“One of the most endearing images of American policing is that of the traditional foot patrol officer walking a beat and twirling a night stick. The image is powerful because it represents an era in policing when police officers were the fabric of the community they served.” *
While it's not likely you will see Burke County deputies walking beats, it is Sheriff Alfonzo Williams' goal to continue Building Community Relationships. This major component of law enforcement is commonly overlooked by the media. From educating children in schools about the danger of using illegal drugs, bullying, and other issues facing our youth through the C.H.A.M.P.S. program, to providing driver safety education, to coordinating neighborhood watch associations, to speaking at business luncheons, schools and community town hall meetings, Sheriff Williams will continue to work diligently to make our communities safe and to provide a friendly environment for the people his office serves.
We currently use a multi-faceted approach that starts in the classroom. As Sheriff, Alfonzo Williams has worked with the board of education to increase safety at all of the schools, both public and private. He has established a mentoring program in our elementary and middle schools along with various programs for troubled youth. He has also enhanced the existing jail ministry as well as started a GED program, job assistance, and educational opportunities.
Sheriff Williams has created a community relations division that teaches crime prevention to residents, churches, and business owners, a citizen’s police academy, a citizens firearms academy, an honorary deputy unit, a reserve deputy unit and a C.H.A.M.P.S program (Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety). He holds quarterly meetings with neighborhoods and communities to study crime analysis, prevention and education, and pass along information throughout the entire county. His staff is working with our financial institutions to prevent identity theft and check fraud.
His office has developed a website for the citizens that includes Computerized Crime Mapping to build safer communities (used by residents, business owners/employees and deputies). Additionally, and APP has been added in conjunction to the web site that provides safety information, a tip line, a vacation home watch request as well as other useful tools to be kept informed quickly in the event of an emergency. In addition to the new website and APP he has used social media for daily communication in an effort to increase transparnacy.
Sheriff, Williams has embraced the governor’s Public Works initiatives with the public and private sector using inmates. He is working diligently with schools, the District Attorney, State Court, DJJ, State Patrol, GBI, Probation, Parole and other government agencies to foster professional relationships ahead of a crisis.
*John P. Skinner, Deputy Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, American Policing in 2022: Essays on the Future of a Profession, U.S. Department of Justice.