Dalton Police Blog

DPD Kicks Off 18th Citizens' Academy

The 18th Dalton Police Department Citizens' Police Academy kicked off on Tuesday night with a three-hour session led by Chief Jason Parker.  Chief Parker gave the 30-member group a brief lesson on the history of policing, followed by an overview of the structure of the DPD and the way the department operates.  He also led the group through a discussion of some of the department's latest strategies for fighting crime in Dalton, including the use of new crime-mapping software included with the department's new records management system.

The evening concluded with a tour of the Police Services Center, led by Chief Parker and Assistant Chief Truman Whitfield. 

Below (from left): Sergeant Mike Dyer speaks to the class, Chief Jason Parker leads a tour outside the administration offices, and one of the department's interview rooms (click thumbnails for a larger version of the image).

DPD Explorers Bring Home Trophies

The Dalton Police Department's Law Enforcement Explorers Program added some hardware to the trophy case over the weekend at a regional competition in Helena, Alabama. 

The Explorers, who weren't told which events they'd compete in before the competition, placed first in the "Domestic Crisis" scenario, third in "Crime Scene Investigation", and fifth in "Burglary Response."  The Explorers competed with teams from ten other law enforcement agencies in each event.

The DPD Explorers who competed in the event were Jordan Rittenhouse, Allexis O'Quinn, Isabel Mora, and Mikayla Ponders.

The Law Enforcement Explorers Program allows young men and women to 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.

The Explorers must meet the following 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.

Congratulations to the Dalton Police Department's Explorers, as well as program directors Officers David Saylors and Daniel Jones for another excellent performance.

Below: The awards won by the Dalton Police Explorers at this weekend's competition (click image for a larger version)

Reward Offered in Vehicle Break-Ins

A vehicle break-in victim is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thief. 

Sometime during the night of February 15th, someone broke into three vehicles parked at 306 Castle Road in Dalton.  Items taken included two handguns, a Beretta HGA 92FS (serial number BER220279) valued at approximately $540 and a Randall A131 (serial number RFO5871C) valued at approximately $725.  Also taken was a pair of Oakley half-jacket sunglasses (serial number 12-752~A00190) valued at $175.  The sunglasses were jet-black with deep blue lenses. 

If you have any information on this crime, please contact Detective Matthew Locke with the Dalton Police Department at 706-278-9085, extension 320. 

DPD Seeks Information on Car Break-Ins, ATM Fraud

The Dalton Police Department is asking for the public’s help with identifying a suspect who used an ATM card which was stolen during a series of three vehicle break-ins on Rocky Face Circle.  The entering auto incidents happened on the night of January 27th with the thieves leaving with approximately $700 worth of stolen property, including items such as MP3 players and GPS devices.  They also left with at least $200 in cash. The thieves also stole a wallet containing one victim’s bank cards.  One of those cards was later used to withdraw approximately $150 from two bank ATMs.  The images below were taken by the ATM’s security camera.

If you have any information on the identity of the suspect below, or any other information on these crimes, please contact Detective Jason Bishop with the Dalton Police Department at 706-278-9085, extension 214.

DPD Seeks Information on TV Shoplifting Suspect

The Dalton Police Department is asking for help from the public in identifying a white male who shoplifted a television from the Sears in Walnut Square Mall on December 11th.  The television, a 32-inch ProScan TV, is valued at approximately $400.

On the afternoon of December 11th, a group of four people, two white males and two white females, arrived together in the Sears store and began to move around the store together.  One of the group walked into the electronics department and picked up a television which was still in the shipping package, and walked out the door of the store without attempting to pay.  The suspect is described as a white male described as being in his last 20’s with brown hair and a thin, neatly trimmed beard dressed in a polo shirt and black North Face jacket.  He has a tattoo of a cross on the back of his neck.  The group fled in a waiting Nissan pickup truck. 

This crime was recorded on the store’s surveillance system, and an image of the suspect is included below.  If anyone has any information on this incident or the identity of the man pictured below, they are asked to please contact Detective John Helton with the Dalton Police Department at 706-278-9085, extension 143.

Below: The suspect is pictured on the store's surveillance system (click image to see a larger version).

Stay Safe on Super Bowl Sunday

This Sunday, February 7th, is Super Bowl Sunday.  As a result it's also one of the most dangerous days of the year on the nation’s highways due to drunk driving.  Statistics show that in 2008, 33 percent of all traffic fatalities involved an impaired driver. However, on the day of 2008's Super Bowl, that stat jumped to a staggering 48 percent when the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. 

The Dalton Police Department offers the following reminders to make Super Bowl Sunday safe.
If you plan to host a Super Bowl Party:

• Before kickoff, make sure your guests have Designated sober Drivers.
• Never serve alcohol to guests under 21-years-of-age.
• Serve plenty of food…And include soft drinks, juice, and water.
• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter (just like NFL stadiums) and start serving coffee and dessert instead.
• Take car keys from anyone who thinks about driving impaired.
• Keep the numbers for local cab companies on hand for impaired guests.

If you plan to attend a Super Bowl Party or watch the game at a restaurant or sports bar, here are some tips to ensure that you arrive home safely:

• Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give them your car keys.
• Volunteer to be the Designated Driver or offer to be one next time out.
• Before you party, program local cab company numbers in your cell phone so a safe ride is just a call away.
• Pace yourself.  Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. 
• Eat enough food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
• Never let a friend out of sight if you think they will drive impaired.

The Dalton Police Department reminds motorists that we have a Zero-Tolerance Policy for impaired driving. Help make this a safe Super Bowl Sunday on the roadways by buckling up, slowing down and driving sober. 

DPD Makes Arrests in "Tagging" Incidents

The Dalton Police Department has arrested three teenagers and issued an arrest warrant for one other after investigating a series of 16 “tagging” vandalism incidents that occurred on January 7th, 2010.  The incidents occurred in the neighborhood around Kenilworth Court in Dalton, and involved the spray-painting of vehicles, houses, or mailboxes.  In four cases, mailboxes were damaged with a baseball bat.

After an investigation by the Dalton Police Department, Christopher Kinnamon, 17, of 513 Williamsburg Drive; Christopher Charles Wilson, 18, of 808 Judd Terrace; and Samuel Batts, 18, of 800 Atkinson Drive were all arrested and charged with 16 counts each of criminal trespass.  An arrest warrant was also issued for Charles Thomason, 17, of 1908 Tiffany Lane with 16 counts of criminal trespass.

Investigators cited the work of School Resource Officer Brandon Carter as being critical to the quick resolution of these cases.  These incidents remain under investigation and further charges are possible.

Investigation Continues Into 2008 Arson Fire, Public's Help Needed

The Dalton Police Department is continuing an investigation into a November 2008 arson fire in the office of a local insurance company, and the owner is still offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offender.

The crime occurred during the morning hours on November 10, 2008 at the office of Oliver F. Cobb & Associates at 2708 Airport Road.  One of the office windows was found broken out, and a small fire was set inside.  The fire was put out by the building’s sprinkler system, but the office and an adjacent suite suffered smoke and heavy water damage. Oliver F. Cobb & Associates, LLC is a records and information management business handling insurance related services.

The Dalton Police Department continues to investigate the incident.  The $10,000 reward is being offered by the company’s owner, Oliver F. Cobb for any crucial information leading to an arrest and conviction.  If you have any information about this crime, please contact Detective John Helton with the Dalton Police Department at 706-278-9085, extension 143.

A sign outside the office of Oliver F. Cobb & Associates advertises a reward for information leading to an arrest in a 2008 arson case.