Community Swearing In Ceremony

On Wednesday, December 3, 2014, City Manager, Glen Cummins announced Assistant Police Chief Mark Mitchell would become the new Canton Police Chief. The announcement came after Chief Robert Merchant stated he would be retiring.  Chief Merchant served as the Chief of Police for the past 2 ½ years.

We would like to invite the community to the swearing in ceremony of our new Canton Police Chief, Mark Mitchell.  The ceremony will take place on December 29, 2014 at 11:00 am at City Hall, 151 Elizabeth St, Canton Ga, on the third floor.  This will be a great opportunity to say goodbye to Chief Merchant and congratulate our new Chief, Mark Mitchell.

Shop With A Cop

On Thursday, December 18th, the Canton Police Department Explorers Post 0221 were able to help 15 local children by hosting "Shop with a Cop 2014" at the local Canton Walmart. Through the generosity of local Canton Businesses, Service Clubs, and individuals the Explorers were able to provide each child with a $125.00 to shop and buy for themselves this Christmas. As a result these children will have much appreciated gifts under their tree this year.

Pictures by Stan Oliver

The purpose of "Shop with a Cop" is to give kids a happier holiday season and allows them to interact with local law enforcement in a positive setting.

New Canton Officer

The City of Canton Police Department has hired a new Police Officer. Officer Justin Jones was sworn in by Judge Darrell Caudill on Friday, December 19, 2014. Officer Jones is a graduate of the Cherokee County Regional Police Academy. He successfully completed 408 hours of police training over the past 11 weeks.  He earned the distinct honor of receiving his graduating class flag for his outstanding performance while at the academy.

Officer Jones will spend the next several months in the departments FTO (Field Training Officer) program. The FTO training program provides a foundation for learning that prepares new Canton Officers for the complexities of policing today and in the future.

Chief Robert Merchant, Officer Justin Jones, Judge Darrell Caudill and Ast. Chief Mark Mitchell

Mail Theft Alert

On Sunday, 12/21/2014, the Canton Police responded to several calls regarding theft of mail from mailboxes in the River Green Subdivision. Officers recovered some of the mail in the River Green park area. The thefts are believed to have occurred during the night.  We have increased patrols in the area and are following leads.

Please report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood and keep an eye out for suspicious people waking near mailboxes. Call 911 to report an emergency and 678-493-4080 to report a non-emergency.

Mail Theft Protection Tips:

• Consider installing a locking mailbox at your home and retrieve your mail early in the day, before criminals have a chance to steal it
• Get a PO Box during heavy mailing times and use that address for packages, sensitive documents or payments
• Instead of putting outbound packages in your mailbox, drop them directly at the post office. 
• Tell Grandma to stop sending cash! It’s too easy to steal and impossible to trace.
• Use a mail service that tracks packages, insure the contents and require a signature at the other end.
• If you generally are not at home when packages are delivered, have them shipped to your work so that they don’t sit on your porch for hours.

Armed Robberies

The City of Canton has had two recent armed robberies, where the victims have been Hispanic males that have been walking in the Marietta Rd., Harmon Field and Academy St. corridor. In 2013, the police department made an arrest of two males for an armed robbery that occurred in the same area.

The latest robbery occurred on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at approximately 8 pm. The suspects in the robbery are described as two black males wearing dark hoodies that covered most of their faces.

 

The Canton Police Department recommends these walking tips:

• Avoid walking alone. There is safety in numbers.
• Stick to well-populated, busy areas. Avoid hidden trails, short cuts through secluded areas or lanes that are not well traveled. 
• Stay where there is traffic and other people on foot.
• Walk in the light and stay in well-lit areas. Do not walk in dark parking lots, dark alleys, dark lanes, dark trails, or any other dark areas. 
• A well-lit path in a well-populated area is your safest route to any destination, even if it takes longer
• Do not wear headphones that will distract you from your surroundings
• Take a cell phone. Carry a cell phone to have handy for 911 and other minor emergencies.
• Let others know. Always leave notice of where you are going and when you are expected to return. 
• Keep your head up and look confident. Posture can make all the difference in how a potential attacker perceives you. If you are looking down, seem distracted or appear afraid you are more likely target.
• If you are going to your car, have keys ready in your hands and inside your pocket. 
• Avoid caring bags or a lot of items in your hands
• If you think you are being followed, head into an open store, restaurant or lighted home. 
• Follow your gut feelings. If someone gives you a bad feeling, tell him/her clearly to leave you alone -walk away.
• Give directions from a distance. Do not approach a car stops to ask you directions.
• Yell if you are under attack. Keep yelling. Yell as loud as you can. Scream. Be noisy. This may scare off the attacker.
• Role play what you would do if you are confronted by someone intending to harm you.
• Have a ‘worst-case scenario’ plan. The best defense against an attack is awareness and action.

