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Resident tells commissioners deputies ignored calls, asked board to investigate; other commenters raise road and budget concerns
Summary
During public comment, Daniel Newman alleged deputies failed to properly record incidents at his Perry home and that body cameras were not recording; he asked for a citizen oversight board. Other commenters requested paving for Cane Mill Road and urged conservative budgeting and grant seeking.
Several members of the public spoke during the Houston County Board of Commissioners’ public-comment period on Jan. 6.
Daniel Newman of Perry described repeated nighttime incidents at his home at 316 Toomer Road beginning Sept. 28, 2025. He told the board he called 911 multiple times and that deputies who responded did not include the reason for their dispatch in reports and would focus on him and his service dog as the "threat." Newman said he met with the sheriff and county attorney on Nov. 12, 2025, but that promised follow-up did not occur and that he has not received an addendum report he needs for insurance. He also said deputies’ body cameras were not recording and that dispatchers had been rude when he contacted the sheriff's office. Newman asked the board to investigate and recommended creating a seven-member citizen oversight board to review the sheriff's office.
Newman quoted from a sheriff's deputy report describing a Sept. 28, 2025 response, which indicated deputies conducted a sweep and found no evidence of others on the property and referenced a warning by a lieutenant that repeated unfounded emergency calls could result in arrest. Newman also described exterior footage showing footprints and a person looking into a kitchen window and said he had security-camera evidence he can share.
Chairman Purdue responded: "We will certainly look into this. Appreciate your time." The board did not take immediate action during the meeting beyond the pledge to review the complaint.
Other public comments included:
- Scott McKenzie (owns property in Houston County) requested that Cane Mill Road in southern Houston County be considered for paving; the chair said the road was not on the current paving agenda but staff would note the request and consider it against SPLOST prioritization criteria.
- Robert Sharples of Perry praised county leaders, urged conservative spending, and encouraged county staff to pursue grant opportunities and benchmark state and federal actions to reduce taxes.
During public comment and later in commissioner remarks, Chief Stoner noted the HEMA warehouse groundbreaking and a new cost-saving partnership with the City of Perry to integrate community alert systems with the county’s emergency notification platform.
No formal action was taken on the policing complaint or the paving request during the meeting; both were recorded as public comments and the board indicated it would follow up outside of the public-comment period.
