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Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their tenth week of classes. Academy participants learned about our school resource officers and the service they provide to Dalton Middle School and Dalton High School. Members of the Citizens Police Academy also learned about criminal procedure.
School Resource Officer Terry Smith speaks to members of the academy
Citizens Police Academy participants
The Dalton Police Department took part in Family Fun Day at St. Mark's Preschool on Tuesday. The end of the year celebration gave the school's children a chance to learn about the police department and get a first hand look inside a patrol car. The Dalton Fire Department also attended the Family Fun Day.
Children from St. Mark's Preschool lined up to look inside a patrol car
Officer David Saylors a group of children from St. Mark's Preschool
The Dalton Police Department's Explorer Cards are currently on sale. The discount cards can be used at 22 local restaurants and businesses. The discounts range from buy one, get one free to 10% off of entire purchases. You can purchase the cards for $5 at the Dalton Police Services Center at 301 Jones Street. The cards are good through March 31, 2009 and all proceeds go to benefit the Dalton Police Department's Explorer Program.
Parents and their children gathered at First Presbyterian Church this week to learn about Internet safety. Dalton Police officer Sam Eaton spoke to the group about safe Internet usage and some of the hidden dangers children can face while on line.
It is important for parents to take an active role in protecting children from Internet predators. Here are a few tips that can help:
Officer Sam Eaton speaks to parents and children about Internet safety
The Dalton Police Department and CrimeReports.com have announced a new online crime alerting and mapping service that provided easy to read incident crime maps and automated alerts to the citizens of Dalton. The service, located at http://www.crimereports.com/ or directly from http://www.daltonpdblog.org/, provides neighborhood crime data in near real-time and is available now.
The CrimeReports service is free to the public and allows citizens to receive automatic daily, weekly or monthly email alerts if/when crimes occur near their home, office, local school, etc. Citizens can also view reported crime activity on an easy to use map for any location within city of Dalton boundaries. Crime incident data is updated nightly and includes:
"CrimeReports.com will prove particularly valuable to those in the community who want to say informed about what is going on in their neighborhoods and empower citizens to work with the police department to address neighborhood crime issues." said Chief Jason Parker.
Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their ninth week of classes. Academy participants got a chance to work with the Firearms Training Simulator (FATS). The FATS system is used by officers for training purposes. It is an interactive system that enables officers to make "shoot - don't shoot" decisions in a controlled training environment. It allows officers the opportunity to practice their verbal direction, use of cover, weapon handling and observation skills.
Officer Chris McDonald explains the FATS system to an academy participant
An academy participants takes part in a FATS training scenario
Two Dalton Police officers were recognized Tuesday for their recent heroic efforts. At this week's Public Safety Commission meeting, Jeff Carrier and Chad Owen each received a Medal of Valor. The medals were awarded after both officers risked their lives to try and save a baby from a burning apartment. Fire officials were still en route to the blaze when our officers arrived on the scene. The officers entered the burning building and emptied four fire extinguishers while trying to reach the upstairs bedroom where the baby was trapped.
Chief Jason Parker presenting the medals
Public Safety Commissioner Lane Ashworth, Officer Chad Owen, Jeff Carrier & Chief Jason Parker
The Dalton Police Department and Special Olympics Georgia are teaming up to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Officers will be handcuffed to moving treadmills for five hours for Georgia's first annual "Cuffed for a Cause" this Friday. They will collect donations as they walk for a good cause. The officers will be on the treadmills from 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday April 25th at Wal-Mart on Shugart Road. Donations can be made in cash and credit cards will be accepted as well. Donations can also be made by going to http://www.firstgiving.com/daltonpd.
For more informaiton contact Sergeant Chris Crossen at 706-278-9085 extension 310.
For more informaiton about "Cuffed for a Cause" and the Law Enforcement Torch Run visit http://www.specialolympicsga.org/.
The Dalton Police Department and the Whitfield County Sheriff's Department are taking part in a basic Spanish class this week. The week-long class is offered once a year. An advanced Spanish class is also offered later in the year. The class is a training requirement for Dalton Police officers pursuing advancement within the department.
Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their eighth week of classes. Academy participants learned about crime scene investigations. Participants also had the opportunity to see inside the police department's crime scene van.
Academy participants inside the police department's crime scene van
Detective Mack Flood discussing crime scene investigating
The Dalton Police Department is now accepting applications for it's 3rd annual Teen Citizens Police Academy. The academy is open to teens 13 to 18 years of age and will be limited to 15 participants. This year's academy will begin on June 3rd.
Participants in the Teen Citizens Police Academy will attend 4 sessions on a weekly basis. Each session will last approximately 2 hours. Participants will also take part in a final graduation ceremony at the police department.
To apply for the Teen Citizens Police Academy, contact Sergeant Mike Dyer at 706-278-9085 ext. 109 or email Sgt. Dyer at mdyer@cityofdalton-ga.gov .
Dalton Police detectives arrested two suspects Wednesday for tagging a pair of local businesses on Hamilton Street. 18-year old Joshua Glenn Reid and 18-year old Brandon Scott Scrivner were recently captured on a surveillance camera tagging the businesses. Many Dalton businesses have been installing surveillance cameras due to vandalism. Both suspects are considered tag artists, not gang members. Reid and Scrivner are charged with criminal trespass.
Joshua Glenn Reid
Brandon Scott Scrivner
If you are confused or have questions about gun laws you are not alone. We routinely answer questions in the community regarding gun laws. Firearms laws can vary greatly between states, which makes it important to become familiar with the firearms laws of your state. An excellent source of information concerning gun laws is the National Rifle Association 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 Bill Rogers Shooting School in Ellijay.
Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their 7th week of classes. Academy participants got some hands on experience with the various weapons carried by Dalton Police Department officers.
Participants had the opportunity to fire the department's duty pistol, the Sig P229, the Remington 870 shotgun, and a Colt AR-15 rifle carried by selected officers.
Officer Chris McDonald assisting an academy participant on the firing range
Academy participants at the firing range
Dalton Police detectives are looking for a possible serial bank robber who may be responsible for recent holdups in Dalton, Fort Oglethorpe and East Ridge, TN. Because of the proximity of the robberies, detectives believe the suspect live in or around the Tennessee Valley.
In all three robberies, the white male suspect presented a not to the teller and postured himself as if he had a weapon. The robbery in Dalton occurred on February 27th at BB&T on Walnut Avenue. The East Ridge robbery happened on March 28th at Suntrust and the Fort Oglethorpe holdup happened on March 31st at Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union.
The suspect appears to be 25 to 35 years of age with dark hair and a medium build. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective John Helton at 706-278-9085 extension 143.
Suspect shown on 2/27/08 in Dalton
Suspect shown on 3/28/08 in East Ridge, TN
Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their sixth week of classes. Academy participants heard from District Attorney Kermit McManus and were given a tour of the Whitfield County Jail.
District Attorney Kermit McManus speaks to the class
Citizens Police Academy participants
With Spring finally here kids will begin spending more time outside, especially on their bicycles. It is important for parents and children to be aware of bicycling dangers and to take steps to reduce their chances of being injured.
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