Dalton Police Blog

Local Businesses Support Fatal Vision Program

Because of great partnerships with local businesses and the hard work of two officers from the Dalton Police Department's Situational Response Unit, the Fatal Vision Program will continue to be a success in the future. Patrolman First Class Scott Murray and Officer Tommy Ensley worked with 41 businesses in the Dalton area to secure enough funds to purchase a new golf cart that will be used to educate drivers about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Dalton Police Department is currently in its fifth year of offering the Fatal Vision Program. The program is conducted 8 to 10 times a year for different organizations, including schools, youth groups, and safety fairs. 

In 2006, the Dalton Police Department was recognized by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety for its efforts in fighting underage alcohol violations, including underage driving under the influence. The acquisition of the new golf cart insures that the Fatal Vision Program will continue to be offered in the future.

Dalton Police Participate in Family Fun Day

Members of Dalton Police Department's Bike Unit attended Family Fun Day at First United Methodist Church.  Officers assisted Bear Creek Bicycle with a bike rodeo for the children.  The bike rodeo participants were able to ride through a cone course practicing safe maneuvers.  Officers gave tips on how to stay safe while riding bicycles, such as wearing helmets, wearing protective clothing, and obeying the traffic rules of the road.

For a Bicycle Safety Checklist, Click Here

Family Fun Day at First United Methodist Church.

Patrolman First Class Matt Lane helps a young cyclist maneuver through the cones.

Dalton Police and Firefighter Scholarship Fundraiser

Members of the Dalton Police and Fire departments are currently participating in a fundraising effort to establish a scholarship at Dalton State College. The scholarship is intended for one child of a firefighter, and one child of a police officer to receive a scholarship each year, administered through the Dalton State College Foundation.

Officers and firefighters are offering tickets to a dinner sponsored by the Dalton Depot Restaurant, and the Dalton Hopitality Association. The idea for the fundraising event was developed by Depot Restaurant Owner T. J. Kaikobad. Each ticket costs $10, and you may purchase these by contacting any officer or firefighter, or stopping by the departments Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

For more details about the dinner, Click Here.

Dalton Police to Take Part in Operation Zero Tolerance

Dalton Police Department's Traffic Enforcement Unit, Situational Response Unit, and Patrol Division will be taking part in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, which begins June 20th and runs through July 6th.  Concentrated patrols and random road checks will be conducted throughout the city at strategic locations in an effort to crack down on motorists driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Operation Zero Tolerance is not only a statewide campaign, but also a nationwide campaign.  Law enforcement agencies all around the country will be mobilizing to combat driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. 

Drivers that drink and drive should also be aware of the new law that goes into effect during Operation Zero Tolerance. On July 1st, a fourth DUI conviction will be a felony in the state of Georgia. This comes just before the second deadliest day of the year on America's highways, July 4th.  Impaired drivers now cause one-out-of-three fatality crashes in Georgia each year!

The Dalton Police Department would like to remind motorists that drunk driving is not the only killer on our roadways.  The department asks that motorists watch their speeds and please obey Georgia's safety belt laws to help prevent injuries and fatalities.

Teen Academy Underway

The third Teen Citizens Police Academy is now underway at the Dalton Police Department. The Teen Academy offers an abbreviated version of the full Citizens Academy, and hopes to introduce young people to law enforcement in a positive way. The academy is held each year, depending on the level of interest.

If you have questions about the Teen Citizens Policy Academy, please call or email Sergeant Mike Dyer at 706-278-9085, extension 109.

Teen Citizen Academy participants listen to information about Internet Safety.

Dalton Police Seek Help in Vehicle Break-Ins

Dalton Police investigators are asking for the public's help in solving several vehicle break-ins in the area of the West Walnut Avenue/Interstate 75 motels. Over the past month, several vehicles were entered by tampering with the lock or breaking the window. The vehicles appeared to be chosen based on electronic devices left in plain view, such as cameras, laptop computers, and GPS navigation devices.

The time frame for the thefts is, generally, between 3:30A.M. and 5:00 A.M. A vehicle that has been seen in the area at or around the time of some of the thefts is pictured below. The car appears to be a Pontiac Grand Am.

If anyone has information concerning this vehicle or the break-ins, please call Detective Matthew Locke at 706-278-9085, extension 320.

