Rabun residents march in support of Black Lives Matter

Community, News
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CLAYTON, Ga – On a Saturday afternoon in June, around 200 people took part in Black Lives Matter march from the Rabun’s Veteran Memorial Park to Main Street.

The peace march and vigil, as the organizers called it, demonstrated how people in North Georgia were ready to see a change. Marchers walked mostly in silence to Main Street, where they were told to continue in silence until marching back to Veteran’s Memorial Park.

The four women who planned the event all have ties to Rabun County. Three grew up there. Each of them strongly believed that the nation needs to address the disproportionate violence that occurs against black Americans. Before leaving, St. James Episcopal The Reverend Doris Graf Smith said the opening prayer. Everyone also repeated a peace mantra:

“I breathe in peace/I breathe out peace/A peaceful world begins with me/I am peace/We are one humanity/We are love/We are peace.”

Those in attendance received free water and a handout with the names of 72 black Americans who died unnecessarily and next steps for people to take. The “what’s next?” list included calling US Representatives, having conversations, holding others accountable for speech and actions, educating themselves on white fragility and antiracism, finding protests in the area, signing petitions for Black Lives Matter, and donating to protests bail funds.

Mandy Pileski, a psychologist and one of the organizers, stated:

“I think what you see all across the US and in the small towns now is that enough is enough at this point. You know I think that a lot of white people that we’re recognizing that there’s a lot that we haven’t been privy to for a long time. Now these things coming out on video and us seeing for ourselves what’s happening, we’re finally listening.”

She also brought up how Rabun can isolate the predominately white population from people of color. As a result, small-town America hasn’t confronted racial issues like people living in the cities or suburbs.

“Racism I think is imprinted on us in childhood, whether we grew up in racist families or not, just by the fact that we live in a mostly white area. All that we were exposed to as kids was pretty much the news. It didn’t always paint people of color in a positive way.

Pileski works closely with Sheriff Chad Nichols in her role as a criminal justice psychologist, and now, they’re identifying potential reforms for law enforcement.

“Another police friend of mine discussed creating accountability across the whole state, maybe having a statewide database, where these ‘bad apples’ that cross the line, do things they should be doing, it’s in a database. So, they can’t just skip on to the next town or go work somewhere else and keep doing what they’re doing.”

Sheriff Nichols outlined some of the reforms he is addressing in his office during the march’s opening:

“Being mostly absent from social media the past week allowed me the opportunity to reflect in the presence of peace and with absence of turmoil as I sought to understand how the nationwide unrest can and does impact our small agency. It is difficult to realize that any of these societal injustices are applicable in our area, yet as the leader of the RCSO, I strive daily to identify ways that I can make a difference for my employees and my community. At this time, I have planned mandatory biased-based policing training, social media training, and am in the beginning stages of organizing race relations training. Later today, our agency will partner with the Clayton PD to ensure participant and community safety.”

The march wound around to Main Street.

Other protesters stressed the importance of voting if people want to see real change. Republicans and Democrats have come and gone and still, police brutality continues to take place, particularly against those in the black community.

“Without getting political, I think a lot of it really has to do with our leadership right now. We’ve already heard someone say, ‘I can’t breathe,’ and everyone marched and now we’re doing it again. You know what I mean?” said a protester who remained nameless.

Another protester, Amy  Hayes, drove up from Habersham and brought her bi-racial son to the march. She believed it’s important that children see that they can make a difference and felt safe bringing him to this event.

“Racism still exists in this country, and people should not be treated differently because of the color of their skin or where they come from or their socioeconomic status. As a mother of a biracial child, I should not have to teach my child to behave differently in crowds, in public situations, around white people, with the police. It’s just time for a change. I’m tired of people having to live in fear. This nation’s better than that,” she declared.

Hayes also hoped that more white people would become aware of their privilege afforded to them because of their race. “We live in a bubble. We don’t know what people outside of our bubble are experiencing. I just hope that they learn. They educate themselves, and we shut up and we start listening to the people who’ve been struggling for so long,” she added before flipping her sign over to reveal the back. It read, “police reform now.”

An advocate for more training for law enforcement in de-escalation tactics, understanding people, and successfully restraining people, Hayes commended the steps Sheriff Nichols is taking with his officers.

At around 3:20 p.m., the marchers returned to Veteran’s Memorial Park and took part in the closing prayer.

FYN didn’t witness any detractors at the event. Everyone was supportive and law enforcement was present to ensure everyone was remained safe throughout the march.

