DC Goverment Adds Superior Court Page

I don't know if they had a page on http://www.celebratedouglascounty.com before about DC Superior Court, but in the past few days the website has received a facelift and now you can go here and see the trials that have been going on, who was involved, and what they did.  All the files are in the right-hand column.  Since I can't listen to the scanner 24/7 (and since my class starts on Monday, I'll have less time to listen) this is a great way to see the kinds of crimes that have happened in DC recently.

Home Invasion, Shooting Tuesday

Home invasion, shooting investigated

By Winston Jones
Staff Writer

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was investigating two separate shooting incidents Tuesday afternoon, one a home invasion and the other a possible accidental shooting.

A 17-year-old boy reported to the sheriff’s office that two male suspects tried to enter his home on Fall Creek Trace off Cave Springs Road at about 3 p.m. A shot was reportedly fired by one of the suspects, and the resident hid in the bathroom, according to Chief Deputy Stan Copeland.

“Nobody was injured, nothing was taken and the suspects fled the scene,” Copeland said.

In another unrelated shooting, a 15-year-old boy shot his 19-year-old brother with a handgun on Simon Road around 2 p.m., Copeland said.

“It appears to have been an accidental shooting, but we’re still interviewing witnesses,” Copeland said. “We’re not sure right now if they were playing with the gun or unloading it. It (the shooting) doesn’t appear to be intentional.”

Copeland said the wound didn’t seem serious. He said officers were still searching for the weapon Tuesday afternoon “because one of the brothers apparently tried to get rid of it.”

He said although the shooting is believed to be accidental, charges could still be filed on other issues.

The investigation in both cases was continuing late Tuesday afternoon and Copeland did not release any of the victims’s names.

Douglasville Teen Arrested In Robberies

From the AJC.com:

Teens arrested in Silver Comet trail robberies

By TOM OPDYKE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/02/08

Four teenagers have been arrested in Cobb County on charges of robbing cyclists on the Silver Comet trail near Austell, police said.

Three juveniles and 17-year-old Isaac Lee Kemp of Douglasville were charged with aggravated assault and robbery by force, Sgt. Dana Pierce, a Cobb police spokesman said.

The robberies occurred in mid-June on the popular biking and jogging trail near where it passes under Austell Road. Both victims were men — one 49, the other 62 — and were not seriously injured, police said.

Pierce said the four youths would block the path, then knock the rider off the bike and go through his pockets.

The three juveniles — two 14 and one 15 —lived near the trail. They were released to relatives after being charged. Kemp is held on $25,000 bond at the Cobb jail, Pierce said.

Police Scanner

6:03pm 10-28
6:05pm Intoxicated driver on Chapel Hill Road past Publix.
6:09pm Loose pit bull.
6:12pm One by name and DOB.  Out of state.
6:12pm 10-28
6:13pm Domestic problem reported.
6:14pm Accident with injuries near Brickleberry Way
6:14pm People vandalizing Flagview Mobile Home Park.
6:17pm People asked to leave (didn’t hear from where) and they won’t.
6:18pm Assault reported.
6:19pm Accident on Hwy 92 in front of Auto Glass.
6:20pm Someone stole a purse from a vehicle.
6:20pm 10-28 (out of state)
6:22pm An officer is directing traffic.
6:23pm Kids on Bright star trying to collect money for baseball apparently in the middle of the road.
6:24pm Officer says kids on Bright Star are not in road.
6:25pm Wrecker needed for a vehicle on Chapel Hill.
6:25pm 10-27, name and DOB. (out of state)
6:27pm 10-28
6:29pm Domestic problem at Red Lobster.



