Metro Police Crack Down on Gangs and Guns

METRO POLICE
The Official Newsletter of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department
Volume 1, Issue 3
September 25, 2013
Inside this issue:
SCMPD Rolls Out New
Bicycle Patrols
3
Reserve Unit Created
4
Unity in the Community 6
in West Savannah
Police Go All Out for
National Night Out
8
Metro Officers Organize 10
Youth Summer Camps
SCMPD Supports Tunnel
to Towers 5K
12
Metro Atta Boys
15
Willie C. Lovett
Chief of Police
Savannah-Chatham Metro P.D.
201 Habersham Street
Savannah, GA 31401
www.scmpd.org
Metro Police Crack Down
on Gangs and Guns
T
his summer SavannahChatham Metro Police have
been relentless in cracking
down on some of Savannah’s
worst criminals.
Three major police operations have
let to the arrest of more than 100
gang members, drug dealers and
gun traffickers.
September 12, Chief Willie Lovett
and Chatham County District Attorney Meg Heap announced the indictment of nine members of Savannah’s Hell Hole Gang. These
known gang members we charged
in connection with a recent murder,
sexual assault, armed robberies
Above: Chief Willie Lovett was joined by County Commissioner Helen
and aggravated assaults dating
Stone, Mayor Edna Jackson, City Manager Stephanie Cutter, District
back nearly two years and include Attorney Meg Heap, Asst. DA Matthew Breedon and Chief Asst. DA
Greg McConnell for the Sept. 11 indictment of nine gang members.
last summer’s shootings at the
Photo by: Michelle Gavin
Coastal Empire Fairgrounds.
compliance
checks,
98
field interviews, 41 of“The only way to address the crime and gang
fender searches, and 44 sex offender searchproblem in our community is to remove these
es . The week-day operation was designed to
criminals from our streets,” said Chief Lovett.
catch the criminals off guard.
“It takes a coordinated effort such as this to
accomplish that goal. It’s exciting that we finalDirector Enoch said, “Our Smart
ly have muscle in the gang
Policing data shows us violent
statue and even more so that
crime doesn't just occur on the
the DA’s office is using it. “
“Everyone has the right weekends and we wanted to
On August 27-28 Chief Lovett,
throw the criminals off. We
Major James Barnwell and
to go to the store…
wanted to show them we have
Savannah Impact Director Teran omnipresence all week and
ry Enoch rounded by 40 want- without being intimidated they can’t predict our actions.”
ed criminals in a secret operaor influenced by gang On August 13 SCMPD and the
tion called PROPS (PoliceU.S. Attorney’s Office anmembers...”
Probation-Parole Responders
nounced the successful compleof Public Safety).
tion of a major anti-gang/
Hundreds of local, state and
violent crime operation targetfederal law enforcement officers saturated
ing
offenders
in
the Cuyler-Brownville and
several of Savannah’s high crime areas over a
Carver Heights neighborhoods.
48-hour period.
Officers completed 437 parole/probation
Continued on Page 2
Page 2
Metro Police Newsline
Gang Crackdown
(Cont. from Pg. 1)
ATF Special Agent Toby Taylor and
SCMPD Homicide Detective Kevin Grogan
led the years-long initiative dubbed
“Operation Ruffian”.
A total of 65 known offenders were targeted and to date 17 have been convicted. The remaining suspects are awaiting
trial. Detective Grogan said essentially
Operation Ruffian took down two dangerous gangs CBV 39-41 (or CuylerBrownville Ville 39th to 41st) and the
Carver Village Thoroughbreds.
“Operation Ruffian was designed to address violent offenders that have been
repeatedly convicted and released allowing the to reoffend. With several significant federal sentences, these individuals
will not be able to continue terrorizing
Savannah’s street,” said Det. Grogan.
Agent Taylor said he hopes this operation
makes a lasting impact. “Regardless of a
family's socioeconomic status, everyone
has the right to go to the store without
having their home burglarized, not have
their neighborhood vandalized with graffiti and have their children or grandchildren ride a bicycle down the street without being intimidated or influenced by
gang members with firearms and narcotics.”
Article by: Michelle Gavin
Top left and right:
Drugs, guns and
money was found
and confiscated
during “Operation
Ruffian”.
Middle: SCMPD
Det. Kevin Grogan
and ATF Special
Agent Toby Taylor
led “Operation
Ruffian”.
Left: SIP Sgt. Clint Middleton spoke
with Sgt. Torrance Garvin during the
two-day Operation PROPS initiative
in late August.