See photos from the event here.

Rabun County becomes a Second Amendment Sanctuary

Featured Stories, News, Politics, Uncategorized
Sexual exploitation Second Amendment Sanctuary

RABUN COUNTY, Ga – Following the lead of several other North Georgia counties, Rabun County Board of Commissioners passed a Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution during the Jan. 28, 2020 meeting.

Several citizens spoke in favor of the resolution including elected officials and former members of the armed forces during public commentary.

Sheriff Chad Nichols spoke on behalf of the resolution, “I’m gonna get on my soap box for just a minute. There’s been a lot of debate and a lot of things passed in our country and the most controversial are the red flag laws. I don’t agree with those. The way they’re being passed in other areas of course is a Second Amendment violation and also a Fourth Amendment and Fifth Amendment, due process and search and seizure. I feel the state should be putting more money toward mental health than gun control. I think that is one of the biggest issues in the country, and that’s kinda my two cents on that… [I’m] here to support the Second Amendment and defend it for citizens here in our county.”

Lynn Cash from Tiger, Ga commended the commissioners, “I appreciate the opportunity that this gives me to be sure that I can pass the legacy of hunting and shooting and spending time with my family in a field to my grandchildren.”

Ed Henderson, the secretary of the Rabun County Republican Party also voiced support and talked about Rainy Mountain Scout Camp, where teenagers and kids learn marksmanship and gun safety. Henderson asked for the county to remain “strong and resolute” because the Second Amendment is more than a “reference to Boston minutemen and musket rifles. It is a living part of our constitution.”

Heath Wittle wanted to know if the resolution offered any consequences if someone tried to force-ably take guns out of the home. He felt that if the resolution had “no teeth,” then it isn’t worth the paper, it’s written on.

One resident spoke up to warn the public about the potential fear factor with resolutions like these. “Don’t let the fear take over and work with your legislatures on what the Sheriff is talking about. Also, there is not enough information. They don’t know how it affects mental health because the NRA is extremely powerful…You have to be careful with the fear and not allow this to drive you to do things that aren’t in your best interest…Figure out how to keep people safe in Rabun County and still protect your Second Amendment Rights.”

Wade Williams, a retired Army Colonel, also served as a detractor for the sanctuary resolution and quoted Supreme Court Justice Antony Scalia. “I think this document here, well intended, does not do one thing to make any resident of this county safer. If you want to make somebody safer, you close the gun show loop holes, you expand background checks,” said Williams.

A retired Air Force Colonel asked, “What does it mean to be a Second Amendment Sanctuary County? People think they know, but I’m not exactly sure.”

“You can find this online, the CDC, FBI, US Department of Justice, they still believe: I’m trying to rob this man, he has a gun, he has effectively stopped that crime. So you want to be safe, unfortunately, you need to protect yourself, you need to train yourself, stated Matt Brewer.

Fetch Your News is reaching out to the commissioners in Rabun County to learn more about the content in the resolution and the reasoning behind it.

 

 

 

Rabun County Sheriff’s Office reveals 2019 statistics

News, Police & Government

RABUN COUNTY, GA – Rabun County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) released it’s 2019 statistics and activities, which included 7,603 calls in the patrol division, 1,339 incident reports, 325 accident reports, 580 citations, and 870 warnings issued by deputies.

Sheriff’s deputies also unlocked 396 vehicles, performed 1,149 business checks, and responded to 352 business/residential alarms. Overall, they patrolled 246,298 miles in 2019.

As for the drug arrests and initiatives, RCSO deputies arrested 166 individuals, and the K-9 units were deployed 79 times to hunt for drugs and/or missing people. The Criminal Investigation Division were assigned 220 cases and 170 cases were resolved. This resulted in an 83 percent case resolution rate for 2019, which is up 10 percent from 2018.

2019 also saw the collaboration between community and RCSO to raise funds for new body armor from the Shield616 organization.

RCSO partnered with other sheriff’s offices for Operation Watchful Eye IV in a statewide sex offender registration initiative. They also joined with the Clayton Walmart as part of the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Program.

A total of 1,255 people were processed through the detention center with an average population of 94 inmates and 20 were transported to mental health facilities. 470 were sent to court. RCSO also continued with its rehabilitation efforts, such as Prime for Life to help those in prison make strides forward toward a productive life once they leave.

The Courthouse Security Division reported that 46,634 individuals visited the building during 2019, up over 2,200 from previous years.

