kyle.tv » crime

You Know It’s Bad When…

kyle — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:39:07 +0000

Jimmy Carter’s bike stolen from Carter Center

Thieves also make off with wife Rosalynn’s bicycle; both were gifts from local shop owner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, January 12, 2009

If you see our nation’s 39th president hoofing around the center that bears his name, feel sorry for the guy. Someone snatched his bike.

Jimmy Carter’s bicycle was stolen earlier this month from the Carter Center in Atlanta. The bad guy(s) also made off with former first lady Rosalynn Carter’s cruiser, too.

See full article.

(I can throw a rock at the Carter Center and hit it from my front porch.)

36 Hours & No Sleep.

kyle — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:58:08 +0000

Forgive me if I sound a tad emotional, or out of it, or… well, high. I’m not. But when you’ve been awake for 36 hours and, within that, have experienced a range of emotion that touched on everything from intense optimism & happiness to abject horror & sadness and then back all over again, a few times… it makes for a moment. A moment like this one. Punch drunk on adrenaline, frantic for sleep, and feeling like the world outside flipped its axis… only the walls of my quiet living room feel, and look, the same.

I don’t have much to say tonight. I’m highly improbable and toxically emotional. I cried when my friend Drew, over instant messenger, insisted that the same 4 boys who shot and killed a 27 year old Atlanta man 2 nights ago were the same ones who held me up and probably wanted to do the same. ”Who goes around en masse wanting to shoot people in the leg? IT’S THEM DUDE.” Only in John’s case they went for the head once they covered the legs. Just how close was I?

My world changed tonight – as it did then – when a group of Atlantans made a series of clicks and then pointed in my direction. That night at Pizza Hut it was 5 guys with guns. Tonight, it was 2000 people with laptops and home computers. I put it out there that I wanted to help, that I wanted to organize, and lobby, and effect change in this godforsaken city that I ADORE. I put it out there and people, quite simply, said “yes.”

“Do it.”

And so 36 hours later, here I sit.

The thought of it all is daunting. Daunting and amazing. Daunting and exhilarating. Daunting and “damn it I can’t wait to get out there and get people together in a way this city needs and so desperately desires.” I know we will succeed.

I look forward to the task before me/us and I have some amazing help. Between neighborhood associations already ahead of the curve, to those behind it, and those who aren’t even on the road yet… change is coming to Atlanta. The appetite for it is apparent. The time for it is now more than ever. And between myself, my friends Tessa, Angel, Rob, and countless others… we’re about to reclaim this city. We’re Atlantans coming together against heightened crime and increased cuts in public safety. We’re all here to say this shit isn’t going to fly anymore. And, my friends, we’re here to lead that effort.

I look forward to working with everyone of you. Please sign up. Meanwhile, I’m going to get some sleep.

Atlantans Together. Sign Up!

kyle — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:46:13 +0000

I’ve created a mailing list where people can sign up to take action against the rising crime rate in our communities and the pending cutbacks in the Atlanta police force. I’ve called it Atlantans Together Against Crime & Cutbacks (ATACC) and it will be a centralized place for future gatherings, protests, actions, etc, etc. Please head to the website and sign up. Please encourage your friends to as well. More information soon!

website: www.atlantanstogether.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42994467899

Heartbreaking.

kyle — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:31:14 +0000

Just as another article came out today highlighting my mugging, along with other’s, as an example of rising violent crime in Atlanta, the news reports the robbery and murder of a young Atlantan, at a bar/restaurant we all frequent. It’s heartbreaking. John Henderson, 27, was shot 4 times while another bartender hid. He was murdered by 4 armed intruders who shot him after he gave them everything he wanted. The way it went down echoed some of my experience, which makes it hit home in an eery way.

It’s heartbreaking to see this happening. Stories like this are becoming all too commonplace here. And while violent crime seems to be increasing, our police force is being cut. Forgive the soapbox moment, but when we find billions to send to bankers, the auto industry, and to spend on a pointless war… how can the regular folk go forgotten? With teachers being paid nothing, no public access to affordable healthcare, and city infrastructures falling apart… why can’t we find billions – or even millions – to help us out? It’s ridiculous. And it’s an absolute injustice. I’m pissed at what’s happening and it needs to change.

Anyways, I’ll start where I can. There’s a vigil/memorial tomorrow morning at The Standard. I’ll be there. We’ll arrange a bigger protest from there. But if you’re in Atlanta, please come. I know it’s early but this is an issue that effects us all. And if it hasn’t yet, chances are it will. Help build awareness to the issue before it does.