Here are some commonly needed contact numbers for SPD:
SPD Police Headquarters: 912-651-6675
Office of Professional Standards: 912-691-6237
The mission of Savannah Police Behavioral Health Unit (SPDBHU) Partnership is to promote enhanced child safety, child permanency and child and family well-being through effective interventions with families having parental substance use/abuse disorders and involvement with the justice system and child protective services.
The goal of establishing the SPDBHU is to create an effective community intervention to reduce the use of jail for adults, young adults and juveniles who may need alternative services or may have behavioral health, substance abuse needs.
The overall objectives are to:
The SPDBHU will be comprised of three vital components to accomplish the mission.
Referral sources include, but are not limited to, the following:
BHRTs receive referrals through the E-MAIL managed by the BHU Commander. The BHU Commander will review referrals to ensure the person lives in or has had police contact with in the City of Savannah and Chatham County. The unit commander will make assignments based on BHU capacity and the following criteria (in order of priority):
The BHU is Commanded By Major Robert Gavin
Major Robert Gavin, Unit Commander
APO Julie Cavanaugh E-MAIL Cell Phone: 912.429.2407
APO Cavanaugh has been a member of the Savannah Police Department since 2016. She has a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is currently pursing a Master’s degree in human services. In addition to being ECIT certified, APO Cavanaugh is a member of SWAT and the Peer Support Team. Prior to her law enforcement career, she served eight years in the Army.
Cpl. Marcus Paige E-MAIL Cell Phone: 912.667.6603
Cpl. Paige has been a member of the Savannah Police Department since 2007. In addition to being CIT certified, Cpl. Paige is a member of the Hostage Negotiations Team and a Georgia POST Certified instructor. Prior to his law enforcement career, he served for in the U.S. Army for eight years as a military police officer.
Rebecca Hodge, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Ms. Hodge is a licensed profession counselor (LPC) with 7 years experience in mental health. She enjoy working with adolescents and adults to help people develop the skills and tools to manage hardships and stress that can be paralyzing at times. She works to identify strengths with an overall goal of empowering people to utilize their strengths and provide the tools for others to build themselves up.
A law enforcement chaplain is a member of the clergy with a passionate interest in, and the specialized training for pastoral care in the dangerous world of law enforcement. This pastoral care is offered to all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, creed, or religion. The services are offered without cost or proselytizing.
The law enforcement chaplain is led in his or her own faith to be available and ready to serve those in need. The chaplain’s ministry provides a source of strength to the law enforcement officers and their families, other department members, the community, and the incarcerated.
One of the duties of a SPD Chaplain is to provide counseling to officers, their families, and other law enforcement employees. The chaplain may do this simply by providing a sympathetic ear to an officer who has experienced a traumatic incident, such as a motor vehicle crash, a shooting, or even a non-police-related death in the family. Officers experiencing marital problems can also turn to their chaplain for guidance. Essentially, the chaplain is there to provide a friendly and easily accessible resource that can help officers and their families get past their personal or spiritual difficulties.
SPD Chaplains may be called upon to provided mediation in a crisis situation. A barricaded person, a potential suicide or a hostage taker may not wish to speak to police officers but may be willing to speak to a chaplain from their particular religion. In a situation like this, a chaplain would be called in to communicate with the individual directly to try to defuse the situation in a safe manner.
An officer’s life can be incredibly stressful. It becomes much more stressful when the officer or a family member is ill or seriously injured. A chaplain also provides a measure of support by visiting sick or injured officers or by an officer’s sick family member.
SPD officers are often called upon to notify families of death due to suicide, fatal crashes, or criminal acts. When possible, a SPD Chaplain will accompany the officers and make the actual notification. In the case of a death, the chaplain offers assistance where needed to coordinate activities between families, the Coroner’s Office, local pastors, and funeral homes.
The SPD Chaplains coordinate activities between the department, local agencies and religious groups. Community meetings may be organized as needed to address potential and current issues involving the community and the police.
The SPD Chaplains coordinate department-wide activities for the officers and their family members. In the case of a departmental personnel sickness or death, they would assist in coordinating SPD activities, including visitations and funeral services as needed, and assist the families in times of hardship.
Savannah Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy is a six-week program designed to allow residents to informally interact with the members of the police department and the local criminal justice system. Participants meet officers from each unit of SPD who will explain the how and why of what they do and feature speakers from various agencies with whom they interact.
