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Savannah: Former NAACP President Accuses City of Violating Open Records Act

Image depicting community safety and justice symbols in Savannah

News Summary

Chadrick Mance, the former President of the Savannah NAACP, has filed a complaint against the City of Savannah over alleged violations of the Georgia Open Records Act. He claims the city attorney failed to provide public records in response to his request, which Mance insists is a violation of the law. The case ties back to a previous lawsuit regarding safety issues in the area and raises concerns about ongoing crime and violence in neighborhoods managed by the housing authority. No hearings have yet been scheduled for this matter.

Savannah: Former NAACP President Accuses City of Violating Open Records Act

Chadrick Mance, the former President of the Savannah NAACP Chapter and an attorney, has filed a complaint against the City of Savannah over alleged violations of the Georgia Open Records Act.

Key Details:

Filed: March 14, 2025, in Chatham County Superior Court.
Accusation: City attorney Jennifer Herman failed to provide public records in response to an open records request.
GORA Context: The Georgia Open Records Act mandates timely access to public records.
Payment Dispute: Mance claims he paid invoices for records but did not receive a timely response.

This case is linked to a civil lawsuit Mance filed in June 2020 regarding an incident on June 15, 2018, involving the armed robbery and murder of Shawntray Grant, a prominent community figure. Mance’s previous lawsuit contends that ineffectual security at “The View” contributed to violent crimes in the area.

Mance has highlighted a recurring issue of violence and crime in neighborhoods overseen by the housing authority, stating, “The complaint shows that we’ve had persistent problems over a long period of time.”

Specifics of the Open Records Request:

Requests cover public records from February 2020 to May 2024.
Documents sought include emails related to crime meetings, communications on public safety at Housing Authority properties, and officer patrol assignments.
Mance alleges city officials hindered access to these records through uncooperative responses.

Mance is pursuing several legal remedies, including:

A court declaration that the city attorney violated GORA.
An immediate order for the production of the requested records.
Attorney fees and civil penalties for the violations.
Any additional relief deemed necessary by the court.

As of now, no hearings have been scheduled in the case, according to court records. Savannah City Press Secretary Josh Peacock has declined to comment on ongoing litigation.