Police Department Begins Expanded Enforcement of Spray Paint Sales to Minors
The Dalton Police Department will begin an expanded enforcement of the current "Model Glue" code section of Georgia Law to target the sale of spray paint to minors. Under the current law, products containing certain chemicals are prohibited from sale to persons under the age of 18 years of age. Most spray paints contain one or more of these restricted chemicals. In the past, officers have charged those found to have inhaled the chemical substances, but did not investigate the source the person used to obtain the paint.
Under the current law, stores that sell these spray paints must verify that the person purchasing them is 18 years of age or older unless they have written permission from a parent or guardian. Many stores already have policies in place that require them to properly identify the customer's age before the product is sold.
Several months ago, the Police Department arrested several juveniles who were riding around the City firing a weapon at businesses and parked vehicles. In a few of these cases, individuals were almost hit by the gunfire. Once caught, it was determined that the juveniles had been inhaling paint prior to and during the time the shootings occurred. This measure is being done to reduce the chances that paints containing these dangerous chemicals end up in the hands of youth.
The Police Department will be meeting with local businesses to educate and inform them of the law and our enforcement measures.
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