Dalton Police Blog

Bicycle Safety Tips For Your Children

With Spring arriving, children will again start spending more time outside.  With this, many will start riding bicycles in their neighborhoods.  It is important for parents and children to be aware of the dangers involved and to take steps to reduce their chances of being injured.

• 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.

False Alarms

The Dalton Police Department responded to a large number of false alarms last year.  In 2006, the police department identified 154 locations having 3 or more false alarms during the year  The total amount of false alarms coming from these 154 locations totalled 765.  The vast majority of these locations were businesses. 

These numbers do not represent the actual number of false alarms officers responded to since no location was entered with one or two false alarms for the year.

False alarms require officers to pull away from other duties to verify that the alarm is not an actual burglary.  If an open door is detected, additional officers must to called to the scene so the building or residence can be searched.  On many of these calls, the officer must stand by at the location waiting on a responsible party (RP) to respond to secure the business or residence.  This further takes the officer away from other patrol duties in the City.

We want to remind property and business owners to keep their alarm system in proper working order and have it checked on a regular basis by security technicians.  By doing so, the number of false alarms will decrease allowing officers more time to provide services to others in the community.

Police Looking for Suspect in Credit Card Fraud

Dalton Police Detectives are looking for Mr. Eric Scott Bowman in connection with several fraud cases the police department is investigating.

One case involves Mr. Bowman being a suspect in a $9,000 credit card fraud case.  The other involves a forged/stolen check he wrote for $28,000.

The suspect is described as:

• White male
• 6 feet tall
• 230 pounds
• Brown hair and Blue eyes
• Possibly driving a dark green or brown 2003 F-250 Ford 4x4 truck without a tailgate

Mr. Bowman has contacts in both Gordon County (Calhoun) and Murray County but visits Dalton frequently.  The Police Department has obtained felony warrants for Mr. Bowman for Identity fraud.

Anyone with information on the location of Mr. Bowman is asked to contact Detective Matthew Locke at (706) 278-9085 extension 320. 

Anyone wanting to give anonymous information about this or any other crime is asked to contact the department's CRIME TIP HOTLINE at (706) 278-9085 extension 221. 

Recent photo of Eric Bowman, wanted for Identity fraud by the Dalton Police Department

Police Search for Suspects in Armed Robbery

The Dalton Police Department is searching for two individuals that robbed the Favorite Market at 2000 Chattanooga Road early Sunday morning.

The individuals are described as: two black males, in their mid 20's, both medium build.  One approximately 5'8" tall with hair braids, and the other approximately 6'0" tall. A black female was also seen entering the store just prior to the crime, and investigators would like to locate this person as well. The images below were taken from the store surveillance cameras.

 

The two suspects entered the Favorite Market at approximately 5:07 a.m. on Sunday morning and produced handgun style weapons.  There was one store employee in the business at the time.  While threats were made toward the clerk, the employee was not injured.  The suspects fled the scene in an unidentified vehicle with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Video surveillance was taken of the incident by store security cameras and is being analyzed using the department's new video enhancement equipment.

Anyone in or around the area of the Favorite Market at the time of the robbery or anyone with information about this robbery is asked to contact Detective Matthew Locke at (706) 278-9085 extension 320.  Anyone wanting to give anonymous information about this or any other crime is asked to contact the department's CRIME TIP HOTLINE at (706) 278-9085 extension 221.

Georgia's Gun Laws

Outside of seatbelt laws, there is probably more confusion among the population about gun laws than any other topic.  I routinely answer personal questions or emails regarding gun laws.  Examples include, where they go to register there gun? Where are they allowed to carry a weapon? Whether their gun can be loaded in the car?  These are just a sampling of the types of questions I have been asked in my ten years in law enforcement.  Remember, there are over 20,000 gun laws on the books in America so confusion is understandable.

This entry will focus strictly on firearms laws in Georgia and will not address self-defense issues or laws outside the State of Georgia.  Firearms laws can vary greatly between States.  Because of this it is important to become familiar with the firearms laws in your State.  An excellent source of information concerning firearms laws as well as other firearms related issues can be obtained from the National Rifle Associations website.

Georgia's firearms laws can be found in the O.C.G.A. under title 16 chapter 11 starting at 16-11-101 and concluding with 16-11-134.

Here are the answers to some of the more common firearms questions:

How old do I have be to legally possess a firearm? - Georgia law requires that you be at least 18 years of age to possess either a handgun or long gun such as a rifle or shotgun.  While you can legally own a handgun in Georgia at 18 years of age, Federal law requires you to be at least 21 years of age before you can purchase a handgun.

Do I have to register my gun(s) in Georgia? - No. Georgia does not require anyone to register firearms.

Do I have a to have a permit to carry a firearm in my car? - Currently, without a permit, the firearm must be carried "in the glove compartment, console, or similar compartment of the vehicle" or "in open manner and fully exposed to view".  With a carry permit, those restrictions do not apply and the person "may carry a handgun in any location in a motor vehicle".  A bill has recently been introduced in the legislature that would allow you to carry a firearm anywhere in your vehicle.  We will see if this becomes law. 

Does the gun have to be unloaded when carrying it in my car?  No.  There is no requirement that it be unloaded unless it is carried in any other method than as described above, it must be "enclosed in a case, unloaded, and separated from its ammunition".

Where can I carry my handgun if I have a permit? -  Even with a permit, there are restrictions when carrying a weapon on your person such as types of holsters, etc.  The person should review O.C.G.A 16-11-126 and be familiar with this code section before carrying a concealed weapon.

The second part of the this question often deals with "where" as it pertains to location.  For this, carrying to or while at "public gathering" is prohibited.  There are also other locations that are prohibited even for those possessing a carry permit.  Public gathering, as defined in code section 16-11-127, "shall include, but shall not be limited to, athletic or sporting events, churches or church functions, political rallies or functions, publicly owned or operated buildings, or establishments at which alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises".

Where do I go to get a carry permit? - An application for a carry permit can be obtained from the probate court in your county of residence. 

How much does a carry permit cost?  The cost is $44.00 and is valid for 5 years.

Is firearms training required before getting a carry permit?  In Georgia, there is no requirement of firearms instruction or training prior to getting the carry permit.  However, while not required, it is highly recommended that the person obtain, at a minimum, basic instruction on the operation of the firearm they own as well as be familiar with the laws surrounding carrying and use of firearms.  Carrying a firearm for personal protection is a tremendous responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly.

Does your department offer firearms training?  Currently, the Dalton Police Department does not offer firearms instruction to private citizens.  However, there are several private organizations available to receive this instruction.  A few nationally recognized ones include, Thunder Ranch, Gunsite Academy, Shootrite Academy in Alabama and the closest, Bill Rogers Shooting School located in Ellijay, Georgia.