The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce convened business and community leaders on Tuesday, August 19, for its 2025 State of the Community event, presented by AT&T, at Albany State University’s West Campus. The program featured Albany Police Chief Michael Persley and Dougherty County Sheriff Terron Hayes in a candid panel-style discussion on public safety, community partnerships, and the shared responsibility of building a stronger, safer Albany moderated by Albany Area Chamber interim CEO, Matt Reed.

The program began with a welcome from Dr. Robert Scott, president of Albany State University, who shared that ASU has welcomed more than 1,400 freshmen to its campus this year. He expressed his deep gratitude to the men and women of law enforcement—not only for what they do for the broader community, but also for their ongoing commitment to protecting Albany State University and its students.

The panel discussion emphasized the importance of working together as a community and focusing on the positive progress being made across Albany and Dougherty County. Both Persley and Hayes encouraged attendees to share good news, highlight success stories, and invest in the community’s future.

On community policing, the leaders highlighted the role of community safety officers, whose mission is to build relationships in neighborhoods, listen to concerns, and serve as a visible reminder that law enforcement is here to protect and serve. Persley reminded the audience that safety is not the responsibility of law enforcement alone, pointing to the roles of residents, faith-based groups, professional organizations, and schools in strengthening the community.

The conversation also centered on youth engagement. Both departments are working closely with the Dougherty County School System, local colleges, and universities to connect with students and provide education about the role of officers in the community. These partnerships, they noted, are about preventing crime before it starts by giving young people positive paths forward. They added that the broader community can help by talking about the good news and reinforcing hope.

Mental health was another key theme. Persley spoke about the REACH program, a partnership with Aspire Behavioral Health that provides crisis intervention and connects individuals with resources rather than funneling them into the criminal justice system. Hayes described significant changes at the Dougherty County Jail, where mental health care has expanded from four hours a week to eighteen, with services extending beyond incarceration to support individuals as they transition back into the community.

Recruitment and retention challenges, a national issue in law enforcement, were also addressed. Both leaders emphasized that improving perceptions of Albany, coupled with investments in training and officer support, are essential to attracting and keeping talent. They also touched on financial crimes, including bank fraud, which have become more prevalent and require continued vigilance and community awareness.

As the program concluded, Persley noted the need to pull together to create a community where young people and families can thrive, which in turn strengthens education, housing, employment, and safety. Hayes underscored the importance of looking for the good, embracing Albany’s potential, and living out the “Albany Strong” mindset by investing spiritually, mentally, financially, and psychologically in the community.

“This conversation is important not only for understanding the facts but for hearing directly from our law enforcement leaders about the partnerships and strategies that make our community safer,” said Smith Wilson, 2025 chair of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. “Public safety is a cornerstone of economic vitality and quality of life.”

The Albany Area Chamber extends its gratitude to The City of Albany, Dougherty County Commission, RedSpeed, Albany Area Primary Health Care, Molson Coors, Eagle Cleaners, SRJ Architects, Albany State University, Georgia CEO, Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, Gardner, Willis, Plaire & Wilson, LLP, Attorneys at Law, Dougherty County School System, and Choose Albany for making the 2025 State of the Community possible.