Entering Auto Arrest

On Monday, June 1, 2015 around 5:00 am Canton Police received reports of numerous thefts from vehicles in The View At Holly Mill subdivision (off Prominence Point Parkway). Officers located and arrested a male in the area who had an item allegedly stolen from an unsecured vehicle. Police Detectives were able to link the suspect to four (4) additional cases in the area. This is an ongoing and active investigation. Police Chief, Mark Mitchell urges citizens to contact the Police Department if they have any information that will assist Detectives in the development of further leads and charges in these crimes that occurred in this segment of our community.

Arrested and charged with:

John Peck, 18 yrs. old of Canton

Five counts of Entering Auto

Criminal Trespass

Marijuana Less Than One Ounce

Vehicle Safety Tips:

• Always lock your doors
• Spare car keys should not be stored in or on your car; thieves know where to look.
• Don’t forget to close windows and sunroofs.
• Never leave children or pets unattended in the vehicle.
• Park in a well-lit parking areas.
• Consider installing a car alarm or security device and place anti-theft stickers on your vehicle
• Place any property in the trunk before you get to your next destination.
• Do not leave items on the passenger seat.
• Never hide expensive items under the seat as this is the first place burglars check for stored items.
• Never attempt to cover valuable items left on the seat or floorboard of your car; blankets and articles of clothing present a hidden clue to thieves that items may be underneath.
• Do not leave any important documents in your car that contain your personal information.

Officers Honored By American Legion

On Thursday, May 28, 2015, the American Legion, Post 45 held their annual Community Service Awards Banquet to recognize and honor Police Officers and Fire Fighters.  Two Canton Officers were recognized, Officer Patrick Duncan and Mary Turner.  Also recognized for her hard work and dedication was Records Clerk, Tania Lodato.

In picture left to right:  Office Clerk Tania Lodato, Officer Patrick Duncan, Officer Mary Turner and Raymond Rollins, Commander of the American Legion Post

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.”