Hometown Heroes

With gratitude we honor

our hometown heroes

sTATEsBORO pOLICE dEpARTmEnT ★ ★ 911 dEpARTmEnT ★ ★ BULLOCH COUnTY sHERIFF’s OFFICE ★ ★ BULLOCH Ems ★ ★ sTATEsBORO FIRE dEpARTmEnT ★ ★ REGIsTER, BROOKLET, pORTAL pOLICE ★ ★ GsU pOLICE ★ ★ dRUG sUppREssIOn TEAm ★ ★ BULLOCH HUmAnE EnFORCEmEnT ★ ★

HOMETOWN HEROES

2C – Statesboro herald — Sunday, May 31, 2015 | statesboroherald.com

AUTO CARE SERVICE Thanks You For Your Never Ending Service to the Community 912.489.6011

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Crime Suppression Team making a difference The Statesboro-Bulloch County Crime Suppression Team is making quite an impact on area crime, especially drug crimes.

The par tnership between the Bulloch Co u n t y S h e r i f f ’s Department, Georgia Southern University Public Safety and Statesb oro Police Department was formed in February 2014 and is supervised by Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson.

Thank You

Hometown Heroes

for your important timely service to others and meeting the needs that are in the best interests of everyone.

If you would like to receive our weekly column send your email address to jack.hill@senate.ga.gov

Senator Jack Hill Georgia’s 4th District You can reach me at:

1-800-367-3334 or 404-656-5038 jack.hill@senate.ga.gov • Fax: 404-657-7094 Local Office: 912-557-3811

The unit consists of specially-assigned deputies and officers from all three agencies.

The CST “represents s joining of forced between these agencies to address crime trends no matter where they occur,” Anderson said.

The Crime Suppression

Team is “the primary unit for investigating drug related crimes with a focus on g a n g activity a n d street c r i m e ,” he said.

“The CST combines skilled investigators with uniformed deputies and a K-9 officer, Max, to form a potent 14-man proactive force equally

capable of saturating a high-crime area as it is of conducting long-term investigations.”

Led by Capt. Jason Kearney, the CST works through voluntary citizen contacts to generate community good will through non-law enforcement calls. Officers conduct school walk-throughs to generate partnerships and provide better security; make business checks and, of course, conduct traffic stops and serve search warrants seeking to stop drugs and other crimes.

Got a tip? Tell the cops and help stop crime ➤ Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office ▲ Call (912) 764-8888 ▲ Submit an anonymous tip online to tips@bullochsheriff.com. ➤ Statesboro Police Department ▲ Call (912) 764-9911 ▲ Submit an anonymous tip online to www.tipsoft.com ▲ Send a text starting with “TIPSSPD” to 274637 (CRIMES) ➤ Georgia Southern University ▲ Call (912) 478-3020 ▲ Submit an anonymous tip online to eageeyewitness@ georgiasouthern.edu ▲ For fraud, waste or abuse at GSU, call (877) 5163445.

HOMETOWN HEROES

statesboroherald.com | Statesboro herald — Sunday, May 31, 2015 – 3C

Local lifelines to safety From staff reports

Often, it’s the ones working behind the scenes who are the “unsung heroes.” While firefighters and law enforcement officers may be in the spotlight, there are others who handle the transport of patients, the directing of calls, and other services such as informing citizens of potential dangers. ➤ Bulloch County Emergency Medical Service EMS currently operates out two stations — one located on West Grady Street next to Statesboro Fire Department Station One and the second, added in 2014, at Bulloch

County Fire station # 7, located on U.S. 80 in Brooklet.

Adding the second station has proven beneficial to citizens in decreasing response time to certain areas, said Bulloch County Public Safety Director Ted Wynn. “This will allow for a quicker response to a large portion of the county. As funds are available we will look to substation EMS in other locations based on call data and population density.” ➤ Bulloch County Central 911 Bulloch 911 handles calls for Evans, Candler, and Bulloch Counties.

The CAD system tracks and documents all infor-

mation relative to every 911 call received and stores that information for retrieval is necessary.

“With over 60,000 calls received on an annual basis, the CAD system is of great necessity,” Wynn said. “The reverse 911 system allows us to alert the public based on proximity to an emergency of a disaster such as a chemical release or and escaped prisoner.

