Class of 2026 Public Safety & Justice Day

Class of 2026 Public Safety & Criminal Justice Day Recap

Public Safety & Criminal Justice Day gave the Leadership Augusta Class of 2026 a powerful opportunity to step behind the scenes of our community’s justice system and see it through the eyes of the people who work within it every day. It was a day that challenged us, stretched our perspectives, and encouraged us to think more deeply about what public safety truly looks like in Augusta.

We began the morning at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, where we were welcomed with breakfast sponsored by Sheriff Brantley and toured the facility with Major Chester Huffman. Walking through the detention center made it feel real in a way that statistics and headlines never could, grounding the day in the realities faced by both those housed there and those responsible for their care and supervision.

From there, we traveled to the Augusta‑Richmond County Judicial Center, where Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Falin Syms and Chief Assistant District Attorney Kevin Davis shared A View from the DA, offering insight into the prosecutorial side of the justice system and the weight of the decisions made there.

We then heard from a Human Trafficking Panel that included Kari Viola‑Brooke of Child Enrichment, Inc. and Chief Judge Tianna Bias of Richmond County Juvenile Court. These conversations were heavy at times. Hearing about challenges, gaps, and difficult realities pushed us to look beyond the surface and better understand what is happening in our community.

Midday, we walked to the Public Defender’s Office for lunch and a panel discussion, including a leadership moment with Circuit Public Defender H. Lee Prescott, Jr. Touring the office highlighted the critical role defense attorneys play and reinforced that justice only works when every part of the system - detention, prosecution, defense, law enforcement, and the courts functions together.

In the afternoon, we visited the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, where Investigator Sergeant Shawn Newsome shared remarks and guided us through a Criminal Investigations Division tour. We ended the day back at the Judicial Center with insights from Coroner Mark Bowen, learning more about a role that is often unseen but essential to both accountability and closure.

While much of the day addressed serious and complex issues, it wasn’t all heavy. There were moments of hope ~ bright spots that came from hearing about people who show up every single day, doing difficult work with care, commitment, and integrity. And for many of us, the experience didn’t end when the formal agenda concluded.

We were given the opportunity to participate in cop car ride‑alongs, scheduled on our own time. For those who took part, the experience was eye‑opening. Riding alongside an officer, seeing parts of Augusta we may never have seen otherwise, and witnessing real‑time calls brought a deeper level of understanding. We left with a deeper appreciation for the people behind the badge, individuals navigating real risk and real responsibility while continuing to show up in service to the community. Experiencing the work up close helped us better understand the weight these roles carry, and the commitment required to do this work day after day. That perspective stays with us.

Leadership begins with perspective and perspective comes from being present.

Public Safety & Criminal Justice Day reminded us that perspective matters. Yes, there are challenges. Yes, there are difficult conversations to be had. But there are also people throughout the system who genuinely care and who are working every day to keep our community safe.

We sincerely thank Day Chair Alexia Payne Davis, Class Chair Sarah Childers, Class Co‑Chair Taylor Lamb, LA Coordinator Miranda Ewing, and all of the speakers and hosts who made this impactful and thought‑provoking day possible. We leave this experience better informed, more aware, and deeply appreciative of the people behind the work of public safety and justice in Augusta.

Written by Harshita Aildasani, Class of 2026