Surveillance photos of a possible suspect vehicle

Dalton Officers Assist with Bicycle Rodeo

Dalton Police Officers assisted with a bicycle rodeo on May 17 at Brookwood School. The rodeo was one of a succession of events with the Safe Routes To School program underway at Brookwood, and coordinated by Principal Will Esters. The officers helped instruct the children on safe bicycle riding and basic skills.

Officer David Saylors watches as the children practice maneuvers.

In addition to instruction during the event, officers offer the following safety tips:

• Always wear a helmet - This is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes.  Make it a rule that every time your child rides a bike, to wear a helmet.  This is not only for the child but for the adult as well.  Set the example for your child by wearing a helmet as well.  Be sure the helmet meets or exceeds the safety standards developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Make sure the helmet fits correctly - Helmet fit is important.  It should be comfortable and snug, but not too tight.  It should sit centered on top of the head in a level position, and it should not rock forward and backward or side to side.  And, the helmet straps must always be buckled snugly against the chin.
• Proper bicycle fit - Buy a bicycle that is the right size for the child not one he or she will grow into.  When sitting on the bicycle, the child's feet should touch the ground.
• Bicycle Maintenance - Make sure the reflectors are secure, the brakes work properly, gears shift smoothly, the chain is not too loose, and the tires are tightly secured and properly inflated.
• Teach and obey all traffic rules of the road - Ride with traffic not against it and stay as far on the right side of the road as possible.  Always use caution when crossing the road looking both ways several times to ensure no vehicles are approaching.  No child below the age of 10 should be allowed to ride on the highways.  These children should be restricted to sidewalks and closed roadways or parks
• Don't ride at night - Don't allow your children to ride their bicycle at night.  The danger is too great since the ability of others to see your child becomes difficult.  Even if the child is riding in the yard at night, they may hit an obstacle causing them to crash and injury themselves. 
• Dress for Safety - Besides the helmet, children should wear clothing that protects them in case of a fall.  Also, the clothing should be light colored and include reflective materials if possible to improve visibility to motorists, especially if riding at dusk or dawn.

Dalton Police Seek Help Identifying Scam Suspect

The Dalton Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying the suspect pictured below. The male in this photo has been approaching people telling them he has a winning lottery ticket and  needs someone to help claim the winnings. The male asks for a loan of 5 to 10 thousand dollars from victims to help pay fees and taxes, and then promises to pay the victims 25 – 50 thousand dollars if they can help.

The offenders work in pairs so that one other person comes up with some of the needed money and then the victim is asked to come up with their part. After the offenders get the money one of them usually get “sick” and sends the victim into the store to buy medicine. When victim returns the suspects and the money is gone. The department has had several cases similar to this recently, including two cases in May.

If you can identify this person, or have other information, please contact Detective Matthew Locke at 706-278-9085, extension 320.

Photos of the suspect.

Dalton Police Participate in Statewide Click It or Ticket

Dalton Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, along with the Patrol Division will step up its efforts in enforcing Georgia’s Seatbelt and Child Restraint laws, in conjunction with the nation wide “Click it or Ticket” campaign that will run from May 19^th thru June 1^st.  The first nationwide traffic enforcement campaign of the year will include the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday.

 

“Click It or Ticket” is a nationwide enforcement campaign to increase seat belt usage, and to reduce serious injury or fatal car crashes.  Research data from 2006 shows that 72-percent of passenger vehicle occupants involved in serious car crashes nationwide survived when wearing their seat belts correctly.  Seat belts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45-percent.   

The current statewide seat belt usage in the state of Georgia is at 90%, the highest in the Southeast.  The most recent seat belt usage survey conducted in April 2008 by the Dalton Police Department showed Dalton's usage rate is also at 90%.

For more information and FAQ about traffic safety, click here.

2008 Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics

Members of the Dalton Police Department, Whitfield County Sheriff's Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the local leg of the 2008 Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics-Georgia this morning. An annual event, the individual officers raise money from others to sponsor their participation. In addition, several officers received corporate and individual donations.

The local torch run route covered nine miles in Dalton and Whitfield County, and included a stop and visit with students at Valley Point Elementary School.

Members of the Dalton Police Department, Whitfield County Sheriff's Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation prepare for the Torch Run

Sheriff Scott Chitwood, and Chief Jason Parker with the torch.

Whitfield Deputies and Dalton Officers at the finish line in Gordon County