McDuffie County is one of 118 communities from across Georgia to split $83.5 million in grant funding aimed at reducing violent crimes, improving early intervention and sustaining law enforcement staffing.

McDuffie County received the $300,025 Public Safety and Community Violence Reduction Strategies grant to create the McDuffie’s EYES (Enhancing Your Everyday Safety) Initiative – a series of license plate reader cameras placed at strategic locations throughout the community to track the movement of vehicles in and out of the community. The Sheriff’s Department plans a total of 25 Flock’s Safety’s Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras, which will gather real- time information for local investigators.

“The ability to potentially have real time data about the movement or the general identification of possible suspect vehicles will only enhance our ability to investigate crimes,” said McDuffie County Sheriff Logan Marshall.

The specific locations of the cameras will be identified as local law enforcement personnel and representatives from the camera company implement the program.

“We have already looked at several locations, but we want to make sure we are providing the most coverage, especially in areas that are entry and exit points for our county,” Sheriff Marshall said.

Officials expect the cameras to be in place over the next few months, and the installation and annual access fee will be funded by proceeds of the grant through the end of 2026. From there, law enforcement personnel will evaluate their effectiveness and make a decision of their continued use.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said the grants further the state’s efforts to support law enforcement and protect citizens.

“Public safety has always been a top priority of my administration and will continue to be,” the governor said in a press release. “With the increase in violent crime seen in communities across the country, including here in our state, we’re sending reinforcements to keep hardworking Georgians and their neighborhoods safe.”

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