Four months after Brian Goodrich was arrested for firing dozens of shots into a pool, café and the West Fulton Firehouse, neighbors still don’t feel safe.
Mr. Goodrich, 53, is due back in court Wednesday.
The targeted attack has neighbors fearing retaliation, SEEC Executive Director Julie Pacatte told supervisors’ Law Enforcement Committee Tuesday, and there’s an economic piece to to all of it too.
“The community has asked us to step forward and back them,” Ms. Pacatte said, asking supervisors, the Sheriff’s Office and State Police to do the same.
“He continues to be a threat,” she said. “Many businesses feel threatened and unsafe inviting the public into their businesses. They don’t want to live like this.’
What the West Fulton neighbors do want is for District Attorney Susan Mallery to “act quickly” to expedite the hearings for Mr. Goodrich.
They also want more surveillance in the hamlet or surveillance cameras.
“The businesses are suffering,” she said. “We hope none of them have to close. We view those towns in the southern part of the county as our front door.”
People move to West Fulton because the hamlet is peaceful, restful and artistic, Ms. Pacatte said, but because of Mr. Goodrich’s threats, several have already moved away, she said.
The West Fulton shootings are a State Police matter, said Law Enforcement chair John Leavitt, but Sheriff Ron Stevens has stepped up patrols.
Mr. Goodrich has been committed twice, he said, and released after observation.
“We can’t go down there and argue with his doctor…”
Mr. Goodrich also has rights, Sheriff Stevens said, and deputies have to make sure he’s protected “just like everyone else is protected.”
Businesses can put up surveillance cameras, he said but police cannot.
Even if they could, they don’t have the equipment, said Undersheriff Bruce Baker.
Sheriff Stevens also cautioned that West Fulton residents need to use judgment.
“You wouldn’t want to see them arrested for exceeding their authority.”
Ms. Pacatte said she also doesn’t want to see a newspaper headline ‘Mass shooting.’
She asked supervisors to back West Fulton and SEEC; they have their support, Mr. Leavitt said.
“We’ve talked about this since March. If there’s anything we could do, we would have, he added.
“Just reassure them that we are concerned,” Sheriff Stevens said.
“Just call us and we’ll be there.”