If you have have any information regarding these robberies, please contact Detective Tom Priest: tom.priest@canton-georgia.com or 770-720-4883.

Entering Auto

On 12/12/14 at approximately 5:00 am on Tanyard Street in Canton Ga, a male entered a pickup truck and stole items from the inside.  An ASUS laptop, Toshiba Laptop, Pelican computer bag and several hard drives were taken.

The attached photos are from inferred (colors may be reversed) surveillance camera that captured the incident.  Both photos are of the same individual.

If you have any information please contact Canton Detective, Drew Henson: dhenson@canton-georgia.com or 770-720-4883.

Officer Receives Third Lifesaving Award

Corporal (Cpl.) Stephan Delman was recognized on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at the City of Canton Council meeting for his lifesaving act. Cpl. Delman was presented his lifesaving award and medal by Chief Robert Merchant. This is Cpl. Delman’s third lifesaving award in his 3 ½ years of serving in law enforcement.

Chief Robert Merchant, Cpl. Stephen Delman, and Assistant Chief Mark Mitchell

On October 21, 2014, Corporal Stephen Delman responded to the Econo Lodge located at 138 Keith Drive in reference to a request for assistance call. Upon arrival, Cpl. Delman proceeded to room 123 where he observed an unresponsive male lying motionless on the floor of the motel room. On the night stand Cpl. Delman observed a syringe, spoon and plastic baggie.

Based on his knowledge and experience Cpl. Delman believed the unresponsive male to be a drug overdose. Cpl. Delman and other supervisory personnel recently attended training on opiate overdose and administering Narcan a medicine intended on countering the effects of heroin overdoses. Cpl. Delman immediately administered a dose of Narcan. As the male was regaining consciousness personnel from the Canton Fire Department arrived and provided follow-up care before transporting him to Northside-Cherokee hospital.

Wanted For Credit Card Fraud

Information:

This person is wanted for questioning regarding credit card fraud and entering auto charges.  The incident occurred 09/29/2014 at Target (2022 Cumming Hwy, Canton, GA.)

Person Description
Black Female
Height: 5'-5" - 5'-10"
Weight: 200 lbs
Hair: Black

The suspect left the scene in a white passenger car.

Please contact Detective, Tom Priest if you have any information relating to this case.  770-720-4883 Email: tom.priest@canton-georgia.com

Telephone Scams Warning

INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN

TELEPHONE SCAMS WARNING

The Canton Police Department wants to warn all residents of Canton of an ongoing scam in Canton and in Cherokee County.

Residents have been receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be a member of the Canton Police Department or the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office stating that an arrest warrant has been issued in their name for missing jury duty. They then tell you to prevent your arrest you must pay a fine.  They will instruct you to go to your bank and withdraw money, or to a drug store and buy a gift card equal to the amount of the fine, which you may deliver to an officer at a location they specify or they may ask you to send the money to a specific address.

The Court of Cherokee County will NEVER contact anyone by phone or email regarding missed jury duty.  The court only contacts people who miss jury duty by regular mail.  The Canton Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office will never contact anyone BY PHONE regarding a fine pertaining to an arrest warrant.

If you receive any phone calls regarding missed jury duty, or an arrest warrant, notify the Canton Police or Sheriff’s Office immediately.  NEVER PAY money to anyone who calls you by phone claiming to represent any Law Enforcement Agency.

Officer Receives Professional Designation

The National Institute of Crime Prevention (NICP) has announced the completion of its latest Advanced CEPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) course on November 6, 2014. The course, held at the Hubbell Lighting Corporate Headquarters in Greenville, SC, was attended by representatives from a variety of law enforcement agencies, City Planners, City Managers, Architects, and Security Consultants. The CPTED premise is "The proper design and use of the human environment can create a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime, and an increase in the quality of life".

Art Hushen, CPTED Instructor and Officer Pacer Cordry

Canton Police Officer, Pacer Cordry attended the course where he earned the CPTED Professional Designation (CPD). Officer Cordry is the first member of the Canton Police Department to successfully complete the course and earn this designation.

To earn the NICP’s CPTED Professional Designation, a participant must successfully complete sixty-four hours of instruction offered through the NICP within two consecutive years. Course curriculum includes forty hours of training in Basic CPTED and twenty-four hours of training in Advanced CPTED training.

