public safety
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Athens-Clarke County
Mayor Kelly Girtz Criticizes Loss of Federal Government Grants to Reduce Violence
Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz demanded that grants rescinded by the U.S. Department of Justice be restored to the state and local governing bodies. The federal grants, initially calculated as $820 million, were rescinded in April after the Trump administration sought to cut federal spending. Many of the grants were…
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Athens-Clarke County
Athens Implements North Thomas Street Crosswalk, Public Safety Measures
Athens-Clarke County will add a pedestrian crossing on North Thomas Street near The Classic Center following two car accidents that resulted in fatalities, Mayor Kelly Girtz said Sept. 23 in a news conference. This project will make the city safer for pedestrians and drivers, Girtz said, while discussing public safety…
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Athens-Clarke County
Athens Mayor: No New Developments Regarding Drug-Related Inmate Deaths
There are no new developments in the investigations regarding the deaths of four inmates in the Athens-Clarke County Jail between April and July 2025, Mayor Kelly Girtz said Tuesday. Two of these inmates died of apparent drug overdoses. Before the death of the fourth inmate, Clarke County Sheriff John Williams…
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Athens-Clarke County
Vehicular-Pedestrian Deaths Are Growing Concern in Athens
Catherine Shinholser, a teacher at Chase Street Elementary School and regular runner in Athens said drivers have been less careful in recent months. “I’ve had a lot of near-hits recently,” said Shinholser. Seth Jones, a senior police officer for Athens-Clarke County Police Department, said law enforcement has noticed more dangerous…
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COVID-19 Coverage
Shelter-in-Place Due To Coronavirus Causes Decreasing Crime Rates in Oconee County
COVID-19 has caused a lot of problems, but one result that’s not so bad — a reduction in crime rates in at least one Northeast Georgia county. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Department said they take quarantines and safety seriously. They are expected to use all of the safety procedures recommended…
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Athens-Clarke County
Damsel in Defense Director, ACC Detective Share Tips to Keep Local Residents Safe
Christy Dove is a former firefighter who has dedicated her livelihood to educating women on how to stay safe in Northeast Georgia. Dove, director for Damsel in Defense, said the organization’s mission is to equip, empower and educate women to protect themselves and their families. She said being situationally aware,…
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Northeast Georgia News
Watkinsville Police Department Seeks Input for Possible Changes
The city of Watkinsville is currently working with its citizens to address concerns about the police department. Homeowners and business owners received a survey earlier in January where they were asked to share their opinion on public safety. One question asked whether there is value in having both the Watkinsville…
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Northeast Georgia News
Georgia State Troopers Report Staff Shortage
The Department of Public Safety has a shortage of Georgia State Patrol troopers. The department says in Dec. 30, 2017 there were 801 troopers. Since March 30, 2018 the department says it is staffed with 785 troopers. The state legislature authorizes the department to have 953 troopers. That is a…