Dalton Police Blog

Operation Zero Tolerance Reminder

Motorists should be reminded that the Dalton Police Department is taking part in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign January 1, 2008.  Operation Zero Tolerance is a statewide mobilization of law enforcement agencies to combat motorists driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.  This year's national campaign slogan is "Over The Limit, Under Arrest".

Dalton Police Department's Special Operation Unit, Situational Response Unit and Patrol Division will be concentrating its efforts in fighting drunk driving during the campaign.  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.

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

Warning Against New Year's Gunfire

Dalton Residents are urged to use extreme caution during New Year celebrations, especially when it comes to use of firearms.  In recent years, we have seen a dramatic increase in residents firing rifles and pistols to celebrate the dawn of the new year.  And while a few bullets fired into the air may seem harmless, they can cause serious injury or death.

The Dalton Police Department is asking all residents to be sensible and safe during your celebrations. We all expect noise for awhile at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day, but introducing firearms into the mix is asking for trouble, and it is illegal to discharge a firearm within the city of Dalton.  Please use caution so that you, your loved ones, or an innocent bystander is not the first death of 2008.

Police Department Hires Two New Cadets

Two new cadets started December 26th in the department's orientation process in preparation to attend the ten-week regional police academy in Dalton.  Following the basic law enforcement training, the officers will conduct a one-week mini academy session in preparation for entering the 17-week Police Officer Training (PTO) program.

Jacob Burger, 24, of Niskayuna, New York and Rene` Coffey, 47, of Chatsworth, Georgia

Merry Christmas

The Dalton Police Department would like to wish you and your family a verry Merry Christmas!

Citizens Police Academy Reminder

The Dalton Police Department is set to begin its 16th Citizens Police Academy for 2008.  The academy classes will begin February 26^th and will give participants the opportunity to learn about all the different parts of the Dalton Police Department and how each division works.  The academy also provides each participant a chance to ride along with a patrol officer on his or her shift, and gives participants the chance to see and use some of the equipment used by officers on a daily basis, including firearms.

The class will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a ten-week period starting February 26^th.  The classes will be held at the Police Services Center at 301 Jones Street.  Anyone interested in attending the academy can pick up an application at the Police Department, apply online at by clicking here, or call Sergeant Mike Dyer at 706-278-9085 extension 109 to have an application mailed to you.  All applications must be received by February 10, 2008.

Preparing Your Vehicle For Inclement Weather

The Dalton Police Department would like to remind motorists to prepare their motor vehicles before inclement weather hits the Dalton area.  There are several important things that need to be checked on your vehicle and several things that should be carried inside your vehicle in case you become stranded.

The following is a list of things that should be checked to ensure your vehicle is in good operating condition.

• Have the car battery tested
• Check the antifreeze level and effectiveness at sub-freezing temperatures
• Make sure the windshield wipers are in good condition
• Check the windshield washer fluid
• Make sure all lights are working correctly, including flashing hazard lights
• Have the brakes inspected
• Check the tire tread
• Make sure the inside heater and defrost is in proper working condition

Motorists should also keep the following items in their vehicles when traveling in inclement weather, no matter how short a distance they may be traveling.

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Blanket
• Extra cap and gloves/mittens
• Rain gear
• Small tool kit and booster cables
• Small bag of kitty litter for tire traction
• Bottled water and snack foods/power bars
• Brightly colored cloth

The Dalton Police Department would also like to remind motorists of some driving tips during inclement weather.  During inclement weather be sure to travel only when necessary.  Leave early, avoid lightly traveled roads and expect driving delays.  Motorists should slow down on wet or slick roads and drive much slower than the posted speed limit.  Avoid quick accelerations, hard braking and quick turns or lane changes. 

If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle as long as possible.  During the day, you can hang a bright colored rag or cloth on the antenna of your car and at night turn on the flashing hazard lights.  If possible, run the engine and heat for short periods of time to provide warmth.

Protecting Your Home During The Holidays

The holiday season is upon us and we would like to remind residents to protect their homes and families from burglars.  Here are some helpful tips:

• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• When going out of town, your indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• Be aware that criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts.
• Do not give money to people soliciting door-to-door donations.  Most of the time this is a scam.

Holiday Cheer From Local Elementary School Students

Students from Westwood Elementary helped fill the halls of the Dalton Police Department with holiday cheer.  The students stopped by to sing some Christmas carols including "Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer", "We Wish You A Merry Christmas", and "Feliz Navidad".  This is a yearly treat from the students.

