Just 130 days into his first term, Sheriff Eugene Brantley is delivering measurable results for Richmond County, with a 25% drop in major crimes compared to the same period last year, according to a RCSO press release.
From Jan. 1 to May 10, 2025, the county reported sharp declines in key categories:
- Auto theft down 41%
- Aggravated assaults with firearms down 39%
- Homicides down 20%
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office credits proactive enforcement, community outreach, and strong partnerships with state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Task Force and Georgia State Patrol.
Downtown safety has become a focal point. Deputies now patrol every downtown block from 9 p.m. to 3:30 a.m., while Community Safety Officers provide daytime visibility and assistance to residents and businesses.
Traffic fatalities have also decreased 16% year-over-year. “Please slow down, obey traffic signals, and drive safely,” Sheriff Brantley urged. “Every life lost on our roads is one too many.”
Sheriff Brantley will meet with local business leaders on May 29 to strengthen downtown safety strategies and recently met with the Downtown Development Authority to continue building public-private cooperation.
The Sheriff’s Office is also focused on building trust through outreach. Its next major community event, “Sheriff Brantley’s Summer Q,” is set for June 28 at May Park.
“I am truly blessed to serve alongside such a dedicated team of men and women, and to serve a community that I genuinely love,” Sheriff Brantley said in the press release. “We still have work to do, but I believe in our mission and in the strength of this community.”
He closed the press release with a Biblical message of perseverance: “And let us not grow weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Crime statistics show decreases in most categories when comparing the same time between between 2024 and 2025:
