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 scheduled for the council’s January meeting.

Why it matters

Council members tied the proposal to a string of violent incidents and repeated public complaints at several parks, including Lakebottom, Shirley B. and Regnum Park. Councilors said a sustained law-enforcement presence in parks could reduce shootings, drug activity and gang presence and would provide “peace of mind” to families and event organizers.

Details and next steps

- Staffing and equipment: Sheriff Mathis said the initial force would include 10 deputies and 2 supervisors and would use drones, off-road vehicles and community policing teams. The sheriff described the unit as a “force multiplier” that would not replace off-duty or contracted officers for large events but would enhance enforcement presence.

- Cost estimate and funding: The city’s finance office provided a preliminary personnel cost estimate tied to a 12-position staffing scenario (including supervisory titles) of about $845,952 annually, including benefits, based on starting pay for new hires. The sheriff said there would also be one-time capital costs for vehicles and equipment. Councilors discussed using midyear and one-time funds (including previously collected local-option sales taxes) for initial capital outlay and to cover initial operating shortfalls.

- Oversight and reporting: The sheriff proposed quarterly briefings to council on outcomes and an annual assessment. Councilor Davis and other council members emphasized the need for coordinated intelligence-sharing and the ability to shift the transient force to hotspots.

- Ordinances and administrative changes: The city attorney advised that an existing city ordinance allows the city manager (in consultation with the police chief) to change park hours; to give the sheriff parity the ordinance will have to be amended. Councilors and staff agreed to bring required ordinance language and the midyear budget package to council in January rather than vote on funding or ordinance changes at the meeting.

What council did (action)

Councilor Lehi Davis made a motion to amend the midyear budget to fund the sheriff’s park patrol proposal; the motion was seconded. Council members and staff agreed not to take a final vote at the meeting and to carry the matter into the midyear budget process scheduled for the January council meeting. The council asked staff to provide refined cost detail and proposed ordinance language adding the sheriff to the list of officials authorized to change park hours.

Voices from the meeting

“It's more about crime suppression and deterrence. It's protecting city assets. It's keeping citizens safe at recreation and events,” Councilor Lehi Davis said introducing the item. Sheriff Mathis said the unit would perform community engagement and problem-oriented policing and that the office could follow up on park complaints and investigations.

What remains open

Final funding decisions, ordinance changes to add the sheriff to park-hours authority, and a detailed capital/operating budget will return to council during the midyear budget process in January for formal action.