District 5 Townhall: Police Civilian Oversight Committee – OCT. 2021
The October townhall will be on the the Athens Police Civilian Oversight Committee recommendation recently passed out of the Government Oversight Committee.
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Statement on arrests & tear gassing of peaceful protesters
On June 1, just after midnight, peaceful protesters at the intersection of Broad Street and College Avenue were forcefully removed by police after having multiple rounds of tear gas fired upon them from the Georgia National Guard and police.
Continue readingPre-Arrest Diversion Program to Launch in Athens
A new Pre-Arrest Diversion (PAD) program will be rolling out in Athens-Clarke County. This new program will allow an individual to not be arrested or have any charges filed and instead fulfill a prescribed requirement(s) such as community service or taking GED classes.
Continue readingACCPD implements new policy in response to officer-involved shootings
On the evening of October 26, Athens-Clarke County Police officers were responding to “a noise complaint call between two neighbors” states the ACCPD press release. “Officers were informed that one neighbor had threatened to shoot the other neighbor. A short time later, while searching in the area, officers located the other neighbor. When the officers attempted to question him, the …
Continue readingInmate Labor Reform
Here in Georgia, it is the norm for communities to take advantage of inmate labor to have tasks and work done at a great value. Just because it is norm does not mean it should be accepted. At times such as these, we must stand and push for us all to be better. It is time that Athens-Clarke ends its …
Continue readingCommission to Vote on Local Cash Bail Reform
Criminal Justice Reform has been one of the most talked about issues over the last few months in Athens and nationally. Commissioner Denson and many other advocates have been calling for an end to cash bail. Cash bail is a practice that allows those arrested with wealth to pay their bail and be released from jail quickly while those without …
Continue readingDistrict 5 Discussion on Policing with Chief Spruill – April 2019
Please join Commissioner Denson and new ACCDC Chief Cleveland Spruill for a discussion on policing in Athens-Clarke County. This event will be held at Chapelwood Methodist Church (100 Janice Drive) on Tuesday, April 30 from 5:30-7pm.
Continue readingA New Justice Center Must House a New Justice System
Over the last few years, and certainly through last year’s campaign seasons, the need to reform our criminal justice system has been discussed openly. An obvious majority of residents in Clarke County support reforms such as marijuana decriminalization, the creation of a police oversight commission, moving away from cash bail and other systematic policies that prey upon black Athenians and …
Continue readingClarke County Sheriff’s Dept. Should Not Honor ICE Detainers
It recently came to light that the Clarke County Sheriff’s Department is complying with ICE Detainers (sometimes called ICE Holds) and assisting ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) to deport undocumented residents that are brought into the Clarke County Jail. This is a reversal of the policy that had been in place for the last 3 years. ICE Detainers Violate the …
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