Councilman,

Like you, I am horrified at the events of the recent weeks. The severity of the violence we have
seen is deeply disturbing. As a lifelong resident myself, I share your outrage.
First, and most urgently, to speak of the child you reference, the Chattanooga Police
Department, the Family Justice Center, Public Safety Coordinator, Paul Smith, and our many
partners are working to help make sure that he is safe and cared for while he grieves the loss of
his family. I will be happy to direct you to where you can support this effort.
We have put into place many criminal justice initiatives to address violence. Through our multifaceted approach, we have budgeted for more officers than ever before, hired a Federal
Prosecutor, incorporated Community Policing and Focused Deterrence principles departmentwide, established a Public Safety Coordinating Committee, sharpened our focus on chronic
offenders, domestic violence, and gang violence, and begun initiatives to intervene with
juveniles headed on the wrong path.
Chief Fletcher and our police officers are engaged in many efforts to combat violence in our
community and our office will continue to support their hard work. That said, I welcome any
concrete ideas on additional, specific initiatives we could add to our existing comprehensive
public safety approach to make our streets safer.
It is also important to recognize and appreciate the progress our department has made. Last
year, violent crime declined in our city. In addition, property crimes were at historic lows.
We will continue to rely on the expertise of Police Chief Fletcher. He indicates to me that we will
continue to police using a Focused Deterrence method as its a national best practice that
promotes good police work. Through Focused Deterrence, officers spend their time
investigating, interrogating, and arresting the worst offenders in the city. While we know that
every offense in our city is one too many, we have also seen the regional and national trends.
Last year Nashvilles murder rate increased 82%; Birmingham 58%; New Orleans 20%; and so
on.
Over the last 24 hours we have heard from some who wish to turn back the clock, to a time
where we viewed entire neighborhoods and groups of people as the problem. All of our actions - from VRI to community policing to our chronic offender program -- are based on using our
resources to hold the most dangerous people in our community responsible, not hassling those
on our streets who are simply trying to work hard, be with their family, and enjoy their lives.
We need to move forward, not backward. The important question to be asking is
what additional steps must be taken to keep everyone in our community safe. Our office doesnt
plan to take anything off the table in the fight to reduce crime in Chattanooga. I welcome your
opinion on additional strategies that we should be looking at and look forward to seeing any
concrete action steps. If I have missed your proposals, please schedule a meeting with me so
that we may discuss them.
I know I speak for the Mayor when I say the number one thing we need to be doing right now is
putting the people responsible for these acts behind bars. Even today, the Mayor met with
Pastors from all over the city, encouraging them to send parishioners with information on these

crimes to us. I hope you too will send the message that we must stand unified in bringing the
culprits for this weeks heinous acts to justice.
As City staff puts the finishing touches on the budget, we are leaving no stone unturned as it
relates to curbing violence in our community. If you have an idea to propose, please contact my
office to schedule a meeting at your convenience. Im looping in Amy should you want to get
together.
Best,
Stacy Richardson

-Stacy Richardson | Chief of Staff

Office of Mayor Andy Berke
101 E. 11th Street | 423.643.7800