The Bremen City Council addressed a letter in Monday night’s board meeting about implementing more safety measures downtown – a request from local business owners that was prompted after several burglaries and incidents of vandalism occurred at various businesses over the past couple of months.

Willie Mae’s Tax Service in Bremen submitted the letter on behalf of local business owners who have partnered together in an initiative to prevent burglars from targeting more businesses. Bremen Police say burglary has been a frequent issue lately, and it is being compounded by acts of vandalism.

The last reported incident set off an uproar Thursday, Nov. 5, when burglars wiped out merchandise and “devastated” the inside of Cantrell Jewelers, which is revered one of the oldest and successful businesses in the community, according to residents.

Though police have secured 34 search warrants and made two arrests pertaining to these cases, including the jewelry shop burglary, business owners expect to gain more relief if the council considers implementing more safety measures. City Manager Perry Hicks verified that their request includes the installation of additional brighter streetlights that will remain on until dawn along Gordon and Tallapoosa Streets and north of Buchanan Street. Hicks added that further requests asked for estimates on the cost of installing cameras in the downtown district. Their final request was for the council to consider adding more law enforcement from the county sheriff’s office to assist with patroling the downtown area.

In a separate matter, the council updated the public about a workshop they had with police regarding citations that will be given to individuals who are found driving four-wheelers, golf carts and other off-road vehicles in unauthorized areas. Hicks reported that Bremen Police Chief Keith Pesnell said officers will enforce the official state code that issues a $100 fine to offenders, noting the penalty of repeated offenders and those who cause property damage might receive a fine that’s “levied above and beyond” based on the discretion of the judge.

Pesnell said the problem of illegal off-road vehicle usage seems to persist in neighborhoods as well as undeveloped subdivisions, where homes are in the process of being constructed. He added that the use of off-road vehicles have caused erosion and damaged city easements that are in some cases located on other people’s property. He stressed that people should use off-road vehicles in the areas designated for their use, stressing proper use is also the best way to prevent drivers from getting hurt.

Meanwhile, the council approved an amendment to the agenda that provides a 30-day extension to the moratorium for planned unit development projects due to the fact the deadline is set to expire soon.

“The 30-day extension to the moratorium for the planned unit commission is in the process of reviewing and drafting proposed ordinances. A public hearing will be scheduled in the (Bremen) public safety complex at the next regular council meeting,” Hicks said.

Following discussion, the council later approved two annexation requests, beginning with the authorization of Stonewater Cove, LLC’s, proposal for 15.5 acres with ER Zoning “to establish a sub-division of property into three lots for three owner-occupied single-family homes,” Hicks said.

The council also granted a final request for annexation from the Saddleridge Community Association for .31 Acres with R-20 Zoning, which Hicks said merely served as a formal measure that needed to be put in place regarding an internal exchange between Stonewater and the association.

The council also announced changes to the council meeting schedule for the upcoming months. The next meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 14, rather than the regularly scheduled date due to the Christmas holidays. The first meeting of the new year will be held Monday, Jan. 11, instead of the following week due to observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.