New GSP Post Opens in NE Ga.

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

As the new year begins, a new Georgia State Patrol post opens in northeast Georgia.

The long awaited Post 52 in the Gateway II Industrial Park in Hart County opened Thursday.

The Georgia State Patrol had been searching for a couple of years for a suitable location for the new post.

GSP Commander Tommy Waldrop said it is exciting to have it finally open.

“It is, and Sgt Whitworth and his crew have already done a lot to get it done in their partnership with the county, ” Waldrop said. “It’s going to be great for the area, especially for the I-85 corridor there coming into the state. It’s going to be an asset to have those troopers in that area.”

The new Post 52 will be commanded by Sergeant Al Whitworth, former commander of the Toccoa Post.

Sergeant Whitworth will be commanding 14 full-time troopers and one civilian employee.

Waldrop said the new post will be open for public access today.

“It will be just like a normal patrol post,” he said. “It’s a very good design. there’s no wasted space. It’s the old style patrol post and I think people will like it.”

Meanwhile, Waldrop said an official open house and ribbon cutting will take place sometime in the Spring.

“The county and Sgt Whitworth will be getting together to coordinate something,” Waldrop said. “I don’t know an exact date yet, but I think they want to let it get a little warmer first. It will be open for the public when that happens.”

The new Post 52 will cover Franklin, Hart, and Elbert counties.