Council reviews sheriff-led park patrol proposal; budget amendment deferred to midyear

The Muscogee County Sheriff presented a council-driven proposal to establish concentrated park patrols in Columbus parks, outlining a unit of deputies, supervisors and supporting technology intended to deter illegal activity and increase safety at recreation areas.

The proposal calls for an initial staffing model of 10 deputies and 2 supervisors and would equip teams with patrol vehicles, four-wheelers/three-wheelers, and tethered drones for event monitoring, the sheriff said. The sheriff’s office said the unit would focus on community engagement, problem-oriented policing and coordinated enforcement with other agencies.

City Manager Isaiah Hugley and multiple council members described the initiative as “council driven” after councilors first raised park safety during budget discussions. Councilor Lehi Davis moved to amend the midyear budget to fund the program; the motion was seconded, but council and staff agreed not to take a final vote at the meeting and to include funding in the city’s midyear budget package…