A concerned citizen went before the city council during Tuesday’s meeting to voice worries over Columbus’ crime issues.
Betsy Galloway, whose home was broken into on June 6, said she thinks the city should place a heightened emphasis on addressing its crime problems.
Galloway commended the officers of Columbus Police Department for their work, but expressed concern about the city’s support for its officers. She urged councilmen to make public safety a priority.
“I enjoy the Riverwalk,” Galloway said. “I enjoy the convention center, festivals and everything this town has to offer, but I currently don’t feel safe to go to those things. I don’t feel safe to go enjoy them.”
An intruder, who Galloway described as a tall, thin, light-skinned black man, broke into her 11th Avenue North home at about 5:30 a.m. Though she ultimately escaped with only minor bruising, she said she believes the intruder meant to hurt her.
“When I reached for the front door, he grabbed me and pulled me back into my home,” she said. “That makes me believe that his intent was not to take my things but to harm me.”
Still, Galloway pointed out the city didn’t post any notice of the incident on its social media platforms.
“It is because of my Facebook page and my post that the incident became public knowledge,” she said. “Looking at the city’s social media page, I saw five posts that same day from a suspicious substance on someone’s mailbox that turned out to be cinnamon. I don’t like to think that cinnamon becomes greater than human life, and that’s what that made me feel like.”
Galloway also referenced a statement in a Dispatch article on the home intrusion from CPD Assistant Chief Fred Shelton, where he said the invasion was an isolated incident. She said that isn’t the case.
“I know for a fact that three hours prior, about a mile from my home, a similar break in and similar assault on its female resident occurred,” she said.
Fire equipment donations
Columbus Fire & Rescue will donate surplus firefighting equipment to fire services for Lowndes and Noxubee counties.
The city council approved the donations as part of its consent agenda.
CFR is donating three self-contained breathing apparatuses and masks to the Lowndes County Fire Service. The equipment, according to a request Fire Chief Martin Andrews submitted to the council, will be used to outfit a newly-purchased fire truck at the District Five volunteer fire station.
CFR will also donate 22 sections of fire hoses of varying size to Noxubee County, for use in fire departments of Prairie Point, Savannah, Macon, Brooksville, Mashulaville and Shuqualak.
The donations are in response to an April 11 request by Noxubee County Fire Services Coordinator Jim Robbins for surplus gear.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.