Because of the recent spate of shootings and other attacks on houses of worship, Lumpkin County sheriff's deputies have been given permission to drive their patrol cars to any church service they might be attending.
"In taking a proactive step," Sheriff Stacy Jarrard wrote recently on the department's Facebook page, "effective immediately, deputies are authorized to drive their assigned patrol vehicles to any place of worship they attend."
Jarrard added this will serve as a deterrent to criminal activity and will also provide better visibility of law enforcement.