Page 43 - Marshal Annual Report

C.A.V.E. T A SK FORCE

The C.A.V.E. taskforce undertakes investigations that involve any type of abuse that victimizes the elderly, or vulnerable adults of any age in Richmond,
Burke and Columbia Counties. This is done in cooperation with the local Sheriff’s Offices. Some investigations will be led by the team itself, and
sometimes the team’s resources will be used to support a particular agency in their own investigations.
We greatly value the relationships we have with our governmental and community partners. Through
collaborating, working together and sharing resources, we have become more effective in tackling the various
THE PURSUIT issues that greatly impact the health, safety and quality of life of our citizens. We are proud of the great things
our partners do to make our city great, and we want to take this opportunity to thank our partners for their
Investigating and closing unlicensed personal care homes commitment to a better Augusta.
Financial exploitation
Physical abuse investigations
Investigating the trafficking of disabled adults
Investigating neglect of elder or disabled adults INTERGOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Augusta Engineering Department AARP of Augusta, GA
Augusta Fire Department Area Agency on Aging
Additionally, the C.A.V.E. task force arranges for state resources and Augusta Mayor’s Office Augusta Chapter of Jack & Jill
instructors (for example: the Forensic Special Initiatives Unit, FSIU) to THE ACHIEVEMENTS
come to the Augusta Circuit to deliver training and awareness to officers Augusta Parks & Recreation Augusta Partnership for Children
and people that may come into contact with at risk adults. Our members CASES REFERRED TO C.A.V.E. 349 Augusta Regional Airport Fire Department Augusta-Richmond County Continuum of Care
assisted in the efforts to have sweeping reform to Georgia’s elder abuse CASES INVESTIGATED BY C.A.V.E. 336 Augusta Regional Airport Aviation Board Doctor’s Hospital
laws via HB987, which signed into law by the Governor in June 2020. ARRESTS BY C.A.V.E. 67
C.A.V.E. members provide additional training through Georgia Association Augusta-Richmond County Board of Commissioners Georgia Legal Services Program
of Code Enforcement, to include a class on spotting abuse, neglect ELDER/DISABLED VICTIMS RELOCATED 159 Augusta Utilities O’Neal Foundation
and exploitation as it relates to code enforcement inspections and/or LICENSED PERSONAL CARE HOMES CLOSED 10 Augusta 9-1-1 Psi Omega Chapter
investigations. Augusta University’s paramedic class instructed 26 EMTs UNLICENSED PERSONAL CARE HOMES CLOSED 21 Savannah River Keeper
on what to look for when responding to a call, to including exploitation. C.A.V.E. Task Force Members
AFTER HOURS CHECKS COMPLETED 100+ Clerk of Courts for Civil and Magistrate, Superior Court and State Court
All deaths in licensed personal care homes are investigated by the District SWORN OFFICERS ON THE TASK FORCE 21 District Attorney’s Office
Attorney, The Coroner and Richmond County Fire Chief. Environmental Services

Each member of the taskforce is a volunteer from their respective agency. ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS Housing and Community Development
The members participate in C.A.V.E. investigations in addition to their OPERATION LOVE was responsible for shutting down 2 Information Technology Department
regular duties. There is no outside funding currently for C.A.V.E Personal Care Homes and arrested owners for 2 counts murder Keep Augusta Beautiful
During COVID-19 shutdowns, C.A.V.E. served as a liaison between nursing Land Bank Authority
homes, patients, families, and the Georgia Department of Public Health AUGUSTA FIRE DEPARTMENT Richmond County Board of Education
while nursing homes were dealing with massive outbreaks. We assisted AUGUSTA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT Richmond County Code Enforcement
local facilities with establishing appropriate protocols in dealing with THE AGENCIES DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
infected vs. non-infected patients. When the staff at these facilities could The taskforce consists of BURKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office
not handle the impact of the massive COVID-19 outbreak within nursing officers and members from The Richmond County Tax Commissioner’s Office
home facilities, we requested and received immediate assistance from different agencies across the HEPHZIBAH POLICE DEPARTMENT
the National Guard in staffing those facilities that were understaffed. circuit. The types of officers GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Additionally, we were able to immediately dispatch PPE to those facilities range from DA investigators,
that needed it. C.A.V.E. spearheaded the efforts to go into facilities with the deputies, and serving GROVETOWN DEPARTMENT
Richmond County EMA to make sure nursing homes were appropriately lieutenants. OF PUBLIC SAFETY
staffed and handling patients appropriately while offering assistance and RICHMOND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
providing PPE. RICHMOND COUNTY MARSHAL’S OFFICE
40 RICHMOND COUNTY CORONER RICHMOND COUNTY MARSHAL’S OFFICE // (706) 821-2368 41