9:45pm Someone apparently wanted is in a hospital.
9:46pm BOLO lookout for three subjects wanted out of Douglas County poss. heading to Atlanta.
9:47pm BOLO reckless on I-20 near Fairburn Road.
9:48pm Suspicious people on a street.
9:49pm 10-28
9:49pm BOLO intoxicated driver.
9:51pm Intoxicated driver almost hit several cars.  Person is following vehicle updating police of location.
9:55pm Intoxicated driver exiting interstate and entering Hwy 5 and took a left.
9:56pm Person following vehicle decided not to follow them off the interstate.
9:59pm 10-28 (out of state)
10:03pm Someone’s been arrested.
10:06pm Reckless driver on Hwy 92.  Different one than earlier.
10:11pm 10-27 & 10-29
10:11pm Someone’s been arrested.
10:17pm Juveniles playing with fireworks or starting a fire.

2007 Crime Statistics

I thought this was being released in September, but apparently not.  Here's 2007's crime stats for Douglas County:

GBI Crime Statistics for Douglas County during 2007
 

Number of crimes by offense
Month	Murder	Rape	Robbery	Assault	Burglary	Larceny	Vehicle Theft
January	0	1	9	22	92	249	40
February	1	4	3	7	94	253	31
March	0	2	6	27	63	233	45
April	1	2	5	23	81	268	44
May	0	5	11	21	82	275	50
June	2	0	6	18	81	279	46
July	1	1	10	24	85	277	41
August	0	1	12	18	81	291	43
September	0	2	10	10	84	262	40
October	0	1	11	12	79	252	44
November	0	0	9	17	86	266	42
December	1	0	14	18	77	254	31
Total	6	19	106	217	985	3159	497

Compared to 2006's statistics,

Murder: -1 (down one from 2006)
Rape: -1
Robbery: -3
Assault: -15
Burglary: +28
Larceny: -396
Vehicle Theft: -21

So burglaries are up, but everything is down, mostly slightly, except for larceny which is down almost 400 incidents from 2006.

From WSBTV.com

Deputy Indicted In Death Of Another Deputy's Wife
Former Douglas County Deputy Chris Black To Surrender Soon

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. -- A former Douglas County deputy will soon surrender to his former co-workers. 

A grand jury handed up an indictment against him Friday. 

Chris Black is charged with both felony and misdemeanor vehicular homicide in the death of another deputy's wife. 

Black was responding to a robbery call in November when officials say he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into Tammy Barnwell's car head on, killing her instantly. 

Officials say Black didn't have his emergency lights or his siren on. 

Black’s attorney, Mike Puglise, said his client extended his remorse. He said if Black could take it back he would. 

Black is expected to turn himself in within a few days. 

The sheriff said Black will also be fired.

Douglas County Sentinel Police Blotter

The following are incident reports filed this week with the Douglasville Police Department:

• A burglary was reported by a business at 8335 Suite C Cherokee Boulevard.  According to the incident report, entry was made through the front window, and two air conditioner units were taken.  There are no suspects at this time, but officers believe this burglary was likely committed by juveniles since graffiti was found in several places inside the building.


• Officers were given a lookout on a hit and run that occurred in Powder Springs.  The victim and an off-duty Powder Springs officer later observed the suspect and followed her to Douglasville.  When the suspect was pulled over and arrested at Dairy Queen, she was allegedly driving under the influence of Xanax and also allegedly gave a fake name to police because she had a suspended license.


• The Douglasville Police Department assisted the Paulding County Sheriff's Office by recovering stolen property from a theft occurring in Paulding County.  Investigators found that a man had allegedly pawned a stolen paint sprayer at a Douglasville pawn shop.  Timothy Randall Stanley has been charged with the theft and is currently in the Paulding County Jail.  The city has also charged Stanley in the theft.


• Douglas County Bank reported to police a subject had passed a $3,000 stolen check from a local business.  The investigation is ongoing.


• Victoria Secret at Arbor Place Mall reported a theft June 24 (Tuesday) of a large quantity of cologne and perfume totalling $2,600.  No suspects have been identified.


• Capt. Greg Graff asks drivers in subdivisions (Note: Or ANYWHERE, for that matter!) to slow down and watch for children running into streets as a summertime safety precaution.

(Compiled by Bobby Moore, staff witer)

Sheriff's Deputy Charged With Vehicular Homicide

This wasn't on the Sentinel's website so I'm posting it here for those who don't subscribe to the Sentinel.

