osoab
25th April 2011, 06:51 PM
Baby steps.
Military to Supply 'Courtesy Patrols' in Columbus, Ga.
(http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/122522/military_to_supply_%27courtesy_patrols%27_in_colum bus,_ga..html)
(Newsroom America) -- Soldiers from Ft. Benning began accompanying civilian police officers in Columbus, Ga., on Friday, as a way to help increase security and keep military personnel in check.
Local reports said the patrols come on the heels of a pair of incidents in April, including one that left a former soldier hospitalized after five soldiers beat him, police said.
The second incident involved a shooting that killed one person and wounded three others at a local restaurant, but it wasn't clear if the second incident involved soldiers from nearby Ft. Benning.
Local officials say the soldiers can't make arrests but their uniformed presence could help keep other soldiers in check.
The patrols will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for about five hours each, until about 3 a.m., when local bars close.
Fort Benning Commanding General Robert Brown and Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson made the announcement last week.
"You can’t arrest someone for being intoxicated, but a senior officer can order you back to base or have military police come get you and bring you back to base," Tomlinson said of the Courtesy Patrols.
The city has employed such patrols in the past but the practice hasn't been used for years.
© 2010 Newsroom America.
Contact Jon E. Dougherty
http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2011/apr/22/military-patrols-start-friday-night-ar-1752061/
Military to Supply 'Courtesy Patrols' in Columbus, Ga.
(http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/122522/military_to_supply_%27courtesy_patrols%27_in_colum bus,_ga..html)
(Newsroom America) -- Soldiers from Ft. Benning began accompanying civilian police officers in Columbus, Ga., on Friday, as a way to help increase security and keep military personnel in check.
Local reports said the patrols come on the heels of a pair of incidents in April, including one that left a former soldier hospitalized after five soldiers beat him, police said.
The second incident involved a shooting that killed one person and wounded three others at a local restaurant, but it wasn't clear if the second incident involved soldiers from nearby Ft. Benning.
Local officials say the soldiers can't make arrests but their uniformed presence could help keep other soldiers in check.
The patrols will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for about five hours each, until about 3 a.m., when local bars close.
Fort Benning Commanding General Robert Brown and Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson made the announcement last week.
"You can’t arrest someone for being intoxicated, but a senior officer can order you back to base or have military police come get you and bring you back to base," Tomlinson said of the Courtesy Patrols.
The city has employed such patrols in the past but the practice hasn't been used for years.
© 2010 Newsroom America.
Contact Jon E. Dougherty
http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2011/apr/22/military-patrols-start-friday-night-ar-1752061/