MACON, Ga. – The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office had a standout showing at the 26th-annual Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s Governor’s Challenge Awards last week in Macon. The department’s Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) Unit was recognized as the premier enforcement team, taking home the coveted HEAT Team of the Year award.
Beyond the specialized unit’s success, the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office also secured a commendable third place overall in the Governor’s Challenge Category 4, which includes agencies with 46 to 75 officers.
Sheriff Robin Krockum emphasized the importance of the department’s focus on highway safety in a public statement. “Traffic safety is very important to me personally and professionally,” said Sheriff Krockum. “As traffic continues to increase on roads that were not designed for the current volume, it is even more important for us to discourage behaviors that are aggressive or unsafe in order to make travel safer for all those who live in, work in, and visit Habersham County.”
Neighboring agencies also tecognized
The ceremony also celebrated the efforts of several of Habersham County’s neighboring agencies, highlighting a regional commitment to safer roadways. Accolades received by nearby departments included:
- Alto Police Department: First place, Category 1 (1-10 officers)
- Demorest Police Department: Third place, Category 1 (1-10 officers)
- Cleveland Police Department: Third place, Category 2 (11-25 officers)
- Gainesville Police Department: First place, Category 6 (101-200 officers)
- Hall County Sheriff’s Office: Second place, Category 7 (201-500 officers)
- University of North Georgia Police Department: Third place, Category 9 (Colleges & Universities)
- The Hall County Sheriff’s Office also received a second-place finish in the HEAT Team of the Year category, as well as a special award for motorcycle safety.
- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Region 2 Gainesville earned a special award for impaired boating prevention.
“Traffic safety is not proprietary,” Sheriff Krockum added, stressing the need for broad collaboration. “We want as many partners across our county, region, and state as possible who work to keep motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists safe.”
There are currently 32 grant-funded HEAT teams operating across the state, underscoring the vital role these specialized units play in state-wide traffic enforcement initiatives.
