As sheriff of Fayette County, I would like to discuss an issue very close to each of us — crime prevention.
My office is committed to making our community a safer place to live. By doing so, we will improve the quality of life for individuals and families … both young and old. It is imperative that we seek progress to reduce the negative influences that crime has on our children and to help safeguard the elderly.
In the past couple of years, this office has worked extremely hard to make significant improvements in our county. Through community-based programs and an emphasis on professionalism, we hope to reduce the number of burglaries, thefts, incidents of domestic violence and other disturbances.
An example of our plans and objectives includes: to provide deputies with the resources necessary to improve preparedness and response capabilities, promote the importance of Neighborhood Watch programs, continue our initiatives in specialized technical training and the latest crime prevention measures, protection of our senior citizens from acts of violence and fraud, increased drug awareness through educational programs and services in our schools that will give children a fighting chance to lead more productive lives and we hope to see fewer incidents of spousal and child abuse by further developing opportunities for law enforcement to work more closely with local organizations to provide counseling and support.
I personally want to thank all of you for supporting the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and for the support of these initiatives — those in place now as well as with those in keeping with our objectives.
I invite you to visit our website, www.fayettesheriff.org, to learn more about crime prevention tips and strategies. The website is designed to be an informative and useful tool and also to introduce the users to the entire range of services and resources offered by the Sheriff’s Office.
In addition, I would like to share another unique initiative with you, the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association’s Honorary Membership Program, supported by citizens committed to making our communities a safer place to live.
This important program enables citizens to make a real difference toward the aforementioned objectives. The Honorary Membership Program is based on the premise that citizens and law enforcement officers can collaborate to have a direct impact in our communities. Through membership, citizens can help in a very practical way.
Membership appeals are currently going out in the mail (neither the Sheriff’s Office nor the Georgia Sheriff’s Association conducts telephone solicitations). Individuals choosing to join the voluntary program can do so for as little as $20, while businesses can show their support for a $50 contribution. The funding provides critically important technical resources, training, and legislative support on key criminal justice issues.
Contributions are tax-deductible.
Individuals that do not receive a membership appeal and would like more information can do so by contacting the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association at 770-914-1076 or at their website www.georgiasheriffs.org.
I invite businesses and individuals alike to support our efforts by becoming members. Through your participation in this program, we can continue to provide the resources necessary to make a difference.
I strongly urge the citizens of Fayette County to consider participating in this honorable program — not only for its monetary support of law enforcement, but also for the moral support that unites us in building a safer community.
Wayne Hannah
Sheriff, Fayette County
Fayetteville, Ga.
