Georgia Legal Report
(WTOC News)
Solidarity in Savannah: Community Calls for Peace
The Savannah community is taking to the streets in an effort to end a violent string of shootings, which has recently plagued the city. Solidarity in Savannah, a grassroots campaign for peace seeks to end violence by educating the public.
“For the most part, there’s a lack of care for human life right now. It saddens me. It’s heartbreaking,” Ylana Abbot, Director of Solidarity in Savannah, told WTOC News.
Solidarity in Savannah is taking an innovative approach to fighting violent crime in the city. Treating violence as a disease, Ms. Abbot’s group is providing a public health message to their neighbors and community leaders. The group creates public awareness of the violence and educates the community on how this crime will affect everyone.
“This is who it affects, it’s the neighbors here, it’s the children here,” said Ms. Abbot.
Troy Smith’s children were among those innocents affected by violence in their community. A shooting down the street from the Smith home claimed the life of one man. Apparently the victim’s body was left uncovered during the investigation and his children witnessed the aftermath on their way to school.
“My kids had to see that, a dead man on the ground,” said Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith later stood with Solidarity in Savannah protestors on the street where the shooting occurred.
“No more killing, enough is enough. No more killing. No more killing,” chanted Mr. Smith, holding a sign for passersby, which read, “A shooting happened here today. It could be your doorstep next….”
Savannah Property Owners: Deter Crime Before It Happens
Equally as important as raising public awareness of the ongoing community violence, and its affect on all Savannah families, is preventing it. Many of these violent crimes have occurred in apartment complexes, parking lots and nightclubs throughout Savannah. It is time Savannah property owners follow the example of their neighbors and take measures to protect our families and deter such crime.
Apartment, parking lot and nightclub owners have a duty to protect all patrons legally on their property from foreseeable harm. Should the property owners or managers fail in this responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence. Many responsible property owners train and work with local police to prevent such crime, implementing security precautions and procedures to protect patrons and deter crime. These security measures may include:
Savannah Parking Lot Shootings and Assaults
- Many Savannah parking lot shootings and assaults may be prevented by implementing and maintaining proper security precautions, such as bright lighting, frequent security patrols, emergency call boxes, and surveillance cameras.
Savannah Nightclub Shootings and Assaults
- Many Savannah nightclub shootings and assaults may be prevented by implementing proper nightclub security measures, such as weapons screenings, surveillance cameras, bright lighting, and security patrols. As many nightclub assaults occur in the parking lot, these security precautions should extend outside. Additionally, many police departments will train nightclub owners, managers and staff to recognize and deescalate potentially dangerous situations.
Savannah Apartment Shootings and Assaults
- Apartment residents have a right to provide a safe and secure home for their families. Apartment complex owners and management companies may deter crime and protect residents by implementing and maintaining proper access controls and security measures, such as gated-entry, fencing, bright lighting, security patrols, ID-controlled building entry, deadbolts, steel frame doors with viewers, security bars, and surveillance cameras. Additionally, many police departments will train apartment owners and managers to adequately secure their property and to implement procedures to keep residents informed and protected.
As the Savannah community raises awareness of local violence, responsible Savannah property owners can help us to prevent it. Perhaps, together, many lives may be spared.
We Fight for Victims of Violence in Savannah…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.
The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of violence and security negligence in Georgia, and we offer our legal assistance if desired. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 912.385.9690. Consultations are free and confidential.
Choosing the Right Attorney
Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.
Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!
You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:
A LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.
– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.
Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”
Workers Compensation and Car Accidents: Company-Related Motor Vehicle Accidents May Allow for Two Cases
The DC Metropolitan Police Department has released their Best Practices for Nightlife Establishments report, outlining how nightclub owners can develop a safe nightlife atmosphere for patrons. While the full report addresses a variety of crucial nightclub security guidelines, including age verification, intoxication, employee training, and security procedures, this article specifically focuses on the DCPD best practices for preventing nightclub sexual assault.