Police tackling gun violence

Apr. 4—THOMASVILLE- Police say something must be done to curb gun violence in the city.

The Thomasville Police Department held a Community Crime Prevention Forum Tuesday evening aimed at curbing increased gun violence.

The forum was the first of its kind under the direction of new chief, Wade Glover, who shared his hope for transparency about the issues TPD and the community are facing.

Councilman Terry Scott founder of Think Before You Re-Act to Stop Gun Violence was there to support Glover's mission.

According to Scott, "each year we lose over 30,000 people from firearm-related violence," with "almost 85,000 suffering from non-fatal gun injuries."

But, research has shown this is preventable.

Scott told those in attendance they can be a preventer.

"When you see something, call someone; you can call anonymously, but it's time to get involved in your community," he said. "It's not just the police department who needs to be involved, but it's our job to get involved in these things."

Scott went on to say the numbers from gun violence stats don't indicate the long-term physical and psychological effects those who survive gun-related incidents suffer long after the fact.

"I don't want to get a knock on my door that my loved one has been killed by an act of gun violence," Scott said. "Neighbors if you see a drug house or a gambling house, call, because I guarantee someone will get mad in that house and start shooting, and some of our kids will be hit by stray bullets."

Drug houses and gambling houses are an issue, but the real issue TPD and the Thomas County Sheriff's Office have been combatting are pop-up parties on Persimmon Street, also known as P Block, where several people have been shot.

"We recently worked a case on Persimmon Street with a large party where two people were shot, but the victims aren't cooperating," Glover said. "That's a huge problem."

TPD Lieutenant Toby Knifer and Captain Tim Watkins of the Thomas County Sheriff's Office worked hand-in-hand on the case, explaining to the public the issues they are facing when they arrive at these parties to break up the large crowds.

"There are hundreds of people at these parties blocking the streets," Knifer said. "We've seen drinking and drug use before eventually a large fight breaks out. Most recently, two people were shot during a fight."

While guns are an issue at these parties, Knifer said they are finding most of the individuals directly impacted by gun violence aren't willing to discuss it.

"The party we are working, over 100 people were there, but no one saw a thing," Knifer said. "The two people who were shot have decided they don't even want to cooperate. Now the family members are mad we haven't solved the crime, but how can we solve a crime without a victim? That's why we need you guys to help us."

Watkins discussed his most recent case that occurred in Barwick on Saturday evening, where three guns were involved.

"One guy got struck in the arm and two houses and two cars got shot up, but of course, no one on the streets could tell us anything," Watkins said. "We enforce the laws, but you set the community standards and what kind of community you want. If you want one where someone is shooting every night, then don't say anything to us, but if you want one that's safe then you have to let us know."

Watkins reminded those in attendance that TPD and TCSO are there to help, but there has to be a partnership between them and the community.

"We have to have relationships with the community," he said. "You guys have to dial in with us and talk to us. You don't have to give us your name, you can just give us the information, but we want to keep Thomasville safe and Thomas County safe."

Keeping Thomasville and Thomas County safe begins with safeguarding firearms.

According to reports, 159 guns have been stolen in Thomasville since 2020 with 106 guns still at large.

TPD Major Shane Harris encouraged residents to take their firearms out of their vehicles at night and place them into a secure hiding spot in their home, especially if they have young children present and separate the gun from the ammunition.

For individuals who decide to leave their firearm in their vehicle, he suggested purchasing a lockbox that fits safely between the driver's seat and console.

In 2020, TPD saw 20 guns stolen inside the city, with the number rising to 31 stolen in 2021 and 35 stolen in 2022. The most recent 2023 report indicates, 29 guns were stolen this past calendar year. According to Knifer, 98% of these came from unlocked vehicles.

"Many people will place their gun up under their seat or in their console and forget it's there, leaving their car unlocked, but if you get a lockbox and someone tries to take it, that's just another thing they have to defeat to take it," Harris said.

Harris hopes that these statistics and encouragements to safeguard firearms will curb the preventable thefts of guns before they are used in another related crime.

With that, Glover thanked everyone who turned out to the forum and opened the floor to questions regarding gun violence and TPD's response.