Officer Arrest Felony Shoplifterrs

On Saturday May 23, 2015, just after 1030 pm., Officers responded to The Children’s Place Department Store located in the Canton Market Place Shopping Center off Cumming Hwy.  Patrol Officers were advised the call was in reference to the report of shoplifting in progress with four (4) suspects still on scene.  Upon unit’s arrival, the suspect(s) fled on foot toward a vehicle that was obviously waiting to pick them up to leave the scene.  Patrol Officers worked as a team to detain the suspects before they escaped, obtained clerk statements from the store locations and located/recovered the stolen merchandise that was taken during the shoplifting incidents. 

Once back at the Police Department, these Officers processed several thousand dollars worth of the stolen items, located a firearm in one (1) of the suspect’s book bags and found suspected marijuana in one (1) of the other suspect’s belongings.  These alert Officers with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office and Facebook, detected that two (2) of the suspects had lied about their age as they originally advised they were juveniles.  In the end, all of the subjects, three (3) males and one (1) female were charged with Felony shoplifting and various other drug, false information and weapons charges.

Canton Police Chief Mark Mitchell stated, "This was truly a team effort, I am proud of our hard working Officers and commend the diligent store clerks who assisted us during this incident."  He added, "I also want to thank the Sheriff's Office for helping us to identify the suspects who were less than truthful with our Officers during this investigation."  It takes collaborative efforts like this to continue to improve the quality of life for our community."   

Arrested:

Laquanda Allen, 27 yrs. old
Deonte Almond, 18 yrs. old
Veonia Hixson, 22 yrs. old
Cedriona Johnson, 18 yrs. old

All are reported to be from Atlanta.

Canton Police Work Projects Update

It is hard to believe that it is already May and summer is upon us.  I would like to take a moment to share an update on a few of our work projects for this year.  We just finished our agency’s first Health and Wellness Program which promotes not only physical fitness but also assists Officers to manage stress and nutrition.  I am very proud of our Officers because they all worked very hard to complete the program.  Our men and women were able to assess their fitness levels which enabled them to set future fitness goals.  I watched as our Officers motivated each other which created a very good sense of comradery among the ranks.

In addition, members of our organization participated in this year’s first Town Hall Meeting at the Mt. Zion Church off Crisler Street in East Canton.  Officers and citizens participated in spirited discussions and open dialogue about the current climate in our nation regarding law enforcement and the communities they serve.  That night was very informative for us and those in attendance.  We have a lot of work and follow up to do during the course of this year, but I really think we have started on the right track and we are headed in the right direction with the goal of building trust with our citizenry.  Our Officers have followed up with the community concerns and issues relayed to us that evening and we are seeing the benefits of the positive interaction.

We have really worked hard this year to increase and improve communication with the public through social media where information is mainly placed on the agency’s Facebook Page.  Our Community Outreach Officer has received many compliments from our Facebook members about the growth and use of our page.  I want to thank you for your words of encouragement.  We will continue to work hard to improve our outflow of information to you and ask for you to provide us with vital feedback on ways that we can enhance this very important tool of communication. 

In closing, we will continue to work diligently this summer to engage with the community through positive neighborhood interactive patrols, an increased presence of our bike officers throughout the City, and continued proactive operations to reduce crime in identified areas of concern in an effort to reduce criminal activity.  We take our role of service to our community seriously.  Our team of hard working men and women pledge through our core values of professionalism, integrity, honor, trust, excellence and courage to protect our citizens every day with the goal of improving the quality of life in our community. 

Please don’t hesitate to provide the vital feedback we need to improve our service to the City of Canton.

I pray everyone has a very safe Memorial Day weekend as we honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.    

Respectfully,

Mark J. Mitchell

Chief of Police

Bomb Threat

Update: Friday, May 8, 2015 at approximately 11:00 am the Department of Juvenile Jstice (DJJ)  building was searched and no explosive device was found.  The building is now open for business.
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On Friday, May 8, 2015 at approximately 10:00 am a bomb threat was called into Department of Family and Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), located at 220 Brown Industrial Blvd.Canton Ga.

Canton Fire and Police responded and have notified Hasty Elementary and local businesses. They have established a command center and are following bomb threat protocol.

Further information will be distributed when available.

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.