Heavy police presence in Milledgeville last Friday part of traffic operation

Roadblocks and a significant police presence are what Milledgeville motorists reported on social media last Friday night; authorities say it wasn’t a manhunt but an exercise with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s traffic network. 

“This was strictly a traffic enforcement network and strictly looking for violations on the roadway,” said Milledgeville Police Chief Dray Swicord. “We try to be proactive and get vehicles off the roadway that are impaired or have no insurance.” 

Swicord told Lake Country Today 55 officers from 11 different agencies participated in the operation as a part of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s Traffic Enforcement Network. 

The officers broke up and set up checks in different locations within the city limits. Swicord said they checked 496 cars on Friday night. 

“We issued 21 citations, recovered one stolen vehicle, issued five DUI arrests and five car seat citations,” he stated. 

The stolen car was recovered following a chase that ended with a pit maneuver from an officer with the Georgia State Patrol. 

According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s website, the network, split into 16 regions across Georgia’s 159 counties, allows “traffic enforcement officers to voice their concerns and share ideas with counterparts from other agencies in their region.” 

Prior to the pandemic, these operations were conducted yearly. Swicord said Friday was a success. 

In addition to the Milledgeville Police Department, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Eatonton Police Department, Snellville Police Department, and Greene County Sheriff’s Office were involved.