This Georgia County's First Black Sheriff Is Trying to Fix the System

Cobb County, once mere miles from the KKK’s national headquarters elected its first black sheriff this past November. We follow newly elected Sheriff Craig Owens as he tries to heal a community divided over his processors divisive policies.
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[@icarter3203]

Seems like a kind hearted and well rounded man with honor. He’s going to get a lot of pushbacks but God bless him and his good intentions.

[@baylu911]

🎯

[@derpphil5400]

@juanka galindo Is english not your first language?

[@cadds8055]

@@derpphil5400 how do you not understand what he’s saying

[@derpphil5400]

@Gianni Russo Now hold on partner, I ain't a bigot for asking for helpful incite from a man who seems to be having trouble speaking the language of God's country. I'm not about to take accusations like that laying down brother.

[@Hijab_Diffusion]

@@derpphil5400 get smart son, you just need to grab the context of his statement. There's no need to be an asshat grammar police.

[@kevingonzalez2475]

i lived in cobb county my whole life but i never knew this was actually a problem. what i do know is the school system is messed up rn. every public school you will see drugs and violence. there’s a huge difference in certain parts.

[@AB-qv9ku]

Well since you know that about schools what you also need to know is that this IS "actually" a problem. Smh.

[@doctorbigsmiles]

Cobb County: Count On Being Busted and also known as Come On Back Bwoy

[@reese7896]

Facts.

[@peteporter3472]

I wish u would have been there I grew up in that racist ass town my whole life it was hard trying to stay free

[@TheJrose5]

Bruhh for real

[@angelgjr1999]

Pretty much all of Georgia is racist. I still see klan flags in barrow county.

[@RealityCheckGA]

If you were having trouble staying free I am sure it had nothing to do with your race. And more to do with your actions. I live in Kennesaw.

[@athenasuperheldin1017]

@@RealityCheckGA stfu. Stop trying to dismiss people's realities and blame them suffering due to the racist area on the people. It is not a Black person's fault that the people in that area are fucking racist. My lord I am sick and tired of people like you who continue making excuses for perpetrators and pretending like racism does not exist!

[@mamabear3217]

So thankful U did maybe one day you will be n a position to reach one, blessings on blessings 🙏🏽

[@PHANKS987]

Good luck brother. Going against Big Business and Tradition, that's one hell of an uphill battle.

[@dianadagoddess3979]

I intend to keep him in my prayers 🙏🏾

[@bradsully6620]

Slide me in there too bro.

[@dianadagoddess3979]

@Only Racists Support Biden God bless you

[@abepresume8132]

God doesn't care about black prayers. If this were the case slavery would've ended on day one. You're practicing a version of Christianity brutally beaten in your ancestors. The only population of blacks God ever listened too was the ones that in Haiti that killed their oppressors. Haiti was the richest colony by the way in case you have biases about Haitis modern state. Haitis modern state is literally analogous to the state of oppressed blacks in Amerikkka and across this planet. In the history of humanity, those willing to get blood on their hands earn the right to live free. The bible used to brainwash slaves had been edited to not include the parts where you're supposed to fight back. Google it.

[@dianadagoddess3979]

First of all, don't come for me unless I send for you. Secondly, my prayers to a Higher Power, (whoever, whatever, whyever) are my prerogative.

[@brenjones5183]

The only way to “fix the system” is to create another one.

[@PI3ASEC]

the white shirt logo lol

[@HiAdrian]

Same with public education, rotten to the core.

[@HoussamNekkaa]

Been locked down since 2017 without bond 😥😥😥 Man this is fucked up

[@renelomeli9781]

Absolutely hell on earth you have never seen so much black mold growing on walls and ventilation systems. Had a friend who came out of there with the worst ring worm on his body that literally never went away. My first traffic stop at 16 yrs old the cobb county officer changed his whole attitude on me after finding out i was Hispanic on my ID verbatim "do you speak english son?" Even though we had already had several exchange's of words before he saw my name.

[@shawnreed7876]

Do you speak English?

