As the number of guests to the island steadily increased over time, so too did the number of families traveling with children.  As such, the officers of the Tybee Island Police Department encountered an increasing number of children who had become lost on the beach, abused, or had been unfortunate enough to witness their guardians being arrested.

In many situations, it became necessary for officers to take temporary custody of young children to ensure their safety. While there are instances where a child has been reunited with a loved one relatively quickly, other cases have involved officers sitting with a displaced child for several hours, in the largely uncomfortable environment of a police department. Traditionally, that placed a strain on the department’s limited resources, taking an officer off the street for a significant amount of time, and placing the child in a situation which can be upsetting and traumatic. In addition, officers found that many of these kids had not been provided with food or nourishment for hours, prompting the officers to spend their own money to provide for the needs of the children.

In 2016, the Tybee Island Police Department devised a plan which would rely on vetted civilian volunteers and donations to not only free up important department resources but also bring a more welcoming atmosphere to children who found themselves in the protective custody of law enforcement.

Since its creation, “Operation Starlight” has become staffed by a list of local volunteers who operate on an on-call basis. If needed, these caring and dedicated individuals respond to the Tybee Island Police Department at all hours of the day and night in order to sit with a displaced child and care for their needs. Volunteer Caregivers are trained to provide short-term childcare and do their best to make children feel comfortable and safe during their stay. In addition, the program has received a multitude of items donated to the cause, which better prepare the volunteers for the task at hand. Donated snack items and gift cards to local restaurants ensure that the officers no longer have to spend their personal money to feed a hungry child. Coloring books, toys and blankets provide entertainment and comfort for the children, allowing them to take their minds off of the unpleasant situation that brought them into our care. “Operation Starlight” has even received clothing, which allows the kids to change out of the wet and sand-covered garments which often accompany a beach environment. All of these components allow the Tybee Island Police Department to provide the best environment possible until a child is reunited with family or turned over to the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS).

              It is our hope that the long-range impact of “Operation Starlight” will allow the us to provide better and more efficient law enforcement services to the citizens and visitors of Tybee Island.