SAVANNAH, Ga. — Chatham County Sheriff Richard Coleman announced on Thursday that investigators have identified 18 active gangs in the area and introduced a new unit intended to coordinate efforts against gang activity. The announcement prompted responses from Savannah elected officials and highlighted both law enforcement collaboration and community concerns about youth-focused alternatives.
Sheriff details mapped activity, city leaders react
Coleman listed streets and areas where the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) believes gangs are active. A comparison with the Savannah City Council map shows some of those locations fall within aldermanic districts 1, 2, 3 and 5. Coleman said the new CCSO unit will work with the Savannah Police Department’s existing gang unit.
"We have a gang problem in Chatham County," Coleman said during the announcement. "We need more people in this fight. And the Chatham County Sheriff's Office, we are simply joining the fight. So this is not about what Savannah's not doing. It's about us not sitting on the sidelines."
District 3 Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan, the only city council member present at the sheriff’s announcement, said the existence of gangs in Savannah can no longer be dismissed. "We're not going to keep saying that there are no gangs in Savannah because there are," she said, noting Coleman named "four gangs in the third district." District 2 Alderman Detric Leggett also acknowledged the problem and voiced support for the sheriff’s approach.
How city and county roles intersect
The Savannah Police Department already maintains its own gang unit. Coleman described the CCSO unit as complementary, emphasizing collaboration rather than criticizing city efforts. A city spokesperson said Mayor Van Johnson was unavailable for comment, and WJCL reported other council members in the affected districts had not yet responded.
- 18 — number of gangs identified by CCSO investigators
- Districts 1, 2, 3, 5 — council districts where some activity was reported
- CCSO new unit — will coordinate with Savannah Police Department
| Entity | Role |
|---|---|
| Chatham County Sheriff's Office | Announced new gang unit; identified 18 active gangs |
| Savannah Police Department | Maintains existing gang unit; expected to collaborate |
| City Council members | Acknowledged problem; some present for announcement |
Community implications and next steps
Officials said the sheriff's office is currently identifying local gang members as part of the new unit’s work. City leaders who responded publicly expressed support for added resources while also underscoring the need for broader community and youth-focused measures. Earlier coverage from local groups has emphasized education and intervention programs as part of preventing youth involvement in crime, though specific program responses to the CCSO announcement were not detailed in the sheriff's statement.
The announcement sets the stage for increased coordination between county and city law enforcement and raises questions for residents about public-safety strategies in neighborhoods cited by investigators. City officials have been asked for further comment, and the mayor’s office has not issued a response at this time.
Reporting on this developing issue will continue as officials release more details about the locations identified, the structure of the new CCSO unit and the planned collaboration with Savannah Police Department and community partners.