Sheriff's Deputy Charged With Vehicular Homicide
By Bobby Moore
Staff Writer

Chris Black, the Douglas County Sheriff's deputy involved in a November 14, 2007 car accident that killed the wife of a co-worker, was indicted Friday by a Grand Jury of both first degree vehicular homicide and second degree vehicular homicide.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, Deputy Chris Black was traveling north on Georgia Highway 5 to respond to a robbery at Arbor Place Mall about 8 p.m. when he allegedly lost control of his patrol car near Downs Road just north of Hwy 166.  The patrol car crossed the center line, striking a southbound Honda Accord driven by Tammy L. Barnwell, 44, of Douglasville, the sole vehicle occupant.

Barnwell, manager of the Concourse Parkway Wal-Mart, was dead at the scene.  Black was taken by ambulance to Atlanta Medical Center, where he underwent surgery to repair a broken wrist and leg.

The first degree count was for reckless driving.  The indictment said Black (in the article, it says Barnwell, not Black) was driving in an excess of 85 miles per hour after dark without activating his blue lights or siren.

The second degree count was for driving too fast for conditions.  That indictment said Black (again, in the article, it says Barnwell) was driving too fast to control his vehicle considering he was entering a curve in the roadway and there was oncoming traffic.

"I respect the decision of the Grand Jury and I respect the judicial system," Sheriff Phil Miller said.

Miller added Black will no longer be allowed to work for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office following two indictments.

The indictments were handed down after over four hours of testimony and about an hour of deliberation.

Douglas County District Attorney David McDade described Friday's proceedings as a "long, tortuous process."

McDade said he assumes the Grand Jury indicted Black on both counts so a trial jury can also consider both charges.

Police Scanner

4:12pm Officer trying to get a vehicle off I-20.  One lane is blocked.
4:15pm Officer wants current temp and heat index. 
4:15pm Domestic problem reported.
4:17pm Threats reported.
4:19pm Domestic problem reported.
4:20pm Temp—89, feels like 91.
4:22pm Intoxicated driver last seen in a mobile home park.
4:23pm  Animal control being requested.
4:24pm Dog in vehicle with windows up.
4:24pm Juveniles causing damage.
4:26pm EMS needed.
4:27pm Sounded like the dispatcher said there was an accident in front of Kohl’s.
4:27pm Alarm, residential.  Call is on hold because there are no available officers.
4:28pm Intoxicated driver on Chapel Hill Road.
4:48pm One person has been arrested.
4:49pm 10-28
4:52pm Juvenile standing in the middle of the road.
4:53pm People sitting in chairs on the side of the road selling stuff.
4:54pm 10-28 (2)
4:55pm Threats reported.

7:58pm One person has been arrested.
7:59pm 10-28
8:00pm Vehicle hit guardrail on I-20.  Person possibly injured.  Police enroute.  EMS also enroute.
8:03pm Accident on Kings Hwy.  Two vehicles involved.
8:04pm Suspicious subject behind Douglas Crossing shopping center.
8:04pm 10-28
8:05pm GSP (Georgia State Patrol) enroute to accident.
8:05pm 10-28
8:06pm 10-28
8:06pm Someone’s insurance is expired.
8:07pm 10-28 (2—one in state and one out of state)
8:09pm Domestic problem reported.
8:09pm Assault reported.
8:12pm 10-28
8:16pm 10-28
8:16pm 10-28
8:19pm Mechanical breakdown on I-20.
8:20pm Someone’s been arrested.
8:20pm Residential alarm.
8:21pm Trespassing reported.
8:22pm  Person walking around trying to sell something and is also looking for grasshoppers.
8:27pm 10-28 on I-20.
8:29pm 10-28 on I-20. Out of state.
8:36pm Officer getting a bag of garbage off the road.
8:37pm Alarm at a mobile home park.
8:38pm Threats reported.
8:39pm 10-28
8:39pm 10-28
8:39pm Someone stole a lawnmower.
8:40pm Somebody is selling gas for 40 cents (not sure if this is the right price, it could have been $1.40 or $2.40)and it is causing a traffic problem.
8:41pm Someone is discharging fireworks or firearms at power lines.
8:45pm 10-28

Douglasville Police Department Wants $22.8 Million Facility

Who else thinks this is just a BIT much to pay for a building???  Also, this is $5 million MORE than they estimated it would cost.

