Sheriff's office shows 911 calls and staff testimonials; cites rising crime index and staffing shortfalls

Kristen Kennedy, public information specialist for the Camden County Sheriffs Office, presented a victim- and staff-centered video at the June 16 commission meeting intended to connect budget figures with real-world operational demands.

"Camden County's crime index... the most recent data 2024... 11.8%. That's almost doubled in 5 years," Kennedy said, citing Georgia Bureau of Investigation figures included in her remarks. She told commissioners the county has added roughly 12,000 residential units in coming years and said the sheriff's office has not increased patrol staffing or jail staffing to match population growth and rising crime trends.

The presentation combined recorded 9-1-1 calls and five employee testimonials describing the emotional and operational toll on deputies, dispatchers and corrections staff. Kennedy framed the video as an "educational opportunity" to illustrate the value behind budget requests and to humanize line staff who respond to traumatic incidents.

Commissioners acknowledged the presentation and asked whether staff would be available for questions; the sheriff was noted as available for follow-up. A commissioner emphasized fiscal scrutiny and said oversight of overtime and payroll is part of the budget review process; the sheriff's office representatives said most employees appearing in the video were not on duty and were volunteering their time for the presentation.

Why it matters: The presentation links budget requests for the sheriffs office to operational realities (rising crime index, calls, and training/retention pressures) and provides context commissioners may weigh in upcoming budget decisions.