Shorewood Community Opens Sheriff’s Outpost to Strengthen Safety Efforts

By: Nora Almazan

Photo: Stephens County Sheriff's Office

The Shorewood Property Owners’ Association (POA), in partnership with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, has officially opened a new Sheriff’s Outpost at the entrance to the Shorewood Estates community in Toccoa near Lake Hartwell.

A grand opening ceremony for the new outpost was held on April 2, 2026, marking a significant step in the ongoing collaboration between local residents and law enforcement to improve safety within the neighborhood.

Shorewood Estates, a lakefront community originally developed in the mid-1970s, has experienced an increase in criminal activity in recent years. Residents have reported issues including theft, illegal drug use and distribution, animal neglect, and illegal dumping.

Concerned about these growing problems, members of the Shorewood POA Board of Directors reached out to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. In response, deputies and specialized units began conducting increased patrols throughout the neighborhood. Those efforts have already led to multiple arrests connected to criminal activity in the area.

Shortly after taking office in January 2025, Stephens County Sheriff Rusty Fulbright and members of his administrative team began attending neighborhood watch meetings in Shorewood. During those meetings, residents shared concerns and worked alongside law enforcement to develop solutions aimed at improving safety in the community.

“What started as a few people expressing their concerns to our deputies has evolved into a community-wide project,” said Sheriff Fulbright. “We are here to support the Shorewood POA in their efforts to clean up their neighborhood, and a majority of the residents are on board.”

As part of those efforts, the Shorewood POA Board of Directors worked to establish a dedicated Sheriff’s Outpost within the community. The new facility provides a location where deputies and other local law enforcement personnel can maintain a visible presence while assisting with community safety initiatives.

“With the Board creating this outpost, it allows our deputies and local law enforcement officials like the Stephens County Marshals to be more visible in the community,” Fulbright said. “This one move shows the dedication this group has for taking back their neighborhood, which has been long-neglected.”

Fulbright also emphasized the importance of the continued partnership between residents and law enforcement.

“I am proud that our office is working with the Shorewood POA Board of Directors and the Stephens County Marshals Office to not only build community relationships but also foster a safer, stronger Shorewood,” he said.

The new Sheriff’s Outpost represents a joint effort between residents and law enforcement to address ongoing concerns while building a stronger sense of community throughout Shorewood Estates.