From the Sentinel:

Police facility cost set at $22.8 million

Council votes Monday on bond issue for funding

By Bobby Moore
Staff Writer

The city of Douglasville learned Tuesday the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the proposed new public safety and municipal court facility prepared by the Facility Group is $22,789,992, over $5 million more than the amount estimated after a needs assessment study last fall.

The proposed two-story facility is expected to be built on 22 acres of city-owned land located south of Interstate 20 adjacent to Hillside Drive on Fairburn Road. It will house both the Douglasville Police Department and the city’s Municipal Court under one roof instead of having their offices spread out across several downtown buildings.

Maj. Oliver Fladrich said the facility would allow the department to respond to calls quicker since it will be located in a central location in the city and will be close to Interstate 20.

City Finance Director Karin Callan said the GMP includes the $350,000 cost of the design stage, which will be complete as soon as the Facility Group turns its final building plans over to the city.

The figure does not include fees the city will owe bond underwriters Morgan Keegan, so Callan said the actual total cost is likely around $23 million.

A referendum will give city voters the chance to decide if the city will be able to fund this project with a general obligation bond. The City Council will vote June 30 at a special called 6:30 p.m. meeting to add the referendum to the Sept. 16 special election ballot that already includes a race to fill the vacant Ward 3, Post 1 council seat vacated May 1 by Douglas County tax commissioner candidate Henry Mitchell III.

The general obligation bond, if passed, will cover $17,789,992 of the project, with the remaining $5 million covered by the police department’s confiscated drug funds.

City Manager Bill Osborne said the increased price is partly because of the design plans, which are for a larger than expected 70,000 square-foot facility designed to handle 20 years worth of police department growth. Originally, the Facility Group had proposed a 60,000 square-foot facility.

This larger design includes basement space with nearly 7,000 square feet left empty for future expansion.

“There will be growth potential in 20 years we would not have thought of today,” Fladrich said.

Osborne added the $17 million estimate was made before the Facility Group knew the exact location of the future public safety building.

Police Chief Joe Whisenant said this planned growth should keep his department from seeking building additions over the next decade.

“I don’t want us to build a building, and then come back five years later and ask for more money,” Whisenant said.

On March 17, the City Council selected the Smyrna-based Facility Group for design-build services for this project.

The city’s decision came about a week before Facility Group officials Robert Moultrie, 67, of Smyrna, Charles Morehead, 57, of Lilburn and Nixon Cawood, 58, of Woodstock were all indicted in Mississippi on charges of conspiracy to corruptly influence a public official and 15 counts of mail fraud. They have pled not guilty.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday the Facility Group and Moultrie, Cawood and Morehead face a new 16-count indictment related to a failed beef plant venture in Mississippi. This indictment replaces the one issued in March.

If convicted, they each face up to 305 years in prison, $4 million in fines and restitution for the amount of the losses, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Despite these allegations, the city has continued to work with the Facility Group on design/build services for the project.

Osborne said the city still has several “opt-out” points between now and Sept. 16 in case the need to stop doing business with the Facility Group arises. These “opt-out” points would have been available to the city without the indictments, Osborne said.

At this stage, Osborne said the city is comfortable with the Facility Group’s work on the design/build project.

“We do feel like we have an excellent product from the Facility Group,” Osborne said.

Between now and Sept. 16, Osborne said the police department and private residents will promote the need for a new facility to civic groups and homeowners associations.

