Chattanooga Police Chief Freeman Cooper reiterated Friday that crime is not out of control.

But the police department needs the help of neighborhood residents to combat crime, he told members of the Southeast Tennessee Political Action Committee.

He said police grow frustrated when criminals take refuge in a house during a chase and the residents allow the criminals to escape out a back door.

“If you come in my front door, you’re not getting out the back door without losing something, an arm, a leg,” Chief Cooper said. “Something’s going be left behind.”

CHATTANOOGA: ALL AMERICAN CITY?

Chattanooga has been named to a list of finalists for 2009 All-American Cities, according to a news release.

The National Civic League announced a list of 31 finalists. Chattanooga was the only Tennessee city on the list, according to the release.

In the South, only Chattanooga, North Carolina’s Kinston, Benson, Clinton and Statesville; Virginia’s Caroline County; Arkansas’ Fort Smith; and Tampa, Fla., made the finalist list.

The 10 winners will be announced June 17-19 in Tampa.

The National Civic League has given the All-America City awards since 1949, according to its Web site.

Changes to Comcast

Comcast spokeswoman Laurie Shipley came before Hamilton County commissioners Wednesday to explain an initiative that will affect customers whose cable connects to their TV straight from the wall.

“What we are doing is, beginning April 7, we are going neighborhood by neighborhood and converting channels 14 to 78 to an all-digital platform,” she said.

Ms. Shipley said Comcast will give every homeowner who does not have a box through which to watch cable a complimentary box and two adapter devices for free. Any additional boxes will be $1.99 per month. She also said the company would double Internet customers’ speed for free.

The changes will start in the East Brainerd area and will go neighborhood by neighborhood through the summer, she said.

Commissioner Larry Henry, who represents East Brainerd, said a constituent told him the letter announcing the changes was “a little misleading.”

“He felt like there was not going to be any additional charge for these boxes,” he said. “There is going to be some misunderstanding about it.”

CITY GLAD FOR GRANT

As Dan Johnson, chief of staff for Mayor Ron Littlefield, read through the agenda for Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, he came to an item where Bi-Lo was giving the city a $16,000 grant.

“I’m glad they can still do that,” Mr. Johnson said. “Get it while you can, I guess.”

Bi-Lo filed for bankruptcy two weeks ago.

Larry Zehnder, Parks and Recreation administrator, later said the grant would be used for gift cards that could be used at local stores.

MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT

City Council members sat down Tuesday afternoon for a prebudget hearing to talk about the next steps for the council’s goals and agenda.

Council members discussed how they don’t need to micromanage city departments.

Councilwoman Carol Berz used an example that the council could ask for certain types of sidewalks, but it does not mean that the Department of Public Works has to install those sidewalks.

Tongue in cheek, Councilman Jack Benson weighed in. “If we don’t like what they’re doing, we’ll cut off their funding,” he said.

paying for the playground

City and county funding will help officials construct a playground at the John A. Patten Recreation Center in Lookout Valley, according to a news release.

About $70,000 in county money and $30,000 in city funds will go toward the playground.

“As part of the long-term plan for Lookout Valley, this playground will keep our children active and provide a safe place for families to enjoy,” said Hamilton County Commissioner John Allen Brooks.” It really is one of the best examples of good government at work here in Hamilton County.”

Commissioner Richard Casavant and City Councilwoman Linda Bennett helped secure the funding, the news release states.

walking club in gear

Starting Monday and going through May 14, walkers can gather at 9:30 a.m. at the Riverpark for a walk led by Recreation Specialist Maureen Davis and Public Health Educator Allison Harr.

The cost to join the Riverpark Ramblers Walking Club is $10.

For more information, call 842-6748.

BICYCLE SAFETY CLASS MOVING

Street Smarts, a bicycle safety class, will move to the new Outdoor Chattanooga Center, officials said.

The first class offered will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., said Richard Beeland, spokesman for Mayor Ron Littlefield.

Mr. Beeland said Street Smarts is a class that offers cyclists skills needed to ride their bicycles on the road with more safety. Students receive classroom instruction and emergency maneuvers, he said.

Street Smarts is offered the second Saturday of each month at a cost of $25. The class is geared for adults and children 14 and older, officials said.

Preregistration is required by calling Philip Pugliese, Chattanooga bicycle coordinator, at 423-643-6887 or via e-mail at ppugliese@outdoorchattanooga.gov.