[@derpphil5400]

@Only Racists Support Biden And what would you know about it brother?

[@ince55ant]

@Only Racists Support Biden what about the name dingus

[@matthewjames206]

All Southern jails are hell on earth. They're third-world country facilities, really.

[@Doubt3K11]

This just brought back bad memories I have nightmares of that place....That jail is built on old civil war graves ....I don’t dare step foot in Cobb County He right COBB=Come On Black Boy COBB=Count On Being Busted It’s a county of mostly white and the jail is full of Blacks and Hispanics This is a true Hell Whole

[@maegary8107]

Doing better means changing law's.

[@adel9803]

That’s for the better Something you will never know unless you are poc

[@kevohwapipelinetransami4351]

Watching from Kenya

[@vogelvogeltje]

Ayyyyyeee what up my Kenyan brotha

[@kevohwapipelinetransami4351]

@@vogelvogeltje i see you, where are you from?

[@sonjaleesloth]

🇰🇪 I'm from Boston MA. 👋🏼👋🏼

[@kevohwapipelinetransami4351]

@@sonjaleesloth Nice to meet you, how are you curbing with corona in Massachusetts?

[@cadds8055]

@@kevohwapipelinetransami4351 lol African

[@armando_perez]

As a resident of Coob County, im proud that I voted for Sheriff Craig Owens!

[@adambriceland6588]

Cobb not coob

[@adambriceland6588]

@@M.000 I'm not

[@StarrTile]

*LOVE IT !!! I am a Cobb County resident and I voted that old MF'r out and this guy in !! You don't have to do much to improve the Sheriff's Department, just run it right 💪👌 been f***** up for 20 years*

[@j_thom]

we never did hear much of anything about the prior sheriff.. what was the deal there??

[@carlcarlandcarl]

i love it. don't cross into cobb county to the sheriff being black

[@xerodefects]

I am reminded of Blazing Saddles.

[@Nicholas-f5]

I personally don't sit near uncovered windows at night. That's just not safe as a Sheriff especially.

[@idkimlikereallybored9533]

i live in switzerland and trust me, to me you're sounding like a crazy person... lol

[@idkimlikereallybored9533]

@Jing Bot yeah that was the point, the gall Trump had calling OTHER countries shitholes... i couldnt live in a dystopic trip like that, no way.

[@M.000]

@Only Racists Support Biden the neighbor hood is low crime rate , but not the area. Check the stats.

[@Robert_McGarry_Poems]

I have had a broken collar bone, a broken ethmoid bone (nose bridge), and a perferated stomach ulcer. The three most painful things that could happen to you. To let a human being die of a stomach ulcer is the most evil thing I have ever heard. That must have been the most distressful, painful, excruciating way to die in institutional custody ever. That IS cruel and unusual punishment.

[@jequettacanady7247]

This was my SGM in the Army! Great man and leader. Cobb has the right one!

[@181baddog]

Hooah

[@ximbabwe0228]

I grew up here and this is fucked up. The worst part is your peers being prejudiced because that's what they hear at home. But there were a lot of people of all races moving in there, slowly it will get better and better if people follow in this man's example of community and respect

[@richardbaxter4885]

This is the burger king sheriff

[@ryanmarshburn2858]

Those Multicam Tropic uniforms are legit.

[@sneedmando186]

They do be clean though

[@nanzistnt2573]

Cops dont need camo uniforms, just a bunch of LARPers.

[@robrokswing8110]

untold years of bodily fluids seeping of that bench with the cuffs @6:48. Good luck Sheriff Owens-you're gonna need it

[@towns316]

I live in Cobb County. I supported another candidate in the primary but when Owens won I supported him. And I’m thrilled he’s my Sheriff. His predecessor Neil “Good Ol Boy” Warren was in office for over 14 years. He wasn’t jailer certified and had never worked in the jail. Warren wanted to be Georgia’s version of Joe Arpaio. A lot of people need fired! Especially those who had a part in the deaths of 51 inmates. And some people need to face charges!

