Dalton Police Blog

Local Businesses Support Fatal Vision Program

Because of great partnerships with local businesses and the hard work of two officers from the Dalton Police Department's Situational Response Unit, the Fatal Vision Program will continue to be a success in the future. Patrolman First Class Scott Murray and Officer Tommy Ensley worked with 41 businesses in the Dalton area to secure enough funds to purchase a new golf cart that will be used to educate drivers about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Dalton Police Department is currently in its fifth year of offering the Fatal Vision Program. The program is conducted 8 to 10 times a year for different organizations, including schools, youth groups, and safety fairs. 

In 2006, the Dalton Police Department was recognized by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety for its efforts in fighting underage alcohol violations, including underage driving under the influence. The acquisition of the new golf cart insures that the Fatal Vision Program will continue to be offered in the future.

Dalton Police Participate in Family Fun Day

Members of Dalton Police Department's Bike Unit attended Family Fun Day at First United Methodist Church.  Officers assisted Bear Creek Bicycle with a bike rodeo for the children.  The bike rodeo participants were able to ride through a cone course practicing safe maneuvers.  Officers gave tips on how to stay safe while riding bicycles, such as wearing helmets, wearing protective clothing, and obeying the traffic rules of the road.

For a Bicycle Safety Checklist, Click Here

Family Fun Day at First United Methodist Church.

Patrolman First Class Matt Lane helps a young cyclist maneuver through the cones.

Dalton Police and Firefighter Scholarship Fundraiser

Members of the Dalton Police and Fire departments are currently participating in a fundraising effort to establish a scholarship at Dalton State College. The scholarship is intended for one child of a firefighter, and one child of a police officer to receive a scholarship each year, administered through the Dalton State College Foundation.

Officers and firefighters are offering tickets to a dinner sponsored by the Dalton Depot Restaurant, and the Dalton Hopitality Association. The idea for the fundraising event was developed by Depot Restaurant Owner T. J. Kaikobad. Each ticket costs $10, and you may purchase these by contacting any officer or firefighter, or stopping by the departments Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

For more details about the dinner, Click Here.

Dalton Police to Take Part in Operation Zero Tolerance

Dalton Police Department's Traffic Enforcement Unit, Situational Response Unit, and Patrol Division will be taking part in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, which begins June 20th and runs through July 6th.  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.

Operation Zero Tolerance is not only a statewide campaign, but also a nationwide campaign.  Law enforcement agencies all around the country will be mobilizing to combat driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. 

Drivers that drink and drive should also be aware of the new law that goes into effect during Operation Zero Tolerance. On July 1st, a fourth DUI conviction will be a felony in the state of Georgia. This comes just before the second deadliest day of the year on America's highways, July 4th.  Impaired drivers now cause one-out-of-three fatality crashes in Georgia each year!

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

Teen Academy Underway

The third Teen Citizens Police Academy is now underway at the Dalton Police Department. The Teen Academy offers an abbreviated version of the full Citizens Academy, and hopes to introduce young people to law enforcement in a positive way. The academy is held each year, depending on the level of interest.

If you have questions about the Teen Citizens Policy Academy, please call or email Sergeant Mike Dyer at 706-278-9085, extension 109.

Teen Citizen Academy participants listen to information about Internet Safety.

Dalton Police Seek Help in Vehicle Break-Ins

Dalton Police investigators are asking for the public's help in solving several vehicle break-ins in the area of the West Walnut Avenue/Interstate 75 motels. Over the past month, several vehicles were entered by tampering with the lock or breaking the window. The vehicles appeared to be chosen based on electronic devices left in plain view, such as cameras, laptop computers, and GPS navigation devices.

The time frame for the thefts is, generally, between 3:30A.M. and 5:00 A.M. A vehicle that has been seen in the area at or around the time of some of the thefts is pictured below. The car appears to be a Pontiac Grand Am.

If anyone has information concerning this vehicle or the break-ins, please call Detective Matthew Locke at 706-278-9085, extension 320.

Surveillance photos of a possible suspect vehicle