A representative from the sheriff’s office along with someone from Rabun County Schools, Fire Services, EMS, and EMA traveled to Maryland to attend the multi-hazard emergency planning for schools course at the FEMA training facility.

Officers, paramedics, and firefighters also attended training designed to help them recognize and assist a fellow peer in crisis.

Sheriff Chad Nichols also worked with the county board of commissioners to secure funding for the sheriff’s office and other public safety buildings.

To read the letter in it’s entirety from Sheriff Nichols, see the images below:

2019 statistics

Images courtesy of Rabun County Facebook page.

Rabun County Sheriff’s Office offers citizens’ academy

Community, Police & Government

RABUN COUNTY, Ga – Sheriff Chad Nichols of Rabun County Sheriff’s Office invites everyone to attend the 2020 Citizens’ Law Enforcement Academy (CLEA), which begins on March 10, 2020 at the Rabun County 4-H Conference Center.

The eight-week course is held every Tuesday night and ends on April 28 with a dinner ceremony. CLEA costs nothing to attend, but those interested must pre-register by stopping by the Sheriff’s Office or by bringing by the completed form found on our website, rabunsheriff.org, under the useful links tab.

Each Tuesday, participants will experience presentations and interactive demonstrations reguarded a variety of topics.

  • Office of the Sheriff
  • Law Enforcement Challenges in the 21st Century
  • Use of force, de-escalation, and community policing
  • Uniform Patrol Division – School Resource Deputies
  • Criminal Investigations Division – K-9 Units
  • Courthouse Security and Civil Process
  • Jail Division (includes tour of jail)

The citizens’ academy opens with a presentation from Sheriff Nichols over the role of the sheriff’s office, including history and purpose. Overall the course promises to be informative, fun, and entertaining. Other guest speakers will be present as well.

Contact Lt. Mark Gerrells, CLEA facilitator at 706.782.3612 for more information or clarification.

citizens' academy

Shield616 Equips 33 Rabun County Deputies

Community, Featured, Featured Stories
Shield616

Rabun Co., Ga – Shield616 and local resident Tom Madison raise over $90,000 to outfit 33 sheriff’s deputies with new equipment.

Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols has sought since 2017 to improve his deputies’ safety through relevant training and adequate equipment especially given the recent rise of officer violence. Additionally, officers have faced more and more active shooter situations and local drug busts.

Deputy Jeffrey Hooper introduced Nichols to resident Tom Madison, who had a relationship with the non-profit Shield616.

Tom Madison spearheaded the donation process with Shield616. Images provided by Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Facebook.

Shield616’s motto “protecting our protectors” and the organization focuses on providing all-day rifle protection for peace officers and first responders. It partners with Angel Armor to offer cutting-edge products and give officers the confidence to do their jobs.

After Nichols and Madison’s initial meeting on May 2019, Madison quickly began raising funds with Shield 616, and in two months, they had over $90,000.

Due to their success, donors outfitted 33 deputies with all day, rifle rated protection, which included the School Resource Deputies as well as Nichols.

Angel Armor gear costs $2,100 per deputy and includes one Angel Armor carrier, one level llA soft vest, front and back level lllA rifle plates, and a Revision Batlskin helmet.

Additionally, the extra community donations allowed the Sheriff’s Office to upgrade the initial kits to include an additional plate carrier and a ceramic strike faceplate, which helps protect deputies from a 5.56 round, also known as an armor-piercing bullet.

“The community support for this initiative was simply unbelievable. From Tom leading donation efforts to all donors that were so generous in their giving to support our local deputies, it was a truly humbling experience for all of us. We cannot thank all those involved appropriately,” said Sheriff Nichols. “No one truly understood the magnitude of this event until all stories were told and deputies inspected armor never seen but only hoped for.”

The 33 deputies, Nichols, Madison, and families gathered at The Waterfall Club on Lake Burton on August 29 to celebrate the success of the fundraiser and the tremendous support from everyone.

Shield616 and Angel Armor ceremony at The Waterfall Club. Photos courtesy of Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Facebook.

“This was one of the neatest aspects of utilizing the non-profit organization, Shield616. It included a focus that links a donor to a deputy, not only to provide financial support but to provide a support system for the deputy as well. This approach sets itself apart from any other fundraiser out there,” explained Nichols, “I just want to thank Tom Madison, all the donors, and the deputies who serve our great community daily.”

For more information on how to donate or assist your department, contact Shield616 by email at [email protected], or visit their website at shield616.org.

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