‘Lock It or Lose It’ Reducing Thefts
A
t the end of June, members of Savannah’s Kensington Park Neighborhood Association got fed up
with car break-ins. Neighborhood Association President Pam Miller partnered with
Southside Precinct Commander Capt.
Dean Fagerstrom and launched a “Lock It
or Lose It” campaign.
Miller purchased yard signs to help get
the message out. Since July 1, there
haven’t been any entering auto reports in
the Kensington Park neighborhood.
Statistics show 53 percent of the cars broken into in Savannah and Chatham County
were unlocked and in 40 percent of the
cases the valuables stolen were left in
plain view.
Article by: Michelle Gavin
Above: In August, Metro Police held a news conference in Kensington Park to spread the “Lock It or
Lose It” message. Members of the Kensington Park Neighborhood Association and Savannah Alderwoman Mary Ellen Sprague attended the media event. Photo by: Julian Miller
Page 3
Volume 1, Issue 3
New Bicycles Boost
Police Patrols
A
fleet of police patrol bicycles have hit the streets.
Metro Police now have 25
specially-equipped Redline mountain bikes.
Police bikes are not new to Savannah, but it’s been 20 years since the
city has purchased new ones.
Chief Willie Lovett said he brought
the bike patrols back because they
work. “It allows you to cover much
more territory, to engage many
more people than you would just
walking and still build that same
kind of charisma with the community.
The bike patrol itself is a wonderful
tool for building a relationship. Plus,
it allows our officers to get a little
exercise.”
Each precinct has five bikes. They'll
be used primarily by the precincts’
Crime Suppression Units (CSU) for
daily patrols, special events and
crime reduction operations.
Central Precinct CSU Sgt. Sean Wilson said in certain situations officers
can respond faster on bikes. “Blue
lights and sirens can draw attention
and that can make it more difficult
to navigate to a crime scene. The
view from a bicycle is certainly superior than from a police car.”
Less than an hour into Downtown
Precinct CSU Officer Robert
Bundrant’s patrol on two wheels, his
bike proved its worth. "It was 8
p.m., we were in Yamacraw and
saw two men in a house. We called
out and one of the men took off,”
said Bundrant. “When we got to
him he was winded, we were not.”
Before the officers started the bike
patrols they completed three days
of training to learn how to ride on
all types of terrain, go up and
down stairs and how to interact with
the community on and off the bike.
Everyday bike patrol officers encounter curious children and concerned citizens - and the bikes make
it easier for them to stop and talk.
The Islands Precinct was flooded
with e-mails and phone calls after
the bikes were deployed in the Isle
of Hope community. Resident Lee
Hughes said, “I appreciate the
SCMPD sending us the bike patrols. I think it’s a good idea.”
The bikes are a crime fighting tool
and public relations asset, all in
one. “As I've always said, no police
agency can be successful without
the community's support ,” said
Chief Lovett. “And this is a good
way to get to know them to build
that relationship.”
Article by: Michelle Gavin
Above: Chief Willie
Lovett checked out the
new police bikes ridden
by Downtown Precinct
APO Heather Clendening and Officer Scott
Richards.
Left: West Chatham
Precinct CSU Officer
Patrick Webster, APO
Matthew Cross and
APO Bennett Vanhorn
patrolled the Cloverdale neighborhood.
Photos by: Michelle
Gavin
Important Upcoming Dates

October 1st—Feast of St. Michael at Sacred
Heart Catholic Church on Bull Street,11:30 a.m.

October 15th—SCMPD Run to Remember honoring SPD
Officer Frank Mobley. The run will begin at 9 a.m. at Forsyth
Park at Bull and Gaston streets.

October 17th—Badge Pinning ceremony in Savannah Civic
Center Ballroom at 2 p.m.
Metro Police Newsline
Page 4
New Reserve Unit
Back Ups Officers
T
he Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan
Police Department has launched a
new Reserve Unit program aimed
at getting more officers on the street,
without costing taxpayers a dime.
So far Chief Willie Lovett has assigned
retired Sgt. Pete Leopold and Training
Unit Director Gary Taylor to the unit.
Lovett and Special Operations Division
Commander Maj. Julie Tolbert are currently reviewing more applications.
To qualify to become a SCMPD Reserve
Officer, candidates must be a current
Georgia Post Certified Police Officer or
meet the criteria for post certification. In
addition applicants cannot be currently
working for any other law enforcement
agency.
Once an officer is sworn into the reserve
program, he or she will be required to
volunteer their time a minimum of 30
hours each quarter and will be issued a
uniform, gun and gear.
Reserve officers will work special events
and be placed on other assignments as
needed by the department. Any retired
officers who joins the Reserve Unit will
not get to keep his or her rank.