The system alerts the public with land line phones, but cell phone users can opt in at the county’s website.” ➤ Bulloch County Emergency Management Agency Bulloch County EMA gets busy when disaster

strikes. When storms, floods or other emergency situations arise, Bulloch EMA personnel makes sure citizens are informed and safe.

Wynn urges all citizens to “Get a kit and make a plan.” Disaster can strike at any moment. “Prepare your business and your home for disasters. Local, state, and federal response may be temporarily delayed if the gravity of a disaster in enormous. You need to be prepared to sustain yourself and family for up to 72 hours after a disaster strikes and the kits you prepare should include food, medications, and other necessities your family may need,” he said.

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Bulloch County Public Safety “First in Safety & Service” Recognizes the dedicated employees and volunteers of: • Animal Shelter & Humane Enforcement • Bulloch County Fire and Rescue • Emergency Medical Service Station 1 and Station 7 • Emergency Management • 911 Services

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Ben Tapley ..........................................Assistant Fire Chief Wendy Ivey ................................. Animal Shelter Manager Joey Sanders.................................. Humane Enforcement Supervisor

HOMETOWN HEROES

4C – Statesboro herald — Sunday, May 31, 2015 | statesboroherald.com

Keeping us safe county-wide Law enforcement officers face danger on a daily basis.

When a police officer stops a car for a traffic violation, or a sheriff’s deputy pulls up to a home on a domestic dispute call, they never know whether the call will end peacefully or end up involving violence.

A law enforcement officer is human, and like other humans, can make mistakes.

However, deputies, officers, investigators, agents and troopers all undergo training not only before certification, but throughout their careers.

That training serves to protect he officer as well as citizens, and these people who wear badges encounter daily risks while working towards

upholding the law and keeping the public safe.

Statesboro Police Led by Major Rob Bryan and supervised by Statesboro Public Safety Director Wendell Turner, the Statesboro Police Department works towards lowering crime and keeping the city’s residents safe.

According to Turner, the department’s 2014 crime statistics show crimes such as theft, simple assault, burglary, aggravated assault, motor vehicle theft, robbery (armed and forcible), rape and homicide were at their lowest point in seven years.

“In 2014, all robberies were down by 35 percent from the

Town of Brooklet

s e t u Sal

ALL Hometown Heroes,

You make us proud!

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previous year, burglaries decreased by 33 percent, sexual assaults — including rape — were down 18 percent, motor vehicle theft down 49 percent, and all theft down cumulatively by 17 percent,” he said.

The department includes over 70 officers in addition to support and dispatch personnel.

In 2014, Statesboro police officers engaged in several training sessions including “Active Shooting Train the Trainer,” “Advanced Sexual Assault,” “Basic Intoxilyzer 900,” “Gang Investigations,” “Child Victim Fundamentals” and “Crime Scene Investigations.”

Programs that link the SPD to the community include the Citizens Police Academy, an 11 week community program available to citizens of Statesboro and the surrounding area. Participants learn from officers, detectives, and administrators, with a different topic weekly. They also get to participate in several practical exercises that put them in the role of the police officer.

The Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association and Volunteer Program, formed by the graduates of the 2013 Citizens Police Academy , assists the department in several ways including providing and serving food and drinks during the Citizens Police Academy classes and other SPD functions. The Alumni Association is also providing members to the police department as volunteers by directing traffic at intersections during annual parades.

The P.A.C.T. (Police And Citizens Together) is an effort where officers work with neighborhood watch and other community groups to reduce crime in specific areas.

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The S.T.O.P. program (Solicitor.Teen.Officer.Parent) is a teen safe driving program that helps keep parents informed when their child is involved in a traffic stop.

Another program, SHIELD, is a business watch program.

Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office

citizens bring their own guns and ammunition to learn how to handle forearms safely and effectively. ➤ D.A.R.E. – A drug resistance and education course for students. ➤ Project Safe Kids – A program providing gun locks to parents. ➤ Safekids Bulloch – an extension of Safekids Georgia to prevent accidental injuries t9 children. ➤ Project Lifesaver – a program to protect the elderly and those with dementia. ➤ Other public endeavors – The BCSO participates in Relay for Life, Statesboro’s First Friday, National Night Out and other programs and provides security nightly for the annual Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair.

grams to educate the citizens Brooklet Police is proud to announce that as of February 2015, the town has 24/7 365 day police coverage of the town. Our officers are receiving more training and using it in their day to day operations.

