ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — The Albany Police Department (APD) is asking Dougherty County commissioners to back a new initiative aimed at keeping repeat violent offenders off the streets, and officials say the urgency is clear: 19 people in Dougherty County are currently out on bond while facing murder charges, according to APD.

APD Chief Michael Persley and Capt. Terrence Whitlock briefed the Dougherty County Commission on Monday, June 15, on the progress of the department’s Repeat Offender Initiative and introduced the Safe Haven Project.

What is the Repeat Offender Initiative?

The initiative launched in January as a collaboration among the Albany Police Department, the district attorney’s office, the sheriff’s office, and probation officials. The agencies share access to a database that tracks repeat offenders’ arrest histories, giving officials working a case a full view of a defendant’s criminal background.

>> READ MORE: Albany to launch repeat offender tracking system to decrease violent crime <<

Chief Persley said the goal is not just to arrest repeat offenders, but to track them consistently at every level of the criminal justice system.

“You do have individuals who have been charged and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty, but they have been charged with cases — charges of murder,” Persley said. “And so, even with those folks, those are ones that if they are out, we definitely need to make sure we’re keeping an eye on them.”

Commissioners’ Concerns

Some commissioners expressed concern about a disconnect between police, prosecutors, and judges — questioning whether everyone has the same information when repeat offenders appear before a judge.

APD leadership acknowledged the challenge. A department lieutenant said the agencies need to come to a consensus and work toward the same results.

“We have to come to an agreement that we are going to work together for the citizens to make sure that it’s well balanced and it’s going to benefit everybody in the city,” the lieutenant said. “We don’t want to be where we’re here, and our DAs and our judges are here.”

Police said they have already briefed city commissioners and are now expanding those conversations to county leadership. APD said they plan to continue meeting with county leaders as they track repeat offenders and push for stronger coordination across the system.

Albany Families Affected by Violent Crimes

For families who have lost loved ones to violence in Albany, the initiative hits close to home.

Angela Williams and her daughter Brittney Williams recounted their loved one, Jimmy Jackson, who went missing on June 11, 2015. Two years later, they learned his remains had been found. Jackson had been kidnapped and murdered.

“For me, as a mom, I understand how the other mother’s feeling,” Angela Williams said. “And yes, when you hear about this, it gets emotional.”

Brittney Williams explained how the community can be a part of the solution.

“If you see something, say something,” Brittney Williams said. “Even if you have to call and be anonymous.”

Jimmy Jackson, 34, who was an Albany resident, was reported missing in 2015. His remains were found in a wooded area in Terrell County in November of that year, but were not identified until August 17, 2017, when the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed the identity. Three men — Zackteria White, Dawayne Anderson, and Ronell Tidwell — were charged with murder, aggravated assault, and kidnapping in connection with Jackson’s death.

You can find previous coverage below:

UPDATE: Third man in connection to a double murder in Albany arrested in Ohio

Remains found in 2015 identified as missing Albany man

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