News 12 at 11 o'clock, Tuesday, September 7, 2010

AUGUSTA,Ga---Dozens packed the Augusta commission meeting Tuesday. They were demanding the city approve a new neighborhood special task force. They fear crime is taking over local communities.

"Do something about it," cried concerned citizen Betty Morris. "That's what they need to do. Do something about it."

Members of the Richmond County Neighborhood Alliance got 5 minutes to stand and make their case in favor of the task force.

The sticking point has been the more than $200,000 price tag for new salaries and equipment.

The task force would be made up of a deputy, a marshal, and a license inspector. The commission approved a 90 day trial run for the force Tuesday.

The only catch is that the city wants each department to initially operate the task force with existing staff. The marshal's department says count them out.

"You know crime being what it is," said marshal Steve Smith. "We are as thin as we can be and we certainly don't have anybody that we can pull from another division or responsibility to handle this task force."

The sheriff's office and the license and inspection department have also gone on record saying they don't have enough staff for the unfunded 90 day trial.