GSP working with APD to assist in traffic crashes - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

GSP working with APD to assist in traffic crashes

Posted: Updated:
By Jim Wallace - bio | email

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Thursday, June 20 2013 12:09 AM EDT2013-06-20 04:09:02 GMT
    The Albany Water Gas and light commission is preparing customers for a change that starts soon for those who pay with debit or credit cards.   WG&L leaders say the utility is paying $20,000 dollars a month
    The Albany Water Gas and light commission is preparing customers for a change that starts soon for those who pay with debit or credit cards.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:41 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:41:18 GMT
    An Albany man who was born when Woodrow Wilson was president celebrated his birthday today. Century Pines Assisted Living Center threw a party for resident Charles Walker who turned 101 today. Walker was
    An Albany man who was born when Woodrow Wilson was president celebrated his birthday today.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:34 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:34:54 GMT
    For years, the area right across the street from the RiverQuarium has been rundown, but that's changing. A couple of businesses are thriving there. The new art park is open, and a sidewalk improvement
    For years, the area right across the street from the RiverQuarium has been rundown, but that's changing.
    •   
ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

The Georgia State Patrol is now working with Albany Police to handle some traffic crashes in the city.

The two law enforcement agencies say the partnership is freeing up more Albany cops to patrol the streets and fight crime more efficiently.

Georgia State Patrol Post 40 troopers handle traffic investigations and patrols in Dougherty, Lee, Baker, and Worth Counties but now will also back up Albany Police in the city limits, on their wreck calls, when needed.

Georgia State Patrol Trooper Alec Davis handles the investigation and clean up of this car crash on West Second Avenue near Madison Street.  The Albany Post Commander said she knows the busy city police could use a helping hand occasionally.

 "I was listening to their radio one day, and the calls they go to, emergency and non-emergency calls, are phenomenal," said Albany Georgia State Patrol Commander Sgt. Shawn Urquhart.

So since September Urquhart and her troopers are ready backups to APD traffic units, handing crashes that might have tied up other patrolling units.

"By doing so that frees up their beat units to investigate other crimes," said Urquhart.

Troopers say in September they assisted on 75 crashes in the Albany city limits, and this month have already handled that many. 

"We couldn't ask for a better relationship.  Not only have we worked with GSP with things of this nature, car wrecks, but we've also been community involved with GSP.  It just makes it a more formalized relationship," said Albany Police Media Manager, Phyllis Banks.

Albany GSP says it was a bit of a shock the number of traffic crashes they have been working in the Albany city limits, but they say it's good in increasing efficiency, and putting more cops on the streets.

"Instead of being separate law enforcement agencies we try to do things to better be proactive in the city, instead of just reactive," said Urquhart.

And those Troopers and Albany Police working together, will hopefully help fight crime and help crash victims. 

The Albany Georgia State Patrol Post currently has six troopers and three supervisors on staff, and are three troopers short now.  They say their plan is to keep one trooper in Dougherty County, while having other troopers patrol their other South Georgia counties.

No one was hurt in that crash Trooper Davis worked today.

Grace Jackson said she was distracted when her child tried to crawl out of her car seat.

She was cited for failure to maintain lane.

Copyright 2012 WALB.  All rights reserved.