All posts by mlowe

Final Projects

Protect and Serve

When it comes to interacting with police officers the most discouraging feeling you can have is uncertainty. For years we have watched countless people of color being beaten, harassed and in some cases murdered by those who have sworn to protect them. In response to this behavior many law enforcement officers have taken it upon themselves to try to restore the faith that has been lost. The relationship between the public and police cannot exist without trust so, we traveled to both, Athens-Clarke County Police Department and  University of Georgia Police Department, to determine how they plan to maintain a positive relationship with the public while, ensuring the safety of the community and its citizens.

Christa Evans, a student at the University of Georgia, says her main concern  is  with understanding the  average procedure for a traffic stop. “How am I suppose to know if I’m being taken advantage of…what should I expect,” said Evans while, describing her last encounter with police.

ACCPD’s Public Information Officer Epifanio Rodriguez says when it comes to traffic stops the public can rest easy – “they got cameras.” In order to keep both citizens and officers accountable for their actions, all ACC police officers who work the roads or directly with the public wear a body camera.

Although, Athens-Clarke County police do not have a step-by-step procedure when it comes traffic stops,  Georgia Law does give officers discretion when it comes to minor traffic violations.

Despite the fact, that traffic violations are considered a misdemeanor one could still be arrested for something as minuscule as a busted tail light. However, it is the officer’s decision as to whether to arrest you, issue a citation or just let you go all together so, depending on your attitude you could walk away with a  warning.

Officer Russell Davis of the University of Georgia Police Department says the department has taken similar actions when it comes to regulating motor vehicles in the area.

In 2005, UGAPD established their very own unit dedicated to roadway safety. This unit, formally known as the Traffic Unit, is composed of officers who have been trained to handle any and every traffic related incidents or accident investigations.

Unlike ACC, Officer Davis says that UGA does have a basic procedure when it comes to traffic stops and all UGA police officers within the Traffic Unit are expected to follow  and use them.

 

Recent UGA Graduate Tells His Story

Contrary to what some may think, Evans isn’t the only UGA student who has had a negative interaction with authorities. A UGA alumnus, who has asked to remain anonymous, says that he was driving in the car with his friends when authorities pulled him over back in January 2016. This UGA graduate was uncomfortable specifying what police department pulled him over however, he did say the exchange felt, “unnecessary”.

This anonymous source says the officer demanded everyone’s identification but his and then proceeded to question his friends, whom were African American, about them throwing snow  off the side of the vehicle. This source says the officer questioned his friends for what felt like hours just as a Caucasian couple was walking by.

The officer then began to demand one of the passengers apologize to the couple but this source says they weren’t anywhere near them when snow was being thrown, “…by the time they walked by we were already out of the car.” The couple, who looked very uneasy with the situation, tried to reassure the officer that they were not hit with anything but the officer continued in his pursuit.

During this awkward exchange the source says the officer became upset  when his friend questioned the officer’s request but eventually gave in and apologized to the couple.

It was then that the officer requested the source’s license, “…I didn’t even have it either,” the source said.

Once the officer realized that he didn’t have it the source says he was shocked to hear the officer dismiss this issue and simply told him, “not to worry about it.” The group of friends were then told they were free to go.

 

Athens-Clarke County’s Response to the Ordeal

“Our job is to go out there and make sure motorist are driving safely on the road whether that person be Caucasian American or African American,”  said Rodriguez when asked about profiling drivers and their vehicles. Although, he has only been working for the department for six months Officer Rodriguez says that the safety of Athens-Clarke County citizens is their first priority.

Rodriguez also encourages the source to come forward with his complaint no matter what police department it is. “If there is ever a situation in which the officer is in the wrong you should file a complaint.”

ACCPD has also created a Transparency Policy page on their website where data and information related to crime statistics, law enforcement actions and much more will be displayed.  This information is updated once at the end of every month and will begin to expand fairly soon.

 

Jurisdiction and Hopes for the Future

Students also shared their concerns when it cames to legal jurisdiction on campus. UGA student and Athens resident Briana Clark says, “Receiving a ticket is one thing but when I’m on campus who can legally issue a traffic citation?” Although, she has never seen ACCPD issue a traffic citation on campus grounds, Clark says their presence has not gone unnoticed.

Although, both Officer Rodriguez and Officer Davis agree that the relationship between ACCPD and UGAPD is “very” good the University took the next step in making their verbal agreement permanent with the Mutual Aid Agreement.

