SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Savannah Mayor Van Johnson delivered his State of the City address to a packed ballroom at the Civic Center on Wednesday night, reflecting on the city’s progress and addressing the challenges ahead.

One of the key moments of the evening was the city’s investment in stormwater drainage, with Mayor Johnson proudly showing off the impressive grants dedicated to improving the city’s infrastructure.

As for Savannah’s growth, the mayor pointed to the city’s projected population growth in the coming years, noting that with big growth comes a big need for careful planning and solutions — something Johnson says the Savannah team is focusing on.

“Affordable housing remains one of our most pressing challenges,” said Mayor Van Johnson, while praising work on the Housing Savannah Action Plan, a plan to address affordable housing and homelessness in Savannah .

“The Housing Savannah Action Plan is on track to reach 50 percent of its annual goals, with more than $19 million slated to support 3,073 households by the end of the year,” he said.

Johnson also reaffirmed his commitment to combating homelessness, saying that through task forces and strategic partnerships, the city is taking significant steps to address the issue.

“It’s not a crime to be homeless, but it is a crime not to do anything about it,” Johnson said.

In addition to addressing housing, the mayor highlighted the work the city has done to improve public safety — adding 32 new officers to the Savannah Police Department and introducing the stolen weapons ordinance.

The mayor emphasized enacting a 5 percent salary increase for police officers to remain competitive and recruit quality candidates.

“We, along with every other city in this country, are struggling with an officer shortage,” he said. “But we won’t hire people, just get warm bodies in uniform and with guns. We want the right people.”

According to Mayor Van Johnson, although violent crime is down nearly 21 percent, gun violence remains a pressing concern.

Johnson promoted the recently passed Stolen Weapons Ordinance, which holds individuals accountable for leaving firearms in unlocked vehicles. The ordinance is just one part of the city’s ongoing efforts to combat gun violence.

Mayor Johnson also shared the success of the “Top 10 Most Wanted” initiative, a program aimed at capturing the city’s most dangerous criminals. The program was extremely effective, with 8 of the top 10 people on the list captured within weeks.

In the second round of the program, 19 out of 20 people were detained.

Finally, the mayor concluded his speech by highlighting the city’s significant investment in stormwater infrastructure.

“We can’t control the weather, but we can better prepare for its impact,” Johnson said, noting that recent hurricane seasons have reiterated the urgency of improving the city’s stormwater systems.

To view the full address, click Here.

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