Dalton Police Blog

Drug & Crime Tip Hotline

The Dalton Police Department wants to remind residents to use our Drug and Crime Tip Hotline.  The department introduced the hotline in October of last year.  Anyone with information about current or past cases, as well as potential drug or criminal activity can pass this information on to the police department at anytime.

The Tip Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day by dialing 706-278-9085 extension 221.  The caller will receive a brief message that will outline what information is needed.

The person's call will be answered by an automated voice mail system and will allow the individual to give information in an anonymous manner.  The person can also give his or her name and phone number if they wish to be contacted at a later time by an officer.

Callers can leave as much information as they wish but specific details such as a suspect or victim's name, vehicle type, tag numbers, names or residence information will be helpful in investigating the crime.  In addition to the information above, information about drug activity and the type of drug being used or sold is very important.

Dangers of Underage Drinking

The Dalton Police Department wants to remind teens about the dangers of underage drinking.  Not only is it against the law, but underage drinking can also result in tragic health, social and economic problems.  According to a study by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, underage drinking is a casual factor in homicide, suicide, traumatic injury, drowning, burns, violent and property crime, high risk sex, fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol poisoning.

In 2001, underage drinking cost the citizens of Georgia $1.5 billion dollars.  These costs included medical care, work loss and pain and suffering resulting from the use of alcohol by youth.  In 2002, 556 youth between the ages of 12 and 20 were admitted for alcohol treatment in Georgia.  This number accounted for 4.3% of all treatment admissions for alcohol abuse in the state.

Young people who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence, and are two and a half times more likely to become abusers of alcohol than those who begin drinking at age 21.

If you are underage, please think twice before drinking.  We don't want you to become a statistic.

Explorer Program Educates Local Youth

The Law Enforcement Explorer Program is a youth program sponsored by the Dalton Police Department.  The program allows young men and women gain training and experience in the law enforcement field.  The program also provides opportunities for community involvement and development.  Program activities center around law enforcement training, organized recreational activities and competitive events.

Qualifications:

• Must be 14 to 20 years of age
• Must maintain at least a "C" average, and must remain in school until graduation or obtain a GED
• Must attend regularly scheduled meetings, including physical training

Some events the explorers participate in include local parades, fireworks shows and charity fundraisers.  For information on becoming a member of the Explorer Program contact Officer David Saylors or Officer James Mills at the police department.

A group of explorers in Gatlinburg, TN

Beware of Scams

In recent weeks, the Dalton Police Department has received many complaints about different types of scams.  That's why we want you be aware of these scams, so you can avoid being a victim. 

Here are some of the most common scams:

1.  Lottery Scam - This involves someone sending you a money order for a specific amount of money.  They then ask for approximately half to be sent back to process your lottery winnings.  The money order is no good but the account number is real.  The bank does not immediately determine it is a scam based on the real account number.  The scam is generally not discovered until the money order is returned as having non-sufficient funds.  By this time it is too late as your good money order is already on the way to them.

2.  Scams involving you selling something - This involves receiving more money than your asking price and then sending the overpayment back to them in the form of a money order.  The problem with this is the original money order you received is counterfeit.  Again, the account number is usually good so it is hard to identify it as part of a scam until it is too late.

3.  The third scam that is going around involves getting an email from someone posing as Paypal or Ebay.  According to the email, they notify you that someone has obtained your information and is using it.  They ask you to submit your personal banking information for verification.  Once they have your banking information, they can steal your money from that account.

So, how can you know if an offer is a scam?  If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, you may be a target of a scam:

• Are the check proceeds for an item you sold on the Internet such as a car, boat, jewelry, etc.?
• Is the amount of the check more than the selling price of the items?
• Have you been instructed to "Wire" funds out of the country as soon as possible?
• Is the check from an individual you have communicated with via Email?
• Is the check drawn on a business or individual different from the person buying your item or product?
• Have you been informed that you were the winner in a lottery that you did not enter?
• Have you been asked to assist in the distribution of money from another country?

If you have any doubts about concerning a financial transaction or a solicitation, we ask that you contact law enforcement authorities or your financial institution for assistance.

