On January 20, 2017, Crimewatchdaily.com posted an expose of questionable police practices in Statham, Georgia. The city of Statham, with a population of just 2500, is located in Barrow County on the way to Athens off of Georgia 316. Statham is known as a DUI hotbed and reportedly makes exponentially more DUI arrests than surrounding and much larger jurisdictions. Ticket revenues have reportedly jumped from $70,000 to over $250,000 in just a few years.
Officers routinely arrest drivers for DUI for taking prescription medications including non-impairing psychiatric medications selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which generally don’t cause driving impairment. Other drivers who tested negative for all tested drugs and alcoholic beverages were arrested as well.
Community Activists are calling for investigations, justice, and change in law enforcement in the small town.