"If you don't get a jump on [crime], it will get a jump on you," councilman David Richards said.
White isn't alone in the county's recent influx of break-ins during 2011, and while local business owner John Nutter and Richards said using surveillance like video cameras can help identify suspects after a break- in, more needs to be done.
"I don't mind putting cameras up, or spending money on something that's going to work, but cameras are not the answer," Nutter said, adding the cameras will not show a clear picture of a suspect past 15 feet. "...We've done all we can do. We've got locks, we've got chains, we've got outside lights, the only thing we lack is police protection 24-hours a day.
"... I feel like as a city we need to grow in the realm of where we need to be, and a lot of that is the city needs to step up the way the residents have."
Richards and Nutter agreed that the break-ins are occurring during third shift, or between midnight and 5 a.m.
"It goes back to knowing who our neighbors are," Richards said, adding he believes an increase in rental properties has led to the influx in transient population and crime.
He said the city will be looking at ways to increase overall protection and the city's police department is in the process of hiring another officer.
In other news, the city approved updates to the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System Insurance Trust Agreement, Ordinance and Participation Agreement and Employer Declaration Pages.
The council approved the first reading of a proposed unfit property ordinance and property management code.
"[The ordinance and code] will allow you to have an opportunity to require property owners to bring their properties in compliance and make sure they're safe, it does allow you to go to court to get an order to require repairs or ... whatever else should be done to the property," City Attorney Boyd Pettit said. "It's purely done for a safety purpose to protect your citizens, but sometimes people have a tendency to leave property in an unprepared state and there are safety hazards for children and others."
In other council news:
* The city tabled an item on the agenda regarding the installation of a street light at 353 Old Tennessee Hwy. until all members can view the location.
* Roberts addressed the council regarding placing a turn lane in front of the city's post office, citing a recent wreck.
* The city also tabled a proposed vulnerability assessment and emergency response plan for further review.