Safety emphasized for St. Paddy’s Day
Written by Abhijit Roy
Photo by Katherine Rountree
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and Savannah is gearing up to welcome more than three times its population for the celebrations. With the increasing number of people in the streets of Savannah, the balance of law and order changes.
Savannah is not a stranger to crime. SCAD students receive notifications and lectures regarding crime in Savannah and what each student can do to avoid becoming a victim.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re in Savannah or New York or Miami, nobody deserves to be a victim of a crime but we all do things that make us a more attractive victim to someone who wants to commit a crime,” said John Buckovich, the director of security at SCAD.
Buckovich stated that students who are unfortunate enough to be victims of crime are typically victims of petty crimes such as theft.
“There have been numerous occasions of people having left their bags, iPads or other belongings in plain view in their car and such an action attracts unwanted criminal attention,” said Buckovich.
Though there have been a few occasions of violent crimes including armed robbery and assault, petty crime does seem to be Buckovich’s primary concern. He stated that when students do end up becoming victims of a crime, they have to self-identify their status as a SCAD student to the police. This helps in the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD) working in tandem with SCAD Security to help keep students safe and to follow up on past crimes.
While St. Patrick’s Day is an incredible experience for all those who will be in Savannah, additional attention is required in order to ensure a safe celebration.
“Obviously, if someone is underage, you do not want to be drinking,” said Buckovich. “Because the increase in people during St. Patrick’s Day results in law enforcement becoming stricter regarding alcohol related violations. If you are of legal age, then do not overindulge.”
Buckovich goes on to that there have typically been no serious incidents, it’s important to be “smart and aware of what is happening around you.” He advised that students “avoid dark places and ensure that you are always in a group.”
Residents of Savannah have often heard police sirens and ambulances racing by.
“There’s a serious issue with violence not only in Savannah but throughout the country,” said the Rev. Paul Sheppard at Thankful Baptist Church.
As far as Savannah’s violent crime issues are concerned, Sheppard is of the opinion that it is simple to stop violence in Savannah and that parents need to get involved with their children’s lives.
“Churches can do but so much, schools can do but so much,” said Sheppard. “It all starts with parents stepping up and becoming parents.”
The reason Sheppard speaks about the involvement of churches is the fact that crimes often go unreported in Savannah. Sheppard’s church along with many other churches act as stabilizing agents in their locales. Pastors counsel residents of the block and offer support to people who have either been victims of crimes or who have criminal histories. Sheppard teaches children as young as 7 years old the basic steps with which to interact with law enforcement.
“We wanted them to know that all cops aren’t bad,” said Sheppard. “That they’re their friends and that they should not have a fear for the cops.”
It is this fear, Sheppard stated, that often causes young adults to avoid seeking help from law enforcement officers. He continued by saying that the SCMPD encourages citizens and residents of Savannah to cooperate with law enforcement in order to foster a safer living environment, and that the communication between the police department and the clergy is meant to create a comfortable relationship between law enforcement and its subjects.
With March 17 approaching, people are ready to celebrate and enjoy the festivities. It is important to focus on safety and security in order to enjoy the unique experience of being in Savannah this time of year.