Since UGA’s main campus falls within the Athens-Clarke County jurisdiction, the University has incorporated the local department in the University’s Local Emergency Operation Plan (LEOP). In times of uncertainty this agreement ensures that the emergency at hand is not over-shadowed by controlled barriers. This agreement has proven to be very effective back in January when UGA bomb disposal technicians were asked to assist ACCPD in defusing a pipe bomb, that a local resident says was found on his father’s property.

Both ACCPD and UGAPD  hope that their relationship with the community will continue to flourish as time goes on. “We just want to keep everyone safe.”

Exercises

Exercise 14

Media I used today:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Snapchat
  • Netflix
  • YouTube

All of the medias I used today, expect Netflix, are free. Although,  the other media I have listed above have paid features I do not use any of them. The only media that I actually pay for is Neflix and I feel that is worth every penny. Overall I pay $7.99 a month and thats only one of the medias I use almost everyday so, I have to say it is worth it.

Exercises

Exercise 13

  1. Original Article

a) BREAKING NEWS: The Battle for the President’s Imagery: Bannon vs Kushner

b) BANNON AND KUSHNER BATTLE FOR TRUMP’S LOYALTY

c) Tension between Stephen Bannon, the chief White House strategist, and Jared Kushner, senior adviser and the president’s  son-in-law,  reached its breaking point this week after yet another conversation about the direction of the presidency.

Exercises

Exercise 11

Three out of the ten friends I interviewed are currently pursuing a career in the music industry so, in order to maintain their public appearance they use multiple social medias. Roy, who is a DJ, uses Soundcloud to post his latest music mixes and twitter to share his content. Cameron, who is also a DJ, uses Facebook to share his radio show with friends and family all over the country. Sabrina, who is a rising singer, uses periscope to advertise her talent as a singer and to interact with possible fans.

One of my friends, Clinton, is a self-employed barber so, in order to advertise his business he takes pictures and posts them on Snapchat. Many of his clients preferred Snapchat to Instagram because of the 24-hour deletion feature.

Only four of my friends of whom I interviewed use social media to interact with family members all over the world. Cilya, Natalia and Ledet are from foreign countries so, they use Facebook to speak to their family members overseas. Where as Adrianne uses Facebook to not only keep in touch with family member but also post daily updates about her wedding this summer.

My friend CJ use twitter for humor and to update information when it comes to school related events. My friend E-man says that is favorite social media to use is Snapchat because of the simplicity. If at any point he decides to say something he can just record it and post it in a matter of seconds.

Culture, MOTS

Hometown vs. College town

Going away to college can be a new experience for many students. While, the campus life experience is given the most attention, JOUR 3190 wanted to know how the college town experience compared to students’ hometowns, and surveyed 12 students about their take on Athens, Georgia.

When asked about his transition from Atlanta to Athens, 21 -year -old Desmond Baskin described Atlanta as, “its own world.”

Desmond Baskin

Other than the differences in pace, Baskin, a history major at the University of Georgia, said Athens has more of a tourist attraction. However, he also stated that he initially could not associate the city with anything other than UGA.

Before coming to Athens, Baskin, never thought he would attend the university. “In order for me to go to UGA I have to be rich or an athlete,” he said of his initial perception.

Nevertheless, when asked the same question 21 -year -old, music performance major Kwanza Williams said she doesn’t see much difference. Born and raised in Auburn, Alabama, Williams said that the only difference between the two cities is the landscape and the food.

When it comes to food Auburn is no match. “Athens food is the s**t when it comes to Auburn,” said Williams when referring to what she calls, “family based” restaurants like, The Grit and Dawg Gone Good BBQ.

 

Kwanza Williams

When asked to find similarities, both Baskin and Williams described Athens as a tourist town, where the music scene is very popular. However, Baskin went on to say that only similarity he could see between Atlanta and Athens was its impoverished state. According, to the U.S. Census Bureau, Athens-Clarke County’s poverty rate has more than doubled since 2000.

 

As many wealthy and successful people, like Ryan Seacrest and Alton Brown, have come from UGA, Baskin said he doesn’t understand why the university continues to flourish as the city continues to struggle. Williams made similar statements but also added that the, “college is the only thing keeping the city alive.”

Aside from the fact that both Baskin and Williams attend the university in town, neither could find any other reason to move to the city after graduation. In fact, prior to Baskin’s acceptance to UGA he said he had never been to Athens and even then he still did not visit the city until he started classes.

Although, Baskin has lived in Athens four years, when asked if he planned to live in Athens following graduation Baskin said, “there is nothing here for me but school.” His reasoning was his being accustomed to “big cities” and more “urban areas.”

