We need to invest in security measures in our schools
To the editor:
As your State Representative, I am committed to working with our communities to address the challenges we face, from our neighborhoods here at home to the broader issues affecting our nation. I believe in a Georgia that stands as a beacon of opportunity and a place where our values are upheld.
At the heart of a prosperous community is safety. This month, we marked the one-year anniversary of the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School near Atlanta. This was a day of solemn reflection for the entire state, as we remembered the two students and two teachers whose lives were taken. The best way we can honor their memory is to do our best to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. This is why I was a proud supporter of House Bill 268, which, in the wake of the shooting, requires law enforcementlinked panic buttons in every classroom. We must give our teachers and students the tools and resources they need to be safe in the classroom, because every child deserves to learn without fear.
Going forward I would like to continue to invest in security measures in our schools ensuring we have armed school resource officers on duty and visible at schools across Georgia.
Outside of schools, we must address street crime in our cities, including car break ins and burglaries. While the 176th District is far from cities like Savannah, Atlanta, and Columbus, we have been seeing a rise in crime here at home. Georgians should be safe traveling anywhere in our state - and the Legislature has a role to play in ensuring that happens.
Closer to home, we’ve seen the fentanyl crisis impact lives here in the 176th District and across the state. That’s why I was proud we passed the Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act, which increases mandatory minimum sentences and fines for those who traffic this poison. This new law provides our law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to combat this growing threat and send a clear message that Georgia will not tolerate those who profit from the deaths of our citizens.
The issue of public safety extends beyond our schools and streets. Recent events, including the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah, remind us that some view violence as the way to address their political opponents. That is not the answer; we must reject violent rhetoric and reaffirm our commitment to civil debate. We will not stand idly by and allow these types of incidents to happen here in Georgia.
As we look at these events, both locally and nationally, we must support our law enforcement officers, who are on the front lines every day. We must continue to pass legislation that holds criminals accountable and empowers our police to do their jobs effectively. My commitment to this cause is unwavering, and I will continue to fight for policies that protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.
Please join me in praying for our community, our state, and our nation as I continue to work on your behalf, advocating for policies that reflect our shared values and build a more secure and prosperous future for us all. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me - I am honored to serve you.
Representative James Burchett represents the citizens of District 176, which includes Atkinson and Lanier Counties, as well as portions of Coffee, Lowndes and Ware counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2019 and currently serves as the House Majority Whip.
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