Houston County residents are facing a disturbing trend as 9 of 12 homicides this year are linked to domestic violence, prompting local officials to unite in an urgent call for community action.
🔍 The Crisis: Sheriff Matthew Moulton gathered leaders from Perry, Warner Robins, and Centerville police departments, along with the County Coroner, District Attorney, and victim advocates to address this emergency. Their message was clear: the community must break its silence.
💔 Between the Lines: Domestic violence often shows warning signs before turning deadly. Officials say that in many cases, someone witnessed concerning behavior but didn’t report it, missing crucial opportunities for intervention.
🚨 Why It Matters: Domestic violence is claiming lives at an alarming rate in the community. Sheriff’s Office officials say they believe these tragedies might have been prevented if someone had reported warning signs before they escalated to murder.
🗣️ How You Can Help: Crimestoppers has an anonymous reporting system as a safe way for witnesses to speak up without putting themselves at risk. One anonymous call could save a life and break the cycle of violence.
🤝 Resources Available: The Crisis Line & Safe House representatives attended to ensure residents know help is available for those experiencing family violence.
📊 The Big Picture: This coordinated response represents a unified front against domestic violence in Houston County, with officials from every level of law enforcement and victim services working together to make the county safer for families.
🗂️ Domestic Violence Stats: A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 2003 and 2014, about 55% of all female homicides in the U.S. were related to intimate partner violence.
The Sources: Houston County Sheriff’s Office, CDC.
How to Read and Understand the News
Truth doesn’t bend because we dislike it.
Facts don’t vanish when they make us uncomfortable.
Events happen whether we accept them or not.
Good reporting challenges us. The press isn’t choosing sides — it’s relaying what official, verified sources say. Blaming reporters for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.
Americans have a history of misunderstanding simple things. In the 1980s, A&W rolled out a 1/3-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. It failed because too many people thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If we can botch basic math, we can certainly misread the news.
Before dismissing a story, ask yourself:
- What evidence backs this?
- Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
- What would change my mind?
- Am I just shooting the messenger?
And one more: Am I assuming bias just because I don’t like the story?
Smart news consumers seek truth, not comfort.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