Chief Tom Kile heads up Register’s police force, with help of two part time officers, Bobby Ivey and Terry Kile.

Register police focus on traffic safety and patrolling the small town to deter crime. Traffic violations makes up a large portion of the town’s calls, but often those traffic stops lead to drug arrests, helping keep the drugs off the streets.

Portal Police Chief Jason Sapp is a full time officer with the city’s police department and is assisted on a part-time basis by Sgt. Bobby Ivey and Officer Richard Pylant.

Officers focus on traffic enforcement and keeping a strong presence in the small community to deter crime.

Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson wants citizens to be involved and aware of what his department is doing.

His right-hand man, Chief Deputy Jared Akins, works with Anderson to “utilize forward planning and reorganization to maximize our capabilities in dealing with limited resources, growing crime trends and a growing service population,” he said. “We have entered into partnerships with Brooklet, Register, other law enforcement agenPortal police cies to combat crime regardChief Max Meyer is in his less of jurisdiction and have also partnered with commu- first year at the Brooklet Police nity organizations and reserve Department. The 30-year law deputies to change the public’s enforcement veteran said he Georgia Southern perceptions of law enforce- looks forward to continuing University Public the city’s tradition of mainment in a positive way.”

Facing budget constraints taining a safe, family-friendly Safety like most other agencies, the community. He oversees a Georgia Southern Bulloch Sheriff’s Office finds force made up of full time and University is proud to have a ways to bring in other funds to part time officers. The town police department that places help the department stay suc- enjoys a reputation as having student and faculty safety first low crime and a cooperation and foremost. Interim chief cessful.

The sheriff’s office uses for- between law enforcement and Major Laura McCullough is feiture money and other non- citizens. While crime is low, taking over the reins as former tax funder income to purchase Brooklet Police officers occa- chief Mike Russell retires this needs when possible, saving sionally encounter burglaries month. tax payers money, Anderson and other serious crimes.

University Police are just Over the last year, the like any other police departsaid. “We also house federal inmates in return for nearly $1 Brooklet Police Department ment, plus act as security for million in compensation has gone through many university events. directly to the county’s general changes, from the hiring of a Officers are P.O.S.T certinew police chief, changing the fied and handle on-campus fund each year.”

The Bulloch County look of the patrol cars, moving crimes and investigations.

Sheriff’s Department consists to a new building and the hir- They undergo mandated and of around 120 full time ing of new officers. With those additional training and offer employees, with about certi- changes, the department has services to students including fied peace officers (armed become more community ori- prevention and women’s self deputies); about 50 certified ented and started offering pro- defense classes. jail officers; four certified communications officers, and five civilian administrative personnel.

There are seven civilian bailiffs stationed at court facilities to help keep order and safety in the courtrooms.

In 2014, the BCSO handled numerous crimes, many which posed danger to the deputies as well as the community. Those calls included two murders, 30 aggravated assaults, 19 adult and 17 child sex crimes, seven armed robberies, 181 burglaries, five jail assaults, 33 firearm thefts, and 18 terroristic threat calls.

Deputies and investigators also undergo continuous training. The training exceeds mandates, keeping deputies, jailers and investigators at top performance to enable them to serve the public to the best of their ability, he said.

The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office also works with the public through a variety of programs and services, SPECIAL including the following: ➤ Civilian Handgun Register Police officers, left to right, Chief Tom Kile, Officer Training Course – for a fee, Blake Richardson and Lt. Terry Kile.

Thanks

to all of our

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HOMETOWN HEROES

statesboroherald.com | Statesboro herald — Sunday, May 31, 2015 – 5C

Honoring Our

Jason sapp

local hereos ian huggins

bobby ivey Captain Portal Police Dept.

roosevelt, Jr.

with his son, roosevelt, iii

Chief of Police Portal Police Dept.

Statesboro Police Department “Most super heroes wear capes.

Mine wears Kevlar.”

Chief Deputy JareD akins (Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office) “Thanks for all that you do to keep our community safe!”

Roosevelt Cone, Jr. is a Hometown Hero to this community for his contribution and dedication to our local youth. For the past 14 years he has dedicated his time to helping our youth have good character and be all they can be.

He has a genuine love for children and believes that all they need is time and a positive role model to follow.

Thank you Roosevelt for being that role model and giving your time freely!

statesboro poliCe Department sWat team “Thank you all for protecting your community!

