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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and the Albany Police Department (APD) are becoming partners in crime through a new initiative officials say will create a safer community.

According to Dr. Leon Dent, Phoebe Medical Director of Trauma Services, trauma cases are continuing to rise. He said about 20% of trauma patients who come to Phoebe suffer from penetrating injuries, either from stab wounds or gunshot wounds.

Michael Persely, Albany Police chief, adds that in Dougherty County, there were 86 firearm-related injury Emergency Department visits in 2024.

That’s why officials are bringing the Cardiff Violence Prevention Model to Albany.

The model, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), uses health and crime data to provide a better understanding of violence in the community. Officials say it will also develop and implement programs and initiatives to prevent violence.

“As a clinician, on the front lines taking care of firearm victims, we often feel like we’re not making a difference in the community. With the Cardiff Model, we’ll be able to participate, provide data, (and) community engagement with law enforcement and other community groups to help prevent some of these injuries, and that’s more fulfilling,” Dent said.

Phoebe has been collaborating with the APD on the project to collect local data that they say can be the solution to violence plaguing certain neighborhoods in Albany.

WALB News 10′s Lenah Allen will bring more details about the initiative in later newscasts.

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