Participants will meet officers from each unit of the department who will explain their unique roles. Speakers also will be present various areas of the department.
The academy allows citizens to tour the 911 Center and all of the SPD precincts. Participants in the course will also learn about defensive tactics and have a day focused on traffic stops and vehicle pullover simulation.
The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the SPD Professional Development Center, 3401 Edwin St. There is no registration fee for the six-week course. The next class begins on Sept. 26. Applications are being accepted until Friday, Sept. 20.
Applications can be found here. Applications must be signed and notarized. They can be turned in at any precinct or the Police Barracks at Habersham and Oglethorpe Streets.
Graduates will receive a certificate of completion from Savannah Police Department and will be eligible to apply to the Volunteers in Policing Program if they want to support SPD through volunteering efforts.
The SPD encourages everyone who lives, works and plays in Savannah and Chatham County to sign up to receive emergency and community notifications on their cells phones.
SwiftReach allows us to send emergency and community notifications to alert the public to missing persons, severe weather, evacuation orders, and other urgent public safety scenarios.
Subscribers can also sign-up to receive notifications in other areas: where they work, where their children attend school, etc. And they can sign up for non-emergency notifications, such as road closures, neighborhood watch meetings, and more.
Registration is free and all alerts will be clearly identified as originating from SPD, City of Savannah, Chatham County or Chatham Emergency Management Agency officials. The system is designed to make phone calls to specific people or areas in the event of an emergency or for sharing important information.
All listed landline phone numbers have already been programmed into the system, but since many people no longer have a home phone or primarily use their mobile devices, the SPD encourages citizens to register their cell phones with SwiftReach.
SwiftReach will make up to two attempts to reach each number in the system and will leave a message if the call is routed to voicemail. Addtional subscribers can sign-up to receive text messages and/or e-mails.
The system can make thousands of calls in a minute to convey vital information.
All calls you receive will have the caller ID of “SPD-Emergency.”
Savannah Police remind you that you can help prevent crime. By taking some basic steps to “target harden” your home, your car, your belongings and your family, you can help police make our community safe and secure.
SPD Offers Free Business / Home Inspections!
The Crime Prevention Officers of each precinct are available on an appointment basis to come to your home or business, inspect it for security and give you advice on how to better protect you, your family and your belongings. The officers will show you how to properly mark your larger valuables for identification and how to make an inventory list. The service is free of charge! If you are interested in having this free service performed, simply contact your local precinct at the following numbers to arrange for an appointment.
Officer Josh Flynn E-Mail Officer Flynn (912) 651-6990
Officer Rebekah Helmick E-mail Officer Helmick (912) 525-3114
Officer Eric Rimes E-mail Officer Rimes
Officer Wanya Hendrix E-mail Wanya Hendrix (912) 525-3100 ext: 3008
When Property Crimes occur, the stolen items often end up at pawn shops. With the SPD Pawn Unit teaming up with local pawn shops and Leads Online, a new database that compares what is bought at local pawn shops to an inventory of reported stolen items, SPD can more easily recover stolen property. Leads Online also offers the citizens of the City of Savannah and Chatham County the ability to create a personal inventory of their belongings. This inventory can contain pictures, serial numbers, descriptions and scan of purchase reciepts to a secure, password protected database. This inventory is then added to the data that is scanned by Leads Online to check for pawned stolen property. In the end, this results in higher recovery rates of stolen property and prosecution of the criminal who are pawning it for quick money.
To start your own inventory or to learn more about Report It from Leads Online click the image above.
Identity Theft occurs when someone steals your personal information, your social security number, or your checking or credit card numbers and then poses as you. The thief then has complete access to your money, and they can and will spend it as they wish.
It can take months and even years to undo the mess created by a thief in just days or even minutes; however, you can make it tougher for thieves to access your information. Below are some simple reminders of how to best protect yourself, your money, and your good name:
If you have been a victim of identity theft, take these steps immediately:
If you are a victim of fraud or identity theft, contact each of the three national consumer reporting agencies. Ask each agency to place a fraud alert on your credit report and send you a copy of your credit file. This is free if you are a victim of identity theft, if you have been denied credit, if you receive welfare benefits or if you are unemployed. The three agencies are:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also has an identity theft affidavit to help you report information to companies using one standard form.