[@mj3026]

I hope they get the changes they need & the family gets justice for there loved one

[@louistaylor8808]

‘I will make KFC mandatory for breakfast, rest assured’

[@calebclemmons966]

... had no idea it got that bad but not surprising at all...

[@angelgjr1999]

It’s very bad. The train rail road is still true.

[@calebclemmons966]

@@angelgjr1999 ... what's that..?

[@angelgjr1999]

@@calebclemmons966 One side of rail road is black, the other is white.

[@calebclemmons966]

@@angelgjr1999 ... where?

[@damien1781]

Lets hold our community to a higher standard, let's find outlets for young men and women to express anger healthier, lets refine law enforcement in our communities, lets make education better, and lets make sure we teach the value of helping ones neighbor.

[@Nicholas-f5]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@73Goodfellow]

Seems reasonable for every neighborhood.

[@Mark-zg4ky]

Amen

[@sillybuster]

It's easy to talk about actions speak harder! I'm not doubting your intentions, just hate reading what everyone already knows and expecting applause.

[@tracyshoemake9686]

Nothing changed,it's worse now.

[@tobybeasley2079]

- - way to go !! - - right behind you and honor you greatly my black friend !! - -

[@naimr.4301]

Love from Fulton County, Georgia. South Fulton

[@johnnyyang5980]

When have a first black guy ever fix anything?

[@HoussamNekkaa]

Give him a chance

[@Noms_Chompsky]

@@HoussamNekkaa We gave the last couple decades of black faces in high places a chance, George still dead

[@Mekose]

We need to stop expecting police to be able to change public health and poverty issues. You don't ask a dentist to take your garbage.

[@etxeberre1]

Fix the system, we need a new way!

[@mandar1311989]

As an Indian living in North America, I find this inspiring. Things will change when you want them to change.

[@jefedior7463]

He better watch out you kno there’s gonna be people that are gonna try and get him

[@alphaman5161]

Who?

[@angelgjr1999]

@@alphaman5161 the klan

[@alphaman5161]

@@angelgjr1999 The Klan is still around to you? let alone viable in todays climate??

[@angelgjr1999]

@@alphaman5161 In certain rural parts in the south, yes the klan still exists.

[@alphaman5161]

@@angelgjr1999 The Klan is now a tiny group of idiots in the south that have black member/leaders in it. Seeing a Klan member in the US is as rare as finding gold in the Rocky mountains. I have lived in the south and have been around most of the southern half of the US and haven't even met a person who has ever seen a Klan member. I will tell you what is extremely popular in the country though, the amount of black police chiefs and sheriffs, which is an amazing thing. I'm certain you are hoping that's not the case though? So that there may be more of a façade for you to point at, to deem white people as a shadowy force that actively looks to put down minorities.

[@fredward9893]

So he is pro illegal .

[@haidengeary8277]

Prisoners die in prison because they are seen as numbers, ie dollar signs, especially private prisons. Private prisons actually have a specific percentage which they are "supposed" to keep to, roughly. This is why private prisons need to be done away with. Much like the "War on drugs", they are simply there to bring in revenue. Prison is meant to prepare (those who are eventually to leave) people to , someday, rejoin society. In our society, tho, we have this idea prisons are strictly to punish. Which completely goes against the very idea of the whole process. The jails, much like prisons, have too much power. There is not enough outside influence. Having prions/jails , as we do now, is like having a president and no Congress, which is meant to be the "checks and balance." These prisons/county jails we have across the country are a good example of how much worse it can get, if we "de-fund the police". With less funding, they get less training, etc, which leads to worse conditions, much like these prisons/jails. Take away something, you lose something. I like this new Sheriff. Not because he's black, but because he's not so naive as to believe things can change over night. This nation, much like his county jail , is a work-in-progress. For better or worse, we will change, or we will fall.

[@v1v2x3]

You first need to fix the systematic systems of systemic racism at systematic institutes of systematic systems.

[@bradsully6620]

Systematic

[@beewalk34]

What about Fulton County jail??? I'm from Maryland, but even here we hear about the abuse and all those inmates that just magically die while locked up

[@181baddog]

Stripped naked & put in solitary and then died alone pleading for help. Absolutely criminal. Unreal

[@maegary8107]

Lol he has his work cut out for him unless he has a judge willing to work with him.

