Georgia State Patrol to spread awareness on drunk driving and build relationships with the public with fall festival 

PERRY — Who says law enforcement can’t have a bit of fun? This fall, Georgia State Patrol Post 15 and many other agencies will come together for the second annual Georgia Department of Public Safety Fall Festival happening on Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Post 15. 

The festival was created by Trooper First Class Rachel Iverson and Post Secretary Maria Carrassco. Originally Iverson and Carrassco wanted to host a family-friendly event. Iverson said in an interview, her goal was to interact with the public, especially letting kids know that not all of what they see on social media about law enforcement is true. 

“Pieces of what you see on the internet is not always the whole story,” Iverson said. “We’re still people, we still have families, and we’re just wearing a uniform and doing our job, which is enforcing the law.” 

Iverson said she does not like where the stigma has gotten, especially around interactions at traffic stops. 

“If you already have this idea in your head that law enforcement is bad, how are you going to react when you get pulled over?,” she said. “If we can interact with the public prior to somebody getting pulled over, then [maybe] they won’t have that stigma in their head. I’m hoping it can open their eyes.” 

Iverson is also hoping they can build relationships with the public. She said if you are familiar with the people who are in uniform you may feel a little more comfortable if you are being pulled over. 

“If I pull you over for speeding in a school zone, you’re going to get a ticket, but at the same time I’m still going to give you respect,” she said. 

She hopes this event will reach people and give them a better understanding of how dangerous their jobs can actually be. 

GSP is also hoping to spread awareness through a DUI simulator. Iverson said it is important to spread awareness on DUIs and to showcase how serious it is. In 2025, GSP Post 15 got 211 DUIs off the road. Iverson said the amount of DUIs they see fluctuate and that there’s no specific date other than your major holidays such as Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends and Fourth of July. 

This year will be even bigger, according to Iverson. Along with agencies in Houston County, GSP is reaching agencies in Peach, Pulaski, Macon County and Twiggs County. 

The festival will have a small market with vendors, food trucks, and two dunk tanks. 

“We’ll have all the vehicles, a helicopter, and I’m hoping for Warner Robins [Police Department] to bring their robot dog or fingerprint scanner,” she said.