Augusta Adds Patrols and Helicopter Support for New Year’s Eve

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office will deploy four special safety measures for New Year's Eve celebrations in downtown Augusta as residents prepare to ring in 2026. The department announced these plans on December 29.

Officials will use downtown proactive patrol and the undercover burglary task force for the festivities. Staff will be added to the jail. The Georgia State Patrol will help with road checks and aviation support, including a helicopter.

These measures come on top of the typical security protocols. Residents can expect to see more patrol units when heading out for celebrations.

"We're always going to be proactive. We're always going to have our units in place, especially if we're having issues throughout the county," said Colonel Bo Johnson of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, according to WRDW. "If we've got something that's a problem, we're going to address it. And we'll do that as long as it takes to get it under control."

The law enforcement agency plans to put similar safety measures in place throughout the new year. Officials hope to continue lowering the crime rate with these tactics.

This collaboration between local and state law enforcement marks a focused effort to keep residents safe. This multi-layered approach will help to address any issues that come up during the celebrations.