3/5/09 Sandtown Community Association

I visited with members of the Sandtown Community Association. The community is one of the more established areas of South Fulton County. About 25 members were present. The meeting included an assigned Fulton County Police officer who provided crime states. He reported that four idling cars were stolen this am. It was a cold day and a few residents in the area decided to warm their cars and return to the indoors. The result was that the four stolen cars were recovered with one of them having received damage. What is significant about the theft is that the offenders were juveniles. He stated that their ages ranged between 14-15 years old.

Apparently, an older offender would drive the juveniles around looking for idling cars. This is a prime example as to why I speak to neighbors and voters about repeat juvenile offenders. Juvenile crime has increased significantly in South Fulton County. I have discussed the issue with members of the Fulton County Police and East Point Police Departments and they attribute it to school drop-outs and the economy. Nevertheless, I address this issue on my website at http://www.georgesneed.com/ I want to make it tougher for repeat juvenile offenders to commit more crime. I stress to the public that I'm not a "lock them up and throw away the key" kind of guy. I'm a mentor to at risk young men through my fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi's Guide Right program. However, I do believe that breaking and entering a home illegally is a very serious crime and for repeat offenders there should not be any leniency. As the next State Senator in District 35, I would change the current law to make it harder for repeat juvenile offenders to receive probation. I would also make it possible to face juveniles in a court of law. Currently juvenile trials are decided by a judge without a jury. I disagree with this law and would write a bill to change it. Finally, I support a new bill that was introduced in this current General Assembly regarding truancy.

Many parents have asked me what can I do about truancy and can the parents be "fined?" One voter mentioned an ordinance in DeKalb county sponsored by the Solicitor General which makes parents more accountable for their children missing school. I believe that with active PTA participation from parents and teachers, we can all have the types of schools we desire.