Operation A.B.L.E. Launched

The Dalton Police Department announces the launch of Operation A.B.L.E. ABLE is an acronym for - Aiding the community in identifying various crime indicators, Building partnerships with the community, Locking up offenders, and Enforcing laws consistently and constitutionally. ABLE is the result of the Dalton Police Department's strategic plan (Crime Reduction section attached-click here) and due to increased funding, provided two weeks ago. The department will be deploying up to twenty seven (27) officers at certain times. Among the objectives the officers will be pursuing are the following: * Increasing the presence of police officers during targeted times and locations * Increase arrests for all violations associated with disorderly and dangerous offenses * Increase criminal intelligence gathering * Increase major drug operations * Improve the prosecution of offenders especially "gang members" * Reduce the incidents of vandalism * Educate citizens about the Mission and functions of the Dalton Police Department Within each of the objectives, officers have certain goals they will be striving to obtain. Officers will also be provided an operation plan for each day focused on crime problems in specific areas of the city.

The department will be Aiding the community in identifying various crime indicators. Education of citizens is imperative to the reduction of crime. To this end, the Dalton Police Department will be holding a second gang forum on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 beginning at 6 PM at Dalton City Hall. Other forums are scheduled for the remainder of the year. Times and dates can be viewed by logging on to www.daltonpdblog.org

Additionally, the Dalton Police Department invites citizens in the community to ride with an officer. To find out more about the "Ride along Program", please call Angela at 706-278-9085 Ext. 120.

Officers will also be attempting to Build and enhance our partnerships with the community. Increased foot patrols, use of bicycles, as well as drop in visits to businesses and residences are scheduled. Sir Robert Peel said it best - "Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence."

No tolerance will be given to those who violate the law and they can expect to be Locked up for those offenses that are committed and require incarceration. The mission of the Dalton Police Department is to provide the community of Dalton a safe environment with professional quality police service through positive interaction with its citizens. The mission is taken very seriously.

All laws will be Enforced consistently and constitutionally. While some would argue that some laws are more serious than others the bottom line is that if you are a victim you believe the crime committed against you is very serious. Therefore, while the emphasis for ABLE will be violent street crime the department will not be ignoring other crime in the community. Steps will also be in place to make sure no one is deprived of their due process in the criminal justice system.

"The citizens of Dalton and the Dalton Police Department have a tremendous opportunity to create a safer community for our families and children through coactive partnership," says Dalton Police Chief James D. Chadwick.

For further information, contact Assistant Chief Jason Parker at 706-278-9085 ext. 201 or jparker@cityofdalton-ga.gov. Download winmail.dat