SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The Savannah mayor responded to criticism from the Georgia Attorney General related to crime in Savannah Tuesday.

The candidate for governor wrote that Savannah leaders were “soft on crime” in an op-ed published by The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Carr stated, “In too many cities, leaders blame policies instead of confronting criminals — a familiar pattern that erodes accountability and fuels violent crime.”

Carr names Mayor Van Johnson and District Attorney Shalena Cook-Jones. reached out to both officials.

Johnson told News 3, the city has taken several measures over the years to combat crime, like penalizing gun owners for leaving firearms in unlocked cars, hiring a federal prosecutor for the city, limiting business hours and limiting the to-go cup zone area.

According to Johnson, crime is down in Savannah 20% over 2024, but he said they can only do so much especially with gun laws in the state.

“We’re doing the best we can to be able to keep people safe with what we have,” Carr said. “[Carr] supported the constitutional carry, which allows that to be everywhere. Guns show up with babies who shoot themselves. Guns show up in the hands of police officers who cannot determine the legality of the gun… that ties our police officers hands. But yet, this is something that he supports. You should be trying to help cities, not criticizing them. You’re our attorney general, too. If that’s showing what kind of governor you’re going to be, we’ll pass.”

is waiting for a response from DA Cook-Jones.