5 OCT 05: DEPTH PERCEPTION

Instant Message to the man who's telling TV stations he's been barred from Columbus police headquarters, yet police are threatening to have him arrested: Huh?! Doesn't that mean you have immunity?

Columbus Police are less likely than ever to arrest that man, if you believe a front-page story in Tuesday's Ledger-Enquirer. It suggested the force effectively is down about 50 officers. Now I'm more thankful than ever those Harley-Davidson riders from all over Georgia were peaceful....

The newspaper broke down how the Columbus Police is down so many officers. For instance, five are on "administrative leave with pay." Two are on "administrative leave WITHOUT pay." Then there are the officers who just plain leave, for lack of pay.

The administrative leave number is high in part because the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has reviewed all Columbus Police shootings since the Kenneth Walker case. It must be working, because civil rights groups haven't found another one to complain about.

Columbus Police Chief Rick (y optional) Boren told the newspaper he hasn't changed former Chief Willie Dozier's policy of calling in the G.B.I. for criminal investigations. He calls it a "perception issue." At least until we prove state agents can't be trusted, either....

Chief Boren admits on some nights, only 19 Columbus police officers are available to cover 26 patrol beats. And you've been wondering why so many fast-food restaurants are closing their dining rooms at 9:00 p.m.

The "patrol gap" at night means Chief Boren must pay other officers overtime. But hold on - does he HAVE to do that? Where are all the bloggers who endorsed the "Minuteman Project" volunteers, along the Mexican border? If they can patrol there for nothing....

The Ledger-Enquirer's police breakdown also shows six officers are injured or ill, so they're on "light duty." That phrase could mean many things - such as holding the ultraviolet lights of C.S.I. detectives.

But more than 20 Columbus Police officers are resigning this year - so there's a lingering shortage of both staff and money. Is there a line in the budget, for a designated officer to buy a Mega Millions ticket twice a week?

(Despite the shortage of officers, it could be worse. There hasn't been a repeat winner of the WXTX "To Serve and Protect" award yet.)

By the way: Chief Boren said the closing of police headquarters between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is working well so far. More than 950 calls considered low priority have been handled by a "report writing room." This concept is not new, of course. In some schools, it's called Study Hall.

Now let's check other reports which passed our way on Tuesday:

+ Columbus Council approved a rezoning plan to allow more than 200 new homes along St. Mary's Road. Current residents should look on the bright side. If any criminals move in, they'll either get stuck in traffic or become trapped at the closed entrance to Fort Benning.

+ Phenix City's Council voted to stop taking stray animals from outside the city limits. Russell County owes the city nearly $50,000 for taking in abandoned animals. If that's accurate, county administrator Leeann Horne-Jordan had better not spend that settlement money anytime soon.

(WRBL counted more than 150 animals at the Phenix City Animal Shelter. The station could have taken one to use as a mascot - but perhaps no warblers were available.)

+ Atmos Energy projected its natural gas prices will go up at least 45 percent this winter. It looks like that Georgia sales tax holiday for energy-efficient microwaves is coming right on time -- but hey, does it include Easy-Bake Ovens?

+ The Ledger-Enquirer reported a local martial arts studio raised more than $1,700 for the American Red Cross by holding a "break-a-thon." So? Put a group of two-year-olds together at a furniture store, and they could do the same thing.

+ Troy nipped North Texas 13-10 in an unusual Tuesday night college football game. WDAK radio lost the Troy Radio Network signal during the third quarter, and played jazz music for awhile. Am I the only one who thinks jazz has more local fans than the Trojans?

+ Atlanta named its post-season baseball playoff roster, and pitcher Dan Kolb's name was left out. He was the closer as the year opened - and now his schedule is wide open at the close.

Your PayPal donations can keep this blog ad-free and independent-minded. To make a donation, offer a story tip or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post a reply.

If you quote from this in public somewhere, please be polite enough to let me know.

© 2003-05 Richard Burkard, All Rights Reserved.