The Savannah Police Department (SPD) has made more than 1,000 felony arrests so far this year, according to data published last week by the department.

A crime report for the week ending July 27 shows SPD officers had made 1,007 felony arrests in just under seven months’ time. A recent “Total Focus Operation” conducted by SPD over the weekend of July 26-27 led to 26 arrests for the department. Six were felony arrests. Officers also seized 184.48 grams of illegal drugs, according to the department’s press release issued July 31.

“Total Focus is an initiative that focuses on data analysis, technology, and community and law enforcement partnerships to eliminate dangerous criminals from our communities,” said Lenny Gunther, Savannah Police Chief. “We do this by strategically allocating our resources in a well-organized and coordinated manner with the ultimate goal of keeping the community safe.”

SPD issued 87 traffic citations and made nine DUI arrests during the operation. During the week of July 21-27, SPD made 16 felony arrests in total. There were six drug-related arrests, according to the crime report. SPD has reported 20 homicides so far in 2024, up from nine at the same time in 2023.

The Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) last released a crime report on July 25, for the week ending July 23 (see above). Data from that report shows three homicides within county limits so far in 2024, but the department is looking into at least two different incidents involving three dead persons.
At around 2 p.m. on July 25, CCPD officers responded to Highway 204 near Gateway Blvd. after reports of a shooting. An adult male occupant of a vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds. He later died at the hospital. Detectives believe the victim was shot by the occupant of another vehicle and are analyzing forensic evidence and conducting interviews as they work to determine a motive and suspects. Investigators believe a number of people in traffic witnessed the shooting.

Earlier that day, CCPD officers were dispatched to a residence on Wilmington Island, at 10 Rigger Court around 10:30 a.m., for a welfare check. Once inside the home, officers found an adult male and adult female, both deceased, inside the residence. Both had suffered gunshot wounds, but preliminary investigative information did not indicate there was an intruder. Detectives are working to gather more information about both cases.

This article appears in Connect Savannah I July 2024.