The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is opening a new office in Downtown Macon. GBI Director Michael Register, Mayor Lester Miller, Sheriff David Davis, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia Peter Leary, and other law enforcement leaders made the announcement on Thursday, April 19 during a press conference at the future site of the offices. You can watch it here.
“This is a collaborative effort,” said Mayor Miller. “This is a historic day in Macon-Bibb County because we’re coming together to say enough is enough. We’re all going to work together to for the same goal, to keep our community safe.”
In the next few months, the GBI will be moving its Gang Task Force into the new offices in the former traffic and engineering building owned by Macon-Bibb County at 773 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.The goal of this mutual effort is to provide the appropriate resources to identify, investigate, and dismantle criminal street gangs. Our local agencies will be able to use the GBI’s resources and guidance to remove and keep gang violence off our streets.
“We’re so proud to be here today and finally have a home for the Gang Task Force,” said GBI Director Michael Register. “We’re committed to making sure this city and Middle Georgia are safer. Our commitment to you is that the GBI is going to do what it can every day to make our streets safer and a safe place for our children to grow up.”
The Force was announced by the GBI in 2020 as a way for the agency to partner with local and regional law enforcement to help stop criminal street gang activity. When Mayor Miller learned of the initiative, he approached the GBI to offer them office is space in Macon, a place with quick access to almost any are of Middle Georgia.
“This is something not just one person or one agency can do. It’s a team effort,” said Mayor Miller. “This is going to be a hub for the whole Middle Georgia area. We’re going to put it to the test, give you all the support you need, and hold everyone accountable.”
“To have them right here in the heart of our community is really going to make a difference,” said Sheriff Davis. “We know that criminals don’t stop at county or state lines. This partnership will make sure that across this region, criminals know we’re not going to stop until we make that arrest.”
Once the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed, upgrades will be made to the building before the GBI moves into the office. This presence will help multiple agencies such as Macon Regional Crimestoppers, United States Attorney’s Office, and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office work better with the GBI to tackle gang violence.