Government Housing

The traditional concept of community policing is currently practiced in all government housing areas within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Gainesville. Mutual cooperation and networking between the Gainesville Police Department, Gainesville Housing Authority, and the residents result in safer communities for everyone. Police Officers are assigned to precincts inside the housing areas to provide role models for the children and become familiar with the residents thus creating a more approachable atmosphere.

Business Precinct
A non-traditional role of Community Policing has been implemented in the business community of the City of Gainesville. Officers are assigned to a precinct in the business community and work with business owners, managers, and employees to educate them in ways to reduce business and employee related crime. Officers also offer monthly seminars to educate citizens on various topics from personal safety to identity fraud. Crime patterns and locations are analyzed, evaluated, and responses formulated to address specific crime patterns in order to provide a safer environment for patrons of the business community of the City.

Park Ranger
The park ranger for the Gainesville Police Department has the responsibility of patrolling 3,500 acres of dedicated parkland in the jurisdictional boundaries of the City, which includes 18 parks and a wildlife management area. The park ranger checks for safety concerns and enforces federal and state fish and game laws and local ordinances. The park ranger patrols the parks and the hiking trails by patrol vehicle, all terrain vehicles, mountain bikes and foot patrols.

Bike Patrol
Sixteen officers staff the Gainesville Police Department bike patrol program. The main focus of the program is to remove the vehicle window placing the officer back in touch with the public, similar to the foot patrols of the 1950's and 1960's, but allows more mobility. Assignments include saturation of specific areas to address identified crime patterns developed through analysis, crime prevention details such as the gotcha-cards left with unsecured vehicles and all special details received by the Gainesville Police Department to include parades, fun runs, and events such as Mule Camp Market. The bike unit assists and instructs bicycle and helmet safety classes and is involved with the Gainesville Hall County Safe Kids Coalition, and has received the "2000 Helmet Safety Campaign" award from Safe Kids of Georgia. This program was recognized as the most outstanding in Georgia.