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