If you are unable to write checks because of bad checks written in your name, the merchant will direct you to one of the check verification services below. If you are unable to open a checking account because of the activities of an impostor, contact Chexsystems or one of the resources listed below:
Stolen cars, vans, trucks and motorcycles cause economic hardship for victims, increase everyone’s insurance premiums, and may be used to commit violent crimes. Every day cars and trucks are stolen from malls, streets, driveways, parking lots and garages, and car dealerships. Vehicle theft can happen any place and at any time.
A few common sense steps can help you avoid being a victim of the nations fastest growing property crime:
Here are just a few safety tips for parking your car in a public or private parking lot:
So you’re going on vacation and want your house and contents to be safe and secure while you’re gone? Well here are some tips that will reduce your odds of becoming a victim:
Then fill out a vacant home notice form and send via fax, email or mail it to the crime prevention officer in your precinct to let us know you’ll be away.
The following information is provided for informational services only. It is in no way intended to be an endorsement for any type of alarm, alarm system or alarm company.
If you will be away for a few days:
Install a Home Security Device
Let us show you what to do!
Let us show you what to do!
CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for new information that solves a crime! Police solve many crimes in our area but they can’t solve them without your help. Local citizens created the program to help solve crime through the combined efforts of private citizens, the police, and the media.
There are many reasons why some callers do not call police: fear of the criminal, mistrust of police, or a disgruntled former crime victim. Other callers don’t know who to call. Some fear police will not believe them, and other unique situations make the caller feel they have no where else to turn for help. Many callers take great risks to help us.
24-hours a day, seven days a week interviewers ask callers for the facts on WHO did the crime WHERE did the crime take place, WHEN did the crime occur and WHAT does the caller know that can help us solve the crime. If the caller does not wish to work directly with police, the caller is given a code number. No arrest is ever made just on a tip. Interviewers send your information to the investigator who must find proof.
Although most callers are motivated by civic duty rather than cash, callers may get a reward if the tip is new information that leads to the arrest of the person(s) who committed the crime. Most callers refuse a reward to help crime victims and police. Once a month, volunteers approve rewards. Callers must call back with a code number. The caller is then told where to pick up the reward. The caller never has to give his name.
YES! Since 1983, your tips helped the CrimeStoppers program (formerly Silent Witness) solve many crimes: murders, assaults, robberies, drug deals and others. Tips have even prevented crimes. Leave a Tip Now.
Rewards are paid from donations. ALL donations and volunteers are appreciated! Invite us to be a speaker at your next meeting.
Local media donate more than a million dollars a year in advertising to help solve crime. Unsolved crimes are listed in the Savannah Morning News and other papers, area TV and radio news.
Our mission: To maintain CrimeStoppers as an effective crime-solving organization in Savannah-Chatham County with the primary objective being, Community, Media and Law Enforcement.
“CrimeStoppers Working Together to Solve Crime.”
Domestic violence occurs in all walks of life: rich, poor, black, white, same-sex relationships, etc. In years past, poor excuses were made for incidents of abuse, and they were kept secret within the home. Today, there is a still a great deal that goes unreported, but an effort is being made to acknowledge that family violence is a problem that must be stopped.
Most people, however, are unclear of what domestic violence is, or how to recognize it’s danger signs. Definitions can vary from state to state; as well as the authority of law enforcement in their response. The Savannah Police Department has provided this page so that you may have a clear understanding of domestic violence in Georgia.
The State of Georgia defines Family Violence as (§OCGA 19-13-1):
“… the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between past or present spouses, persons who are parents of the same child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster parents and foster children, or other persons living or formerly living in the same household:
This law does not preclude you from defending yourself in an attack. It is meant to give law enforcement the authority to arrest and prosecute the primary aggressor.
The law continues to say:
“The term ‘family violence’ shall not be deemed to include reasonable discipline administered by a parent to a child in the form of corporal punishment, restraint, or detention.”
Although children may be punished with corporal punishment, they can be victims of domestic violence if such corporal punishment is not “reasonable discipline.” Children who witness their parents engaged in a domestic dispute may also be considered victims of family violence and cruelty to children.
