Business owner challenges community

ALBANY, Ga. — Business owner, B.J. Fletcher says everyone who owns a business should contribute to the local law enforcement effort. What’s more, she’s put her money where her mouth is.

Motivated by a recent drive-by shooting on Willard Avenue in which two people were killed and a second drive-by on Avalon Avenue, Fletcher reached into her bank account. Her $500 contribution to the Albany Police Department’s Crime Tips program brings the total reward for information on the shooters to $2,000.

“As a business owner, you succeed only with community support,” Fletcher said. “It’s only right that we should give something back.

Fletcher, owner of B.J.’s Country Buffet on Dawson Road and is sales director for Hilton Garden Inn, said she was inspired to contribute by a call for community action by Police Chief John Proctor.

Fletcher estimates there are some 4,000 small businesses in the Albany area and if each were to contribute just $10, it could have a serious crime-reducing affect.

“There are people out there who would tell on their mama if the reward was big enough,” Fletcher said.

According to Phyllis Banks, media spokeswoman for the APD, efforts to find the shooters are ongoing, with no breakthroughs in the two cases so far.