More On Marks & Morgan Robbery

From the Sentinel:

Robber hits mall jewelry store

Grabs earrings valued at $12,000

By Winston Jones
Staff Writer

Douglasville Police are seeking a lone male suspect who robbed a mall jewelry store of two pairs of diamond earrings Wednesday afternoon.

According to Capt. Chris Womack, the man asked a Marks and Morgan Jewelry sales clerk at Arbor Place mall to show him diamond earrings at about 2:20 p.m. The man grabbed two pairs with a total value of about $12,000 and ran, Womack said.

The suspect dropped one earring just outside the jewelry store but continued running through the nearby Belk store to the parking lot, where he was believed to have been picked up by a getaway vehicle.

Womack said police are still questioning witnesses and following leads in the case.

Police Scanner

10:33pm Residential alarm.
10:33pm WSA has been working on a leaking fire hydrant for the past two hours.
10:34pm  10-28

10:35pm 10-28

10:39pm 10-28
10:42pm Missing person/runaway reported.  I think probably the latter.

10:44pm Three people have been arrested in another county.

10:45pm One by name and DOB.

10:47pm One person has been arrested.

10:51pm 10-28

10:52pm Mechanical breakdown w/ no tag.

10:55pm 10-28

10:56pm Domestic problem reported.

10:59pm Business alarm.

11:01pm One person has been arrested.

11:02pm Domestic problem reported.

11:03pm 10-28

11:04pm Mechanical breakdown.  Someone ran out of gas.

11:13pm 10-28

11:14pm Two adults missing.

11:14pm I-20 Eastbound reckless tractor trailer near North County Line Rd.

11:15pm Business alarm.

11:16pm Suspicious vehicle in a vacant lot.

11:17pm 10-28

11:19pm Vehicle on side of I-20 changing a tire.

11:21pm BOLO for subject with firearms—may have been found.

11:24pm Officer dispatched to vehicle on side of I-20—an officer is already there.

11:26pm People discharging firearms (or fireworks, I couldn’t hear if it was a 10-83A or a 10-83B) across from Kroger on Chapel Hill Rd.

11:28pm 10-28

11:32pm Concern for welfare reported.  House does not have power.

11:32pm People walking in someone’s driving, have fled scene.

11:33pm Deputies have GPS units in their patrol cars in order to help them find an address. 

11:36pm Domestic problem reported.

11:38pm 10-28

11:39pm Something about someone’s radio chirping.

11:40pm 10-28 on I-20

11:42pm 10-28

11:44pm Someone locked their keys in their vehicle.

11:45pm Someone called from a hotel and said someone is acting suspicious in a parking lot.breaking into a vehicle.

11:47pm 7-8 juveniles running around on a property.

11:49pm Reckless motorcycle on I-20.  GA State patrol trying to find motorcycle.

11:50pm Someone wants someone to patrol an area, someone talked over the dispatcher so I don’t know why.

11:50pm 10-27 (2)

11:53pm Apparently there is a chase going on involving the motorcycle.   An officer asked if they wanted to continue the chase or go “resume normal operations”.

11:54pm Police approaching Post Road (chasing motorcycle).

11:55pm The feed stopped so I had to restart it.

11:56pm Shots fired somewhere—screams were heard.  Not related to police chase.

11:58pm More police joining chase or either helping clear a path.

12:10pm I think they may have arrested the person on the motorcycle.

Robbery At Arbor Place Mall

There was a strong armed robbery at Marks & Morgan jewelers in Arbor Place Mall today shortly before 1:30pm.  No weapons were involved and it is not known if anything was taken.  Someone who works at the mall confirmed hearing heliocopters hovering over or around the mall.  No word if the perpetrator(s) was apprehended.  If anyone has any other details please feel free to post a comment.

Sign Placement Disputed

This is from today's Douglas Neighbor.

Sign Placement Disputed
by Stephanie Siegel
Douglas Neighbor Staff Writer

With the election season underway, the issue of campaign signs is again a hot issue for some Douglas residents.

Captain Eddie Morris, commander of the Douglas County Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division, said after receving recent phone calls about missing campaign signs, the department was forced to take action.

