Operation Augusta Ink
All the decent people in Augusta owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and all those who helped to put together "Operation Augusta Ink." With this lengthy undercover investigation literally dozens and dozens of gang members accused of crimes and violence in our community have been arrested. Most of those arrested are between 16 and 27 years old, and that points up a huge weakness in our community. Why did they turn to this life of crime and violence that surely leads to a dead end? That weakness is also a challenge. Now is the time for all people who want to have a safe future for themselves and their children to join forces. We have been given a huge opportunity by our brave law enforcement people. Now we must seize that opportunity. It's the time to talk to your neighbors, your community groups, your church groups and your youth groups. Find out what you, and many others working together, can do to make sure we don't waste this opportunity. Reaching our young people, especially those who will soon be 16 to 27, will be a great challenge. We've been given a new chance. Our future as a community is literally riding on what we do now.
Tom Campbell, News 12
2 comments:
I thank the RCSD, GBI, FBI, ATF and other entities that finally put a dent in these gangs. I have been trying to get something done about the criminal element in two subdivisions in 30906 since 1999. I did not realize they were gangs, I just described the people that were loitering, egging my mailbox and car, trespassing, vandalizing, shots fired, suspicious activities, loud music, littering, shooting firecrackers onto my carport, killing and injuring my pets, verbally abusing me and my husband in front of our children, and falsely accusing us of the things THEY were doing, simply as groups of adults and teens doing these violent, aggressive and paranoid evil deeds. I didn't suspect they were associated with gangs (some directly, some girlfriends or family members) until I found out by accident that some of my calls were turning into drug busts, burglary and robbery arrests. (Cocaine, marijuana). So I began to research gang information. The shoe fits. I'm hoping that at least some of the lying bullies, thieving criminals, drug abusers and dealers that drove me, my children and the other law-abiding neighbors out of our 40 plus-years family homes will be on the indicted and sentenced lists. Some of us didn't sell our homes, even though we moved to safer locations because we hoped something would be done about the crime so we could come back when it was safe again.
I thought it was interesting for WRDW to say the we owe the officers gratitude. We are very appreciative but this kind of work along with the much needed help from the community is our duty. Everyone has to play a part in minimizing and reducing crime even if you do not live in the neighborshoods directly affected. Much thanks to all.
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