The Candler County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday the completion of Operation Cold Snap, a month-long traffic enforcement initiative throughout Candler County.
According to a release from the Sheriff’s Office, the operation was conducted from Feb. 1-28 and focused on Super Speeding, seatbelt violations and distracted driving. Also, deputies were on alert to other possible illegal activity that might arise from the traffic stops.
“Deputies participating in Operation Cold Snap worked dedicated 4-hour shifts outside of their regular patrol shifts, focusing solely on traffic enforcement,” wrote Candler SO Capt. Justin Wells in the release on behalf of Sheriff John Miles. “This approach allowed the Sheriff’s Office to increase visibility and enforcement without impacting regular service to the community.
Wells said in the release the operation resulted in 154 citations issued, including 114 super speeder violations, five seatbelt citations, six citations for distracted driving and 28 other citations for various traffic violations.
“In addition to addressing traffic violations, deputies encountered and apprehended wanted fugitives, recovered stolen weapons and made several illegal drug seizures during these proactive traffic stops,” Wells wrote. “These outcomes demonstrate how proactive traffic enforcement improves roadway safety, helps disrupt criminal activity, and removes dangerous individuals from the community.”
Operation Cold Snap's results, combined with increased traffic enforcement by on-duty deputies throughout February, resulted in a total of 347 citations issued for the month, Wells said.
“This marks a significant increase compared to the 2024 monthly average of 55 citations and highlights the need for ongoing, dedicated traffic enforcement in Candler County,” Wells wrote in the release. “This means February saw a 530.91% increase in enforcement activity compared to a typical month last year, a significant and telling increase.”
Sheriff Miles stated: “Operation Cold Snap was a tremendous success in terms of the violations identified and in demonstrating unsafe driving behavior on our roadways every day. This operation is proof that when we take a proactive, focused approach to traffic enforcement, we not only make our roads safer but also uncover criminal activity that could otherwise go unnoticed. This is the type of proactive law enforcement our citizens deserve, and I’m extremely proud of the work our deputies put into this operation.”
The Candler County Sheriff’s Office has submitted an application to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for funding to continue Operation Cold Snap on a regular basis, Wells wrote. The request also includes funding for electronic citation equipment and updated speed detection tools to improve efficiency and enhance officer safety. If grant funding is not secured, the Sheriff’s Office stated it would explore opportunities to secure local funding to continue the initiative.