Mark Dana, a Savannah business leader,
former Florida police officer and president of the Two Hundred Club has been
named the Administrator of the Reserve
Unit. He has seen first hand how a reserve program can benefit police agencies.
“During my time working in these agencies I learned the value a reserve program brings to a community and wanted
to see a similar program in Savannah. The value can be measured several
ways: Since this is an all volunteer program, this will save the city and police
Metro Police are now
accepting applications for
Reserve Unit Officers!
 Interested applicants must be a current
Georgia Post Certified Police Officer or
meet the criteria for post certification.
 Applicants can not work in a law
enforcement capacity for any agency.
 For more information contact Sgt.
Clarence Few in the Recruiting Unit at
651-4226 or pick up an application at
Police HQ at 201 Habersham Street.
department significant money in overtime
and personnel costs. The primary goal of
is to serve the department as a support
unit and supplement areas where personnel is required such as special events or
natural disasters. Additionally, police reserves can supplement police patrols by
converting one person vehicles to two person vehicles," Dana said.
Article by: Michelle Gavin
Police Mourn Loss of
Communications Officer
M
etro Police are mourning the
loss of one of their own. Communications Officer Keri Clark
was killed in a car crash on the Veteran’s
Parkway on Aug. 14. The 24-year-old
worked in the 911 dispatch center for
two years.
On Aug. 23 Clark’s friends, family,
coworkers and Metro Police officers held
a “Celebration of Life” service for Clark
outside the Communications Center on
Police Memorial Drive.
Communications Division Commander Lt.
Jeff Olson said, “When things become
difficult this group of men and women
always pull together like a family does.
The past couple of weeks have been
extremely difficult, but we will be okay.”
Earlier this year Clark was named
“2013 Dispatcher
of the Year” for
talking a woman
out of committing
suicide on the
Talmadge Bridge.
“Keri had a knack
for doing things
that don’t come
easy,” said Chief Willie Lovett. “She
was a wonderful person, she was an
angel.”
Clark’s parents released two pink balloons filled with messages and memories.
Her mother Deborah Clark said, “I want
to thank everyone who did everything
for Keri. She wasn’t perfect, but she was
awesome.”
Article by: Michelle Gavin
Above: Clark’s parents released two balloons in her
memory at a memorial service at the SCMPD Communications Center. Photo by: Michelle Gavin
Page 5
Volume 1, Issue 3
‘Roll Call’ Removing Barriers
C
entral Precinct wrapped up its “All Hands
on Deck” summer initiative with two very
successful Roll Call in the Street events.
On Saturday, August 10 the Roll Call was held
in the Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood and two
weeks later they gathered in Wells Park.
Before “B Watch” officers lined up for their
afternoon shift briefings, they greeted community members, cooked food and organized events
for the children.
Some officers event painted kids’ hands to create a “Kids Prints” project which will be donated
to the Children’s Hospital at Memorial University
Medical Center.
Precinct Commander Capt. DeVonn Adams said,
“Most officers rarely have the opportunity to
interact with these children in fun, wholesome
activities. This helps paint these officers in a
much different light than most of these kids have
seen them in the past.”
During the Roll Call in Cuyler-Brownville, Metro
Police officers handed out backpacks filled with
school supplies to the children. During the Wells
Park event they raffled off a bicycle.
Central Precinct invited many other agencies to
participate in the summer Roll Call events including the City of Savannah, Savannah Impact Program, Savannah Fire Department, and Operation Clean Sweep.
Several Savannah City Council members and
Mayor Edna Jackson have attended the Roll
Call events throughout the summer.
Article by: Michelle Gavin
Top Left: A young girl joined
Precinct 3 officers during the
August Roll Call in Wells Park.
Top Right: Capt. DeVonn Adams handed out book bags and
school supplies in CuylerBrownville.
Middle: APO Schiavonne
Saunders applied paint on a
child’s hand for a “Kids Prints”
project.
Bottom: Sgt. Laprentice Mayes
and his daughters helped with
the Roll Call events.
Photos by: APO Barry Lewis
Page 6
Metro Police Newsline
Unity in the Community
H
undreds of people of all ages gathered in
the park at Sustainable Fellwood on Carolyn Street to show their commitment to
helping Metro Police make West Savannah safer.
Downtown Precinct Capt. Mike Wilkins spearheaded the ‘Unity in the Community’ event in response
to a rash of crime in that community this year,
which includes four homicides.
“It’s important to us to let the community know that
we haven’t forgotten about them, that we care,”
Capt. Wilkins said. “We’re making every effort to
build relationships and show that solving these
crimes right here in this neighborhood is just as
important to us as anything else we’re doing.”