You are all appreciated!”

tony Deal Bulloch County Fire Department “Keep Fighting!”

BULLOCH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

We proudly salute all of our

Public Safety Professionals! “ I n a n y k i n d o f e m e r g e n c y,

D i a l 911, Yo u r l i f e l i n e f o r h e l p ! ! ” Ly n n M . A n d e r s o n , S h e r i f f

76 4 - 8 8 8 8

HOMETOWN HERO

6C – Statesboro herald — Sunday, May 31, 2015 | statesboroherald.com

K-9 officers are heroes, too

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Not all law enforcement heroes are human.

There are two four-legged officers — K-9 (canine) officers in town who play a large part in helping keep drugs off the streets.

Rio is a three-year-old German shepherd who lives with Statesboro Police Advanced Patrol Officer Kyle Briley. Max, six, is also a German shepherd, and he lives with Bulloch County Sheriff ’s Cpl. Kirk McGlamery.

Max was born in Belgium, while Rio was born in Germany. Both dogs came from Southern Coast Canines in New

Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Both dogs are trained to detect cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and heroin. Max originally worked as a Statesboro Police K-9 officer, but the department downsized to just one dog, Rio, and the sheriff ’s department became Max’s new home.

Max and McGlamery work with the StatesboroBulloch County Crime Suppression Team, while Briley and Rio are solely with the Statesboro Police. However, each dog and their human partner will assist other agencies if requested.

Both dogs have conducted over 600 searches each, including searches of vehicles, areas, search warrants, shipping packages, storage units and schools.

“It is a lot of work” taking care of a K-9 officer, McGlamery said. The dogs cost between $8,000 and $10,000, and “aren’t your average yard dog.”

Briley agreed, sharing that extra attention to the dog’s safety and health is important. “We train four hours each week,” but life isn’t all work for the dogs.

Rio enjoys playing with his ball and napping, and will give Briley a “high five” when he is placed in his car kennel every day.

Taking care of a K-9 officer is “a lot of work,” McGlamery said. “It’s like caring for a three-yearold child.”

Both dogs and their handlers get together

SCOTT BRYANT/staff

Capt. Kirk McGlamery of the Statesboro-Bulloch County Crime Supression Team and partner Max. weekly to train, keeping their senses sharp. “You want a dog who uses his nose before he uses his eyes,” McGlamery said.

The dogs are on duty unless they are home, Briley said. “Rio is always working whenever he is out, sniffing for a scent,” Briley said. “He’s my partner. I spend more

time with him than I do with anyone or anything else. He’s the most loyal partner I could have.”

Max “stays with me, rides with me, is with me 24.7,” McGlamery said.

Both dogs are state and nationally certified.

Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.

TGAGES

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SCOTT BRYANT/staff

APO Kyle Briley of the Statesboro Police Department and K9 partner Rio.

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HOMETOWN HEROES

statesboroherald.com | Statesboro herald — Sunday, May 31, 2015 – 7C

Taking to the skies to save lives When accidents happen and life depends on how quickly an injured person can get to a hospital, Air Evac Lifeteam Statesboro comes into action.

The air ambulance service flies severely injured or ill persons to hospitals in other cities much faster than a regular ambulance can get there.

This service is in Statesboro, and citizens can sign up for the services.

You don’t have to be a member to use the air ambulance service, but being a member is a good idea, as members are discounted.

Household memberships are $65 a year.

Air Evac EMS, Inc., which operates Air Evac Lifeteam, is the largest independently owned and operated mem-

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supporting air medical bases across 15 states. The company has established itself as the preeminent provider of air ambulance services to communities in need of advanced

Law enforcement spreading Christmas cheer

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For more information, call (912) 489-6481.

Membership information is also found on the website.

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The Statesboro Fire Department provides the following FREE Services to residents in the Statesboro Fire District

 FREE Smoke Detectors (Installed)  FREE Home Safety Inspections  FREE Fire Safety Education for your School, Church or Civic Group  FREE Tours of Our Stations  FREE Certified Child Safety Seat Installation Checks

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: 912-764-FIRE (3473)

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The Statesboro Police Department and Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department take time each year to collect and deliver toys for less fortunate children at Christmas. Here, Santa wears blue instead of his traditional reed to symbolize law enforcement.

