Crime Reduction Initiatives
Our community has faced challenges with violent crime and drug use, which
have unfortunately escalated in recent years. Despite this, our community’s
spirit remains strong, and we are fortunate that our situation is not as dire as
it is in some other places. As I step into office, I am committed to confronting
these issues directly, with the goal of actively reducing crime and ensuring our
community does not submit to violence.

To achieve this, we must first restore agency relationships among local
agencies along with state and federal agencies. Ensuring mutual respect
amongst agencies promotes positive agency collaboration and helps us focus
on one common goal of reducing crime. Secondly, I will establish a multi-
agency task force comprising representatives from each local law
enforcement agency, including TCSO, Lyons PD, and Vidalia PD. This team will
be dedicated to investigating drug offenses, which is one of the main catalysts
for violent crime, homelessness, substance abuse, burglaries, etc. In
collaboration with the Georgia Gang Investigators Association, whose regional
vice president has committed to help form and train this task force at no
expense to our Sheriff’s office or taxpayers, we will take a proactive stance
against crime.

Lastly, in my continued efforts to reduce crime, I am committed to reforming
our jail structure with an emphasis on rehabilitation. I will implement
educational and vocational programs, including GED completion, trades in
heating and air, welding, forklift operator and more. These programs will be
implemented with no cost to the department or taxpayers. These initiatives
are designed to equip incarcerated individuals with a positive return into
society. Our current lack of such initiatives is troubling, but implementing
these programs is a vital step in battling substance abuse and continued
criminal behavior. They also help to lower our jail population and ultimately
create a safer community.