Students singing in the Police Department lobby

Students showing off some dance moves

A group of students in front of the department's Christmas tree

Bank Robbery Suspect In Custody

Quick action by the Dalton Police Department leads to the capture and arrest of a bank robbery suspect.  Shortly before 4:00 pm on Thursday, the armed suspect entered the Bank of America on South Thornton Avenue.  He alerted some employees on the second floor that robbery was about to take place and showed his gun.  But when he came downstairs, the bank manager had locked the lobby doors leading into the bank.  The suspect then fled in a black Infiniti sedan.  A Dalton Police officer spotted the suspect on Walnut Avenue and pursued him onto I-75 south.  Officers from Georgia State Patrol, Whitfield County and Gordon joined the chase along with additional Dalton officers.  The suspect eventually crashed near mile marker 309 and was taken into custody.

Lonnie Whatley, from the Atlanta area, has been charged with armed robbery and kidnapping.  Additional charges are pending.  He was booked into the Whitfield County jail.

Lonnie Whatley

Operation Zero Tolerance

The Dalton Police Department will take part in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign December 14, 2007 through January 1, 2008.  Operation Zero Tolerance is a statewide mobilization of law enforcement agencies to combat motorists driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.  This year's national campaign slogan is "Over The Limit, Under Arrest".

Dalton Police Department's Special Operation Unit, Situational Response Unit and Patrol Division will be concentrating its efforts in fighting drunk driving during the campaign.  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.

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

Red Light Cameras Progress Report

In November 2006, the Mayor and Council accepted the recommendation of the Public Works Committee and the Public Safety Commission to install Red Light Traffic Cameras at four intersections on a one-year trial basis. Once installed, the responsibility for administration of the cameras system was placed on the police department. The cameras were approved to be installed at:

1. US 41 North (Bypass) & Shugart Road; (all three approaches)
2. Walnut Avenue (State Route 52) & Glenwood Avenue; (two approaches, East and West bound)
3. Walnut Avenue (State Route 52) & Airport Road; (two approaches, East and West bound)
4. Thornton Avenue & Waugh Street; (two approaches, North and South bound)

Due to paving and construction, all locations except Thornton Avenue & Waugh Street, which became operational July 10, 2007, are still pending installation. The decision was made to install the system at Thornton and Waugh first due to this reason. The table below indicates the number of violations to date for this location:

MONTH	SENT TO CITY	CITATIONS ISSUED	REJECTED	WARNINGS
JULY	434	0	0	434
AUGUST	884	577	34	273
SEPTEMBER	500	455	45	0
OCTOBER	429	378	51	0
NOVEMBER	223	206	17	0
TOTALS	2470	1616	147	707

• A police officer views each violation and only approves those that warrant a citation
• Although only one intersection is currently active, state law requires signage to be posted at the jurisdiction limits, and at each active camera location
• During 2007, traffic crashes in Daltonhave been reduced by 10%
• Between January and September, there were 10 crashes at the Thornton & Waugh intersection
• There have been NO accidents at Thornton & Waugh Street intersection since September, 2007
• Red Light violations at Thornton & Waugh Street intersection have decreased 75% since August 1, 2007
• The red light camera vendor, LaserCraft, Inc., has performed at or above expectations in terms of customer service

To properly evaluate the full costs and benefits of this system, it should be evaluated one year after all intersections are operational. The initial signs are very positive in terms of public safety.

Dalton Officers Helping Make "Christmas Dreams" A Reality

Some Dalton Police officers are helping the Whitfield County Department of Family and Children Services with the annual "Christmas Dreams" program.  "Christmas Dreams" has been in place for about 13 years and provides needy families with Christmas gifts during the holidays.  This year, detectives from the Dalton Police Department helped out by loading gifts to be delivered to the North Pole.  Those gifts will now be distributed to local families in need.  Around 265 individuals will be helped this year.  The majority of gifts are for children, but the service also extends to the elderly.

Detective Greg Bates helping bag toys at Wal-Mart

Detective Nathan Lee helping load bicycles

Police Looking For Theft Suspect

Dalton Police detectives need the publics help identifying a theft suspect .  The man pictured below is wanted for entering a vehicle parked at Logan's Total Fitness on East Walnut Avenue on November 11th.  He stole the victim's wallet and then used the victim's credit card to purchase an LCD TV at K-MART in Calhoun, GA.  The suspect appears to be a white male standing around 6 feet tall.  He was wearing a dark colored coat with a hood and a red ball cap.  The suspect is described as having reddish blonde hair, big ears and pale skin.  If you have any information about this suspect, please call Detective John Helton at 706-278-9085 extension 143.

Surveillance photo of suspect at K-Mart

New Dalton Police Officer Graduates From Police Academy

Dalton's newest police officer received his badge and graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training Class #064 of the Northwest Georgia Police Academy on Friday, December 7th.

The academy lasts approximately 10 weeks. Instruction during the academy includes classes on Georgia law & criminal procedures, search and seizure, patrol techniques, CPR/first aid, accident investigation, emergency driving techniques and others. 

