Macon’s growth brings public safety need, leaders say. They hope ATVs can help officers

On Thursday, Macon-Bibb County announced it had given six new Polaris Ranger all-terrain vehicles to law enforcement agencies in an effort to improve public safety.

The new Rangers will help code enforcement officers to assist Bibb County deputies while they are patrolling downtown, the River Walk and Carolyn Crayton Park, and will add to the visibility of the public safety officers, according to J.T. Ricketson, director of Macon-Bibb County Code Enforcement

“These Rangers help code enforcement officers to be able to access most any area downtown. They can operate in one-wheel drive, two-wheel drive and also four-wheel drive modes,” he said. “The Rangers will be able to access many places that a standard patrol vehicle just cannot.”

“Macon has so many events, just like the Cherry Blossom Festival going on now, and we have a lot of other events that happen downtown,” Ricketson said. “These code officers will now be able to use these Polaris Rangers to do patrol during these events and also provide backup and support to our Bibb County deputies.”

Ricketson emphasized the importance of these types of vehicles in cases where a medical emergency is happening in a large crowd and the victim is difficult to get to.

“We can use these vehicles to go into large crowds if a medical emergency is happening and literally put the person in the ATV and take them to a location where EMS and medical emergency personnel can easily reach them and respond,” he said.

Erin Keller, chief of staff and vice president of development with NewTown Macon, said growth in downtown Macon brings the need for added security.

“Over the last decade there is no doubt that downtown has returned as the regional epicenter for arts, culture, entertainment and local dining. In fact, recently we were recognized as one of eight best hometowns in the nation by Main Street America,” she said. “There used to be a time in the not too distant past where we could anticipate a spike in individuals patronizing downtown businesses on any given night of a large event or festivals such as Cherry Blossom - but now those occasional spikes are our new normal.

“And, as exciting as this rapid, accelerated growth has been, it has also presented some pain points that have provided us opportunities, such as today, to solve present day issues of downtown.”

Keller said with over 50 restaurants, 36 bars and entertainment venues, eight art galleries, and over 1,000 loft residents and 700 lofts, Macon has a need for consistent visibility from public safety officers.

Keller said at least 7,000 people are downtown on nights when venues, restaurants and art galleries are at capacity, according to a study commissioned by the Downtown Business Improvement District.

“Downtown is the most densely populated district in the Middle Georgia region and our visitor experience is unparalleled,” she said. “These ATVs will aid in the assurance of creating the best possible experience for residents and visitors who frequent downtown.”

“This announcement is yet another great example of one of Macon’s superpowers - collaboration,” Keller said. “Going forward our success will continue to require these types of creative solutions and strategic partnerships that address downtown’s rapid growth.”

Mayor Lester Miller said the Rangers will help residents and visitors alike have a safe and enjoyable time while taking in all Macon has to offer.

“Not only do we represent about 160,000 people in Macon, throughout the days and nights we have over 200,000 to 300,000 people that come to Macon-Bibb County and we want to make sure that everyone has a great, safe place to come and enjoy - and especially downtown and all the other areas we have here,” he said. “Public safety is more than just doing the things we’ve done so far, it’s about having a police presence and I’m glad that our code enforcement officers and our sheriff are working together to make sure we are working as a unit to provide safety.”

Miller said improving public safety is the top priority for the community.

“That’s why we have tried to address it from multiple angles, whether that’s removing blight, providing new technology and equipment for law enforcement, finding neighborhood organizations to work with families, increasing public safety pay, or providing free mental health support services,” he said.

“This new effort reflects that we are more and more becoming a tourism destination and a hub of popular festivals, all connected by a well-used trail network,” Miller said. “It is up to us to make sure that when people gather with friends and family for fun, that we have the support in place to keep them safe.”

The new vehicles were funded by a $200,000 grant from the Peyton Anderson Foundation.

The Peyton Anderson Foundation was formed to distribute funds from the estate of Peyton T. Anderson, Jr., based on his desire to improve and impact the communities of his hometown region of Central Georgia.