On April 24, 2015, at approximately 10:00 am a bomb threat was called into Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS), located at 105 Lamar Haley Parkway, Canton Ga.

Canton Fire and Police responded and have notified Hasty Elementry and local businesses. They have established a command center and a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 is currently searching the building.

Further information will be distributed when available.

Canton Police Implement Cooper Institute Fitness Program

Left to right:  Ofc. Paul Johnston, Ofc. Christian Cruz, Ofc. Mary Turner and Asst. Chief Stephen Merrifield

On Saturday, April 18th 2015, Canton Police Officers participated in the Fallen Officers 5K in Powder Springs Ga. as they prepare for the upcoming departmental fitness evaluation.

The Canton Police Department requires applicants to perform a fitness test prior to being hired. The test consists of a timed obstacle course, where a candidate must run, jump, climb and drag a 160 lbs. dummy. This test is to insure the candidate is fit for service. However, like most agencies, they have not in the past offered programs to maintain a level of health and tested officers to make sure they maintain a fitness level to perform the demanding duties after being hired. As of April, 2015 the Canton Police Dept. is implementing a Cooper Institute fitness program.

The Cooper Institute has worked with fitness programs in law enforcement, public safety and military since 1976. Part of the Cooper Institute’s mission is to help shape and influence fitness programs throughout the nation.

The department will introduce a Cooper Institute recommended fitness assessment that consists of:

1. 1.5 Mile Run
2. 1 Minute Timed Sit Ups
3. 1 Minute Timed Push Ups
4. Flexibility (sit and reach)
5. Body Composition

Officers will also receive a stress and nutrition management course taught by a certified health and wellness instructor.

By implementing a physical fitness program, the Canton Police Department will promote responsibility among its officers to take control of their own health. This responsibility is positive, as law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard which allows them to provide an example to others. Being in excellent mental and physical condition not only helps the officer personally, but can affect the lives of the constituents of Canton and those they serve.

Chief Mark Mitchell stated “The goal of our new Wellness Program is to strengthen the health of our Officers both mentally and physically. We feel this will not only benefit the individual and agency but also will provide a more professional fit Officer to serve our community. This new program is a "work in progress" and will be introduced to help our employees assess their fitness level and provide helpful ways to improve their mental health, physical health, nutrition and reduce stress levels to meet the demands of this most noble of professions.”

Boat Sinks

On Friday, April 10, 2015, at approximately 8:00 pm, Officers responded to the Hickory Log Creek Reservoir in reference to a person having boat problems. Officers arrived on scene and found the boat owner sitting on the boat ramp. The boat owner stated the boat began to take on water and swam to shore.

The following day the boat was discovered approximately 20 yards off shore by a Canton Fire Diver and a Cobb County Marietta Water Authority Diver. The divers attached a cable onto the sunken boat and it was pulled out by Mauldin’s Wrecker Service.

The boat owner (22 yrs. old of Ball Ground Ga) was cited for:

1. Operating boat without sufficient PFD's
2. Operating boat without required equipment 52-7-4 (2)
3. Disobeying posted notice-Operating boat with gas motor 38-42
4. Disobeying posted notice-Not paying ramp access fee 38-42
5. Disobeying posted notice-Being in park after hours 38-42
6. Operating unregistered vehicle without current plate 40-2-8

Fatality Accident Investigation

On Wednesday April 1, 2015 just after 9:30 pm., the Police Department responded to the report of a single vehicle accident on Marietta Hwy. at the corner of Westview Street. Upon arrival, Officers discovered the driver of a silver four (4) door vehicle was deceased as it initially appears the vehicle ran off the roadway down an embankment. Traffic accident investigators were called to the scene and are currently investigating the crash to determine the exact cause and contributing factors of the vehicle fatality.

The driver has been identified as a Mr. Michael Lee Greene age: 63 of Woodstock, Ga. Further information in regard to the crash investigation may be released when available.

Hit and Run

On 3/28/2015 at approximately 8:20 p.m.,  a 60 yr. old Hispanic male from Canton was stuck by a vehicle while crossing the street at Marietta Hwy near Kennett Street.  The victim reported that he was crossing the roadway and was struck by a blue minivan driven by a Hispanic male.  The vehicle continued south toward Bells Ferry Rd. and failed to stop after striking the victim.  The victim was taken to Northside Hospital Cherokee for evaluation.  The extent of his injuries is not available at this time but he was conscious and alert.

If you have any information relating to this case please call 911.

Armed Robbery Suspects Captured

On Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 2:36 pm., Patrol Officers were dispatched to the report of an armed robbery on Brookside Court, Canton, Ga.  Upon arrival, further investigation revealed a Hispanic male was walking near his residence with his children when the crime occurred.  The victim advised a newer model Chevrolet sedan driven by a female pulled up to his location and a young male exited the vehicle, brandished a handgun, and told the victim to give him all of his money.  The victim advised responding Officers that he quickly turned around and began walking back to his residence with his children.  He said the suspect and vehicle followed him while the perpetrator continued to demand his money.  The victim relayed that when he reached his residence, he pulled out his cell phone and the suspect and vehicle fled the area. 

Canton Police Detectives and the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist and began aggressively patrolling the area in an effort to locate the suspect vehicle.  An alert Detective spotted a vehicle occupied by multiple persons that matched the description of the suspects of the armed robbery in the River Ridge Apartment complex located off Reinhardt College Boulevard.  Additional law enforcement personnel, to include Detectives, Patrol Officers, and Sheriff’s Office Deputies, responded to the area and were able to detain four (4) individuals that were located in the gold Chevrolet vehicle.  At that time, Detectives were able to obtain further witness statements and evidence that positively identified these individuals as being the perpetrators of the Armed Robbery on Brookside Court. 