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HOMETOWN HEROES

8C – Statesboro herald — Sunday, May 31, 2015 | statesboroherald.com

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Fire services are something everyone hopes to never need, but should be thankful for having.

On a daily basis, Statesboro and Bulloch County firefighters expect to encounter a lifethreatening situation. When the call comes, they rush to the scene ready for the worst, hoping for the best and are focused on rendering the situation as safe as possible. Calls range from simple alarms to fullfledged fires. Both agencies work together on many occasions as districts overlap and they assist each other in handling emergencies.

Bulloch County Fire Department Led by Bulloch County

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Fire Chief Christopher Ivey, the Bulloch County Fire Department is operated by about 80 volunteer firefighters, with only two paid full time employees.

Ivey and Deputy Chief/ training officer Ben Tapley supervise the department, which consists of several stations and substations throughout the county.

The 13 unmanned substations contain vehicles and equipment available for volunteers and first responders to use in battling the fires. Having the substations located strategically throughout the county helps lower ISO (Insurance Services Office) ratings, which translate into lower insurance costs for residents.

Since the county is so large, the substations are located throughout the county so there is a substation in every area to enable responders to combat the fires and other emergencies faster.

In 2014, the Bulloch County Fire Department handled the following calls: ➤ 233 fire calls ➤ 166 rescue/EMS calls ➤ Hazardous conditions (no fire) calls – 31 ➤ Service calls – 14 ➤ Good intent calls – 257 ➤ False alarms – 31 ➤ Severe weather calls – 8 ➤ Special calls – 4 Bulloch County firefighters, although volunteer, still undergo mandated training, update equipment and make appearances at community events.

Statesboro Fire Department Led by Chief Tim Grams, the Statesboro Fire Department has two administrative assistants, three shifts with 22 leadership positions and about 30 other firefighters.

In 2014, the Statesboro Fire Department handled the following calls:

➤ Fire alarms – 459 ➤ Structure fires – 80 ➤ Other fires – 145 ➤ Canceled en route – 55. ➤ Public education – 44 ➤ Agency assists– 21 ➤ Haz Mat – 30 ➤ Rescue, extrication/

vehicle accident – 21 ➤ Wildland/outside – 82 ➤ Vehicle fires – 31

When people experience loss due to fire, the Statesboro Fire Department offers a comforting, calm environment through the Community Assistance in Fire Emergency (CAFE) unit.

The CAFE unit serves the community by giving community members affected by structure fires a place to wait while firefighters are on scene.

In the CAFE unit, families are given information on what steps to take after a house fire.

The CAFE unit also serves firefighters by providing them a place to rest. This allows Statesboro firefighters to perform at their highest level for the members of the community.

The Statesboro Fire Department also gets involved in community activities including the following: ➤ Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair Every year the Statesboro Fire Department goes to the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair to share fire safety tips and engage with the community.

Firefighters have a great time making balloon animals and painting faces for the children in the area. This event is a great time to interact with the community in ways beyond the fire service. ➤ Relay for Life The fire department’s involvement with Relay for Life ranges from raising money to participating in the Relay event. The three battalions compete to see who can raise the most money for Relay for Life throughout the year. At the end of the inhouse competition all of the

teams come together to support Bulloch County’s Relay for Life event by attending to the event. ➤ Car seat Installation Statesboro firefighters and administrative staff have the opportunity to be certified in child passenger safety seat installation. This is a valuable resource for families in the community, as it insures your child’s safety. For help with the installation of your child’s car seat, you can stop by the fire department any time Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a certified technician will be happy to assist you. ➤ Smoke Detectors The firefighters take pride in their community and strive to make it a better place to live. The Statesboro Fire Department’s smoke detector program involves firefighters installing a free smoke detector in your home. When a smoke detector is present, the likelihood of death by structure fire is cut in half. ➤ Up in Flames This event is hosted by Georgia Southern University and teaches students the importance of fire safety in the residence halls.

All freshmen are required to attend this event to learn about the dangers of fire in the residence halls. The Statesboro Fire Department initiates a mock burn to demonstrate how quickly a dorm room can burn. ➤ Firefighter for a Day The firefighter for a day program started as a way to make a young boy’s dream of becoming a firefighter come true. Aaron Oliver, 7-year-old Leukemia patient was the first Firefighter for a Day participant. The program was designed to give children with life-altering conditions a chance to focus on being a kid and having fun as a firefighter.

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