Installing safety cameras in two Community Improvement Districts (CID) has resulted in major crime reduction. Flock Safety Automatic License plate reading cameras have directly attributed to the increased success in stopping and/or solving crimes both the Gwinnett Place and Sugarloaf CIDs.
During 2021, Gwinnett County Police Department’s Central Precinct used the CIDs’ Flock Safety cameras to help recover 104 stolen vehicles with a total value of $1,472,410. They also made 199 arrests, located 93 wanted persons, conducted 46 investigations that led to arrests, and recovered 33 stolen tags.
In one year, these numbers translate to a 53 percent decrease in commercial burglary, a 23 percent decrease in car break-ins, and a 5 percent decrease in residential burglary compared to 2020.
Major C.T. Rafanelli, Central Precinct commander, says: “Having Flock Safety cameras at our disposal has been invaluable to the department and the statistics prove it. Both Gwinnett Place CID and Sugarloaf CID have been extremely helpful in placing cameras throughout their districts so we cannot only solve but also help to prevent crimes from taking place.”
In 2020, Gwinnett Place CID began working with the Gwinnett County Police Department’s Central Precinct police to install 50 Flock Safety cameras in 36 locations. After proving the initial successful utilization of the technology by Gwinnett Police, the GPCID board of directors invested in additional cameras. Today, there are 63 cameras strategically placed in more than 60 locations throughout greater Gwinnett Place, along with 15 throughout the Sugarloaf district.
According to Major Rafanelli, “The cameras have been a game-changer in our ongoing efforts to keep Gwinnett’s central business district at Gwinnett Place one of the safest locations in the County. The number one reason crimes go unsolved is that the police may not have sufficient evidence to solve the case, therefore the cameras are key tools in our fight against crime. GPCID’s camera locations are based on historical crime data and the experience of our officers patrolling the area.”
Joe Allen, GPCID executive director, remembers: “When the GPCID Board of Directors approved installation of Flock Safety cameras in the district we knew the investment would quickly provide positive results. We are more than pleased with how the increased number of cameras and the daily CID-funded community patrols have helped keep visitors and the area’s over 27,000 employees safe.”
Alsyssa Davis, executive director of Sugarloaf CID, echoes similar thoughts: “Keeping Sugarloaf CID community members safe is of the utmost importance and we’re so thankful to the Gwinnett County Police Department for collaborating with us as we installed our Flock Safety cameras around the district. The results we’re seeing are proof of what can happen when communities work together with law enforcement in conjunction with modern technology.”
PCOM offers concentration in medical cannabis
Medical cannabis has been legalized in 37 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. As a result, an estimated two to three million patients are receiving treatment with the drug for conditions such as neurological disorders, opioid dependence, inflammatory diseases and sickle cell anemia.
In response to the need for experts within dispensaries, Doctor of Pharmacy students at PCOM Georgia may now customize their degree program by choosing a concentration in medical cannabis.
The new medical cannabis concentration is a result of a collaboration between Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Organic Remedies, a Pennsylvania-approved marijuana research center and clinical registrant partner, with dispensary locations across Pennsylvania. PCOM and Organic Remedies have signed a long-term agreement to conduct research on the therapeutic applications of medical marijuana.
Julie Wickman, PharmD, assistant dean of clinical and experiential affairs for the PCOM School of Pharmacy, notes that pharmacists are the only individuals who can dispense cannabis in Pennsylvania. She explained that PCOM’s pharmacy students will begin this concentration as early as this fall and receive training at a Philadelphia-area dispensary in their fourth year of the program. Dr. Wickman said, “This concentration also covers federal and state-wide policies and the current legislative landscape in Georgia.”
Michael Lee, PhD, assistant dean for professional and student affairs for the School of Pharmacy, said, “Because of the central role that pharmacists play in medical cannabis, the current and projected workforce needs across the country are enormous. We hope to position PCOM as a leader in this area by offering this unique training experience.”
The evolving use of medical cannabis by patients provides opportunities for pharmacists to consult with these patients and develop treatment plans according to their condition and physicians’ recommendations. Pharmacists are also key to ensuring compliance with state regulations.
Peach State FCU sends donation to help Ukrainian fund
The Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation announced a $25,000 donation to the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund, which was established by the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) in partnership with the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU). The fund was created to provide financial support to mitigate the short- and long-term impacts to the Ukraine’s credit union system as Russian troops continue their violent invasion against the country.
Mike Reuter, WFCU’s executive director, says: “We recognize the money is needed to assist the Ukrainian people right now, which is why we are working to identify partner organizations that can put the generous donations from the international credit union community to good use immediately. But we also know that credit unions, their employees, their members, and their communities will need long-term assistance to get back on their feet, which is something we have always worked to provide in times of crisis. Peach State has always been a champion with us in moments of global CU crisis to support, and we are tremendously grateful for the resources.”
Peach State’s President/CEO, Marshall Boutwell adds: “The credit union philosophy ‘people helping people’ is simple yet powerful. As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions share a communal goal to provide financial support to better the lives of their neighbors near and far”
He adds: “We as credit unions have a social responsibility to help all community members – from serving the needs of members within our footprint, to our fellow credit unions and their communities across the globe. We are honored to back WFCU and WOCCU, and applaud their efforts to help credit unions, their staff, and members in Ukraine. It is our hope that our fellow credit union colleagues will continue to step up and support this worthy and noble cause.”
Two Gwinnett students win slot on Washington Youth Tour
Two Gwinnett students have won delegate positions for the 2022 Washington Youth Tour, selected by Jackson Electric Membership Corporation. The tour is scheduled for June 16-23.
Vacha
Boers
David Boers, a junior at Gwinnett Online Campus High School, and Jillian Vacha, a sophomore at North Gwinnett High School, were chosen for the all-expense-paid leadership development experience sponsored by Georgia’s electric cooperatives and organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Chip Jakins, Jackson EMC President/CEO, says: “Our delegates represent the values of Jackson EMC with their commitment to community service, high standards of integrity, and a spirit of cooperation.”.
Boers is the son of Megan and Jacobus Boers of Suwanee. At Gwinnett Online Campus High School, he is the AV booth manager for the theater and fine arts program, organizer for the gaming tournament and Model United Nations member. Boers is a member of the Gwinnett Student Leadership Team. He volunteers his data and systems analysis expertise to local leaders. Boers plans a career studying elections, polling, and voting trends.
Vacha is the daughter of Swapna and Zacharias Vacha of Suwanee. At North Gwinnett High School, she is the music director for the advanced musical theater program, treasurer of the school’s UNICEF chapter and secretary for the Science National Honor Society. Vacha is a member of the Gwinnett Student Leadership Team and the Junior Economic Club of Atlanta. She is a volunteer instructor at Mathnasium and a Bharathanatyam classical dancer. She is a PCOM (Philadelphia College of Medicine) Future Healthcare Scholar and plans to be an anesthesiologist.
Two other Jackson EMC delegates selected are Ansley Robinson, junior at Madison County High School, and Isaac Miller, junior at East Jackson Comprehensive High School.
Since 1965, the Washington Youth Tour has given more than 3,300 Georgia students and more than 53,000 students nationwide the opportunity to participate in this leadership and team-building experience. For more information on the Washington Youth Tour, go to jacksonemc.com/wyt.
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