Downtown Precinct officers served food donated
by local stores, they set up bounce houses for the
children and partnered with the Savannah Impact
Program for a job fair. Nurses from Curtis V.
Cooper offered free health screenings.
But it was the time the officers spent with the children that Capt. Wilkins feels will have the greatest
impact. “I am seeing these officers and children
smiling and interacting in a way I haven’t seen in
my 23 years with the department,” he said.
Capt. Wilkins and Chief Willie Lovett also took a
few minutes to recognized some of the key community leaders who were helping police fight crime.
They presented certificates of appreciation to
Housing Authority of Savannah Executive Director
Earline Davis, Brenda Johnson, Gloria Edwards,
Jean Lemon, Kenneth Dunham, Sylvester Formey,
Rosalyn Truitt, Robert Faircloth, Colleen Cooper
and Joe Sincher.
Article by: Michelle Gavin
Above: Sgt. Shinita
Young manned the
cotton candy machine
during the Unity in the
Community Event.
Left: Chief Willie
Lovett posed with
several West Savannah community
members who were
recognized for their
commitment to public
safety.
Photos by: Michelle
Gavin
Lower left: Crime Prevention Officer Samantha Stephens took a
breather from organizing the event to show her daughter the Mounted
Patrol horses.
Lower right: Downtown Precinct Capt. Mike Wilkins thanked West
Savannah for their commitment to helping police make their community
safer. Photos by: Michelle Gavin
Page 7
Volume 1, Issue 3
Badge
Pinning for
Eleven New
Officers
I
t was a proud day for the families of eleven
officers who joined the ranks of the Savannah
-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department.
On July 26, the department held a Badge Pinning Ceremony for its newest officers from Class
267 and 268 in the Squad Room.
The eight men and three women completed 11
weeks of state-mandated training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Garden City,
followed by an additional six weeks of Patrol
School at the SCMPD Training Center.
Michael Owens, the President of the Savannah
Tourism Leadership Council served as the keynote
speaker and addressed the officers.
“You are ambassadors to the millions of tourists
who visit Savannah,” Owens said. “Thank you for
looking after them, me and my family.”
Major Julie Tolbert presented new officers Nikki
Cloer, Matthew Davis, Kelsey Downham, Michael
Dunne, Stephen Dupuis, Ronnie Hamilton, Austin
Neumann, Kenneth Redfield, Derrick Roberson,
Diandra Sabb and Stephen Santoro with their
badges.
Following the ceremony, Officer Sabb said,
“Words can’t describe how overwhelmed I am.
This means so much to me, this was a lifelong
dream for me and my boyfriend. My boyfriend
was killed in a motorcycle accident recently so he
has been my inspiration though all of this,” she
said.
“I love helping people, I love the SavannahChatham Metropolitan Police Department and I’m
going to love serving this community,” Sabb added.
Officer Davis moved to Savannah after serving
several years as a police officer in Ohio.
“I am excited to get to the street, to the Islands
Precinct, and start making a difference,” he said.
The officers reported to their assigned precincts
the following day.
Article by: Michelle Gavin
Above: Eleven new officers posed with Major Julie Tolbert after the Badge Pinning Ceremony
at Police Headquarters. Back row, left to right: Austin Neumann, Stephen Dupuis, Kenneth
Redfield, and Stephen Santoro. Front row, left to right: Diandra Sabb, Ronnie Hamilton, Kelsey Downham, Nikki Cloer, Michael Dunne, Matthew Davis, Derrick Roberson and Maj. Tolbert.
Recruits Remember
U.S. Customs Officer
Above: Metro Police recruits,
officers and Homeland Security
Investigators ran in the “Run to
Remember” from Forsyth Park
to the Police Memorial on
Oglethorpe Ave. in honor of
fallen U.S. Customs Officer
George W. Singleton.
Photo by: Julian Miller.
Right: Savannah U.S. Customs
Officer George W. Singleton
was shot and killed in the line
of duty on December 22, 1975
in Lavonia, GA.
Metro Police Newsline
Page 8
Left: Islands Precinct Officer Aaron Fox spent time
talking to some of the kids during National Night Out.
Above: Capt. John Best shook hands with retired City
Marshal Julius Green who supported the NNO gettogether in his neighborhood. Photos by: Michelle Gavin
National Night Out Brings Out
Best in Community Policing
M
etro Police and dozens of Savannah and Chatham County neighborhoods joined forces to
celebrate the 30th anniversary of
National Night Out on August 6.
