Savannah Alderwoman raises concerns over police response to deadly shooting

by Steven Glover

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan is calling for accountability after what she described as a disrespectful encounter with a police officer at the scene of Sunday’s deadly shooting near East 33rd and Cedar streets.

Speaking outside Savannah Police Department headquarters Tuesday, the District 3 alderwoman said she felt bullied and intimidated by an officer, even after identifying herself.

The shooting scene was not in her district.

“There are good officers and bad officers and that day, I ran into a bad officer. I was bullied, I was intimidated,” Wilder-Bryan said.

Wilder-Bryan also said officers ran out of gauze before emergency medical personnel arrived and that part of one victim’s body remained exposed to public view. She said she felt Mayor Van Johnson disregarded her concerns about the response.

“I was not off-mark when I said they ran out of the stuff because they did. I was not wrong when I said the screen was not there because it wasn’t,” she said.

Discussing the response, Johnson said police officers were carrying out law enforcement duties and that the fire department had more first-aid supplies.

“They’re doing the law enforcement work. Our first role as police officers is not first aid in that sense. You know, we have a fire department that has more of that — they respond in four minutes,” Johnson said.

WTOC contacted Savannah police for comment on Wilder-Bryan’s concerns. The department said it is looking into them.

When asked about the broader issue of young people and shootings in Savannah, Wilder-Bryan said the community needs more activities and free options for the youth, suggesting a skating rink as one possibility. She also called for programs and laws that protect the community.

“Crime is going to happen, and we can put a police officer on every corner, but we can’t put one in every house,” she said.

Wilder-Bryan said she did not feel protected following her encounter with the officer and hopes her concerns lead to improvements in how police and city leaders respond to people at scenes.