"We got a complaint from two citizens about somebody taking down campaign signs," Morris said.  "We did some investigating and found it was Mr. [James] Bell.  He admitted to it.  We just gave him a warning and told him if he took property that wasn't his, he was subject to arrest for theft by taking.  If you take property that doesn't belong to you, that's a theft."

Bell did it again and was arrested, Morris said.

Bell, who lives in Douglas County, said he had asked campaigners to remove signs from a beautification area known as Dogwood Strip, which is owned by the Norfolk Southern Railroad.

"I've asked the candidates not to place signs along the strip.  Their response was to put even more signs there," Bell said.  "Let them go back to their own neighborhoods and trash them.  We don't want their trash here."

Though the strip is not owned by Bell, but the railroad company, he said civic groups have helped maintain the property for years, even erecting a flag and community clock.

Bell runs a civic group called Lithia Springs Clean and Beautiful that has held various community clean-up projects.

"Codes should be enforced equally across the board.  When politicians are allowed to violate the codes they enact, I see a real problem.  It's the old story of 'Do as we said, not as we do.'  All we are asking is that the campaigns respect our community and not place signs on Dogwood Strip."

When told that a Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman said campaign signs are not allowed along state highways, Morris said, "Who are they?  What authority do they have to say that?  They probably don't make the ordinances and laws."

David Spear, a GDOT press secretary, said political signs are not allowed on state right-of-way, and GDOT crews pick them up when they find them, and throw them away.

If GDOT employees pick up signs along Highway 78, would a Douglas County deputy arrest them?

"We would have to see what they're doing," Morris said.  "We haven't had a complaint on them.  When we have complaints, we have to follow up on them.  The property belongs to other people.

"The candidates are told that they can place their signs six feet off the roadway when they qualify," Morris added.  "We have to go by what the county ordinances say.  I don't work for the state."

However, Major M.O. Harper of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said, "We don't enforce ordinances here.  We only enforce state laws."

Morris and Harper agreed that "theft by taking" is a state law.  But the question of where signs may be placed is not in their jurisdiction.

Spear said Highway 78 is under state jurisdiction, so state rules apply.

"From our perspective, if [Bell] was taking signs from our right-of-way, it would be prosecutable only if we elected to bring charges, which is certainly not something we'd consider doing," Spear said.

Morris said if Bell or others think the law conflicts, "They get to go to court.  That's why we have courts.  Then the judge will teach us all something.  Maybe he'll make a ruling that everybody can follow."

Douglas County Sentinel Police Blotter

Since this wasn't included on the Sentinel's website, I'm posting it here.

The following are incident reports filed recently with the Douglasville Police Department (notice this doesn't include the Douglas County Police Department):

• Robert Francis Scott of Atlanta was arrested June 14 at 2:45 a.m. for suspected DUI.  Scott was also charged with felony obstruction, reckless driving, no insurance, driving with a suspended registration and expired tag.


• An elderly female reported her wallet stolen from her purse June 17 at approximately 10 a.m.  The woman said her wallet was stolen while shopping at Wal-Mart on Thornton Road.


• Police arrested Latrice Davis and Travis Anderson, both of Douglasville, June 18 at 8 p.m. on an entering an auto charge linked to a purse allegedly stolen from a car in the Blockbuster parking lot on Chapel Hill Road.


• Police took a report June 18 at 7 p.m. of an entering an auto incident at the Chapel Hill Road Gold's Gym in which a purse was stolen.  Captain Chris Womack urges everyone to please not leave valuables such as purses and GPS units unattended in their car.


• Ryan Marshall Long was arrested June 19 at approximately 10:30 p.m. on a charge of battery on a police officer.


• Two trailers, a 1990 Dorsey enclosed trailer with Georgia tag LE 62097 and a 1994 enclosed trailer with Georgia tag U11274, were reported stolen from a fenced lot at Step Up Scaffold, 4520 Palazzo Way.