Precinct Commanders, patrol officers , Mounted Patrol, and K-9
officers went from one neighborhood to the next all evening.
Many of the folks gathered at
community parks or community centers.
Officers offered crime prevention tips to
the thousands of people who took part in
the events. Officers also took time to connect with the children and handed out bicycle safety lights and junior police badges. Many children also had their picture
taken with McGruff the Crime Dog.
Islands Precinct Capt. John Best and ten of
his officers caravanned to the NNO locations in his precinct.
Capt. Best said, “It was a great night. This
event brought the precinct’s command
staff and the officers together as a unit
and we got to meet a lot of people in the
neighborhoods. We were well received
and we all had a good time.”
Out event at their facility on Drayton
Street. Hundreds of people turned out to
East Savannah Neighborhood Association
meet the officers, listen to music, eat, and
President Ella Marie Harmon
learn about the many services SIP offers.
has organized National Night
Out events in her community
West Chatham, Downtown, Central and
since NNO’s inception in 1984.
Southside precincts and CrimeStoppers
also participated in several NNO events.
Harmon said at first the gathering was about getting to know
Article by: Michelle Gavin
your neighbors and the police.
“Know who
lives behind you, beside you, in front of
you ‘cause if you
have to go out of
town or go to the
store someone needs
to be watching your
back.”
Now she says it’s
about teaching even
the youngest community members to be
responsible citizens.
SCMPD’s Savannah
Impact Program held Above: This young man had is hands full with an icee, pencil and a handa Community Night
shake from Savannah Impact Program Sgt. Tim Lewis.
Photo by: APO Barry Lewis
Page 9
Volume 1, Issue 3
Top left: McGruff the Crime Dog and an SCMPD volunteer passed out small
police badges to the children.
Photo by: Michelle Gavin
Top right: Leslie Dunn from Juvenile Court, Patricia Merrit from the Dept. of
Juvenile Justice, and SIP employees DeLeah Blake, Sgt. Clint Middleton and
Toisaun Denson set up a bounce house, informational booths, food and much more
at the SIP Community Night Out event.
Photo by: APO Barry Lewis
T
Middle left: Southside Precinct Capt. Dean Fagerstrom, SCpl. Roger Agnew, Cpl. Raymond Jones, APO Norman Harvey and Officer
Sean Rafferty attended a NNO event organized by Live Oak Plantation on Waters Avenue. Colonial Village and Longview Bluff
also held NNO events in the Southside Precinct.
Middle Right: West Chatham Crime Prevention Officer Bryan
Harrell spent time with the Carver Heights neighbors at their NNO
event. Carver Heights has one of the biggest and longest running
NNO events in Savannah. The Liberty City, Woodville and Forest
Cove neighborhoods organized NNO events as well.
Bottom Right: Capt. John Best, Sgt.Corey Schaff, Lt. Mike Izzo,
Officer Brady Schwandt, Officer Ryan McElaney, and Officer
Aaron Fox got to know a group of East Savannah residents at the
NNO event on Treat Street.
Photos by: Michelle Gavin
Metro Police Newsline
Page 10
Police Give Girls ‘Go Ahead’
to Succeed at Summer Camp
T
his summer Metro Police reached
out to the youth like never before
by offering free summer camps for
boys and girls.
The boys camp was June 10-14, followed
by a girls camp June 24-28. The camps
were created for 8-13 year olds who
were in need of a positive influence.
The Juvenile Officers Unit along with Public Affairs CRO Eunicia Baker, West Chatham Precinct Officer Lashawn Keller and
several others planned the girls’ camp.
“This camp was an important venture for
Metro Police because it provided us with
an opportunity to reach out to the youth
and depict another side of our characters,” said Officer Keller.
“Many of us have experienced some of
the same trials and tribulations that our
campers endure, we were able to show
them it can be overcome with determination and persistence. We gave them hope
and something to strive for, in addition to
important character building fundamentals
that can be taken with them through life,”
she added.
The week-long camp included sessions on
bullying, self defense and decision making. The girls were also exposed to the
various functions of the SCMPD including
forensics, violent crimes, K-9 and Traffic.
“There is great satisfaction in playing a
role in empowering local youth through
knowledge,” said Baker.
Article by: Michelle Gavin
Above: Traffic Unit SCpl. Gerard Fedak showed
one of the young ladies how the radar equipment
works during a presentation at the Metro Police
Summer Camp. Photo by: Eunicia Baker
Right: Maj. Richard Zapal, Maj. James Barnwell,
SIP Director Terry Enoch, Juvenile Unit officers
Sean Sublett, Sam Hicks, Dabureau Samuels, Jeremy McKnight, CRO Eunicia Baker, Officer
Lashwan Keller, APO Lorenza Baker, Sgt. Tim
Lewis and Cpl. Amanda McGruder posed with the
girls who completed the camp.