The State of Georgia authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest (without a warrant) the primary aggressor at the scene of a family violence dispute. Such arrest, and prosecution, may be made without the consent of the victim. This authority was granted because many victims are reluctant to follow through with legal action against their abusers. The cycle of violence then continues.
The Savannah Police Department takes an affirmative stance against family violence in all forms. Should a primary aggressor be identified, an arrest will most likely be made.
There are many remedies available to the victims of domestic violence. Many shelters have been created, support groups established, counseling services made available, and tough legislation enacted.
The first step, as the victim of a batterer, is to remove yourself (and your children) from the abusive relationship. If you have a nearby friend or relative you may be able to go there, but more appropriate would be your local shelter. Once you are safe, you can take some time to step back and formulate your plan.
Next, it would be advisable to contact a domestic violence organization for assistance through this tough time. You can not do this alone; you will need the guidance and support of experienced professionals. Many advocates are available to help you, and they can be located by using any internet search engine.
Whether or not you decide to stay in the relationship is entirely up to you, but here are some things to consider:
Resources: SAFE Shelter- Provides emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and a 24 hour crisis line. Offers individual counseling, support groups, referral services, legal advocacy, and preventative education.
3025 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: (912-651-0004 24- Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: (912)629-8888 Web: http://www.safeshelter.org/
National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800)799-7233 (SAFE) Web: http://thehotline.org/
Quite often in an abusive relationship there will be warning signs. An abuser can exhibit any one, or more, of these signs. One thing that will be consistent, however, will be the fact that he uses fear and intimidation to control his victim.
This following list identifies certain behaviors which could indicate the presence of a volatile relationship. Keep in mind that these are warning signs only, and not always indicative that abuse is taking place. You should use judgment before accusing others.
Anyone can find themselves in an abusive relationship. If your partner displays one or more of the following, you may be the victim of abuse (the word “he” is used throughout this page for ease of reading only):
The Cycle of Violence is a series of events that happens in a violent relationship. It starts with an abusive incident, moves its way through the cycle, and then returns to another abusive incident, usually worse then the last one. This cycle can repeat itself hundreds of times in such relationships and each stage can last a different amount of time. The total cycle can take anywhere from a few hours to a year or more to complete.
The Savannah Police Department offers the police exploring program for our community’s youth. The objective of the program is to offer teenagers and young adults (ages 14-20) an opportunity to experience hands-on engagement and learning experiences with law enforcement professionals. Some of the requirements to become a Law Enforcement Explorer are:
The Savannah Police Department is committed to the development of youth programs designed to build virtuous character, promote good citizenship, develop physical and mental fitness, educate and engage youths in understanding police operations, interest them in potential law enforcement careers, and build mutual trust and respect.
Law Enforcement Explorers, through training and completion of Law Enforcement Explorer classes, can be involved in performing a multitude of law enforcement tasks. The Explorer is a civilian volunteer involved with SPD on a part-time basis. Law Enforcement Explorers may be engaged in the following types of activities to assist a sworn police officer:
Law Enforcement Explorers also attend one meeting a month, where they participate in hands-on training and other fun learning activities.
Why Join The Explorer Post Program?
The Savannah-Chatham initiative to End Gun Violence: Step Forward is an approach that will target the most violent groups and gangs members who are responsible for a majority of the shootings and homicides in our community.
This approach tells gang and group members to lay down their weapons. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office have pledged their support to prosecute group and gang members tied to gun violence to the fullest extent of the law.
Social services are being offered to anyone who wants to get out of the cycle of violence. Build-a-Bridge is a non-profit organization that will help individuals get the counseling, job training, and other services they need to help turn their lives around.
This approach was created by the National Network for Safe Communities under the direction of Dr. David M. Kennedy and John Jay College President Jeremy Travis in 2009
More than 60 other cities across the United States have successfully implemented this sort of group violence reduction initiative.
The National Network focuses on supporting cities implementing proven strategic interventions to reduce violence and improve public safety, minimize arrest and incarceration, strengthen communities, and improve relationships between law enforcement and the communities it serves. For more about The National Network, click here (http://nnscommunities.org/)
The Collaborative works to create a greater understanding between SPD and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community through open and safe communication, education, and outreach. It consists of an SPD officer and a board of community members.
