Gov. Kemp Urges Business Leaders to Help Address Crime at Georgia Chamber Luncheon

Atlanta, GA – Today at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce's Congressional Luncheon, Governor Brian P. Kemp touted Georgia's record economic momentum and urged state and local business leaders to engage on the issue of crime in their communities.

The following is an excerpt from the Governor's prepared remarks at the luncheon:

“...We can’t rest on our laurels or grow complacent. In an uncertain world with an ever-changing economic landscape, it’s important for us to continue working together to make Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

"Today, I’ve talked a lot about our successes on what some people would call 'Chamber issues'. Taxes, job growth, investment, workforce, and economic development... these are the foundation of what has made Georgia so great – and it would have been impossible without all of you in this room.

"But it is absolutely vital for all of us here today to address what I believe is the most significant threat to our state’s future. Creating jobs, landing another prospect, helping a local business expand, hiring a talented workforce, and promoting your community for tourism all require strong public safety. Simply put, if crime is rampant on the streets of your local community, businesses will look elsewhere, workforces will leave, visitors won’t show up, and investment will stop.

"Our capital city is facing a crime and public safety crisis, but it is also a challenge facing many of our communities across Georgia. Chambers of Commerce across our state – including the Georgia Chamber and the Metro-Atlanta Chamber of Commerce – have a responsibility, just like I do, to speak up about crime and work toward meaningful solutions. Because, as leaders, we have a duty to act.

"That’s why I have prioritized going after criminal street gangs with a Gang Task Force within the GBI, and why we passed legislation to crack down on reckless street racing. Over the last few months, we launched a Crime Suppression Unit – led by the Department of Public Safety, in coordination with state and local law enforcement partners – to reduce crime in Atlanta.

"That responsibility to act is also what drives Marty in her passion for the GRACE Commission and its work to end human trafficking in Georgia. This past session, she worked alongside members of the General Assembly to pass another round of meaningful reforms to go after bad actors and hold them accountable, but also to help victims re-enter society.

"Conversations about crime and how to address it aren’t easy ones to have. It isn’t what normally comes up at a luncheon like this, but it needs to be.

"Local chambers are in a unique position to bring communities together to solve tough problems. Your knowledge of the diversity of your friends and neighbors, your experience in leading teams and being a voice for the businesses and industries that employ people in your community, all of that is crucial to this effort. Because when local leaders have difficult conversations about issues that impact the daily lives of everyone around them and hold people accountable, real change can happen.

"Talk to your sheriff and your police chiefs, talk to your local prosecutors, and talk to schools, churches, and community organizations. Work with them to put forward new job training or mental health programs that deter people from lives of crime, and work with local elected leadership to appropriately fund law enforcement. If your Chamber is already accomplishing these goals, I applaud your leadership, and then ask what more you can do.

"Rising crime and violent crime are not just Georgia issues – but that is not an excuse for us to do nothing. We all can and should do whatever is necessary to protect our citizens and ensure families are safe. Because by doing so, we can build a safer, stronger Georgia – together.”

Read more about Governor Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp's efforts to combat violent crime, criminal street gangs, and human trafficking.