Latest news with #StoneyMathis
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Columbus murders down by nearly 50% compared to this time last year
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — According to statistics from the Columbus Police Department (CPD), local murders are down by nearly 50% compared to this time last year. The Part 1 Crimes Report, last released on May 27, shows eight murders have happened in Columbus since Jan. 1. With the addition of another murder in the parking lot of the American Legion off Cusseta Road on Monday, June 2, that makes nine for the year so far. This is a marked decline, compared to 16 murders locally between Jan. 1 and May 27 of 2024, according to the Part 1 Crimes Report. 'The downward trend in murders compared to this time last year is progress, but one is still too many,' Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis said. He credited the decline to increased manpower in targeted areas, use of CPD's Real Time Crime Center and efforts to build trust between police and the community. 'These strategies are helping us get ahead of crime instead of just reacting to it,' Mathis said. Early intervention and prevention are essential according to Mathis, since many cases involve people who already know each other. 'We're making strides, but the work continues,' Mathis said. Robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, larceny and auto theft are also in decline. The only increase listed in the most recent Part 1 Crimes report is rape, with 21 incidents compared to 15 this time last year. To view the latest version of CPD's Part 1 Crimes Report, updated weekly, click here. The full statement provided to WRBL by Mathis is viewable below. Full statement by Chief Stoney Mathis: 'The downward trend in murders compared to last year is progress, but one is still too many. We've increased manpower where it's needed most, put modern technology like our Real Time Crime Center to work, and stayed focused on building trust through community policing. These strategies are helping us get ahead of crime instead of just reacting to it. While there's no single trend, many cases involve people who know each other. That's why early intervention and prevention remain a top priority. We're making strides, but the work continues.' Stoney Mathis, Columbus Police Chief Part 1 Crime Statistics as of May 27, 2025: Part 1 Crimes Jan. 1 – May 27, 2025 Jan. 1 – May 27, 2024 Murder 8 16 Rape 21 15 Robbery 63 81 Aggravated Assault 175 338 Burglary 205 297 Larceny 1,611 2,195 Theft by taking (MV) 239 269 Part 1 Crime Total 2,322 3,211 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
CPD's ‘Operation Overlook' to focus on high-crime area, target teenagers with guns and drugs
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — Columbus Police announced a sweeping initiative Tuesday to drastically reduce crime. Chief Stoney Mathis said it would be all hands on deck. There will be increased police patrols in high-crime areas. The chief called on parents to help his department find guns and drugs that are in the hands of their children. 'Over the next 30 days, I would like the parents to search their children's rooms and cars,' Mathis said. 'If they find guns or drugs – even if the gun is stolen — call us and we will come pick it up. No questions asked.' Operation Overlook will run for the next month, putting more uniformed officers onto the streets in high-crime areas. But Mathis says this does not work without the help of the parents of teenagers playing a role. 'The goal is to get the parents to really watch out for their children,' Mathis said. 'And what they could be doing is saving their child's life.' Mark Lawrence, the pastor at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fortson, applauds the police efforts to get guns out of children's hands. 'Parents must docket their own house,' Lawrence said. 'They must take care of their home. They need to know their children's rooms. And the children must know that their parents will hold them accountable for what they bring into the house and what they take out. If parents don't hold their kids accountable, the law will.' Mathis will pull 109 detectives out of their rotations and put them on the street in uniforms. Cpl. Matthew Spivey, a Violent Crimes detective, is one of those who will be patrolling the streets one or two days a week. 'We can use those same skills we use day in and day out investigating violent crimes to get out there and prevent crimes before they start rather than be reactive on the backside,' Spivey said. Mayor Skip Henderson says when Mathis pitched the idea of this initiative, there was no hesitation. 'The reaction was, we are on board. What do you need?' Henderson said. 'The council would be willing to provide any resources necessary to try and make a significant statement in the community by having many additional police officers on the streets.' Mathis knows there will be critics of this operation. 'But those are the true minority,' he said. 'The majority of people in Columbus would love to see crime reduced. There are some people throughout this community who would love to see me and the police department fail. We are not going to let that happen.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Columbus Chamber highlights public safety at quarterly meeting