• A suspect attempted to enter a home on Brittany Way through the side door to the garage, but officials speculate the perpetrator was scared off by the resident's pet pit bull.  Nothing was taken, and entry was not made.  No suspect has been arrested in the case.


• A kitchen door was forced open and a flat screen television taken from a bedroom during a reported residential burglary.  According to the incident report, there were footprints on the door, and the glass window was broken.  A knife found on the landing of the stairs thought used to pry on the door lock was taken as evidence by investigators.


• Police are investigating an indencent exposure case.  The suspect is reportedly a white male driving an older white van with damage to the front drivers side.  The incidents have occurred at the Wal-Mart on Concourse Parkway.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Douglasville Police Department.


• An officer investigating a DUI found a two-shot derringer .22 gun in the passenger side floorboard of the truck concealed with a plastic bag.  Both occupants were intoxicated and denied owning the gun.  Both occupants also denied knowing whose truck it was.  The driver was a convicted felon, so the gun was recovered, and the driver was charged as a convicted felon with a firearm  and the passenger was charged with carrying a concealed weapon.  The report said the occupants were coming from Taco Mac after a night of drinking.

Police Scanner

The semester is winding down so for the next few weeks (save for one weekend that I will be out of town for a much-needed vacation) I'll be able to listen to the scanner more.

11:37pm Someone arrested—drugs involved.  Overdose.
11:39pm  Domestic problem.
11:40pm  Domestic problem.
11:40pm Juvenile complaint.
11:42pm EMS called for overdose.
11:44pm call holding b/c no available officers—suspicious person or vehicle in a subdivision.
11:47pm 10-28
11:50pm One domestic dispute from earlier has ended.
11:52pm 10-28 (2) in Lithia Springs.
11:54pm 10-27
11:57pm Lost property reported.
11:58pm 10-28 on I-20.  I don’t think this was a FIND vehicle.
11:59pm 10-28
11:59pm Transporting prisoner to ER.
12:03am 10-29
12:03am Suspicious person walking on sidewalk.
12:04am Vehicle on side of a road with a flat tire.
12:04am Two officers answered a call.  Dispatcher asked if officer was aware that another officer was enroute and he said yes.
12:05am 10-28
12:06am 10-28
12:06am One by number.
12:08am Someone’s license is suspended.
12:09am An officer issued a warning.

James Bell Arrested

After the Douglas Neighbor published an article about the arrest of James Bell this past Wednesday, the Sentinel felt they also had to chime in, so they published the following article today:

Campaign sign controvery leads to arrest

By Winston Jones
Staff Writer

The Dogwood Strip in downtown Lithia Springs is a place of civic pride. It has an old clock, flowering trees and a welcome sign for visitors coming into town on Bankhead Highway (U.S. 78).

In recent weeks, it has also become a gathering place for numerous local election campaign signs, and has spurred controversy over where signs can and cannot be placed.

James Bell, 48, a Lithia Springs resident and guardian of the strip, has found himself in trouble with the law over his zeal to keep the area clean.

Bell has headed up an informal cleanup group known as Lithia Springs Clean and Beautiful for several years.

“The Dogwood Strip is an area we want to keep free of any signs and trash,” Bell said.

About three weeks ago, Bell removed some of the campaign signs and said he notified the candidates of his action. The candidates were Todd Cowan, Rhonda Payne and Beau McClain. Bell said he had no intention of stealing the signs and planned to return them to their owners at the next Republican Party meeting. He removed them, he said, because they were illegally on state right-of-way.

“I asked them not to put them there and they responded by doubling up on the number,” Bell said.

However, he soon found himself being arrested by county deputies.

Bell was charged with three counts of misdemeanor theft by taking and released on $1,000 bond on each count. A court date hasn’t been set, Bell said.

“Mr. Bell took it upon himself to decide that campaign signs don’t belong there,” said Douglas County Chief Deputy Stan Copeland. “He has no legal authority to remove them.”

Copeland said Bell had been warned about removing signs and should have gone to the Board of Commissioners if he felt the signs were illegally posted. Copeland said the county will make cases against anyone taking down or destroying campaign signs.