[@SonShineFilms1]

Dope video keep up the good work

[@dustinM613]

Love strong people... RESPECT

[@fredcraven1699]

Cobb County Jail you complain all day and they don't give you any medical help

[@Nicholas-f5]

Tell Dept of Justice, they oversee local pds

[@Cat-mn9zh]

@Hamza ForChrist when the state takes you under their care they are legally obligated to protect your rights which include medical care look at the constitution.

[@mamabear3217]

There's a NEW sheriff in town! Please stay focused

[@mamabear3217]

This breaks my heart because I know how the guards and "medical staff" are trained to be non empathetic first off it's like a form of kidnapping, taking people and forcing them to pay a ransom, then you don't even care for them while there there, the system needs to be reformed completely, Norway's system and so many others have a less recidivism rate than we do, pray for healing for these families and pray we will start moving in a different way, it's okay to be empathetic systematically, it creates a better community

[@reese7896]

Neil Warren had to go !! A lot of prisoners died during his tenure while he was Sheriff

[@MikoWorldwide]

Surprised this only received 72k views

[@JoseRamos-ql1gv]

“Change is inevitable”

[@abepresume8132]

Change will come when we kill the ppl that made change necessary to begin with.

[@JoseRamos-ql1gv]

@Cole S I wouldn’t know and I would not care, I’m not from Mexico.

[@JoseRamos-ql1gv]

@@abepresume8132 You needs hug? 🤗 careful what you wish upon others, what goes around comes back around.

[@JoseRamos-ql1gv]

@Cole S You do realize that’s an opinion, not a fact. That statement says a lot about you, and how poorly educated you are. I’ll pray for you.

[@kathryncarter6143]

Sadly, I actually have been in a "good" jail. Mostly white inmates. One guy reported dental pain every single day, several times throughout the day. Charge nurse wouldn't help. Matter presented to the warden who had a chat with the charge nurse. Nothing changed. We were all told that there's simply not enough money in the budget for such things. So, they just kept giving the guy ibuprofen. I fear he never did get any help.

[@j_thom]

makes you wonder why they have the nurse there at all..

[@ince55ant]

@@j_thom so that they can legally withhold care

[@kathryncarter6143]

@@j_thom some meds are required & a nurse has to pass them out. This problem is not a nurse issue. She did her job by reporting the problem. Management & organizational policy let this inmate down. Ya have to know that there are strick limitations on funding for prisoners & other legal expenses. Everyone watches their assigned budget. Of course nobody wants to let go of one extra penny to cover any extra expenses. Written policies always look nice & promise all sorts of wonderful cares. However the truth in reality is you'll have to fight for every last fringe benefit. Try doing that when your sick & have other problems besides. Your tasks quickly become more than monumental. It is definitely a challenge upon challenge.

[@dustinM613]

Good luck 🤞

[@M.000]

I live in cobb & I can say that he has made very good changes !

[@elil8094]

I agree!

[@realdevil189]

The world in this century will open it's eyes against barbaric rules of old ages as change is inevitable "As time goes by, no human ideal standeth sure". Anton Lavey quote

[@greenmilemirogrow524]

Black sheriff? He is whiter than I am. How is a black man lighter than a fully white person who rarely goes outside?

[@littledudefromacrossthestr5755]

Who saw Zack snyder justice league

[@SmokeyMack]

I’m proud and thankful that someone is trying to change the system that is so broken and so messed up that we don’t even want to talk about it respect for his brother from the Midwest

[@bryanjones5886]

Ireland is #1 In Corrections and Law be Enforcement? Completely Against Oppression!!! And Support Due Process,Whole heartly!!

[@calebclemmons966]

... Cobb County's been 🧢..!

[@buzzardman4451]

Seems like you still can't come across the bridge, they put you in a cell and you don't come out, plus the jail is inhumane. Well the first black sheriff did one thing right, being black.

