ATLANTA -  In an effort to protect the citizens of the State of Georgia and deter violence after recent upticks in criminal activity, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS), alongside the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office, the Thomson Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol conducted warrant service, intensive searches, and field interviews with verified gang members - primarily those associated with the known Street Gangs in the Thomson, GA area on Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

Over the past several months, DCS and its partnering public safety agencies collected information on these individuals to ensure a swift and safe operation for the local community and all the law enforcement officers involved. 

“Community Supervision Officers exhaust every resource and service available to provide opportunities for successful outcomes. It is unfortunate that some individuals choose not to take advantage of the support our Department so diligently provides,” stated Mr. James Bergman who serves as the Deputy Director of Field Operations overseeing the Special Operations Unit. Bergman further adds, “An operation of this magnitude requires seamless interagency collaboration--it is nearly impossible to do alone. DCS is grateful for the agencies and departments who have partnered with us to make this operation a success.”

“The citizens of Georgia deserve to live free from fear of violent crimes and gang-related activity in their neighborhoods. We are proud to join our federal, state, and local partners to help combat and deter this activity,” said GBI Director Vic Reynolds. 

This intelligence-driven operation resulted in seven arrests, and four firearms were seized during the operation in the Toombs Judicial Circuit which comprises Glascock, Lincoln, McDuffie, Taliaferro, Warren, and Wilkes Counties. 

 

About The Georgia Department of Community Supervision:

 

The Department of Community Supervision is responsible for the community-based supervision of more than 200,000 adult felony offenders, and Class A and Class B designated juvenile offenders.

 

It is the mission of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision to protect and serve all Georgia citizens through effective and efficient offender supervision in our communities while providing opportunities for successful outcomes. DCS employs evidence-based practices to hold offenders accountable and reduce the state’s recidivism rate. For more information, visit dcs.georgia.gov. 

 

Media Contacts:

 

Brian Tukes, Director of External Affairs

Georgia Department of Community Supervision

[email protected] 

470-217-6539

 

Jamelle Washington, Public Information Officer 

Georgia Department of Community Supervision

[email protected]

404-561-4590