Lower left: Camp Coordinator Officer Lashawn
Keller helped her team of girls with a Scavenger
Hunt on the SSU campus.
Lower right: Camp Coordinator Eunicia Baker
planned several activities for the girls including the
Scavenger Hunt. Photos by: Michelle Gavin
Check out the official
SCMPD Facebook page!
www.facebook.com/
scmpd
Page 11
Volume 1, Issue 3
Marine Patrol ‘Operation Water Wheel’
Helps Dry Up Boating Violations
Marine Patrols 2013 Summer Stats

1,600 Hours of Water Patrols on Chatham County
Waterways by 17 Marine Patrol officers

226 Boating Citations Written

570 Boating Safety Checks Conducted

4 After-Hour Search and Rescue Responses

4 Boating Accident Investigations

3 Arrests

4 Boating Safety Classes Taught to Citizens
Crime Victims and Police
Plea with Parole Board to
Keep Offenders Behind Bars
Right: District Attorney Meg Heap welcomed members of
the Georgia Board
of Pardons and Paroles, local law
enforcement and
crime victims to a
“Victims Visitors
Day” on September
20 at the Coastal
Georgia Center.
More than 150
families met with the
Parole Board to tell
them why the offender in their case
should remain behind bars. Pardons
and Parole Board
Chairman Albert
Murray called it, “A
day set aside for
victims.”
Photo by: Michelle
Gavin
Above: Georgia Pardons and Parole Board Chairman
Albert Murray met with Savannah Major Edna Jackson and
Chief Willie Lovett to discuss what more can be done to
help the victims of crime.
Left: SIP Director Terry Enoch, Maj. Richard Zapal, DA Meg
Heap, Mayor Edna Jackson, Parole Board Chairman Albert
Murray, County Commissioner Helen Stone, DOC Director
Arnold Smith, Maj. Larry Branson and Maj. James Barnwell
pledged for work together to make Savannah safer.
Photos by: Michelle Gavin
Metro Police Newsline
Page 12
Metro Police Among Hundreds
Racing in Tunnel to Towers 5K
O
n September 14, members of the SCMPD
and Metro Police family participated in the
Tunnel to Towers 5K in downtown Savannah
and followed in the footsteps of a 9/11 hero.
The Tunnel to Towers run was created in honor of
FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, one of the 343 firefighter who died at Ground Zero. Siller ran from the
Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade center
towers to help others on that fateful day.
Savannah is one of only 10 cities across the country
that hosts this memorial race.
“This was the second year I ran the Tunnel to Towers
run and both years the experience was awesome,”
said Southside Precinct APO Ali Reiss. “It's just really
inspiring to see everyone gather to honor those who
made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.”
The Savannah race raised more than $65,000. All
the proceeds will help build Smart Homes for two
military veterans in Georgia who were severely
wounded in action.
Ret. Army Ranger Michael Schlitz is a recipient of one
of the smart homes in Georgia. He lost his limbs in
Afghanistan from an IED attack.
Schlitz, members of the FNDY, and the Siller family
were in Savannah for the event.
Det. Nick Gorgos, APO Heather Clendening, APO
Rebekah Gregory, APO Reiss, APO Chris Tucker, Cpl.
Eric Ansel, APO Matt Cross, Officer Billy Gray, Officer John Hauber, Officer Sean Organ, and Det.
Matt Smith participated in the run.
The fastest Metro Police officers were Officer Gray
who ran the 5K in 22:37 and Det. Gorgos finished
with a time of 22:47.
Left: More
than 800
police officers,
firefighters,
military members and folks
from Georgia,
South Carolina
and beyond
participated in
Savannah’s
Tunnel to Towers 5K.
Photo by:
Bunny Ware
Right: K-9 officer Chris Tucker
and West Chatham CSU officer
Matt Cross crossed the finish
line within seconds of each
other.
Bottom Left: West Chatham
Precinct Detective Matt
Smith’s son Jake posed with
members of the New York Fire
Department after the race.
Bottom Right: Back row: Cpl.
Eric Ansel, Officer John Hauber and APO Nick Gorgos.
Front Row: APO Matt Cross,
APO Heather Clendening,
Officer Billy Gray, and two of
Gray’s friends.
Photos by: Michelle Gavin
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 13
The Two Hundred Club of the
Coastal Empire is accepting
new member applications.