Community Policing Partnership Award

Pictured Left to Right:  Chief Robert Merchant, Mr. Johannes Van Kints, Mr. Bret Brickles,

Lt. German Rivas and Asst. Chief Mark Mitchell 

photo by: Stan Oliver 

On November 22, 2013 two armed males entered the Cartersville Jewelry in the Walmart Shopping Center and took approximately $52,000 in jewelry and fled the scene in a pick-up truck.

Mr. Van Kints observed the suspects enter the truck and speed off. Thinking something was wrong, Mr Kints decided to follow the vehicle and also activated his Go PRO camera and called Cherokee 911. As he followed the vehicle he relayed valuable information on the vehicle's direction and a clothing description of the occupants. When the subjects exited the interstate at Exit 14 Mr. Van Kints lost sight of the vehicle.

Mr. Bret Brickles, on Marietta Highway, observed the suspects throwing clothing from the vehicle onto the roadway. Mr. Brickles then flagged down a Cherokee County Deputy Sheriff and reported what he had observed. The clothing was retreived and matched the description provided by Mr. Van Kints. The clothing was sent to the State Crime Lab for processing which resulted in DNA matches for both perpetrators

Chief Robert Merchant, during the City Council meeting on November 6, 2014, presented them with the Department's Community Policing Partnership Award. Chief Merchant stated "Mr. Van Kint and Mr. Brickles played a very important role in bringing this incident to a successful conclusion. They provided valuable information on the suspect's vehicle, direction of travel and clothing description."

Downtown Parking Enforcement

Downtown Canton Parking Enforcement begins Monday, November 10, 2014. Over the past three (3) months, Parking Enforcement Officer’s have not issued any tickets, but have wrote over 1,200 warning violations to violators.

The Canton Police Department would like to remind all citizens that plan to use the Downtown parking areas to observe all posted signage.

The fines approved by council will go into effect November 10, 2014, they are as follows:

Overtime Parking Violation Fines:
First offense -$10
Second offense -$15
Third offense -$30

Anti-shuffling- $20

Left wheels to curb- $20

Parking where prohibited- $20

Parking on sidewalk- $20

Double parking or parking in a traffic lane- $20

Parking outside a designated parking space - $20

Parking in a crosswalk -$20

Parking in a fire lane or in front of a fire hydrant -$50

Obstructing or blocking a private driveway -$20

Handicap violation - $205

A boot fee — (authorized with four unpaid parking tickets ) -$75.

Halloween Night Patrol

The Canton Police Department will have (Seventeen)
17 officers working tonight in efforts to have a safe and crime free Halloween. The officers will be patrolling the community using foot patrols, bicycles, motorcycles and patrol vehicles to ensure safety of trick-or-treaters. Officers will be alert for vandalism, theft, destruction of property, speeding and impaired driving.

The patrols will start at 5 pm and continue throughout the evening. If you have any cause for concern please call Cherokee County 911 Dispatch.

Canton PD Embraces Technology

The Canton Police Department is embracing new ticket writer technology.  This technology will make the ticket writing process more fluid for court officials and officers.

There are a lot of advantages to the device, but maybe the most important one is Officer safety.  Officers have been entering information off of driver’s licenses into the car computer.  The process takes the officer’s concentration and eyes off of their surroundings, exposing them to dangers around them.

Officer Jesse Hamilton
Photo by Stan Oliver

The ticket writers will allow officers to be more efficient and decrease their time spent on a traffic stop.  The writers work by scanning a driver’s license and automatically populating fields needed to write a warning or citation.  There is a small printer in the patrol car and a printed ticket will be given out.  This will ensure all tickets are readable and problems from illegible writing will be eliminated.   This will help citizens and clerks certify accuracy along with eliminating unnecessary paper use.

Community Award

Chief Robert Merchant and Casey Guyton
Photo by Stan Oliver

Mr. Casey Guyton, owner of Sosebee’s Funeral Home, receives a “Community Policing Partnership Award” from Canton Police Chief Robert C. Merchant, Jr. The award is given to those that show outstanding support for the Canton Police Department. Mr. Guyton through his own generosity purchased and supplied every officer in the department with an External Vest Carrier. These vest’s look like regular uniform shirts worn by the officers, however they are worn over the regular uniform shirt which allows for greater comfort and ease of use. 

Chief Merchant was very appreciative of Mr. Guyton’s kindness. “In all my years in law enforcement, I have never seen such an act of generosity. Our officers are very appreciative of Mr. Guyton’s support and willingness to provide them with this uniform option.”

