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is our community a safe place...

Posted by
Walter Geiger
in Geiger's Counter
Monday, March 9. 2009
Comments (18)
to live and raise your family? or, does the recent surge in violent crime have you worried?

what should be done?
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#1 MO on 03/09/09 at 06:48 AM
Crime is everywhere and growing. We all need to be observant and aware of our surroundings. Let's get tough on crime and prosecute those who break the law.
#2 cats on 03/09/09 at 07:07 AM
I suspect this has always been going on, we just didn't have a source like this to keep us in the loop moments after, or even during, the events.
I'm sure with the economy faltering, and the explosion in drug use, it's gotten somewhat worse.
I'm ever hopeful though. I like to believe things will be alright for my family.
#3 MINICoop on 03/09/09 at 08:00 AM
Barnesville is a lot safer than a lot of other places. I think that law enforcement is stepping up more than it has in the past, and the newspaper website is reporting much faster.
#4 pkunst on 03/09/09 at 09:06 AM
I've lived here since I was 7. I agree with 'cats' and 'MINICoop'. Even with this recent surge in crime, it is still far better than a lot of places have it.
#5 marge on 03/09/09 at 10:35 AM
Every community will have its faults. Barnesville is still a somewhat safe community to live in. 'Cats' is right, I believe everything will be alright for my family.
#6 Anonymous on 03/09/09 at 01:08 PM
What is the scoop on Monroe Academy/ Rock Springs Christian Academy merger?
#7 Ben Dover on 03/09/09 at 02:08 PM
Barnesville is a great and safe place to live compared to other cities. Our local law enforcement is doing a great job. We need a better community watch program. We also need a D.A. that will prosecute the criminals instead of letting them plea bargin for parole and be back on the street.
#8 anonymous on 03/09/09 at 03:01 PM
Barnesville is like all other areas, it has a lot of good people in it. There will always be someone who doesn't care or want to make it better. Thankfully our law enforcement people are doing a good job now to try and clean it up and I hope this is going to send a message to other thugs that crime just doesn't pay. Our town will be as safe as we are willing to fight to make it that way.
#9 Laura Geiger on 03/09/09 at 03:50 PM
From Saturday's Macon Telegraph
Monroe Academy decided to close its elementary program for students in K-5 at the end of the school year, headmaster Martha Krepps said Friday.
“It’s due to the economy and a decrease in enrollment in the elementary school,” Krepps said. “That was where we had the biggest gap.”

About 60 students are enrolled in the private school’s K-5 program, while another 135 students are in the school’s middle and high school program. The closure would allow the school to focus its finances on its biggest program.
The school, located at 433 U.S. 41 South, has struggled financially this school year and contemplated closing last December. But parents and school employees pitched in $300,000 to keep it operating.
School officials also announced earlier this year it was offering discounted tuition, allowing students to pay $500 this semester to retain and gain new students. Tuition usually ranges from $3,800 to $7,400 a school year.
“We have tried some different things,” Krepps said. “We hope this is a short-term decision.”
To help parents with the transition, the school is working with Rock Springs, a private elementary school in Spalding County about 15 minutes from Forsyth, Krepps said.
#10 Anonymous on 03/09/09 at 04:33 PM
Barnesville is as safe as any place, I suppose. However, I believe we are finally seeing first hand the results that come with the breakdown in family values.
#11 Anonymous on 03/09/09 at 04:53 PM
Yes on the D.A.comment.Can someone tell me when we have Community Meetings? It seems like most decisions are made without the public. We really need more officers around here. I know they have built a lovely new football field but did they budget for the extra officers we could use when it opens? this goes for the new auditorium too! They want more opportunities, but forget to compensate for the extra flow of people.If this county would get harsher on criminals and STAND behind themselves, maybe they could do better.It's ashame the schools can get enough to build these things, but law enforcement can't get enough to keep our county safe. If the D.A. can't do a better job, FIRE them!!!!!!!!I hear it's a job market out there.
#12 WHY? on 03/12/09 at 05:50 PM
BARNESVILLE IS A GREAT PLACE!!!!! IT'S JUST THE VIOLENT PEOPLE IN IT!!!
#13 Anonymous on 03/12/09 at 09:34 PM
I'm not a resident of lamar county but i've been working here for a year now and i've meet some really wonderful people. I've grown up all over the world due to my parents jobs and I've always loved coming home to this area because we are a place where people are very friendly and know you by your name and your family . I think and I believe deep down in my heart that this area and many more in america will once again be a good place ... You all are wonderful we just have to get back to that place where childern are taught by their parents rather than what they see on tv and in the movies .
#14 anonymous on 03/13/09 at 12:16 AM
No place is SAFE at all times, expecially in tough economic times: desparate people do desparate things. But, let me tell you, I moved here from a major Northeast city five years ago. The girl I marched next to at 8th grade graduation was raped and strangled, and her body burned on a pile of old tires. My best friend in high school was shot to death during a robbery. A woman walked into the mall where I worked and opened fire on shoppers with a semi-automatic rifle and killed eight people. I'm not making any of this up. I'm very thankful and feel blessed to have found this community in which to raise my children.
#15 MINICoop on 03/17/09 at 09:01 PM
...couldn't think of a better place to raise my kids...assuming the school system stays on the path of improvement. Nonetheless, it's better than it was, and much better than many other places.
#16 It's Me on 03/19/09 at 09:45 PM
I moved to Lamar County many years ago thinking it would be a great place to quietly raise my children. Since then, we have seen corruption gone wild and a constant crime increase. This is all rather sad but it is also the way life seems to be pretty much everywhere. I have noticed the increase in law enforcement activity and this is a positive step but they are not as increased as the criminals in recent months. I'm afraid with the economy in the downward spiral it seems to remain in .. crime and violence in Lamar County will increase.
#17 Transplant on 03/22/09 at 07:43 AM
We've lived in many places over the years from Florida to England to Australia, and Barnesville has proven to be our favorite. I don't think people realize what a special place this is.
#18 Rosalee skelter on 09/27/09 at 03:55 PM
You must be part of the Waller's privite security team, or you live on MARS. We as community were safer under the true and honest leadership of the only non-corupt sheriff, and I am talking about Sheriff Joe Buice. As one on the voters in this community, I know that my vote didn't count in the race for the re-election of Sheriff Buice. WE NEED SHERIFF BUICE BACK IN OFFICE!!!!!! Sense Sheriff Waller has been back in office the crime rate in our community has skyrocketted. If we were still under the leadership of Sheriff Buice, patrolling the neighborhoods and the businesses in our community this would still be TOP PRIORITY, and not out harrassing people or looking for speeders out on the highway.
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