thanks for the vote of confidence JAM.
Reading the article, I think the reason that they don't want outside help is mainly face saving tecnique. What happen if they got some hot shot investigator from the FBI that is able to solve the case in 2 months. The chief will really look bad. Also his reason that it might be turn into a book, i think it should be turned into a book. Not a novel, but an academic book so other investigator can learn from their mistakes and success.
I don't know if this has been mention or if its going to be effective cost wise, but I do know that downtown Johanesburg (one of the most dangerous area in the world in term of crime) businesses and the local police have teamed up and put camera every where to watch for crime and it has done wonder to lower the crime rate. Although, I don't know how this will penned out in a university town, instead of a metropolitan. Another idea is having the police patrol in bicycle and horses. This will have an omnipresent among the people. This has also done wonder in NYC, Johannesburg, Cape Town, etc.
As for petition, you could go to
Petition Online. this methods have done a great deal of good because it will spread like wildfire. Hope that help. Your city have my prayers, and be carefull out there.
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