Chatham County Legislative Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission to Announce “912 Rescue Mission” Initiative

ATLANTA – The Chatham County Legislative Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission, chaired by State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Garden City), will hold a press conference to announce the “912 Rescue Mission” initiative on Monday, October 18, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. at the Savannah Youth Regional Detention Center (191 Carl Griffin Drive).

“Since House Bill 750 was signed into law this April, the Chatham County Legislative Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission has been working hard to come up with a masterplan to break the cycle of youth being involved in illegal activities in Savannah,” said Rep. Gilliard. “This initiative will act as a ‘street committee’ and will focus on showing teenagers and young adults that they have other options than getting involved in violent and illegal activities.”

The “912 Rescue Mission” initiative was developed by the commission’s subcommittee that focuses on intervention strategies and will feature quarterly events for residents to provide input and ideas for the commission. The commission will host community town hall events located in Savannah’s parks, beauty salons and barber shops. Local radio stations will also host “Town Hall Dialogues.” The initiative will launch on Nov. 6, 2021, and more information about its quarterly events will be forthcoming.

The commission seeks to spur collaborative efforts between educational institutions and community organizations in order to implement programs that are designed to prevent and intervene in youth gang participation in Chatham County. The commission will also provide information and guidance to local organizations that combat criminal gang participation. The commission will submit an annual report to the Chatham County Legislative Delegation ahead of the 2022 legislative session. During the 2021 legislative session, Rep. Gilliard sponsored House Bill 750 to create this commission.

For more information on House Bill 750, please click here.

Representative Carl Gilliard represents the citizens of District 162, which includes portions of Chatham County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development and the Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, State Properties, Creative Arts & Entertainment and Transportation committees.

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