Issues
I am proposing that we hire five new officers. Two school resource officers to compliment the one we already have, and three new patrol deputies to help us properly man the 656 square miles of the county.
I absolutely believe that we should protect our children to the fullest of our ability. That is why I propose having a school resource officer in each Screven County School. That officer will be at the school while it is open and children present and during special events.
Hiring three additional patrol deputies will provide an extra level of safety for officers, reduce response times, and assist with deterring crime. A county the size of Screven County should be divided into three zones with a deputy in each zone.
Drugs and theft are two issues that go hand in hand. The relationship between crime and drug use is well established, from damaging property, domestic violence, to murder. People who use and abuse drugs are far more likely to break the law than those who don’t. The additional deputies will help with these issues but will not solve the problem. I want to work with surrounding counties and municipalities to form a taskforce to communicate and assist each other with combatting drug and theft issues. This partnership could expand into other problem areas as they arise.
It is my understanding that there is room in the budget for the three additional patrol officers, and there are billions of dollars in grants and other funding that we can utilize to fund protecting our children at school.