The Collaborative brings awareness to issues, concerns, complaints, and compliments to law enforcement with timely and non-bias resolutions. Any members of the community who believes they are being treated differently or experienced discrimination by an officer can access services via the SPD LGBTQ Liaison. Investigations and responses for all reports will be prompt. All information is confidential.
NOTE: Services are provided only for non-emergency, pre-reported concerns. This does not displace law enforcement procedure.
In case of an emergency, dial 911.
The collaborative provides no legal advice or legal services.
The LGBTQ Liaison is: SCpl Tracy Walden Phone: (912) 651-6653 Send SCpl Walden an E-mail
National Night Out involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials.
The purpose of National Night Out is to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and to generate support for or participation in local anti-crime programs. This annual event strengthens neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and sends a message to criminalsthat neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Along with the traditional display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, cities and neighborhoods “celebrate” NNO with a variety of events and activities, such as block parties, cookouts, visits from local law enforcement and community leaders, parades, exhibits, flashlight walks, contests, and youth programs.
NNO has proven to be an effective and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our fight for a safer community.
(All events are Tuesday, Aug. 3 unless otherwise noted.)
Coffee Bluff/Rose Dhu: Coffee Bluff Marina, 14915 Coffee Bluff Road, 6-8:30 p.m.
Crawford Square: Crawford Square, East Perry St. at Houston St., 6-8 p.m.
Downtown Neighborhood Association: Calhoun Square, 164 E. Gordon St., 5-7 p.m.
CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER – Edgemere/Sackville: Edgemere/Sackville Neighborhood Park, Cedar at Delesseps streets, 6-8 p.m.
Leeds Gate: Leeds Gate at Egmont roads, 6-8:30 p.m.
Stillwell: 5100 Waters Ave, 5-7 p.m.
Troup Square: Troup Square, Habersham St. at E. Charlton St., 5-7 p.m.
Victory Heights: Victory Heights Park, E. 42nd St. between Raskin and Herbed, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring a food item to share and bring a towel or chair. The spray pool will be on.
West Savannah: Sustainable Fellwood, 1325 Exley St., 5 p.m.
Yamacraw Village: Curtis V. Cooper, 349 W. Bryan St.. 5-7 p.m.
Launched nationally in 1972, Neighborhood Watch counts on citizens partnering with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities, while demonstrating their presence at all times of day and night. (The program took off quickly. In just ten years, data showed that 12 percent of the population was involved in a Neighborhood Watch.) Neighborhood Watch works because it reduces opportunities for crime to occur; it doesn’t rely on altering or changing the criminal’s behavior or motivation.
If you are interested in participating in or starting a neighborhood watch in your community please contact your precinct and speak with the Crime Prevention Officer.
Four five-day camps will take place at Savannah State University and will teach skills in character building, goal setting, decision making, crime reporting, stranger danger and much more. SPD’s Juvenile Officers launched the camp in 2013 under the direction of Retired Maj. Richard Zapal to develop rapport between youth and law enforcement officers early in life. Learning strategies will include guest speakers, field trips and hand-on activities. Youth will also be exposed to many aspects of college life with support from SSU.
The free camp targets children ages 8-14 of all socioeconomic backgrounds. The initiative is designed to provide youth with alternatives to risky or criminal behavior during the summer. All Chatham County children meeting the age requirement are invited to attend.
The mission of the SPD Youth Summer Camp is to establish trust and rapport between Savannah’s youth and its law enforcement community by teaching skills in goal setting, decision making and good citizenship, along with the inner workings of policing under the mentorship of SPD staff.
Click here to download the application
July 6-10 BoysSPD Youth Camp 2020 App
The application deadline is May 1.
POLICE ATHLETIC/ ACTIVITIES LEAGUE (PAL)
The SPD Police Athletics/Activities league is a community-centered youth organization. The mission of PAL is to offer opportunities for police, community leaders, and volunteers to collaborate on ways to positively impact the youth by way of enrichment programs and sports teams.
The Police Athletic/Activities League is a nationally recognized program utilized by many American police departments in which members of the police force coach young people, both boys and girls, in sports, help with homework and provide mentoring services. The purpose is to build character, help strengthen police-community relations, and keep children safe.
Savannah Police is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for participation in the Spring 2022 Baseball season as well as volunteer applications. Those applications can be found on this page.
Guardians will receive further details in the coming weeks.