Sheriff reports arrests, weapons seizures and expanded anti-gang training in Ben Hill County

Sheriff Lee Cone told the Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners on May 7 that recent law-enforcement activity has produced dozens of arrests and multiple weapons seizures tied to gang activity in the county.

"There have been over 40 arrests made in connection with gang charges to date," Cone said, adding that "there have been over 45 arrests" when related drug charges are included. He said law enforcement has seized "over 25 guns" — most of which he said were stolen — and served 12 search warrants. Cone also said investigators have identified "over 100 people who have been verified to be gang members in our community."

The sheriff described steps the office is taking in response. Investigators have received specialized training in gang investigation and identification and joined a national gang investigations organization, which Cone said opens training opportunities with federal partners including the FBI. He said several investigations remain active.

Cone outlined school- and community-focused prevention measures: three of five school resource officers are enrolled in a gang-recognition certification class at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center; the office is developing training for teachers and staff; handouts for the public are being prepared; and the office plans to add the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program for seventh graders alongside existing C.H.A.M.P.S. presentations for fifth graders. "We are currently creating training programs for our schools," he said.

Tax Commissioner Barry Foster, speaking earlier in the meeting, said a recent tax sale sold 47 of 51 properties and added a safety note about a neighborhood: "Pine Street is getting scary," and he said staff are fearful following a prom-related incident.

Cone urged the community to stay informed and said the sheriff's office will post information on a joint app with the Fitzgerald Police Department and on the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. The sheriff characterized public tips as important, saying citizen reports helped identify and arrest people who were attempting to control neighborhoods.

Next steps described at the meeting included continued investigations, further training for staff and SROs, and public education materials; Cone said more search warrants and enforcement actions are expected as investigations proceed.