Gang Task Force Center opening in Downtown Macon
The GBI announced the new center is opening July 1.
UPDATE (6/27/24): Attorney General Chris Carr, joined by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy and Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Director Chris Hosey, announced the addition of veteran prosecutor Ashton Jordan and seasoned investigator Nathan Shoate to the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit.
Effective July 1, 2024, Jordan and Shoate will lead regional efforts in Macon-Bibb County, funded by the state’s FY 2025 budget signed by Governor Brian Kemp in May 2024.
“Since creating our Gang Prosecution Unit nearly two years ago, we have seen unprecedented success in putting away some of Georgia’s most dangerous criminals,” Attorney General Chris Carr said in a news release. “Now we’re expanding our efforts to include a new regional team in Macon-Bibb County, so we can work more closely and effectively with all levels of law enforcement to combat violent crime and keep Georgians safe.”
ORIGINAL STORY (6/26/24):
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is opening a Gang Task Force Center in downtown Macon.
State Senator John Kennedy said the state, along with the GBI and local law enforcement, have partnered to help fight gang violence and drugs in Middle Georgia over the last year.
As a result of the GBI having a Gang Task Force in Middle Georgia, Attorney General Chris Carr said the task force has solved 200 gang-related crimes like homicides, theft and dog fighting in the last year. $1.5 million worth of drugs, such as cocaine and fentanyl, were seized. In addition, 72 weapons were confiscated, and there were 158 arrests.
“We’ll continue to use the full force of the law to combat gang activity wherever it occurs and keep every Georgian safe,” Carr said.
The GBI announced the building at the corner of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Hemlock Street in downtown Macon will be the hub for the Middle Georgia GBI Gang and Drug Task Force Center beginning July 1.
Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller said he’s happy to see the success of the task force already.
“Having all of these people working under one roof and having the resources available to help all the families in Macon-Bibb County not only like you said feel safer, but be safer, and the numbers are already starting to show some great progress,” Miller said.
There is currently a Gang Task Force Center in Southeast Georgia. The state plans to open another one in Columbus later this year.
