Officer Involved Shooting

The GBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Canton.  Officers responded to a local subdivision to investigate a suspicious person at 2:19 am on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, when the shooting occurred.  One man is deceased, and no officers were reported injured.  The incident happened on the 700 block of Midway Ave.  

As per the department's policy, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting the investigation, and the Canton Police Department is fully cooperating.  Further questions or inquiries about this incident should be forwarded to the GBI-PIO.

Additional information will be made available as the investigation progresses.

Suspect Identified In Vehicle Shooting

Canton Detectives secure arrest warrants for a Cartersville man in connection with an unoccupied vehicle being shot on Thursday, May 12th.  The shooting transpired around 6:00 AM at the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) office located at 100 Medical lane.  Officers arrived at the DCS office after receiving a call of shots fired in the area.  Officers discovered two bullet holes in the rear of a Chevy Tahoe registered to the DCS. 

29-year-old Timothy Gregory was charged with Aggravated Assault (Felony), Interference with Government Property (Felony), Discharge of firearm on Property of Another (Misd), and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Felony).

Canton Detectives utilized video from the DCS office and the assistance of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office to secure the criminal charges.  Gregory is currently under arrest at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center without bond in connection to a similar incident in the County.

DCS Vehicle with projectile impact location

Canton Chief of Police Stephen Merrifield said, "I would like to thank the reporting citizen and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office for their assistance with this investigation.  We are grateful to work in a community that supports us, and we will continue to do our very best to quickly, safely, and professionally serve Canton".

Canton PD Welcomes New Officer

The Canton Police Department held a swearing-in ceremony for Officer Dalton Witt on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.  Officer Witt was sworn into the department by Judge Thomas A. Roach.  Family, friends, and other members of the Canton Police force were in attendance to show their support. 

Chief Stephen Merrifield stated, "We are excited to have Officer Witt be part of the Canton Police Department.  We believe he has the community mindset that will be an asset to our agency and the community we serve." 

City of Canton False Alarm Program

The City of Canton will go live with its new Alarm Program on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.  In an effort to reduce false alarms within the City of Canton, the City has updated its Alarm Ordinance and collaborated with PM AM Corporation to implement and administer the False Alarm Reduction Program.  The partnership will also provide educational training for our citizens.  PM AM is a national company with expertise in this area and will be responsible for our alarm permit registrations, false alarm billings, and educational material.  Per Chief Merrifield, PM AM has a record of providing excellent customer service.  As of Tuesday, March 29, 2022, a False Alarm Management System (FAMS) website has been established to assist City of Canton customers at www.FAMSpermit.com/Canton.  Prior to date please continue to contact the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883 for questions or permit processing.

The goal of the ordinance and the City’s partnership with PM AM is to reduce the number of false alarm activations requiring a response by the Canton Police Department.  Chief Merrifield states, “This will free up police resources and reduce the fines levied on alarm customers by having a company who can reach out to the citizens of our city who may have alarm malfunctions.  With this type of partnership, the alarm owner should be notified quickly of any false alarms so they can correct the malfunction.”  With fewer false alarm activations the officers will be able to respond to more urgent calls.

For current alarm permit holders, there is nothing that will need to be done.  All account and transaction history will be uploaded to the new system.  As of Tuesday, March 29, 2022, users will be able to visit the citizen web portal and they will be able to request a user name and password.  Once the user validates their information, the system will email back their user name and password.  For those citizens who are unable to complete the new account setup, you may contact PM AM at 1-855-996-5443 and a customer service representative will be able to assist you.

Initial Alarm Registration:  The City of Canton Alarm Ordinance requires all residences and businesses to apply for an alarm permit by completing an alarm permit application available at www.FAMSpermit.com/Canton.  Alternatively, citizens can also complete the application by hand and send it to:

City of Canton False Alarm Program, P.O. Box 143517, Irving TX 75014

Failure to register your alarm will result in additional fees or fines.

For any questions related to the City of Canton Alarm Reduction Program please call PM AM at 

1-855-996-5443, Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 5:30.

Contact: Karen Murphy

Karen.murphy@cantonga.gov

Officers Encounter Man With Gun

Canton Officers responded to an unknown trouble call where they encountered a man armed with a gun, and shots were fired. The man is deceased, and no officers were reported injured. The incident occurred on Saturday, March 26, 2022, around 1:28 AM at 419 Parkbrook Way, Canton Georgia. As per the department's policy, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting the investigation and the Canton Police Department is fully cooperating. Further questions or inquiries about this incident should be forwarded to the GBI-PIO.

