CHATTANOOGA
(WRCB) -- Renewing safety is among Chattanooga Mayor-elect Andy Berke's top
priorities.
Wednesday,
he took to Twitter to discuss ways of making our city safer, though he isn't
ready to release specifics on measures he will take once in office.
He says he
wants to hear from citizens about what they think should be done.
News of a
recent string of teen-involved shootings hadn't reached the majority of Chattanoogans
we found in Coolidge Park.
They believe their city is safe.
"I've heard of gang activity in Chattanooga, but I've never seen it," says
Alyssa Green.
"I feel like it's really safe," says Raymond Landon.
But they admit there's room for improvement.
"Downtown Chattanooga can become a little scary at night," says Green.
"You have to crack down on the violence," Landon says. "In general, I think
maybe we need more police."
It's an idea a lot of Chattanoogans share.
Wednesday, Mayor-elect Andy Berke took to Twitter to answer questions and
listen to ideas on improving public safety.
"You want to make sure you hear people's ideas," Berke says. "We have to have
the community at the table as we tackle the big issues of our city."
Chattanoogans had questions about Berke's stance on the police force, drugs,
gun control and gang violence.
Some asked Berke for specific plans, one tweet calling his answers "vague
at best."
Others complained their questions weren't addressed.
Berke says this is just the beginning.
"I often want to hear the stories behind the question to make sure I understand
the context and the ideas that people are communicating," says Berke.
He plans to host a forum Thursday, where he plans to go into more detail, but
he says the main objective is to hear ideas from constituents on how to make
the city safer.
"Definitely seeing more police, I think," Brittany Duggins says. "Just knowing
that they are there is a good comfort."
If you
weren't involved in the Twitter conversation, you still have a chance to weigh
in on the subject.
Mayor-elect Andy
Berke will host a public forum Thursday on the campus of Tennessee Temple University.
The event
will begin at 5:00 p.m., with the discussion centering around crime in the
city.
