed to make an arrest,” he said.
Steed said that she wasn’t comfortable with the city offering the reward, since the taxpayers would ultimately be the ones footing the bill.
“I’m assuming this is (would) come from the taxpayers to do this,” she said. “And you want your city safe, but you also want people to do the right thing, and that’s come forward with (the information).”
No action was taken on the request, nor was an award amount suggested.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the Statham City Council Meeting Tuesday night:
•the council approved a request from the police department for new software that will assist with incident reports and accident reports. A final price is still to be determined and will be done at next month’s council meeting.
•A resident at 1874 Broad Street approached the council hoping for assistance with paying for a $1,439 water bill resulting from a leak. The leak was discovered after an inspector came to the house to inform the homeowner that water was spilling out onto a neighbor’s property. The leak was fixed the next day, according to the resident, but not before 234,000 gallons of water escaped. No action was taken, however, the city explained to the resident how to check his meter to see if water is running.
•the council voted to donate to the 2010 Black Diamond and Denim Gala — an event dedicated to adult literacy — by donating $400.
•the second reading of the drug-free commercial zone ordinance was tabled.
•the first reading of an amendment to subdivision regulations was waived.
•the council went into closed session to discuss personnel and land acquisition. No action was taken when the meeting opened back up to the public.
Martin said that he didn’t think the business would, considering the amount lost in the robberies.
“My concern is the longer we go from the act of committing the crimes, the harder it’s going to be to get information needed to make an arrest,” he said.
Steed said that she wasn’t comfortable with the city offering the reward, since the taxpayers would ultimately be the ones footing the bill.
“I’m assuming this is (would) come from the taxpayers to do this,” she said. “And you want your city safe, but you also want people to do the right thing, and that’s come forward with (the information).”
No action was taken on the request, nor was an award amount suggested.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the Statham City Council Meeting Tuesday night:
•the council approved a request from the police department for new software that will assist with incident reports and accident reports. A final price is still to be determined and will be done at next month’s council meeting.
•A resident at 1874 Broad Street approached the council hoping for assistance with paying for a $1,439 water bill resulting from a leak. The leak was discovered after an inspector came to the house to inform the homeowner that water was spilling out onto a neighbor’s property. The leak was fixed the next day, according to the resident, but not before 234,000 gallons of water escaped. No action was taken, however, the city explained to the resident how to check his meter to see if water is running.
•the council voted to donate to the 2010 Black Diamond and Denim Gala — an event dedicated to adult literacy — by donating $400.
•the second reading of the drug-free commercial zone ordinance was tabled.
•the first reading of an amendment to subdivision regulations was waived.
•the council went into closed session to discuss personnel and land acquisition. No action was taken when the meeting opened back up to the public.
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks