mpohl 1 #1 August 21, 2006 Christian police chief sees Satan at work in Birmingham Homicides rise dramatically By JAY REEVES Associated Press Published on: 08/21/06 Birmingham — Annetta Nunn's office could belong to a preacher: A photo of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. greets visitors, mocha-colored angel figurines fill a bookcase. The baseball cap behind her desk says "God Answers Prayers." But Nunn isn't a minister — she's the police chief. And she wonders if the fact that she is an outspoken Christian has something to do with the surging murder rate in Alabama's biggest city, where homicides are up more than 25 percent over last year. Nunn says one thing is certain to happen anytime Christians speak boldly: "Satan is going to attack." So Nunn can't help but wonder if her own actions — singing hymns at the funerals of three slain officers, making speeches and writing articles mentioning God — somehow have made the devil meaner than usual in Birmingham. A 26-year veteran of the department, Nunn became the city's first black female police chief in 2003. She has improved the firepower of the department by acquiring rifles and additional stun guns for officers, and she worked in the community to bolster neighborhood watch programs. She also is trying to improve the department's communication with other police agencies, and she has encouraged officers to get involved in the community with volunteer groups. Critics on radio call-in shows, Internet forums and letters to the editor have called Nunn too soft. They claim the city needs more hard-nosed policing and less Christian rhetoric. But police Sgt. Allen Treadaway said Birmingham's increasing homicide rate isn't the fault of Nunn, who was appointed by the mayor. City leaders need to provide more money for recruiting and retaining officers and operating task forces to combat problems like drugs, he said. "We have to have a strategy in place and resources available to take those who are not contributing to society out of society," said Treadaway, president of the city's Fraternal Order of Police lodge. For Nunn, faith and crime fighting are intertwined. One of Nunn's first ideas as chief was a Bible-based plan of civic responsibility for cleaning up rundown neighborhoods, and she supports police chaplains who hold revivals in crime-ridden communities. She talks about the need to lock up criminals, but she also talks of working with pastors to discourage crime and change hearts. "I do believe we have to get back to God to permanently change a person's behavior," she said in an interview. "We put people in jail all the time. Our stats show we put in over 20,000 people last year. But our prisons are overcrowded, and they come right back here." Overall, Nunn says, things are improving: The city's total crime rate is down 1 percent this year. But homicides seem out of control, with 72 killings recorded through Thursday compared with 57 during the same period last year. The killings take a toll on Nunn, a soft-spoken mother of two who used to play a mean shortstop in softball and still attends the same Baptist church where she was baptized at age 8. In 2004, three Birmingham police officers were shot to death as they entered a drug house trying to make an arrest. She helped their families cope — and gave herself strength — by singing a hymn at the funerals for the men. "It was the first time I ever sang outside my church," she said. It was also when she began to ask questions about her own faith and crime. "There was a point particularly after the officers were killed where I wondered, 'Is it my fault?'" Nunn said. "I wasn't on the scene, and there was nothing I could have done. But [I wondered] if it was as a spiritual attack. I was looking at it that way." Some answers are hard to come by. And the questions came again this year as the city's homicide rate rose. A stack of letters offering support rests near Nunn's desk, and she draws strength from people who promise to pray for her. But she can't help but wonder about the solution to what's going on in Birmingham. "We've got to enforce the law. But we've got to change people's hearts," she said. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rwieder 0 #2 August 21, 2006 This "Satan" fella......You know him? I heard his name was "Old Horny, The Sinned Stud, The Prince Of Darknes, Bellzebub....Satan? That's New! -Richard- "You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #3 August 21, 2006 QuoteChristian police chief sees Satan at work in Birmingham Homicides rise dramatically At this early stage I'd just like to point out that this is Birmingham, ALABAMA! NOT... Birmingham, England. So... Before JR chimes in... It's the Birmingham WITH THE GUN OWNERSHIP that has the soaring murder rate. Y'All can go back to discussing Satan now...Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #4 August 21, 2006 Birmingham, England, Birthplace of Ozzy Osbourne.....-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #5 August 21, 2006 ' the best trick that the Devil ever played was convincing mankind that he did not exist.'When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,563 #6 August 21, 2006 Verbal Kint?Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #7 August 21, 2006 This kind of stuff always strikes me as very superstitious. I think it is funny. Other then that it really doesn't bother me much. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #8 August 21, 2006 I swear, between the devil in Birmigham, and the Virgin Mary in chocolate.... ......sigh.... ....whatever..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #9 August 21, 2006 QuoteThis kind of stuff always strikes me as very superstitious. I think it is funny. Other then that it really doesn't bother me much. It doesn't bother me much, either, as long as it doesn't affect my life or my kids' lives. On those occasions when it does, or it threatens to do so, then it bothers me. (Like when PUBLIC school districts contemplate teaching "intelligent design" as part of my kids' compulsory education.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #10 August 21, 2006 QuoteIt doesn't bother me much, either, as long as it doesn't affect my life or my kids' lives. On those occasions when it does, or it threatens to do so, then it bothers me. (Like when PUBLIC school districts contemplate teaching "intelligent design" as part of my kids' compulsory education.) Yeah... In a secular state, religious evangelising should take place within an individual's private life, and not as part of their public position or policy. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #11 August 21, 2006 I don't have kids, but I can see your point and would agree with you if I did have kids. I really don't understand why people have to attribute things they don't understand to a supernatural being. It's ok to just say 'I don't understand it'. Instead they have to blame the devil or God for everything they don't understand. It's a very superstitous way of looking at the world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,534 #12 August 21, 2006 Back to the police chief, anyone else think that if having a commited Christian as police chief increases crime, it should be a hint to cities about a possible hiring criteria change? Might ought to check other cities, see if there's a correlation. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #13 August 21, 2006 I really don't think that there is a correlation between the police chief's religion and the rise in crime. I think it has to do with other factors like officer retention, pay, training, and numbers. To blame her religion is to fall into the same superstitous trap that she is in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #14 August 21, 2006 QuoteBack to the police chief, anyone else think that if having a commited Christian as police chief increases crime, it should be a hint to cities about a possible hiring criteria change? Might ought to check other cities, see if there's a correlation. Taking "the Lord works in mysterious ways" to new heights. . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #15 August 21, 2006 QuoteBack to the police chief, anyone else think that if having a commited Christian as police chief increases crime, it should be a hint to cities about a possible hiring criteria change? Might ought to check other cities, see if there's a correlation. Wendy W. No, I think the B'ham chief's on to something: there's a direct correlation. From now on, all police chiefs must be fallen-away, philosophically agnostic Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. (Sikhs need not apply - they carry daggers in those funny towels they wear on their heads.) Crime will plummet. Should be screened during the application process. (Unconstitutional? Pffft.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #16 August 21, 2006 QuoteYeah... In a secular state,... Unfortunately, the US isn't a secular state; it's a theocracy (at least for another 2 1/2 years...) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #17 August 21, 2006 Quote Unfortunately, the US isn't a secular state; it's a theocracy (at least for another 2 1/2 years...) Yes, it does seem there has been a significant erosion between the separation of church and state lately. That bothers me. Looking forward to seeing what happens when W is gone.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #18 August 21, 2006 Its obvious guns arent solving the issue in Birmingham. What we need is a new Amendment to give the people the right to an exorcism.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #19 August 21, 2006 I used to work in Birmingham, and used to live there, but not in the bad areas. I'm glad I do neither anymore. The city council and mayor are all idiots. Never gets anything done and always trying to upstage the other. The police chief has a wimpy backbone, not the tough take-charge type you need in a big city. She needs to be a bitch to get things done the way things need to be. But even if she did, hell would be raised and we're back to square one. Other than the night life in the 5 Points South area, Birmingham is a cesspool. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #20 August 22, 2006 I'm sorry, I thought maybe the Old Boy had got a job somewhere. City Hall would be a good place, or maybe on the Dept of Public Works, leaning up against a shovel. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
