d.a. office hosts gang symposium

Press Release
For Immediate Release
​
The Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office remains focused on combating gang violence in our communities. Acting District Attorney David Studdard invited members of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Griffin Police Department, Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, Griffin Spalding County school system, Department of Juvenile Justice and the Juvenile Court for a conversation about the changing nature of gang investigations across the state of Georgia, and more specifically in Spalding County.
“We are battling newer, younger, and more violent gang members here in Spalding County,” said Studdard. “The summit allowed my prosecutors to engage with officers across the county to assess the needs of our community so that we may effectively combat gang violence among our young people.” The idea for this summit was born out of a desire to more fully understand the changing landscape as gangs continue to recruit younger members in the hopes of lesser consequences for criminal behavior. The opportunity to share information across agencies allows us to better identify, arrest, and ultimately prosecute gang offenders. “I am so grateful to each officer and agency that took time to invest in this mission. We simply cannot do it without you. Thank you to Judge Ott and Judge Ashman for, once again, showing up to demonstrate their steadfast commitment to the kids in our community. Thank you to my staff, particularly my Chief Assistant Kate Lenhard, who each work tirelessly to protect the men, women, and children of Spalding County.”
The District Attorney’s Office is planning to hold similar initiatives in its other counties in the near future