Neighborhood Leaders React To Chief Berkow’s Impending Departure

News of Metro Police Chief Michael Berkow’s resignation spread through town rapidly on Tuesday.  A big proponent of community policing he spent lots of time getting to know savannah neighbors in his three years here.  On Wednesday, News Three spoke with some neighborhood leaders who are reacting to his impending departure.

Chief Michael Berkow has made a point of increasing community policing during his nearly three years in Savannah.  To that end he’s made connections throughout area neighborhoods and leaders in those neighborhoods know they’re losing a good one.  Dr. Felix Maher of the Victory Heights Neighborhood Association says, “We’re gonna miss him.  He, I think, has been good for the neighborhoods, certainly good for the police department.  I think he’s well-respected among neighborhood association presidents.”  Ernestine Jones of the Liberty City Neighborhood Association agrees, “I feel that we have lost a great chief, shoes will be large to fill - will be hard to fill - but Savannah has to go on and we’ve got to select the best person for the job.”

The best person for the job in many people’s opinion would be one who’d continue the work Chief Berkow has started with the neighborhoods.  Things like putting more officers on the streets, and having a more visible presence from foot patrols to attending community functions says Maher, “I’d like to say someone that’s gonna seek out participation from the neighborhood and the neighborhood association presidents.  I think that’s essential because you know - we’re the eyes and ears for the police.”  A theory the chief has instilled in his officers and in members of the civilian community…a community that looks forward to a new era in city law enforcement with deep respect for what’s come before says Jones, “I’m hoping the next chief will probably come in with his ideas, but continue some of the projects that our Chief has started, and of course one of the things I’m very proud of is our police department has become more professional and I’m hoping he will enlarge from that.”

Meanwhile,  the efforts to find a replacement for Berkow are beginning.  WSAV spoke with city spokesman Bret Bell today who told us the Police Policy Committee will first decide on an interim chief.  Then they’ll come up with a hiring plan.  Details on those steps could come within the next couple of weeks.