Above: Members of the SCMPD, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and Savannah Fire Department
honor guards presented the colors at the start of the Community Heroes Golf Tournament on
September 11 while Eagle 1 hovered in the background.
Photo by: Bunny Ware
Golfers Raise Thousands
for Community Heroes
O
n September 11, Metro Police
helped make The Two Hundred
Club's inaugural Community
Heroes Golf Tournament a tremendous
success.
The tournament was held at the Club at
the Savannah Harbor.
"We had 144 players and raised over
$23,000," said Mark Dana, President of
the Two Hundred Club. "One hundred
percent of the proceeds goes to the families of any first responder in 20 coastal
Georgia and South Carolina counties
whose life is lost in the line of duty."
Metro Police showcased several special
operations vehicles and provided security. "Of course this event would never
had been successful without the tremendous generosity of our sponsors and a
great SCMPD team led by Capt. Terry
Shoop," said Renee Laurie, 200 Club
representative and golf committee
chair.
"We are so proud of the hard work of
our volunteers and could not have done it
without the generosity of Mark Spadoni
and the Westin Hotel Resort, Golf Club
and Spa" Dana added.
100% of all membership dues
and donations are used to
provide monetary support to
the families of fallen first
responders in the Coastal
Empire and Low Country.
The annual membership dues
for Law Enforcement Officers
is $100.
Visit ww.twohundredclub.org
for information or contact
[email protected] for a
membership form.
Join Now!
Bottom Left: 200 Club President Mark Dana
played a round of golf with Public Safety Training
Center Director Harlan Proveaux, CNT Director
Everett Ragan and SCMPD Chief Willie Lovett.
Bottom Right: SCMPD Major Richard Zapal and
Sgt. Mark Galipeau played in the tournament with
Georgia State Trooper Andy Sinquefield and Pat
Watkins.
Photos by: Michelle Gavin
Metro Police Newsline
Page 14
In Other News...
Left: The SCMPD command staff
attended the United Way of the
Coastal Empire’s 2013 Campaign
Kickoff at the Savannah Civic
Center. Over the next couple of
months Metro Police will help the
United Way reach it’s $8,675,000
goal. Pictured from left to right:
County Manager Russ Abolt, SIP
Director Terry Enoch, Central
Precinct Capt. DeVonn Adams,
Downtown Precinct Capt. Mike
Wilkins, Capt. Cedric Phillips,
Admin. Services Director Lynette
Hymes, Chief Willie Lovett, Chief
of Staff Demetra Butler, West
Chatham Precinct Capt. Phillip
Reilley, and Maj. Larry Branson.
Right: On August 20th, Administrative Services
Director Lynette Hymnes, Sgt. Joe Toth and Karen
Williams gave former employees of the U.S. Dept. of
Agriculture’s “Bug Lab” a tour of the new SCMPD
Administrative Services Center.
The old “Bug Lab” was closed in 1994 and donated
to the City of Savannah for law enforcement purposes. In April, the new police facility opened.
These former “Bug Lab” employees have been
meeting once a month since the lab closed nearly 20
years ago.
Left: On August 7th, candidates for the 2013-2014
Chatham County Youth Commission posed with K-9 Officer
Will Fernandez and his partner
Faust. The Youth Commission
got to see demonstrations from
K-9, SWAT, Aviation and the
Training units. They also
toured the West Chatham
Precinct.
Right: On September 1st five SCMPD Downtown Precinct officers
participated in the Savannah Century Ride’s Big Bridge Ride.
The ride began at The Distillery Restaurant and Pub and crossed
over the Talmadge Bridge.
SCMPD Downtown Precinct officers Heather Clendening, Scott
Richards and Matthew Lopresti rode the 56 mile route. Downtown Precinct Commander Capt. Mike Wilkins rode the 103 mile
route along with recently retired Sgt. James Tuten.
Capt. Wilkins said, “I am trying to build a culture of fitness within
the precinct. This will be a great way for them to represent the
police department and be active in the community.”
Page 15
Volume 1, Issue 3
Metro
Atta Boys
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A police chief attending the
Georgia Association of Chiefs
of Police conference in Savannah in July lost his wallet,
badge and ID. He said not only did Det. Rey Osorio find it
and report it to the chief’s department, he also hand delivered it to the chief’s hotel room.
The chief wrote, “I wish to thank
him formally and let you know
what an asset he is to your department. It is always great to
see officers taking the extra
step.”
On July 4th the owner of a
River Street business thanked
Downtown Precinct APO
Michael Zaragoza after a thief
broke into his business. Officer
Zaragoza was doing a routine
morning check when he noticed
a man holding several items in
his hands. Turns out the man
had just broken into the store.