COLUMBUS, Ga. (— The Columbus Chamber of Commerce hosted their quarterly 'Eye Opener Breakfast', where some of the city's leaders spoke about Columbus public safety. Some of today's panelists included Chief of Police Stoney Mathis, Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman, Fire and EMS Chief Sal Scarpa and Muscogee County Prison Warden Herbert Walker. Today's message was one of unity, as the panelists highlighted their joined efforts to protect and defend Columbus citizens. 'A unique thing about this is that you have all four of the public safety leaders here today. And we work well together.' said Sheriff Greg Countryman. 'And I think that that should be a good feel for anyone to know that we have public safety leaders who believe in working together for the for the benefit of those we serve.' This was a part of a series of Chamber of Commerce events focused on the community. This year the Chamber has already held Mayor Skip Henderson's State of the City and a conversation with Fort Benning commander Maj. Gen. Colin Tuley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘I am currently still the chief': Stony Mathis sets the record straight about alleged resignation
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — An erroneous news report Tuesday afternoon created some additional work for Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis and his staff. A Columbus news outlet posted online that Mathis had resigned. The news organization quickly changed the post, but not before the damage was done. The headline read: 'Columbus Chief of Police announces resignation.' Mathis, however, made it clear he's not going anywhere soon. 'I am currently still the chief here in Columbus,' said Mathis. He added he plans to remain chief until sometime next year. The confusion started when he did a CPD-produced podcast called 'Beyond the Badge.' During the show, Mathis stated his intentions were to leave the department sometime in 2026. He and a spokesperson for the department say they were never contacted about the online story before it published. Mathis found out about it through a call from a reporter, but what bothered him the most was the confusion it caused internally. 'I got I got a ton of phone calls from both my employees and citizens and even some counselors asking me, you know, Chief, what's going on? Are you resigning?' said Mathis. He's been on the job less than two years. Since arriving in Columbus there has been an uptick in morale and performance inside the Columbus Police Department. He was clear from the day he took the job he was a fixer and not the permanent solution. Mathis provided clarity with a single sentence, 'There's still a lot of work to be done.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Nearly 50 firearms, 13 pounds of drugs seized in multi-agency operation
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — A two-month long, multi-agency operation has resulted in the seizure of nearly 50 firearms and about 13 lbs. of assorted drugs, including nearly eight pounds of methamphetamine. Operation D.I.R.E.C.T. (Data Initiated Response to Elevated Crime Trends) Pressure—led by the Columbus Police Department (CPD) in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and other agencies—ran from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, 2024. It targeted three Columbus neighborhoods designated by CPD following a statistical analysis of firearm-related incidents between Jan. 2023 and May 2024. Those neighborhoods were East Wynnton, North Highlands and Baker Plaza. The operation comes amid a surge in violent crime in Columbus in recent years, which CPD has been cracking down on under the leadership of Chief Stoney Mathis. CPD reported between Aug. 2 and Sept. 15, 2024, of D.I.R.E.C.T. Pressure, 63 people were jailed, including two gang members. During that period, CPD also seized 20 firearms. 'The removal of guns like this and drugs off the street of Columbus is a direct result of the hard work and it is what is going to drive crime down in this city,' Deputy Chief Lance Deaton with CPD said. CPD says it will remain dedicated to reducing violent crime and continue collaborating with other agencies. 'It's important for our citizens to know that we don't get these kind of results by ourselves. It takes partnerships with our local- and federal partners,' Deaton said. Columbus police plan to use statistical data, like used in D.I.R.E.C.T. Pressure, to help pinpoint locations to target in future operations. According to CPD, in 2021, there were 66 murders in Columbus. That number was cut nearly in half in 2024, with 35 murders for the year—10 less than in 2023. Operation D.I.R.E.C.T. Pressure was a joint operation between Columbus police, the ATF, Columbus District Attorney's Office and U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia. TOTAL SEIZURES: Firearms and ammunition: Firearms purchased/seized by ATF: 28, including 2 Glock switches, 1 short-barrel shotgun and 2 suspected suppressors Ammunition seized: 2,239 rounds Body armor seized: 1 set Firearms seized by CPD: 21, including one sawed-off shotgun Narcotics seized: ATF seizures Marijuana: 320 grams Methamphetamine: 7.5 pounds Cocaine: 4 grams Fentanyl: 398 grams CPD seizures: Marijuana: 1,408.6 grams Methamphetamine: 105.9 grams Cocaine: 14.9 grams Fentanyl: 43.1 grams Heroin: 0.2 grams Ecstasy: 137.5 grams Psilocybin: 71 grams Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
