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More shootings in Chattanooga since Andy Berke took office

94 views · Published 22 July 2013 · 1:19 · Indexed 14 November 2026

Channel: chattanooga times free press · 2013 · News & Politics

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First of all, Andy Berke reaches his 100th day in office as Chattanooga's mayor this week.

Berke says he's revamped City Hall, fired 18 department heads and eliminated several departments altogether.

His ability to listen to others and hold community meetings has made him popular and many people say they find him more approachable.
But so far Berke's tenure has been marked by very little specific action.
Though he took credit for more than 900 jobs created on his watch, the genesis of almost all those jobs came during the Littlefield administration.
Berke's pledge to combat violence by 2014 has yet to reduce violence on the streets. Shootings are up since he disbanded the city's gang task force and replaced it with his own group. Chattanooga was rocked by 71 shootings and 86 deaths in the first half of 2013, compared to 51 shootings and 59 victims for the same period in 2012.
And some former city officials are criticizing Berke for being so quick to kill the gang task force.
Still, Berke, who ran without any substantial competition, says he believes his administration has accomplished a lot in the last 100 days. And He promises the community will see fewer shootings by 2014.

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