During a recent county commissioner’s meeting, Sheriff Jeff Hobby addressed his concerns with the board regarding unauthorized individuals entering the Worth County E911 Center without meeting the state requirements to do so. Apparently, while the center’s director Kannetha Clem was away for training, Chairman Mike Cosby and District 4 Commissioner Billy McDonald entered the restricted area without following protocol.
Sherry Lang, Director of Public Affairs for the GBI’s Georgia Crime Information Center confirmed Chairman Cosby contacted their office regarding “concerns” he had with being denied access to the center. On Monday, May 6th, Deputy Director Terry Gibbons and Asst. Deputy Director Christina Watts met with Cosby, McDonald, Clem, and Hobby and reinforced the information both Director Clem and Sheriff Hobby had previously provided the board. Lang stated, “They were told they cannot go in that area of the building… they have to be escorted… there are certain things they have to do.”
According to Lang and the Criminal Justice Information Services Security Policy, “Improper access, use or dissemination is serious and may result in administrative sanctions including, but not limited to, termination of services and state and federal criminal penalties.”
Failure to comply could ultimately result in a $50,000 fine or 15 years in prison, as provided for in the mandatory Security and Integrity Training they must receive as part of the state’s requirements.