[@alexisturntup03]

Great County,he has 20 years experience as a Cobb County Sheriff i believe,I wish him only the best,we were overdue for new sheriff,Lots of great officers among Cobb County PD and Sheriffs Department.Very welcoming County to new comers across the board.

[@angelgjr1999]

Nah, pretty much all police in Georgia are racist af.

[@gaylordwashington1130]

If he has 20 plus years experience as a sheriff he's not a new sheriff I'm just going to say it nothing is gonna change except crime rates will rise

[@RealityCheckGA]

I hope he is a good change aswell. But it looks as he is just towing the Democrats Party line. I asked Mr Owens for an interview on his Constitutional Beliefs,He declined. He will help with Unconstitutional Gun Laws.

[@RealityCheckGA]

As a citizen of Cobb County I have to agree with you. Cobb County is very welcoming.

[@alexisturntup03]

@@gaylordwashington1130 So you would prefer a Sheriff with 1 year experience to be head of Sheriffs Department?New Sheriff in town,hes already making it to where outside agencies will investigate any scandals if any in the future so there is no biased investigation.Not like most Departments where the own Department "investigates" there own officers and find no wrong doing.

[@Nanathebrat1]

Purr who else from cobb?

[@roverrange3674]

Maybe start by not wearing camo. No wonder US Cops act like soldiers.

[@destressfrlyf843]

It's okay for them to act like Soldiers, but it's not okay for them to treat their fellow citizens as their personal recruits

[@noahkirkpatrick8912]

He was using heroin that is scary how hard you can come down.

[@rosssmith9941]

Good luck to him! Pretty cool story

[@sipriaonrasalaz4988]

I do believe some Sheriff if not many don't agree with what their county's rules have in placed as far as procedures go about. They them selfs are probably in a state of mind that " i just work here, besides if i go against my fellow officers things wont go well for me or my loved ones."

[@kathryncarter6143]

Actually pretty amazing. Almost hard to believe it's still just on the cusp of change.

[@andreperry7995]

This is just sad

[@Maddie9185]

Good luck to him my god protect him and guide him.

[@sford2044]

Hot damn son. That's a Sheriff.

[@hmooblomlomzemchannel3531]

Nice your video brother 😁👍

[@uglyandconfident]

To the sister and daughter hire you a lawyer simple as that

[@sarahh367]

He is not the only black sheriff only the first one there ..

[@simeonhart9192]

I hate when blacks get into position and say " the idea of a black person being in this position was foreign years ago" like that means anything. The system is doing what it was built to do and if that's your thought process I can't see anything truly getting better.

[@notorious1487]

Nothing is going to change

[@Nicholas-f5]

Unless we all try

[@averagegardener4266]

Movie comes to mind, Tick Tick Tick. He has my full support.

[@noahkirkpatrick8912]

Dudes got the job he was ment for. But why did that guy die of?

[@pwnage1731]

Atlanta United FC jersey?? A man of great taste I see.

[@satinwhip]

I live in Cobb County. It's a great place to live. This video makes it out to be some third world hell hole. Fairly low crime. No MARTA. As far as the jail is concerned, jail is not supposed to be a country club. These VICE videos seemed to be fairly well done and the facts evenly presented. Now that I have seen this one shot in my own backyard that totally misrepresents the truth I won't be watching then anymore.

[@JesusChrist2000BC]

You realize it was a Klan stronghold right? Just because you have had no issues doesn't mean there aren't any. You need to think about somebody other than yourself.

[@lc6636]

@@JesusChrist2000BC What he is saying is that he lives there a knows this report is lying.

[@deatheater4488]

@@lc6636 nah man I've been in the area almost my whole life. If you're white in kennesaw, marietta, acworth, then you're good. A lot of the white people here are oblivious to the police shootings and racist treatment of colored people here. And not to mention there's a complete disregard for the drug problem here no one talks abt it unless you're living in it. There's two sides to cobb, the really chill recreational side with good parks and the not so good drug ridden side due to the main highways that run through the place.

