New Officer to Serve the Community

Canton Police held a swearing-in ceremony for it's newest Officer, John Van Kints. He was sworn into the department by Judge Darrell Caudill on Friday, December 21, 2018, at the Canton Municipal Court Facility. Family, friends and other members of the Canton Police staff were in attendance to show their support. The newest addition to the department is a recent graduate of GPSTC - Pickens Law Enforcement Academy.

How Did It Get Stolen?

The Canton Police Department (CPD) is well aware most incidents of property damage, theft from sheds/garages, theft from vehicles, bicycles thefts and other property crime happen overnight under the cover of darkness.

In many cases, vehicles, sheds, and garages are left unlocked by the owners. Suspects try doors until they find one unlocked and then look through the vehicle, shed or garage to take any valuables they locate as a quick crime of opportunity.

On Wednesday, December 5, 2018, the CPD will begin the “It’s 9 O’clock - LOCK IT UP” campaign. At 9 pm each night, a message will go out on the Police Department’s Instagram and Facebook accounts reminding all our followers that “It’s 9 O’clock – LOCK IT UP”. When you get the message, it is a perfect time to ensure your shed and garage doors are locked and to click that automatic door lock on your vehicles. Check to make sure your bikes are locked in the garage, shed, or are padlocked to an immovable object. Also, look around your yard and see if there is anything there that a thief may want.

If you LOCK IT UP there is a much better chance it will not be stolen.

We strongly believe this initiative is another excellent avenue to continue to improve our communication, partnership and trust with those we serve. As always, thank you for your support as we all work together to continue to improve the Quality of Life in our great city.

Attitude of Service, Mindset of Community and Heart of Protection!

Canton Police Hosting "Shop with a Cop"

The Canton Police Department would like to announce it will be hosting its annual “Shop with a Cop” on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at 5:45 pm. and is currently accepting applications and referrals from local schools. This annual event will take place at the Target store, located at 2022 Cumming Hwy, Canton, GA. 

Canton Officers and Police Explorers will be giving gifts to children who would not ordinarily be receiving much if anything this year. Officers will be helping approximately 20 families in need this Christmas season. The Police Department has received donations from local business and organizations to help support this cause and Officers were able to participate in "No Shave and Paint your Nails November and December" which raised approximately $1,200.00 for this vital program.

The Canton Police Department strongly believes in a “Mindset of community, Attitude of Service and Heart of Protection. Officers know their purpose is to make a difference in the lives of our children and families in our city and the surrounding communities. The goal of Shop with a Cop is to not only financially help families but to build trust and a positive relationship to let them know they have someone to turn to when faced with a potential crisis. 

Shop with a Cop application form: https://goo.gl/forms/SQ7DIwBXqyepmqEd2

Canton Police to Hold Facebook Live Town Hall Meeting

In efforts to reach more community members, Mark J. Mitchell, Canton Police Chief, and Deputy Chief Steve Merrifield will be hosting a town hall-style Facebook Live meeting. The event will begin at 7:00 p.m. and continue for approximately an hour, on Monday, November 26, 2018. The live stream will be available on the Canton Police’s Facebook page and will be archived for viewing after the broadcast is over.

 

Viewers of the event can post questions in advance by commenting on this Facebook event page or by texting questions to (470) 239-0008.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell adds, “We are always researching new, innovative and unique avenues to engage, connect and continue to build trust with those we serve. We believe this live event will give our citizens another transparent way to learn about their department and an opportunity to ask questions in order for us to help solve problems in our community.”

Detectives Solve Graffiti Incident

At approximately 8:43 am., Monday, October 22, 2018, Officers responded to the report of a business wall being spray painted (tagged) at 159 Railroad Street.  Police Detectives began working the case and discovered through video surveillance, the crime occurred on Sunday, October 21, 2018, just before 1:00 am.  The video revealed three (3) what appeared to be Hispanic males in an older model Lincoln Town-Car commit the trespassing act with what is believed to be Gang Graffiti.

Over the past several weeks, Detectives had the incident disseminated on the department’s social media platform, conducted interviews and worked with the Cartersville Police Department because persons responsible were known to their department and thought to live in that area.  After further keen investigative work, Detectives discovered the three (3) suspects are members of the Cartersville Vatos Locos (CVL) gang and tagged the wall because they had issues with individuals here in Canton.     

On Wednesday, November 7, 2018, Detectives secured arrest warrants for Luis Alberto Rocha age 24 of Cartersville, GA, Juan Estaban Gallegos age 24 of Cartersville, GA and Coty Lance Gallegos age 31 of Kingston, GA., all charged with Criminal Trespass and violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act.  At the time of this press release, Juan Gallegos is in custody and Detectives with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) are searching for the other two (2) individuals.

Chief Mark J. Mitchell added, “Our Detectives dedicated many hours to solve this case.  As you can see, these offenders are not from our city and I urge those who live here that were the subject of their tagging to take heed of how hard our Officers and our law enforcement partners work to ensure individuals who commit these crimes will be sought out, arrested and charged accordingly.”

Chief Mitchell continued and said, “We want to thank the Cartersville Police Department, Kingston Police Department and the FBI for their vital assistance with this criminal activity.

Canton Police Receive Agency of the Year Award

The Canton Police Department is pleased to announce it has been awarded the Agency of the Year from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) for the Appalachian Trail Traffic Enforcement Network (ATTEN) district in Georgia.

The award was presented on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at the annual QUAD meeting in Gainesville, GA.

The agency would like to thank Sgt. Delman, Officer Molasso, Lt. Baldwin and Captain Turner for their management of the program and involvement with the district.

For more information on GOHS and its highway safety programs, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.

Police search for suspect in armed robbery at service station

 The Canton Police are searching for a suspect who committed an armed robbery at a convenience store in Canton, late Monday night after the individual took cash and fled.

Canton Officers responded to a panic alarm around 11:00 pm on Monday, October 22, 2018, at the Chevron service station located at 370 Marietta Rd.

An employee at the Chevron told police they were confronted by a male armed with a gun who demanded money.  The suspect jumped the counter and entered a back room.  After leaving the back room with an undermined amount of cash, he exited the front entrance and fled on foot down Marietta Road.  Officers arrived and searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. 

The suspect is described as a Hispanic or possible white male with a slim build.  He spoke in English and Spanish and had a tattoo on his left forearm.

Canton Detectives are reviewing video surveillance from the service station and are asking anyone with information about the robbery or who might have seen something suspicious to please call 911.