Latest news with #StoneyMathis
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Planned protests to intersect with several major events in Uptown Columbus area
COLUMBUS, Ga. — This weekend, the City of Columbus is hosting several events in the Uptown area including the 80th Miss Georgia Pageant at the River Center, the Military Ball at the Trade Center and the Market Days on Broadway. Additionally, two scheduled protests are expected to take place on Saturday, June 14, between 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: A 'No Kings' demonstration in the 900 block of Broadway, with expected support from ColGay Pride and individuals affiliated with Antifa from Florida. The same group applied for a permit to demonstrate in the 1300 block of Broadway. City officials say both protests are believed to be part of larger coordinated efforts. 'We're fully prepared for the weekend ahead,' said Chief Stoney Mathis. 'We welcome peaceful demonstrations and fully support the right to free speech. But we also have a responsibility to protect our community, and we will not allow violence or disorder to overshadow the events or endanger the public.' The Columbus Police Department says it is working with local, state, and federal partners to ensure a safe environment for everyone in the area. Officers will be present throughout Uptown to maintain public safety, manage crowds, and safeguard the rights of those who choose to protest peacefully. RELATED COVERAGE: Security beefing up in Atlanta over potential protests Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- 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.
