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.