Canton Police Department Awarded State Law Enforcement Certification Renewal

Cpt. M. Baldwin, Lt. R. Campbell, Coordinator Chuck Grover, Mark Gavala, Chief Stephen Merrifield, Deputy Chief W. Turner, Cpt. J. Tucker 

On November 2, 2021, an assessment team from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) conducted an in-depth assessment of the department’s State Certification standards and proofs to ensure that the agency is in compliance with the process for certification renewal. The department received its initial State Certification in 1999. On Thursday, December 16, 2021, at the City Council meeting, Charles "Chuck" Grover, Coordinator of State Certifications congratulated the department by presenting a plaque for successfully completing the audit. While presenting the plaque, he stated "Being certified is a very very important part of being a police department and something as members of the city council, and the mayor and city manager you should be very proud of your department". He added, "In law enforcement, it's something they chose to do, it's totally voluntary, nobody making them do it, they do it because they want to be the best they can be". In addition, the Team Leader for the Assessment Team was extremely complimentary of the agency’s Certification Officer, Mark Gavala, and employees for their attention to detail, assistance, and cooperation provided to the team during the assessment.

There are many benefits associated with this Official recognition:

To the Community:

• 
  Certification increases the law enforcement agency’s ability to prevent crime and social disorder through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services to the public.
• Certification enhances community understanding of the law enforcement agency and its role in the community as well as its goals and objectives.
• Certification, in conjunction with the philosophy of community policing, commits the agency to a broad range of programs (such as crime prevention through environmental design, Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out...etc) that directly benefit the community.
• Certification creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to control and prevent crime. This partnership will help citizens to understand the challenges that confront law enforcement. Law Enforcement will, in turn, receive clear direction from the community about its expectations.

To the Agency / City:

• Certification requires that agency policies and procedures are in written form and are available to all agency personnel at all times.
• Certification assures employees that every aspect of the agency’s personnel system is in accord with professional standards and that the system is both fair and equitable.
• The morale of the agency is enhanced by increasing the employee’s confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of their agency. The operations of the agency become more streamlined and consistent.
• Certification standards address safety issues and ensure all employees receive proper equipment and adequate training.
• Certification is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence. Employees will take pride in their agency, knowing that it represents the very best in law enforcement.
• Certification increases cooperation and coordination among other law enforcement agencies and other branches of the criminal justice system.
• The certification process requires an in-depth review of every aspect of the agency’s organization, management, operations, and administration.
• The certification standards provide norms against which agency performance can be measured and monitored over time.
• Certification provides objective measures to justify decisions related to budget requests, operational needs, and personnel policies.
• Certification serves as a yardstick to measure the effectiveness of the agency’s programs and services. The services provided are defined and uniformity of service is assured.
• Certification streamlines operations, providing more consistent and more effective deployment of agency resources.

Chief Merrifield said "I am very appreciative of the hard work our Certification Manager, Mr. Mark Gavala, has performed in order to maintain our State Certification. I feel this is an important step in assuring our community that we are transparent, well trained, and current on the best practices of the law enforcement profession".

CANTON BEGINS AUTOMATED ENFORCEMENT IN SCHOOL ZONE

 Canton, GA – Starting Monday, October 4, 2021, The City of Canton Police Department will be utilizing speed detection devices to enforce the speed limit at Cherokee High School, located at 930 Marietta Hwy. The enforcement will be conducted using automated school zone cameras that were installed this summer. Automated enforcement began last year at Hasty Elementary, and Teasley Middle School is in the process of being scheduled for the same program.

   The program was instituted after a nationwide spike in pedestrian fatalities over the past decade in which Georgia became one of the 5 deadliest states for pedestrians, with the seventh-highest fatality rate. Also, The Canton Police Department conducted speed studies within all of its school zones, which produced over 3,000 speeding violations in a single day. Automated Enforcement is endorsed as a safety tool by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, AAA, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Safety Council. Chief Stephen Merrifield hopes the cameras will reverse dangerous safety trends and encourage drivers to slow down.

  "We are hopeful that Automated Enforcement will encourage drivers to slow down and obey the law,” Chief Merrifield said. “Traffic fatalities are the number one cause of death for children aged 5-14 and for young adults (aged 15-29). Very minimal reductions in speed make the roads a lot safer, especially for children.”

  Numerous publications have documented how slower speeds can save lives. One definitive study (link) by the AAA Foundation found that children and young adults have less than a 10% risk of serious injury or death in an accident at 15 mph, but the risks climbed substantially with each 5 mph increment. At 35 miles per hour, the risk of severe injury or death is greater than 50%.

  The Canton program will target the most egregious speeders exceeding more than eleven (11+) miles per hour over the posted school zone speed limit in school zones. The cameras will operate from one hour before school begins until one hour after school ends, only on school days. A sworn officer reviews and approves each violation before a citation is issued. A thirty-day warning period is in effect before any citations are issued. Residents with questions may call the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.

 

 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

 

 Question: Why are Speed Zone Cameras being installed?

