Welcome to the Inaugural Issue

The year 2020 has presented challenges for all communities, with Glynn County being no exception. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we communicate with each other, and it's more important than ever that you, the citizen, are provided with various and creative avenues to receive information. In alignment with the County's Strategic Plan, The Glynn Report aims to provide readers with enhanced access to data and information by delivering updates on changes implemented within County Departments, providing updates on major projects, highlighting staff awards and accomplishments, reminding readers of various helpful tips such as for hurricane preparedness and recycling, and advertising other important announcements which will improve County communications and enhance resident engagement.

This newsletter will be released the first Friday of each month. To subscribe, please sign up through Notify Me on the Glynn County website. Thank you for reading!

Police Advisory Panel and GCPD Updates

Significant changes are happening within the Glynn County Police Department (GCPD), with the implementation of a Police Advisory Panel acting as a catalyst for many of those changes. The Panel was created in April of this year by the Board of Commissioners and given the task of reviewing the current structure and operations of the GCPD. This includes ensuring recommendations made in a 2018 Management Study conducted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) are being implemented and assessing various areas of functions such as the organizational structure, current level of training, progress towards accreditation, Internal Affairs operations, current policies, and the initiative for community oriented policing. Based on their review and assessments, the Panel develops recommendations for improvements and corrective action which are submitted to GCPD leadership and the Board of Commissioners. Since the Panel began their assessments, the GCPD has made great strides in meeting the recommendations laid out in the IACP Report. So far, these changes include: 

• Re-establishment of the GCPD mission statement and enhancement of communications within the department, including one-on-one meetings between officers and the Chief of Police.
• Implementing monthly, virtual Town Hall Meetings which create a forum for citizens to ask questions to the Chief of Police and other officers.
• Assessment of the K-9 operations policy and enhancement of the standard county wide K-9 operations to allow for 24/7 coverage.
• Reviewing and revamping the traffic unit.
• Implementation of community policing through efforts to include: geographic policing, community meetings, intelligence led policing, and a Citizen’s Police Academy.
• Hiring a full-time crime analyst.
• Merging the Criminal Investigations Division with the Special Operations Division to improve communication and coordination.
• Strengthening the victim services liaison program.
• Adding two civilian positions: an evidence room technician and a crime scene technician.
• Establishing a new policy manual.
• Revising use of force policy and training.
• Creating a separate policy regarding unbiased equitable treatment of all persons.
• Developing and implementing an Early Warning System.
• Implementing a progressive disciplinary matrix.
• Developing policies to ensure proper treatment of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Revising field training, and developing a formal, strategic, and comprehensive agency training plan.
• Assessment of employee attrition, and developing  formal recruiting, hiring, promotional, and transfer plans.
• Updating the performance appraisal system.
• Implementing a new tracking system for complaints.
• Implementation of an Employee Relations Committee, consisting of one Sergeant and several officers. 

Hurricane Preparedness

Every year, from June 1st to November 30th, Hurricane Season lurks, and coastal communities monitor its every move, wondering if and when it will decide to strike. Thankfully, Glynn County staff and partner agencies create online tools which assist residents during emergency situations. 

• The EMA Dashboard is an interactive viewer that includes various maps to keep citizens informed before, during, and after a disaster. 
• Need a ride if an evacuation is ordered in Glynn County? You can fill out an Evacuation Form and choose a pick-up site. 
• The Department of Health keeps a registry of those with functional, access, or medical needs who may need transportation or medical assistance to help them evacuate if a hurricane is threatening their community. Registration information can be found on the DPH's website.
• Glynn County uses CodeRED as their Emergency Notification System. The registration form can be found on Glynn County's EMA web-page. 
• Other important websites to note when a hurricane is looming are the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center. 

Awards and Recognition

Community Development Completes Re-Certification
The Glynn County Community Development department received their Community Rating System re-certification for 2020. The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive-based community program that recognizes, encourages, and rewards local floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum standards of the National Flood Insurance Rate Program (NFIP). The County’s main incentive in participating in the CRS is a reduction in flood insurance rates for Glynn County policyholders. 

Animal Control Receives Award from CCGA
Glynn County Animal Control was honored to receive the 2020 Outstanding Community Partner Award from the College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA). This award was presented to Animal Control through CCGA's Center for Service-Learning's annual Service-Learning Symposium. This award is presented to organizations who show exceptional collaboration with the participating students. Any college students looking for service learning opportunities with Glynn County Animal Control can contact Tiffani Hill at thill@glynncounty-ga.gov or (912) 554-7501. 

911 Center Receives State Award & Completes Certification
The Glynn-Brunswick E911 Center received Georgia's 911 Center of the Year award at the Georgia Emergency Communications Conference earlier this year. This award is presented to the Communications/911 Center that exhibits outstanding professionalism, leadership, innovation, and service to its community as well its region and state. Additionally, last year, the E911 Center received its certification through the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. Both accomplishments highlight the levels of the dedication, commitment, and resiliency possessed by each team member at the Glynn-Brunswick 911 Center.  

SPLOST Project Updates

The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax or SPLOST program is a 1 cent sales tax on items purchased in Glynn County by residents or visitors. The funds gathered from SPLOST are used for various capital outlay projects. The SPLOST 2016 referendum was passed by the voters of Glynn County on the November 8, 2016 ballot. Currently, 26 of the SPLOST 2016 projects are complete with the remaining 18 projects still in progress. 

Recycling Tips

• Be sure your recyclables are empty, clean, and dry before you put them in your recycle container.
• Rinse to remove any residual material (you don’t need to wash it)

Clean recyclables don’t contaminate other types of materials, so the recycle stream stays out of the landfill.