Seeing how similar Athens is to her hometown, Williams also objected to living in Athens after graduation. She said she hopes to experience something else, “I’ll probably move somewhere warm;more open.”

Backgrounder, Culture

Wine for Charity

Being an avid wine drinker in a town where local beer is as popular as locally grown food can be very difficult, especially when you’re new to wine drinking. So, what is a wine enthusiast to do? Well look no further than the annual Athens Wine Weekend at The Classic Center.

Visit Athens GA on Twitter: “Calling all wine lovers! Join us at @ClassicCenter Feb. 3-5 for Athens Wine Weekend https://t.co/cIz5nWi6va #visitathensga pic.twitter.com/S36RfQlYSF / Twitter”

Calling all wine lovers! Join us at @ClassicCenter Feb. 3-5 for Athens Wine Weekend https://t.co/cIz5nWi6va #visitathensga pic.twitter.com/S36RfQlYSF

Visit Athens GA took to Twitter saying, “Calling all wine lovers!”reminding their followers of the benefit that will take place on Feb. 3.

This $30 fundraising event gives individuals the opportunity to taste a variety of high quality wines from around the world. According to Athens Georgia Convention & Visitors Bureau post on Athens Life Unleashed, this three-day event is for wine connoisseurs and those who wish to learn more about wine.

On the first day of the gathering those in attendance will participate in a presentation of few amuse-bouches. In addition, to tasting wine, attendees can also sample what the Athens Banner-Herald described as, “ specially crafted bites to be paired with specific wine,” which will be prepared by Northeast Georgia chefs.

The following Saturday will begin with the Grand Tasting event, which had 1,000 attendees last year. This event will debut a variety of wines not presented the previous day.  Meanwhile, seminars taught by wine experts will commence at the same time.

Those uninterested in the wine tasting may attend the silent auction, which will occur on both Friday and Saturday.

As it gets later into the night a gourmet dinner with multiple dishes will be served with different selections of wines. The event will conclude with a Sunday brunch — of course paired with a sparkling wine.

If you are still not convinced that wine tasting is for you then let the purpose of this event be your drive. All proceeds will be used as scholarship money to help local Athens high school and college students who hope to pursue careers in the performing or culinary arts.

 

 

Exercises

Chapter 5, Exercise 5

I can’t say I am surprised by the fact that my hometown isn’t really trending for anything interesting. Most of the tags I saw were people just mentioning their location to friends. I was surprised however that the local LA Fitness was a very hot topic. However, when I went through the links I saw that a lot of people were just taking pictures or video of themselves in front of a mirror. I have been to this gym in the past so, most likely they are getting some sort of discount for mentioning the gym on social media.

Exercises

Apartment Fire

Athens-Clarke County Fire Department responded to a fire in Windfair apartments on the east side of Athens Thursday night where, according to Captain Mary Smith, no one was injuried.

When firefighters arrived on the complex, “flames were bursting through the roof and residents were gathered outside on the sidewalk,” says Smith.

Although, they do not suspect foul play an investigation will continue.

Thomas Jones, a three year Windfair resident, says without renters insurance he is not sure what he will do next.

Jones is one of twenty-five residents who lost almost everything in the fire and will be displaced.

Exercises

Expertise of Anna-Murphy Martin

Shopping at Target can be a long and stressful process but after speaking with Anna-Murphy Martin it seems like a piece of cake. Martin also gave us some great tips on how to make the most of your Target experience. According to Martin the best time to shop at Target is between three and five pm.

Even though Martin has been shopping at Target for the majority of her life she too gets distracted; more specifically by the clothing section. So, the best way to get the most of your shopping experience is to “ make a list,” says Martin. This tip will help shoppers avoid make outlandish purchases.

Martin says that using these tips has made every Target experience very enjoyable. In fact she has just recently purchased a Fitbit from the establishment. “ It’s the most expensive item I bought.”

Contributors

Joseph Carter

Joseph Carter is 37 years old from Yahoo City, Mississippi. He originally attended Mississippi State but is currently a Journalism major at the University of Georgia. While, attending Mississippi State Joseph was an English major with a deep affection and appreciation for literature. Unfortunately, Carter’s time at Mississippi State was cut short when he made the decision to join the Air Force where he would served four years as logistics in Augusta, Georgia. Carter, who is currently a senior, hopes to use his degree in Journalism to pursue a career in investigative journalism where he hopes to uncovering the world’s hidden truths. Carter also aspires to empower and protect everyday people from those who wish to take advantage of them. Curiosity, compassion and the beauty of the natural world is what inspires him most.