Downtown Augusta safety is top of mind as summer nears
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A battle between a local business and the sheriff’s office this week highlighted the need for a safety plan in downtown Augusta.
On Wednesday, Richmond County deputies argued for Tiffany’s Eatery on Broad Street to have its liquor license examined over allegations that it is acting more like an uned nightclub.
One man in critical condition after shooting in downtown Augusta
One man is in critical condition after a shooting early Saturday morning in Downtown Augusta, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Body camera footage from the sheriff’s office showing large crowds after 2 a.m. was used to argue that large crowds can encourage unruly behavior and risk public safety.
The sheriff’s office says more foot traffic is welcome downtown. After all, that’s what keeps downtown alive. However, they say heading into the summer time, with more people out, they are prepared for anything.
Downtown Augusta is the heartbeat of the city. You feel it outside and inside.
At Tip Top Taps, the walls beam with pride.
“I wanted to build a place that I would be able to bring my family to,” said Marty Koger, owner of Tip Top Taps.
Koger wants to see the foot traffic outside. Business owner or not, most can agree with that.
“Obviously you’re gonna get a lot more foot traffic on the sidewalks and those that are going from business to business, whether it’s restaurants or going to the bars, or if we have some type of festivals or events going on at the commons,” said Danny Whitehead, with the Richmond County Sheriffs Office.
It’s during the late hours that deputies are eyeballing more foot traffic, and the body camera video is an example.
" What happens then is you have an overflow on the sidewalks, and then you know, just one argument or someone bumps into someone can turn into a verbal argument and then it escalates into a physical argument,” said Whitehead. “Our job and our goal is to make sure we can get there, before there’s any type of gunfire or any type of violent crime that may occur.”
Augusta jail search uncovers dozens of makeshift weapons, drugs
Dozens of homemade weapons and other contraband items were uncovered Thursday during a comprehensive search of the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
So their message to you is–
“We want you to come downtown,” said Whitehead. “We want everyone to have a good time, enjoy the food, the drinks, the festival and then go home, come down and do that. But those who make the decision to participate in any type of unlawful activity or any type of fighting, we will charge them accordingly and commit them to our jail.”
The sheriff’s office says they want people to feel safe; that is the number one goal. They say they’re adding more manpower to accomplish that
The sheriff’s office says they’ll double up on patrol, they have two deputies on foot patrolling and they’re increasing their marked and unmarked cars.
They say at the core of this is community policing, which is something Sheriff Eugene Brantley says was a goal of his even before taking office.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
