Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office boosts security to address downtown safety concerns

ALBANY – Those who spend much time in downtown Albany are probably used to a little weirdness: from a few eccentric personalities to panhandlers, some of whom can be a little pushy.

And on one occasion a Dougherty County employee witnessed a couple, well, coupling on a picnic table at a parking garage next to the Government Center.

The two parking decks that flank the Government Center also have been points of concern in recent months, with some employees feeling threatened by individuals there.

“We’ve had some issues in our parking decks,” Dougherty County Sheriff Kevin Sproul said. “The auditors come in and try to get people stirred up.”

The so-called “First Amendment Auditors” are a staple on YouTube, TicToc and other social media sites showing videos that creators film in public areas. The activity is legal and protected by law, hence the First Amendment, but some of the videos show public officials and government workers, unused to the activity, react in a negative way, which seems to be the intention of the makers of the videos.

“We’ve also had some homeless individuals who walk up and threaten women and ask for money,” Sproul said. “We’re trying to be proactive.”

Assistant County Administrator Barry Brooks, who was acting in the role of interim county administrator, brought the issue up earlier in the year during a Dougherty County Commission meeting.

The activities can range from those that make employees and visitors feel unsafe to some that are a health hazard.

“We also had some people using the stairwells as a restroom facility,” Brooks said. “We have people who have been approached aggressively. There have been times where they can be very aggressive. I just don’t want people … to be harassed.”

To address the issue, the sheriff’s office has posted a deputy in the lobby of the Government Center to increase security.

“Working with the sheriff and working with the city, we decided that we would provide the (deputy) over here,” Brooks said. “I think we have a responsibility for the safety of our employees and the public that come into the building to conduct business.”

The deputy on duty will provide protection for the nearby tax office and also conduct patrols of the parking deck and the area surrounding the building through the day, Sproul said.

Plans are to increase the reach of the deputy with a small vehicle that will allow patrolling more of the downtown area, including Riverfront Park.

“Downtown should be a place where people can bring their families,” Sproul said.

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]