“Anyone we catch stealing or destroying signs will be arrested,” he said.

Bell said he intends to fight the theft charges.

Candidate Beau McClain said Friday that he’d had no contact with Bell over the signs. McClain said that he doesn’t want his signs anywhere that’s not legal, but he said his supporters sometimes aren’t aware of all the sign ordinances.

“We should be patient and kind with each other in the political season and give all the candidates an opportunity to be seen and heard,” McClain said. “If signs end up in places where they shouldn’t be, I hope we have the opportunity to move them where they need to be.”

County sign regulations treat campaign signs as “temporary event signs” and allow them to be placed along county right-of-way if they are at least six feet from the curb or edge of the pavement. The regulations also say the signs must not exceed 3 square feet in surface area or more than 30 inches in height.

However, Bankhead Highway right-of-way is state property and Georgia Code, O.C.G.A. 32-6-51 prohibits any signs on state right-of-way.

David Spear, press secretary of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), said political signs are not allowed on state right-of-way, which can vary between 7 and 100 feet in width along the roadway, depending on the nature of the road. Right of way is measured from the edge of the road, he said.

“We’ve encouraged campaigns not to put them (signs) in our right of way,” Spear said Friday. “A lot of times people call and report them (signs) and our crews pick them up. Also, as the crews work through an area, they pick them up and they get disposed in the landfill. We encourage people not to do it themselves but to call us.”

However, Spear said if a person is a member of a state-recognized beautification group sponsor of a strip of highway, he/she is authorized to remove any litter, including signs. He said Bell was not a member of such a group.

“We consider them (signs) litter and don’t like them there,” Spear said. “Our primary concern is they’re a safety hazard since they can distract motorists.”

Police Scanner

7:46pm Too personal, I think, to say here—if you want to know, listen to the scanner.  Kind of scary, though, that someone could do that.
7:47pm 10-28.  Expired drive-out tag (those temporary paper tags you get when you buy a car.)
7:48pm 10-28
7:51pm 10-28
7:56pm Alarm at a business.

7:56pm Someone (intentionally) pushed a buggy into someone’s car at a grocery store.

7:58pm Business alarm canceled—there is a mouse in the building setting off the alarm.  :>)

8:02pm Alarm at a business (different business).

8:03pm 10-28

8:03pm Welfare check requested by an officer at the police dept—no one is answering the phone.

8:05pm 10-28 on Maxham Rd.

8:07pm Apparently person who pushed the buggy left the scene.

8:10pm Juveniles at Jessie Davis Park drinking beer.

8:11pm Two officers responded to buggy incident—one officer is looking for person who left scene.  Officer says the officer can continue but that there are two people down at the PD waiting to turn themselves in.

8:12pm Juveniles at park call is on hold—no available officers.

8:17pm 10-28

8:19pm Angry customer at a business.

8:21pm Residential alarm in Ann. Trails.

 

 

 

Standoff Follow-Up

Officers, after 11 hours of a standoff that started at 5 a.m., funneled tear gas into David Spence's home and stormed it, trying, as an AP article puts it, to "keep him from hurting himself."  He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  Spence was wanted for aggravated stalking charges.

Police Standoff On Reynolds Road

From Fox 5:

Douglasville Man Fires Gun, Barricades Himself in Home

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. (MyFOX Atlanta) -- Authorities are negotiating with an armed man who sequestered himself in a Douglas County home after officers tried to serve a warrant.

A spokesman for the U.S. Marshall's office in Atlanta, James Ergas, said officers have been negotiating with 56-year-old David Spence since about 5 a.m. Monday when he fired at authorities trying to arrest him on aggravated stalking charges. No one was injured by the gunfire.

Douglas County Chief Deputy Stan Copeland said Spence allowed his girlfriend to leave the house after officers arrived. Her name has not been released.

Authorities say the warrant is related to an incident in Paulding County. Copeland said Spence has a long history of violent crimes.