  Answer: Over the past ten years, there has been a nationwide spike in pedestrian fatalities due to a combination of speeding and distracted driving. Communities are turning to automated enforcement as a means of encouraging them to follow speed limits and pay attention. Automated Enforcement is endorsed as a safety tool by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, AAA, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Safety Council.

  Slower driving saves lives. A person is about 70% more likely to be killed if they are struck by a vehicle traveling 30mph versus 25 mph. There is a 93% chance of survival if a pedestrian is struck at 20mph. Small differences in speed make a huge difference, especially in school zones.

  Question: What are the hours of enforcement?

  Answer: Currently, Hasty Elementary and Cherokee High School are the only school zones utilizing the speed enforcement program. There are three roads on which enforcement will occur: Marietta Hwy, Cumming Hwy and Brown Industrial Blvd. The hours of enforcement are:

 

Cherokee High School Zone
Marietta Hwy / Hwy 140
7:35 AM -7:59 AM - 45 MPH -The posted speed limit
8:00 AM -9:00 AM - 35 MPH - The posted school zone speed limit
9:01 AM -2:59 PM - 45 MPH - The posted speed limit
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - 35 MPH - The posted school zone speed limit
4:01 PM - 4:30 PM - 45 MPH - The posted speed limit

Hasty Elementary School Zone
Cumming Hwy
6:35 AM -6:59 AM - 40 MPH -The posted speed limit
7:00 AM -7:59 AM - 25 MPH -The posted school zone speed limit
8:00 AM -1:44 PM - 40 MPH -The posted speed limit
1:45 PM -2:44 PM - 25 MPH -The posted school zone speed limit
2:45 PM -3:15 PM - 40 MPH -The posted speed limit


Hasty Elementary School Zone
Brown Industrial Blvd
6:35 AM -6:59 AM - 35 MPH -The posted speed limit
7:00 AM -7:59 AM - 25 MPH -The posted school zone speed limit
8:00 AM -1:44 PM - 35 MPH -The posted speed limit
1:45 PM -2:44 PM - 25 MPH -The posted school zone speed limit
2:45 PM -3:15 PM - 35 MPH -The posted speed limit

(11+) MPH over the speed limit will be enforced in the school zones.


Question: My area school has a lot of speeders. How can I request a system?

Answer: Speed Enforcement Programs are selected by the Police Department and local schools after a traffic study is performed to assess road conditions and excessive speeding concerns. Requests can be sent directly to the Police Department at 770-720-4883.

Question: How will I know where the cameras are?

Answer: The Police Department will be putting in new signage that is clearly visible, warning drivers the speeds are enforced by cameras. Additionally, the Police Department will provide a 30-day warning period during which time drivers will get accustomed to the new signs, and the registered owner will receive Warning Notices in the mail.

Question: I received a Warning Notice. What do I do?

Answer: Warning Notices are courtesy notices extended by the Police Department, in addition to new clearly visible signs, to put drivers on notice of stepped-up enforcement in school zones. If you received a Warning Notice, no further action is required. All drivers are encouraged to obey speed laws.

Question: What are the criteria for receiving a speeding ticket?

Answer: According to state law, automated school zone tickets are issued to drivers exceeding more than ten (10+) miles per hour over the speed limit. The Canton Police Department program will use eleven (11+) miles per hour over the speed limit.

Question: How much is the fine?

Answer: The first violation is $75 and $125 for subsequent violations. Payments are due by the “Pay By” date listed on the citation.

Question: Can I view my violation?

Answer: Yes. Login to https://secure.speedviolation.com and enter your citation number. You will be able to view photos and video of the violation.

Question: What hours do the cameras operate?

Answer: From one hour before school begins until one hour after school ends. All monitored school zones and speeds are clearly marked.

Question: I received a School Zone Speed Ticket. How do I pay for it?

Answer: You may mail a check or money order to the address printed on the citation and pre-printed return envelope.

For faster credit card payments, you may pay securely online at https://secure.speedviolation.com. Electronic payments post the same day, and you can receive a confirmation by e-mail.

For PAYMENT BY PHONE: Call 833-917-7333, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Question: If I get a ticket, will my insurance go up?

Answer: Citations are civil offenses, not criminal infractions. No points are assessed on your driving record for automated enforcement violations. However, fines do escalate for repeat offenders.

Question: How do the Cameras work? Are they accurate?

Answer: The enforcement program utilizes state-of-the-art multi-dimensional radar that tracks and monitors up to 350 cars simultaneously. Radar is accurate within .1 miles per hour. Detailed maintenance and testing logs are maintained at all times. No tickets are issued within any possible margin of error.

Question: What happens to ticket revenue?

Answer: According to state law, paid citation revenue must be utilized for public safety initiatives.

Question: What is the Georgia law pertaining to the enforcement?

Answer: GA Code § 40-14-18