In addition, Police Detectives are investigating a strong arm robbery that occurred on Monday, March 24, 2015, and a reported aggravated assault that occurred on Saturday, March 22, 2015.  Both incidents happened in the same area as the above listed armed robbery.  First, on March 22, 2015, Officers responded to 128 Juniper Street to the report that a Hispanic Male had been shot in the face by two individuals in a gold color Chevrolet vehicle.  Upon arrival, the victim advised he was walking in the area of Birch Street when a young female and male pulled up to him in a gold color vehicle.  The victim further advised that after a very short conversation, the male driver shot him in the face with is believed to be some type of BB gun and quickly drove away.  The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated and released on scene. 

  

Second, just before 7:00 pm. on Monday, March 24, 2015, Officers responded to the area of Center Street and Highland Street.  A Hispanic male victim advised responding Officers that he was walking in the area when a female individual approached him asking to use his phone.  He told responding Officers he told the girl no and two (2) nearby males jumped him, struck him in the face, and stole his phone before they all fled the scene on foot. 

Police Detectives, through witness statements and additional evidence, have been able to connect all of the individuals who were arrested after Tuesday’s armed robbery to the felony crimes that occurred on Saturday and Monday.  All three (3) cases are still under active investigation and more information may be released when available. 

Chief Mark Mitchell stated, “I first want to say that we are thankful that none of the victims sustained serious injuries as a result of these violent crimes.  I am extremely proud of our hard working officers and detectives who quickly responded to the area of this crime and, as a team, were able to alertly locate and positively identify these individuals as the suspects involved in all three of these crimes that greatly diminished the quality of life for the citizens who lived in that segment of our community.  I also want to thank the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office for their response and assistance with this situation; they are always there for us and we greatly appreciate their assistance.  Our hope is that the citizens who live in this area of the City will feel more at ease now as they take walks with their families, without the fear of becoming a victim of a violent crime."

Arrestee information

Ashley Denise Conway age: 19 of Canton, Ga.

Charges:        Aggravated Assault – 4 cts

Aggravated Battery

Robbery

Battery

Samier S. Townsend age: 18 of Canton, Ga.

Charges:        Aggravated Assault – 4 cts.

Aggravated Battery

Armed Robbery

Robbery

Battery

Aniecea Dewalt age: 17 of Canton, Ga.

Charges:        Aggravated Assault – 4 cts.

Aggravated Battery

Armed Robbery

                       

Juvenile involved

Charges:        Aggravated Assault – 4 cts.

Aggravated Battery

Armed Robbery

Robbery

Battery

Note:  Adult pictures will need to be obtained through the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office           

Community Outreach

The ultimate goal of the Canton Police Department is to build legitimate, long lasting, and sustainable relationships between our organization and the community we serve as we move forward into the future. The Police Department is working hard to reach out to all citizens and neighborhoods in the City. Some of the planned events include town hall meetings, social media, community activities, and neighborhood meetings.

Chief Mitchell stated, “I want everyone to know, I believe our agency needs to reach out to professionally and equally serve each segment of our community.” Canton Community Officer Pacer Cordry said “It’s important to listen to the needs of the community and proactively respond to their issues and concerns. The Police Department will do what it thinks is best for the community, but until you really listen to the community and what they have to say, you are only doing half the job you should be doing.”

On Thursday, March 5, 2015, Chief Mark Mitchell and his Command Staff met with several local African American and Hispanic ministers in an effort to inform them about our agency, discuss the department’s community goals, coordinate our first quarterly town hall meeting, and listen to the valuable input they provided about how the agency may better serve the needs of their communities. Chief Mitchell stated “The meeting was positive, created important dialogue and, in our opinion, went very well. Recent events around the country have caused serious tension between law enforcement and their minority communities. With that said, one of the major goals of our agency is to build partnerships, communication, and trust in our City. I think it is important for this agency to connect with the African American, Hispanic, and other citizen groups in an effort to strengthen our relationships. This will pay important dividends for these communities and our agency in the future and allow us to effectively address criminal activity and public concerns.”

Pastor Charles D. Morgan from Zion Baptist Church commented “I much appreciate the Canton Police Department reaching out to the Community and its Churches to share their goals and objectives for building a better and more positive relationship within the Community. This first meeting was very informative and the dialogue was open and forthright. I look forward to working with the CPD towards reaching their community objectives.”

Former City Councilwoman, Pat Tanner, stated “This first meeting with the Canton Police Department was the first step of many towards the CPD and the community building a more positive and successful relationship. The opportunity to meet, share ideas, and be straightforward in our dialogue was beneficial and enlightening. To have our Police Department take positive, rather than reactive, steps within the community speaks highly of the CPD. I am very optimistic about these two entities establishing an effective, meaningful, and worthwhile relationship. LAO TZU said “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”; our journey has begun and I look forward to the end.”

Pastor Lemora Dobbs stated "I applaud Canton Police Chief Mark Mitchell and the vision for community enrichment he brings to Canton. Chief Mitchell demonstrates strong leadership by taking a proactive stance in creating partnerships between the CPD, Canton residents and organizations so we can all work together to build a stronger, more inclusive community."

Chief Mitchell closed by stating, “This is not the only segment of our citizenry that we are going to be reaching out to this year. Other segments of our community in Canton are just as important, and we are going to work diligently through town hall meetings and other events to engage, connect, and communicate with them as well.”

Future meetings will be announced using social media and the local media outlets.

Front Row:  Pat Tanner, Pastor Lemora Dobbs and Pastor Lydia Ayala
Back Row:  Asst. Chief Stephen Merrifield, Deacon John Heard, Chief Mark Mitchell, Pastor Charles Morgan and Lt. German Rivas