Public still awaiting Augusta mayor’s plan to fight violent crime

Remembering the victims: CSRA slaying surge’s toll surpasses 40

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - We’re following up on the mayor’s plan to curb violent crime in Augusta.

“There’s a lot of work that we need to get done. Over these next 70 days, we’re going to get it done,” said Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis Jr.

The week we were told to expect this plan has come and gone, and we’ve seen two more shootings since.

We’ve reached out to the mayor’s office, the sheriff’s office, and commissioners to learn when we may finally hear the details of this plan.

AUGUSTA VIOLENT CRIME:

The only thing we know for certain is the 70 days he mentioned is now down to 60.

Sixty days left in what could be his final legacy as mayor of Augusta.

“You have to engage the community. That’s the hallmark of what we’re going to talk about next week on violence reduction standpoint,” he said on Sept. 23.

Davis told us his plan encompasses housing, joblessness and mental health.

Those are pillars he says will help Augusta’s impoverished communities, where he says crime is coming from.

“All of the commissioners will be a part of that when we talk about what we’re going to unveil next week. It will require a holistic and total effort from the team. Law enforcement will have to be involved in that,” he said.

Augusta Commission members Brandon Garrett, Jordan Johnson, and Catherine Smith McKnight say they are not aware of any parts of the mayor’s “violence reduction plan.”

The sheriff’s office referred us back to the mayor’s office. We know the mayor was in D.C. last Monday, and at Augusta Commission committee meetings Tuesday. His office told us he’s been dealing with a family emergency for the past five days.

“You’ve got family members who are hurting, loved ones who have lost family members. You’ve got students who have lost their lives. You’ve got people who, someone cares about that’s lost his or her life as a result of violence in our city. We have to do something about that,” said Davis.

There’s a commission meeting this Tuesday. We’ll be there to see if he unveils the plan.

Copyright 2022 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.