Dalton Police Participate in Health Fair

The Dalton Police Department took part in the Latin American Community Alliance's eighth community health fair on Saturday.  The goal of the health fair was to promote awareness and offer a variety of family services.  The health fair included information on diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, health insurance and immigration.  Blood pressure exams, mammograms, vision and other types of exams were also offered.  Dalton Police officers provided information on personal safety and were on hand to answer a variety of questions.  The health fair was held at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center.

Local Students Learn About Buckling Up

Students at Westwood Elementary were educated about seatbelt safety on Thursday.  Officer Ricky Long spoke to Mrs. Wright's 5th grade class about the importance of wearing seatbelts and things the police department does to enforce seatbelt usage.

Officer Ricky Long speaks to students

Students look inside a Dalton Police Department patrol car

Officer Long with a group of students

Volunteers - A Vital Part of the Police Department

Police volunteers continue to prove themselves as an asset to the department and our community.  Currently, the Dalton Police Department has a total of 6 volunteers; 3 chaplains and 3 Citizens On Patrol (C.O.P.S.) 

The department's chaplains provide valuable on call assistance to the officers on the street.  They also assist officers with suicide calls, death notifications, counseling, and needs which call for a person trained to deal with others in times of need.  They routinely ride with officers and are welcome members to our force.

Our Citizens On Patrol (C.O.P.S.) volunteers provide much needed assistance to the patrol officer by completing tasks such as delivering paperwork, assisting stranded motorist, responding to private property accidents, and helping officers with traffic control at crash sites.  In addition to their normal patrolling, they can answer as many as 5 calls for assistance in a day. 

Chaplains Don Treick and Thomas McCranie

Protecting Your Children From Guns

The idea of your child being around a gun may sound strange, but with approximately 250 million guns in the United States it's important to teach children what to do if they encounter a firearm.  Even if you don't have a gun in your home, there could be a firearm in the home of one of your children's friends.  Teaching your child what to do if their friend begins playing with a gun could mean the difference between life and death.

Things to tell your children about guns:

• Don't touch it - Most children, as well as many adults, don't have the understanding needed to properly handle a firearm safely
• Leave the area immediately - This is not the time to discuss with their friend whether they should be handling or playing with a firearm.  Leaving the area will reduce the possibility that they are  hit with the bullet that is accidentally fired from the gun
• Tell an Adult - They should immediately tell an adult what is going on so the adult to get the gun from the child

Steps that gun owners can take to reduce the chances of a firearms accident:

• Properly secure all firearms in the home - A lockable safe is excellent for this purpose.  A safe will also reduce the chances that a criminal will steal the firearms in a burglary.  If a firearm is needed for quick access, as would be the case for self-defense purposes, there are several quick "keyed" accessible pistol or rifle safes on the market.  The safe can also be used other valuables while the owner is away.  Even a low cost safe properly installed in the home will greatly reduce the chances of having your firearms improperly handled or stolen.
• Take the time to talk to your children about the dangers of improper handling of firearms - Not that firearms in general are dangerous but the improper handling (outside of adult supervision) is dangerous.  Just as having your child unsecured in a vehicle or allowing them to play in the street, giving them access to a loaded weapon without adult supervision is a recipe for disaster.
• Free Gun Locks - You can pick them up at the Police Services Center located at 301 Jones Street.  Instructions on how the lock works is included with each gun lock.

Gun locks or any other lockable devices should not be relied upon to keep a firearm out the hands of a child.  As a parent, you know that children can be very resourceful and simply locking a gun away may not stop a child from accessing a firearm.  So, take the time to educate your children about firearms safety.

Dalton Police Participate in Car Show Fundraiser

The Dalton Police Department took part in Windstream's Motor Mania car show over the weekend.  The show was held at the North Georgia Fairgrounds and served as a fundraiser for the GreenHouse of Dalton.  The GreenHouse is a nonprofit organization that provides services to child victims of physical and sexual abuse.  The police department had its crime scene van on hand for the car show.  This is the second year the show has benefited the GreenHouse.

Motor Mania car show

Dalton Police Department Crime Scene van & CSI demonstration table