Chattanooga City Council OKs $340,000 in public safety initiatives

City Council members tonight threw unanimous support behind a key component of Mayor Andy Berke's public safety initiative when they approved a $240,000 expenditure to bring a nationally known criminologist to Chattanooga for help in implementing a new crime-fighting strategy.

Berke has said adopting the approach outlined in what is called the High Point Initiative will curb violent crime and shootings in the Scenic City. He proposed a contract with David Kennedy, who is with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

The City Council also voted 7-2 to pay the International Association for Chiefs of Police $100,000 to do a top-to-bottom review of the Chattanooga Police department. Councilman Chip Henderson and Larry Grohn voted against the study.

See tomorrow's Times Free Press for complete details.

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