Operation Save Our Seniors (S.O.S.) is an ongoing community impact plan that has the well-being of our senior community at its heart. The steep rise in gun crime and theft of guns from unlocked vehicles has spurred our police departments to think differently about how we
investigate and deal with crime.


The comprehensive plan has been in action for several weeks, and included meetings with community leaders of South Rome, residents and police to ensure open dialogue and meaningful goals. Operation S.O.S. is a response to the distress call from the senior community of South
Rome who were pinned down by drug activity and violent crime.


Stories of an open-air drug market were not exaggerated. Police intelligence found the streets jammed with people on weekends and afternoons who were using drugs and soliciting illicit activity. A closer examination of the community uncovered homes peppered with bullet holes, windows boarded up and drug operations that had taken over abandoned homes and vehicles.


The volume of stolen guns found in South Rome, and the weight of drugs found during traffic stops by police warranted action by the unique task force. Proactive police work in the days leading up to the operation Friday found that much of the problem was from people coming in from outside South Rome to patronize drug dealers and engage in violent crime.


The vibe from the open-air drug market was unfazed by police presence. On numerous occasions, the activity would briefly stop until patrols passed by, but then return to normal after police turned the corner.


Drug dealers brazenly walked the street and pointed guns at residents. The senior community of South Rome was held hostage in their homes for fear of being assaulted or killed by stray gunplay.


The investigation revealed drive through drug sales in some locations, with dealers working from parked cars, or patrons looking for drugs at locations better known as “Pop’s House” and “The Green House.”

The formula for the plan being used by the multi-jurisdiction task force is modeled after one used in a Miami community known as Liberty City. The former chief of police there, Dan Flynn, is an advisor for the Northwest Georgia Elder Abuse Taskforce and he has spoken often with
police and community leaders about Operation S.O.S. The goal of the operation Friday is to pull the criminal thorn from South Rome so the senior community can feel safe going outside to check their mail, water their flowers or walk to church.


The next phase will rely on community leaders to take the helm and steer the restoration of South Rome.

The culmination of police activity since January for Operation Save Our Seniors (S.O.S.)
includes:
 Seven search warrants (five houses and two cars) on Friday
 39 total arrests, with 18 on Friday
 40 guns, with 18 guns recovered on Friday

The operation Friday was a team effort by Floyd County and Rome Police, the local team from the Drug Enforcement Administration office for High Intensity Drug Area and Rome-Floyd Metro Task Force.


The following agencies also played an integral role in the success of this operation:
 Northwest Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force
 Floyd 911
 Rome-Floyd SWAT
 Floyd County Sheriff’s Office
 G.I.S.A.C. (Georgia Information Sharing Analysis Center)
 U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
 Bartow County SWAT
 Cartersville Police SWAT
 Georgia State Patrol SWAT, Aviation and Patrol

Check back later as detailed arrest become available.

Arrested at 509 Hardy Avenue were:

Jimmie Ladell McCowan, 53 of Rome, and was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of drug related objects, possession of marijuana, distribution of marijuana, giving false information to police and probation violation.

Frederick Brown, 58 of Warner Robbins, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance.

Isaiah Alphonzo Driver, 56 of Rome, was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, sale of cocaine, possession of marijuana, distribution of marijuana and probation violation.

Tyrone Blackburn, 49 of Rome, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance and probation violation.

Sheridan Jerome Griffin, 52 of Rome, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, distribution of marijuana and probation violation.

Arrested at 513 Hardy Avenue were:

Antonio Marquis Griffin, 34 of Rome, was charged with conspiracy to violate controlled substance act, two counts unlawful possession of controlled substance, distribution of controlled substances, possession of drug related objects, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Adrian Martell Griffin, 32 of Rome, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of marijuana.

Arrested at 518 Hardy Avenue was:

Marvin Ladell Blackburn Jr, 25 of Rome, was charged with possession of a schedule IV controlled substance, possession of drug related objects, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, drug trafficking, obstruction of police, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, attempting to elude police, conspiracy to violate controlled substance act, improper lane change, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, failure to obey traffic control devices, stop sign violation, failure to maintain lane, speeding, driving without license, reckless driving, driving without license and probation violation.

Arrested at 418 Wilson Avenue was:

Demarco Anthony  Farmer, 24 of Rome, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, drug trafficking and possession of drug related objects.

Arrested at 419  Wilson Avenue were:

Michael Tyrone Fields, 55 of Rome, was charged with two counts sale, distribution and possession of dangerous drugs and abandonment of dangerous drugs.

Marlon Keith Griffin Jr, 26 of Rome,

Griffin Jr is charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance, obstruction, attempting to elude police, obstruction, driving without a license, reckless driving, improper turn, failure to obey traffic control devices and probation violation.

Travis Devon Carter Sr, 53 of Rome, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, and possession/sale and distribution of dangerous drugs.

Travis Devon Carer Jr, 34 of Rome, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule II controlled substance and possession/sale and distribution of dangerous drugs.

Colvin Eugene Gillam, 21 of San Francisco, was charged with two counts possession/sale and distribution of dangerous drugs, abandonment of dangerous drugs and fugitive from justice.

Donald David Neal, 64 of Rome, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of dru related objects.

Robert Clinton Mandigo, 26 of San Francisco, was charged with two counts sale/distribution of dangerous drugs and abandonment of dangerous drugs.

Devon Tremayne Carter, 33 of Cartersville, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, conspiracy to violate controlled substance act.

Joshua Jermaine Hall, 34 of Covington, was charged with possession of cocaine, obstruction, battery, tampering with evidence, possession of drug related objects, possession of marijuana, distribution of a controlled substance, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, tampering with evidence, reckless driving and probation violation.