[@lc6636]

@@deatheater4488 The police shootings? I wish there were police around. We have criminal shootings and over a hundred. Not one was a police shooting. We typically have about twenty. The defunding of the police is not working, and it is only going to get worst. You need to review the crimes before saying police shootings and discrimination. Something is not right.

[@deatheater4488]

@@lc6636 Vincent Truitt, unarmed teen just look this up.

[@droogsurgeon1440]

I’ve been to that jail, compared to rice street or dekalb, it’s not as bad. Cobb also stands for come on back boys...

[@verukkim6574]

Dr dre out here working

[@DS-nq1dg]

Effem. He talking a good game but he also said that when he was a cop, he was just dropping his offenders off and not thinking about what was going on behind the walls. That right there makes me think he doesn't have what it takes to reform a system. You knew what the system was like before you became sheriff! What were you doing then??

[@dflatt1783]

Not sure what you think this man is going to do in Cobb County. All the Sherriff is in charge of there is the jail. Cobb also stands for Count on Being Back (to jail). The good ole boys heavily entrenched there. Good luck dude. You're going to need it.

[@Franktimms]

The SHERIFF is the highest law enforcement in the county. I am not sure where you live in Cobb. But I have seen them arrest people and pulling people over. I have seen them at the Braves game and mall. So apparently they dont just work the jail.

[@dflatt1783]

@@Franktimms The Sheriff is responsible for incarceration. The Cobb County police handle the locking people up part. Sheriff's do serve warrants though.

[@JohnSmith-oo4qx]

How is the black leadership in Baltimore going?

[@ATOMICBARRITO]

8:30 bruh u had all the time to get ready to fix deez isssues when u wuz runnin tf

[@Scorpio_Sol44]

He already got it fucked up at “fix the system”. Next.

[@jabs0907]

Progress in America is surely a slow movement, but worth it. Keep working!!

[@yubentrolled7097]

It's slow because an athoritarian government stands in our way. People with power, don't like to share that power.

[@rjeefamily926]

The way that poor man was treated was like something out of Saudi Arabia. How dare they make him lie naked on the floor! Absolutely dehumanizing. Why is America actually a 3rd world country in disguise

[@declanpboles]

Well done, what a positive story, you are a special man.

[@charonsiouxsie949]

Really powerful piece with a slice of hope.

[@fizafarman3805]

Cool

[@Noms_Chompsky]

There is work to be done and Sheriff Craig Owens needs our support for all the struggle he has ahead of him, but we've seen this before haven't we. We'll take black faces in high places sure, but that hasn't been getting the job done it's been the illusion of change. Defund the Police! BLM!

[@matthewbanks9886]

I think this is a awesome move by moving forward and turning the next chapter congrats sheriff on your new task at hand may GOD protect u

[@bodyboardingchronicles602]

You don't got to fix nothing. You need to use technology to get the job done. High-tech, low-tech solution? Sir, Provide: "Quality of Life!" Citizen's the only PARTY is the "AMERICAN PARTY." We need Accountability & Professionalism! Dress Right Dress Citizenz. Pass LAW against "Malingering!" Pass a LAW for State Official's to go to Boot Camp! Our problem is a lack of uniformity and training! One Team 👊😎

[@fabfrenchies1974]

I can't take the interviewer serious with a face diaper on! But love the Sheriff!

[@bobbelcher1670]

You Can you tell some of the white cops can care Lee's in the Beijing.

[@chrisarroyo3284]

Is it hard to comply

[@just_4_fun192]

oh damn

[@Johnniebhoy83]

I keep thinking *Sheriff Bart* 😂

[@debbierose882]

That is super hilarious 😂

[@Johnniebhoy83]

@@debbierose882 LOL'd. If he can do half as good a job as Sheriff Bart done for Rockridge, he'll be a hit 😁

[@debbierose882]

@@Johnniebhoy83 I totally agree with you! You are a hilarious

[@fooforce]

I wonder what he'll do....

[@yubentrolled7097]

He'll do MUCH more of the same. Nothing new here but the color of the man's skin that wears the badge.