GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A concerning text thread is being shared across the state, raising the question: Do we need extra security at the polls on Tuesday?
The message reads: "Be on Alert... Last night, a deputy told a family that local White Supremacists/ KKK members originating out of Lexington, NC, are planning to attack from now until the Inauguration.
They are plotting against Blacks, especially black women because in their eyes, we are easy targets! Please be vigilant!"
Try not to do anything alone, especially after dark! This is not a hoax or a rumor! The deputy showed paperwork that the police department has. In their words...'They're taking their country back!'"
The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office released a statement via social media and said its agency has not received any information indicating threats to any group(s) on or after Election Day.
"Hateful discourse such as this aims to instill fear in the community and disrupt us from exercising our constitutional rights," the sheriff's office wrote. "The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to protecting all citizens, and we will continue to monitor and respond accordingly to all suspicious and threatening behavior."
The Gwinnett County Police Department also announced its protection plan, saying it is implementing additional security measures to ensure the safety of voters.
"On November 5, the Gwinnett County Police Department will implement additional measures to ensure the safety of voters on Election Day. Officers have received additional Election Security and Response training and have been instructed to patrol polling areas in their jurisdictions as frequently as possible," the statement read. "Our headquarters coordination center, along with our real-time crime center, will be activated to monitor activity across the county. Additional officers have also been assigned to maintain patrol throughout election night. We will maintain communication with our partners in the Sheriff's Office, the GBI, Gwinnett County Elections, and local police departments."
In terms of the text message being sent out, Tiffany Hale Carter -- the co-founder of the Black Women's Association of Sugar Hill -- said she didn't receive the message personally but was shocked to see it.
"I don't think disappointed is really the right word, but that's the only word I can think of right now; it's disgusting," Carter said.
Gwinnett County Elections Director Zach Manifold said he hadn't heard of the messages but assured this election will be a safe one.
"We have a pretty robust plan. Our local law enforcement are ready for Election Day. So, we're feeling pretty good about the plan with Gwinnett PD, the sheriff's office," Manifold said.
Carter said that it's unfortunate that extra security should be required when people go vote.
"It shouldn't be that, but unfortunately, we've seen a lot of hate. We've seen people come out of the woodwork with their racism," Carter stated.
Carter added that the concept of election interference has already made her fearful.
"That's the reason why I wanted to vote early," Carter said. "It's because I didn't want to be involved with any of that."
She said she believes if groups are spreading hate, it's because they're afraid of the power of the Black woman at the ballot box.
"That is absolutely what the racist folks want. They want you to not vote," Carter said.
She hopes it doesn't deter anyone from the polls.
"If our ancestors can be beaten down and know that they were going to be beaten down and still went ahead and voted anyway, then you can definitely do it here in 2024," Carter said.
The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office encourages people to immediately report any information regarding threats or suspicious behavior to their local law enforcement agency or call the Tip Line at 770-619-6655.