Georgia Legal Report
(Savannah Morning News)
Community Calls for End to Violence
Two hundred people took to Savannah streets Saturday evening in an effort to raise community awareness of local violence. Marchers wore “We Must Do Something” t-shirts while praying, singing and engaging neighbors in topics, such as jobs and community resources for poverty-stricken neighborhoods.
Per media reports, marchers targeted “men ages 18-25, the group hardest hit by and, sometimes, involved in the violence.”
According to Savannah Morning News, the march capped off a week of Savannah anti-violence rallies.
“There was a rally Monday. There was a rally Wednesday after a 20-year-old man was shot to death at Fred Wessels homes the previous evening. There was a rally Thursday night in Savannah’s Metropolitan neighborhood, and another Friday in Midtown. There was one Saturday morning in Johnson Square. What’s notable is that, over the past week, rallying has become jst as routine as the violence residents are protesting.”
Savannah-Chatham Police have reportedly investigated over 170 shootings this year and media reports indicate, “violent crime is up more than 20 percent from this time last year.”
Many of the week’s rallies focused on the need for people to speak up and help police protect their community.
“People who protect killers need to step to the plate and give police information that will help them catch the people who are wreaking havoc on the city’s peace of mind.”
Rally organizer, Shawntray Grant, asked neighbors to “stop laying the blame on police and public officials” during his Wednesday rally. Mr. Grant reportedly reminded the community that law enforcement officials can’t do their jobs without “tangible help from residents.”
Assistant Police Chief Julie Tolbert believes, “everyday residents actually going out and calling on the community to to quit protecting killers is a big deal.”
What Can Property Owners Do to Help?
Equally as important as raising public awareness of the ongoing community violence, and its affect on Savannah families, is preventing it. Many of these violent crimes have occurred in apartment complexes, parking lots, hotels, 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.
By law, Georgia apartment, parking lot, hotel, 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.
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.
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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.
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