New sheriff's office precinct opens in south Hall County

BRASELTON - A Hall County Sheriff's Office precinct is now open in the Braselton area.<br /> <br /> Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch said at an open house Friday afternoon the department needed a base of operation in the fast-growing south end of the county.<br /> <br /> "In Hall County, two-thirds of our population lives south of Oakwood," said Couch. "With all the studies that have been conducted, we're going to have an additional 100,000 people by 2030. I think we'll have more than that because Hall County has a lot to offer."<br /> <br /> He said having the office located on Cody Drive just off Spouts Springs Road gives the department easy access to the most populated areas.<br /> <br /> "We can go in any direction from here and hopefully improve our services in this area."<br /> <br /> Judging from the number of residents who attended the open house, the precinct is a welcome addition to the neighborhood.<br /> <br /> Wayne Wright, who lives in the Sterling on the Lake community, said he recently participated in the Hall County Sheriff's Office Citizens Academy, so he has a new appreciation for what law enforcement does.<br /> <br /> "This is really big and nice - looks like it's going to be very efficient," said Wright. "We have good police presence now because I see them patrolling our neighborhood now, and this may make it even better."<br /> <br /> The 10,000 square-foot building is not new - it's a former daycare center. Couch announced plans to purchase the building for $700,000 in January. The money for the purchase came from SPLOST VI funds. <i>(See article linked below.)</i><br /> <br /> Couch emphasized that no new equipment was purchased for the precinct, and he made no additions to his staff. <br /> <br />