Without Vest Carrier

With Vest Carrier

Officer Administers Narcan

On October 21, 2014, Corporal (Cpl.) Stephen Delman responded to the Econo Lodge located at 138 Keith Drive in reference to a request for assistance call.  Upon arrival, Cpl. Delman proceeded to room 123 where he observed an unresponsive male lying motionless on the floor of the motel room.  On the night stand Cpl. Delman observed a syringe, spoon and plastic baggie. 

Cpl. Stephen Delman

Based on his knowledge and experience Cpl. Delman believed the unresponsive male to be a drug overdose.  Cpl. Delman and other supervisory personnel recently attended training on opiate overdose and administering Narcan a medicine intended on countering the effects of heroin overdoses.  Cpl. Delman immediately administered a dose of Narcan.  As the male was regaining consciousness personnel from the Canton Fire Department arrived and provided follow-up care before transporting him to Northside-Cherokee hospital. 

Sons of the American Revolution Award

On October 14, 2014, the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution presented their “Fire Safety Commendation Award” to three members of the Canton Police Department.  State Representative Mandi Ballinger of District 23 presented the resolution to the City of Canton which recognized and commended the City of Canton Police Department and its Officers for providing the community with capable and reliable Public Safety; while Officers Jose Souto, Christine Hedmann and Jesse Hamilton displayed, their courage, valor, and risked their lives for those they serve. The resolution also recognized the outstanding leadership which provided effective and thorough training of its Officers.

The Officers received the Resolution for their actions in the rescue of a disabled man trapped in a burning residence.  The Officers made a forced entry into the burning building, without concern for their own safety and successfully extricated the wheelchair bound victim from the residence.  For their actions, the three Officers were also awarded the Department’s Life Saving Award on August 21, 2014.

 

Pictured Left to Right:  Asst. Chief Mark Mitchell, Chief Robert Merchant, State Rep. Mandi Ballinger, Officer Jose Souto and Officer Christine Hedmann.  Not pictured:  Officer Jesse Hamilton

Halloween Safety Guidelines

The Canton Police Department reminds citizens that Friday, October 31, 2014 is Halloween and time for trick-or-treating. The Police Department encourages all trick-or-treaters to follow the Halloween Safety Rules and Guidelines for this special night.

· Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Since masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible.

· Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.

· Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

· Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

· When selecting a costume make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

· Plan your entire route and make sure your family knows what it is.

· Make sure that you are wearing a flame retardant costume.

· Wait until you get home and your parents check your candy before you eat it.

· Be very cautious of strangers.

· Accept treats only in the doorway. Never go inside a house.

· Visit only houses where the lights are on.

· Walk on sidewalks and driveways.

· Cross the street at the corner or in a crosswalk.

· Take a cellular phone with you and report any suspicious activity and concerns.

The Police Department’s Traffic unit, Uniform Patrol Divisions, and bike & foot patrols will be patrolling all neighborhoods and subdivisions throughout the city. This will start at 5pm and continue throughout the evening. If you have any cause for concern please call Cherokee County 911Dispatch.

New Officer

The City of Canton Police Department has hired a new Police Officer.  Officer Jason Culberson was sworn in by Judge Darrell Caudill on Friday, September 19, 2014. Officer Culberson has three years of previous law enforcement experience.

Officer Culberson will spend the next several months in the departments FTO (Field Training Officer) program. The FTO training program provides a foundation for learning that prepares new Canton Officers for the complexities of policing today and in the future.

Photo by Stan Oliver, Canton Police Department

  Chief  Robert Merchant, Mrs. Culberson, Ofc. Culberson, Judge Caudill and Assistant Chief Mitchell

Public Notice

The City of Canton has recently updated it’s Speed Detection Device Permit, through the Georgia Department of Transportation.  The following roads have been approved for speed enforcement.

                          Location                                                                        Speed Limit

Northside Cherokee Blvd:  CS 956 to State Route 140                          40 mph

Northside Pkwy:  State Route 20 to CS 351                                            25 mph

Reservoir Drive:  State Route 5CO to Great Sky Pkwy                          35 mph

School Zone:  Teasley Middle School on Reservoir Drive                      25 mph

Officers will issue warnings for the next 30 days. 

Officer of the Year

The Canton Moose Lodge held its annual public safety appreciation dinner on Monday, October 6, 2014 at the  Canton Moose Lodge.  The award for “Officer of the Year” in the Canton Police Department went to Detective Dennis Hansen.  The award was received, on Detective Hansen’s behalf, by Canton Police Chief, Robert Merchant and presented at a later date to Detective Hansen, who was unable to addend the ceremony.

Chief Robert Merchant and Detective Dennis Hansen