“Officer Zaragoza was on his
toes; he was not only able to
apprehend the criminal, but
also get returned to us our
items. I cannot express how
much we appreciate how he
handled himself.”
The City of Rincon thanked the
Mounted Patrol Unit for the
supportive roll they played in
the “Freedom Rings in Rincon
Parade” in July. Mayor Ken
Lee said, “We appreciate the
support and it was a treat to
have the Mounted Patrol participate.”
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In August a couple who lives on
Skidaway Island shared their
appreciation for Community
Service Specialist Lineon Irvin.
Irwin was working at the front
desk when the couple reported
that someone hacked their computer and they were concerned
about becoming victims of identity theft. “She handled our situation with great professionalism
and compassion. We believe
the SCMPD is very blessed t
have Irvin on their staff.”
In August the Chatham County
District Attorney’s Office
praised Lt. Jeff Olson, Cathy
Plaster, Diane Pinckney and
everyone in the 911 Call Center
for giving them a tour. “Y’all
are truly attuned to the heartbeat of Savannah and most of
the county! Your staff’s efforts
have made a huge difference in
many cases.”
In September an Isle of Hope
resident commended Islands
Precinct officers David Lane
and Cameron Hubbard. He
said the officers stopped by his
home while he was doing yard
work to chat and tell him about
the new bike patrols. He said,
“Ofc. Lane and Ofc. Hubbard
are exceptionally approachable
and community oriented. They
are vey fine professionals and
we are lucky to have them
working in our area—I look forward to chatting with them
again!”
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In September a citizen commended West Chatham Precinct
Officer Christopher Baldnelli.
She said she was involved in a
car accident and Officer Baldnelli handled the situation very
professionally and compassionately. She wanted everyone to
know what a fine job he is doing
and how well he represented the
department.”
In September an Oakland Park
neighbor complimented Islands
Precinct Officer Austin Foraker.
She said she was impressed that
he took time out of his day to
attend a neighborhood meeting
and regularly spends time in the
neighborhood stopping people
and addressing complaints. She
said knowing Officer Foraker is
out there makes her feel safer in
her home.
A Whitemarsh Island man commended Islands Precinct APO
Chris Kersey for his professional
and courteous matter in responding to his wife’s auto accident in
the Wal-Mart parking lot. “He is
a credit to your department,” the
man said.
In September an Isle of Hope
man praised Islands Precinct
Officer Elizabeth Hardy is doing
a superb job. “She is responsive,
proactive, gets back to you when
she says she will and is a true
asset to your force and to our
community. When something occurs in our area that she feels we
need to be aware of it seems
that she gets the information out
almost at the time that it is occurring. She should be commended
and recognized for a job well
done.”
L ETTER FROM THE C HIEF
The summer months are an extremely busy time for this department, and this summer
was no exception.
Several major, long-term operations to take down some of Savannah’s most violent
criminals have recently culminated in federal indictments. I was happy to share that
news with this community and let them know we are doing whatever we can to not
only arrest these career criminals, but make sure they get hard time in prison.
It was refreshing to get to speak with members of the Georgia Board of Pardons and
Paroles during their recent trip to Savannah. Their commitment to putting the victims of crime first will, I hope, go
a long way to keeping the offenders who have terrorized our community behind bars. It doesn’t do my officers
any good to arrest a suspect if the courts or the state turns around and releases them.
It is also important to remind this community that we cannot simply arrest our way out of Savannah’s crime problem. As long as there are school dropouts, gang members and children who can make easy money by selling
drugs were are going to have crime in this community. It is going to take all of us working together to find new
ways to engage our youngest citizens. We need civic organizations, churches, and businesses to create more productive activities for them, mentor them and help their parents get the resources they need to better care for their
children.
Now to my officers—keep up the good work. While this is often a thankless job, please know that your efforts in
arresting criminals and connecting with the community are making and difference. We all want this community to
be safer for our families and your hard work and dedication is what will make that happen.
Sincerely,
Chief Willie C. Lovett
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police
201 Habersham Street
Savannah, GA 31401
912.651.6675
www.scmpd.org
“The police officer who puts their life on the line
The Metro Police Newsline is published
every other month. It is written and
compiled by Community Relations
Administrator Michelle Gavin. If you
have any suggestions for the newsletter
contact [email protected].
with no super powers, no x-ray vision, no super
strength, no ability to fly, and above all no
vulnerability to bullets, reveals far greater virtue
than Superman—who is only a mere super hero.”
—Eliezer Yudkowsky