COBB COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

PRESS RELEASE

 

Sheriff Warren Comments on Crime Initiatives in Cobb

 

            Six Cobb County Deputies recently graduated from a four-week training and orientation program in Herndon, Virginia that was administered by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Cobb County Sheriff's Office is one of a handful of agencies nationwide, and the first in the State of Georgia, who has taken advantage of Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act which allows local participation in the enforcement of immigration laws.  Graduating on June 8th were Sgt. Shelvy Davis and Deputies Claudia Cross, Marco Cabrera, Olanda Palmer, Paul Diaz and Paul Harrison.

 

              According to Sheriff Warren, the Cobb County Sheriff's Office is taking a proactive stance to address the issue of illegal aliens in the County committing criminal offenses.  Sheriff Warren stated, “Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility but when illegal immigrants commit crimes in our community, it becomes a local law enforcement issue and we will not hesitate to use all of the tools at our disposal to insure the safety of our citizens and the enforcement of our laws”.

 

            Sheriff Warren further commented that the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office has had a positive working relationship with ICE since 1998 when the agency was asked to participate in a Pilot Program that would help identify and report illegal aliens who had been charged with criminal offenses.  “Partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies are essential to our efforts to protect our communities from national security and public safety threats” said Kenneth Smith, Special Agent in Charge for ICE’s Office of Investigation in Atlanta.  “I applaud Sheriff Warren for his commitment to helping ICE remove criminal aliens and others who could pose a risk for our citizens.”

           

            The utilization of 287(g) is just one of several initiatives that the Sheriff’s Office has participated in over the past year to help deter criminal activity throughout Cobb County.  Over the last several months, in conjunction with the Cobb County Police Department and local municipal police agencies, the Sheriff’s Office has participated in safety check points throughout the county to ensure citizens are obeying the law.  “The bottom line, says Warren, “is that the most effective tool in combating criminal activity is nothing but good old fashion law enforcement. Increasing uniform presence and conducting random safety checkpoints in high crime areas will ultimately result in a reduction of criminal activity.”

           

            Warren further stated that the Sheriff’s Office has generally enjoyed a close working relationship with all county and municipal police departments.  “We are all here to protect and serve.  The citizens deserve no less than our creativity, coordinated response, progressive initiatives and development of professional partnerships to combat crime.”

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RELEASE DATE June 11, 2007.  For further information contact  Nancy Bodiford at 770-499-4723

 



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