Public safety summary
Police arrested a 31-year-old Savannah man Sunday and charged him with shooting at another man after a road rage incident.
Jamaal Bryant, 31, was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony after allegedly firing shots at a 62-year-old man, said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.
Miller said the victim told police he was leaving a store in the Twelve Oaks shopping center just before 9 a.m. when a white Toyota Sequoia sped into the parking lot. The victim yelled at the driver, and a conversation continued until the victim entered his vehicle to leave.
Moments later, Miller said, the Toyota turned around in front of the victim and shots were fired at the car.
Southside Precinct crime suppression units and violent crimes detectives contacted Bryant at his residence, and he admitted firing at the victim, Miller said.
One injured in Yamacraw shooting
Savannah-Chatham police violent crimes detectives are sorting out details after one man shot another in Yamacraw Village and then surrendered to responding officers Sunday night.
One man was transported to Memorial University Medical Center with gunshot wounds after responding Downtown Precinct patrol officers found him in the street in the housing project about 10:30 p.m., said Julian Miller, police spokesman.
He was admitted in stable condition.
The investigation is continuing.
Police are asking anyone with information on the case to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A confidential tip line is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.
Repeat meth offenders busted at Effingham courthouse
Two repeat methamphetamine offenders were arrested Thursday at the Effingham County Courthouse following an investigative traffic stop.
Investigators received information that Robert Stanley Davis, 30, and James Grover, 44, both of Guyton, were inside a vehicle traveling to the courthouse, said David Ehsanipoor, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. Deputies found meth and roxycodone inside the vehicle, as well as in one of Davis’ orifices, Ehsanipoor said.
After further investigation, deputies discovered a meth lab at Grover’s residence in the 200 block of Southern Charm Way, Ehsanipoor said.
Grover was arrested and charged with possession of meth, unlawful possession of pseudoephedrine and conspiracy to manufacture meth. Davis was charged with criminal attempt to manufacture meth, unlawful sale and possession of pseudoephedrine and possession of meth.
Davis was arrested on several meth-related charges, including trafficking methamphetamine in April 2012 and manufacturing methamphetamine in October. He was out on bond at the time of this arrest, Ehsanipoor.
Both Grover and Davis are being held in the Effingham County jail.
Police ID second victim of fatal Sunday wreck
Savannah-Chatham police on Monday identified the deceased driver of a Sunday morning east side wreck as 37-year-old Tyrone Steven Simmons of West Darling Street.
An Oldsmobile 88 being driven by Simmons crashed into trees on Goebel Avenue at Foster Street about 5:30 a.m. Sunday, catching fire and killing him, as well as the passenger, 30-year-old Jennifer M. McLaughlin.
McLaughlin was pulled form the burning wreckage by a police officer, but later died at Memorial University Medical Center.
Police spokesman Julian Miller said the department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is still investigating the fatal wreck.
Savannah seeking input on public safety
The city of Savannah is asking residents to offer their thoughts and ideas this week on public safety through an online form.
The comments will be compiled and presented to a special public safety roundtable that will meet at 2 p.m. May 20 in the Savannah Civic Center.
The roundtable will be comprised of the top elected and appointed officials representing the major entities that touch public safety, including law enforcement, the courts, probation and parole, education, city and county governments, and various nonprofits and the faith-based community.
The goal of the roundtable will be to identify key issues impacting public safety in Savannah, and begin a process that will create an action plan.
The roundtable wants to hear from the public on this matter, and has set up the online form to solicit input. Members of the public should submit their comments at www.savannahga.gov/publicsafetycomment by noon Friday so they can be compiled and incorporated into the roundtable discussion.
Guardrail repairs to affect traffic on I-16/I-516
Emergency guardrail repairs will affect traffic on Interstates 16 and 516 this week.
Work is scheduled to last from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday at the eastbound on-ramp to I-16 from Chatham Parkway and at mile marker 4.5 on I-516, beneath I-16.
The on-ramp to I-16 from Chatham Parkway will be narrowed, but not closed. At I-516, one lane will be closed.
Motorists should expect minor delays in both areas. The Georgia Department of Transportation asks drivers to reduce speeds while traveling through the work zones.
Police schedule ‘Roll Call’ for Central Precinct
The Savannah-Chatham police department’s Central Precinct will initiate its second set of a crime reduction program being called Roll Call on June 1.
Officers will gather that Saturday at a city-owned shopping center at Waters Avenue and West 36th Street at 2:30 p.m. Patrol officers will be accompanied by mounted patrol, K-9 patrol and a police helicopter.
Police spokesman Julian Miller said the event is similar to the Roll Calls in the Street held last year, except the Saturday schedule is designed to allow more members of the community to participate and see the department’s resources.
Last year, Central Precinct’s commander, Capt. DeVonn Adams, began the practice as part of a program to take special steps to reduce the traditional increase in crime over the summer months when many young people are out of school.
The roll calls, beginning the afternoon shift, were held in popular public areas throughout the precinct. In addition, Central Precinct officers delayed vacations and extra days off for the 90-day period so that more feet could be on the ground until school started back. Special operation units such as K-9s, mounted patrols, bicycle patrols and the helicopter were used in the precinct’s neighborhoods.
Miller said that corresponded with a 30 percent reduction in crime last summer, allowing the traditionally challenged precinct to show an 11.9 percent drop in violent crime and a 25.4 percent drop in property crime.
The June 1 event is open to the public.
Compiled by Dash Coleman