Columbus, Georgia

Minutes for the Meeting of the

Public Safety Advisory Commission

June 2, 2005



Present members of Advisory Commission: Robert Turner, Robert Loving, C.A.

Hardmon, Keyla Cabret, Harold Bryant, Archie Rainey (Chairman)



Absent members: Charles Kurtz, James Wilson, Allen McMullen, Cheryl Gallatin,

Greg Camp



Visitors: Councilors Anthony and Hunter



Recording Secretary: Mrs. Ann Bell, Administrative Specialist III



Location: Community Room of the Public Safety Building



Meeting began at 4:05 p.m.





CHAIRMAN ARCHIE RAINEY CALLS THE MEETING TO ORDER:



Archie Rainey calls the meeting to order. Roll is taken.



REVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING?S MINUTES:



The commission members took a few moments to review the minutes of the previous

meeting. There was a motion and a second to approve minutes and they were then

approved.



DISCUSSION OF NEWS PAPER ARTICLE ?COURTESY GONE TOO FAR THIS TIME?:



The main topic of discussion during this meeting was the commission?s view of

the incident that took place and prompted this article. The Talbot County

Sheriff ran a red light in Columbus, while on his cell phone, and struck

another vehicle, but did not get a ticket. A citizen sent the commission a

copy of this article, noting they felt this was wrong and that the commission

should ?do something about this injustice.?



There is in depth and lengthy discussion regarding officers? discretion in

giving tickets ensues. Mr. Hardmon mentions someone involved in the accident

had trouble getting a copy of the report. Mr. Bryant suggests responding to

the citizen who sent the newspaper clipping. Mr. Rainey said he would.



There is more lengthy discussion questioning if a written warning would have

been appropriate. Mr. Rainey said he would look into whether Columbus has a

written warning ticket and mitigating circumstances involving this and similar

incidents.



More discussion ensues about what the commission can do about this situation.

Mention is made that officers and public officials should be held to the same

standards as citizens. There is expressed concern that everyone should be

treated equally, etc.



Mr. Bryant volunteered to write a summary and recommendation regarding

officers? discretions from the commission to give Chief Boren. Councilor

Anthony said it should be submitted to the Mayor. There is more discussion as

to whether to give it to Chief Boren or the Mayor as the Public Safety

Director. Mention is made as to how this looks regarding community relations

and how public safety is currently being closely scrutinized and this fact

needs to be addressed as well to Chief Boren or the Mayor, whom ever the letter

is addressed to.



There is a brief discussion of what Chief Boren?s response regarding this

situation was to Mr. Rainey. Mr. Rainey mentions the statistics Chief Boren

gave him regarding police officers using discretion giving out tickets when

accidents are involved.



Councilor Hunter reminds the commission that this is not a review committee;

they are here to ?advise.? If they have an opinion, they should offer it,

Chief Boren does not have to take it. The commission is a form of line of

communication to the Chief of Police, Sheriff, and the Marshal, etc. He also

briefly mentions the National Conference for members of Advisory Committees.



Mr. Hardmon makes a statement regarding Mr. Debose not attending the meeting as

listed on the Agenda. He states Mr. Debose had a family issue that prevented

him from attending the meeting today.



Brief mention is made regarding raising mil cap and how it could be raised if

the penny tax is voted down again.



Mr. Hardmon also states he would like to look into less lethal weapons and

their training. There is brief discussion regarding those policy and

procedures.



Mr. Hardmon hands out a letter he received from Clifton Fay regarding Mr.

Hardmon?s inquiry on the commission?s scope of duties.



There is another discussion regarding going back to monthly meetings. There is

a motion and a second. It is approved that the commission will go back to

meeting once a month and these meeting will be held the first Thursday of each

month.



A motion is made to adjourn the meeting at 5:19 p.m., a second motion is made,

and the meeting adjourned.









Ann Bell

Administrative Specialist, III

Recording Secretary