Officer Bruce Franks will now enter the field training phase, monitored by an experienced training officer. If he completes the additional sixteen (16) weeks of field training, he will be ready for solo patrol.

Officer Franks receiving his badge

Officer Franks & Chief Jason Parker

Christmas Drive Today!

The Dalton Police Department chaplains are teaming up with The GreenHouse to help brighten the lives of abused children this Christmas.  The GreenHouse is a children's advocacy center that provides services to the child victims of sexual and severe physical abuse.  Every year the GreenHouse hosts a Christmas party for the victims and their families who are in need during the holiday season.  We need your help to make this a Christmas that these children will never forget.

How can you help?  Bring an unwrapped toy or a cash donation to our Christmas Drive drop off point

Where?  Dalton Police Department, 301 Jones Street

When?  Today December 7th, 2007

Time?  7:00am - 12:00pm

We look forward to seeing you there!

Dalton Police Department Crime Statistics

Our most recent statistics show overall crime in Dalton is down from this time last year.  Part I offenses are down from 1,500 to 1,383.  These offenses include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and arson.  Part II offenses are also down to 6,258 from 7,089 this time last year.  These offenses include forgery, fraud, vandalism, drug crimes, liquor violations and DUIs.  Arrests and traffic crashes are also down.

Here is a look at the recent crime statistics.  These numbers measure from January - November of each year.

Part I Offenses	2007	2006
Homicide	4	2
Rape	9	11
Robbery	26	30
Aggravated Assault	100	103
Burglary	202	204
Larceny - Theft	983	1028
Motor Vehicle Theft	53	111
Arson	6	11
Part II Offenses	2007	2006
Other Assaults	528	570
Forgery/Counterfeiting	249	258
Fraud	267	207
Embezzlement	28	39
Stolen Property	3	19
Vandalism	558	658
Weapons Violations	45	69
Commercial Sex	21	25
Other Sex Offenses	110	86
Drug Sales	49	57
Drug Possession	355	441
Gambling	1	0
Offenses Against Family/Children	78	93
Liquor Violations	260	287
Drunkenness	223	208
Other Disorderly Conduct	613	667
Curfew Violations	53	82
All Other Offenses	2337	2772
DUI	480	551
Part I and II Total	7641	8589

Police Looking For Phone Cards Thief

Dalton Police Department detectives need the publics help identifying a suspect wanted for stealing prepaid phone cards.  On November 10th, the suspect pictured below entered the S&G Market on Underwood Street where he stole several of the cards.  He appears to be a young Hispanic male, possibly 18 to 23 years old, with an average build and black hair.  If you have any information about this suspect, please call Detective Greg Bates at 706-278-9085 extension 137.  You can also call the Crime Tip Hotline at 706-278-9085 extension 221.

16th Citizens Police Academy Starts February 26, 2008

The Dalton Police Department is set to begin its 16th Citizens Police Academy for 2008.  The academy classes will begin February 26^th and will give participants the opportunity to learn about all the different parts of the Dalton Police Department and how each division works.  The academy also provides each participant a chance to ride along with a patrol officer on his or her shift, and gives participants the chance to see and use some of the equipment used by officers on a daily basis, including firearms.

The class will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a ten-week period starting February 26^th.  The classes will be held at the Police Services Center at 301 Jones Street.  Anyone interested in attending the academy can pick up an application at the Police Department, apply online at by clicking here, or call Sergeant Mike Dyer at 706-278-9085 extension 109 to have an application mailed to you.  All applications must be received by February 10, 2008.

Emergency Services Respond to Water Main Break

Many Dalton residents were without water Monday evening when a Dalton Utilities 36" main water line broke spilling thousands of gallons of water across East Walnut Avenue.  The break occurred about 10:30 p.m. Monday evening and required responses from the Dalton Police Department, Dalton Fire Department, and Dalton Utilities.  East Walnut Avenue was shut down between Riverbend Road and Sheridan Avenue by Police Department personnel due to the amount of water on the roadway.

The break is expected to take several hours to shut down and repair leaving Dalton residents without safe drinking water.  "This is a good example of why it is important to maintain an ample supply of bottled drinking water", says Officer Chris McDonald, one of the officers responding to the incident.  Barricades were set up at key locations along Walnut Avenue to assist in traffic control.

Suspects Wanted In Connection With Felony Thefts In North

The suspects shown below were arrested in Chattooga County, GA on September 6, 2007 for felony shoplifting.  They were in a van and traveling around stealing baby formula from local stores.  They have now fled and have bench warrants in Chattooga County.  They seem to have some ties to Dalton, but we don't know where right now.  It would appear they are connected to the recent theft at Kroger.  They are probably using fake names.

If you have any information about these suspects, please call Detective Matthew Locke at 706-278-9085 extension 320.  You can also call the Crime Tip Hotline at 706-278-9085 extension 221.

Orlando Quintania  24 yrs old