One of the roles of our Traffic Enforcement Unit is to look for unsafe behaviors on the road and not only address them but also educate the public about potential dangers involved. Patrol officers routinely see dangerous violations involving child passenger safety. Here are some quick reminders of what Georgia law says about child safety seats along with a few helpful hints for keeping your kids safe.

O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76

All children under the age of eight are required to be properly restrained in an appropriate child passenger safety seat or booster seat.

Who is Covered?

• All children under eight years of age riding in a passenger automobile, van, or pickup truck while the vehicle is in motion on a public road, street or highway of Georgia.

Who Must Comply?

• All drivers on Georgia roadways with (see exemptions).

Vehicles Exempted

• Taxi cabs
• Public Transit

Other Exemptions

• In a vehicle not equipped with both lap and shoulder belts or in instances that lap and shoulder belts are being used to properly restrain other children, a lap belt can be used to restrain children weighing at least 40 pounds.

• If parent can show that the child’s height is over 4’9″. The child still must be restrained by a safety belt. In addition, code section 40-8-76.1 (e)(3) stipulates that each minor six years of age or older who is an occupant of a passenger vehicle must be restrained by a safety belt. “Passenger vehicles” are defined as every motor vehicle designed to carry 10 or less. The definition includes pick-up trucks for occupants under 18.

Other Helpful Information:

• Do not buy used car seats/boosters from yard sales or flea markets. Child safety seats have expiration dates (generally around 6 years from the date of manufacture) due to the materials in car seats break down over time. Also, child safety seats should be replaced if they have been in a crash. They are also subject to recalls from the manufacture for replacement or repairs. You won’t be able to know the history of the seat if you buy it second-hand.
• What age can you turn your child from a Rear-Facing Position to a Forward-Facing Position?

Per Georgia law, you can turn the child around at the age of One Year. However, it is safer to leave the child in a rear-facing position as long as he/she still fits comfortably in that position. Children’s neck muscles develop at different rates and even a child beyond the legal requirement may not be strong enough to endure the forces generated by a crash.

DPD Officer Honored With Award of Valor

For just the fourth time in the last 30 years, the Dalton Police Department honored an officer with the department’s Award of Valor on Tuesday morning at the monthly meeting of the Public Safety Commission. Officer Clinton J. Travis was presented the award by Chief Jason Parker in recognition of his actions in two separate cases over the past year in which he was confronted with split-second life or death decisions.

Chief Parker detailed both incidents in front of the five commissioners and an auditorium full of fellow officers and firefighters Tuesday morning. The first instance happened on August 17, 2016 at about 5:00 am when Officer Travis, who was then entering his third year as a police officer, was investigating a suspicious vehicle in an area known from previous drug arrests. He did not know that the back seat passenger had a pistol on the floorboard between his feet. When Officer Travis addressed the car’s passengers, the suspect dropped a rolled-up dollar bill and reached down between his legs. As Officer Travis shined his light on the suspect’s hands, he saw the suspect picking up the 9mm pistol. Officer Travis drew his service weapon, pointed it at the suspect and convinced him to drop the pistol.

Officer Travis

Chief Parker pointed out to the Public Safety Commission than the suspect’s behavior clearly threatened the officer’s life and that a high level of force, including deadly force, would have been justified in this situation.

“Officer Travis’s quick action and his calm approach clearly went above and beyond the call of duty,” Chief Parker noted Tuesday morning.

The suspect, 28 year old Tony Landaverde of Dalton, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime as well as felony possession of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute.

The second instance, and the incident for which Officer Travis’ supervisor nominated him for the honor, happened on the evening of March 5^th earlier this year. Officer Travis was dispatched with other officers to a residence in response to a report of a disturbance between a father and son. Officers were told by dispatchers that the son had pointed a gun at his father. As officers arrived, they heard a gunshot from inside the house. Officer Travis ran quickly to the open front door and looked inside to see two people struggling over a pistol. Travis later discovered it was the father and son who lived at the residence. The father then yelled “help me” to Officer Travis. Pointing his patrol rifle with his right hand, Officer Travis quickly closed the gap between them and took the pistol away from them. Officer Travis and the other officers then immediately took custody of the scene. During a later interview with the father, Officer Travis learned a shot had been fired as the two struggled over a handgun, but nobody was hurt. The son, Brian McReynolds Nunez, 21, of Dalton was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.

“Once again, Officer Travis was faced with a life or death situation that could have ended with multiple serious injuries or deaths, including his and other officers, and a high level of force was justified in this situation,” Chief Parker told the commission. “His decision to quickly close the gap and take immediate action was the factor that prevented a tragic end to this situation and saved lives on that day.”

In nominating Officer Travis for the Award of Valor, Lieutenant Shaun Scott wrote, “I believe Officer Travis’ actions demonstrate heroism when faced with a great risk of imminent hazard to himself and others, and he should be considered for this commendation.”

“I am amazed at the judgment and discretion our officers display in these split-second decisions,” said Chief Parker. “I am proud of Officer Travis, his actions are more like those of a highly seasoned officer.”

Below: Chief Parker hangs the Award of Valor around Officer Travis’ neck, Officer Travis and Chief Parker pose together after the award presentation

Firefighter Promoted In Preventions Division

Also at Tuesday morning’s meeting, Dalton Fire Chief Todd Pangle presented Firefighter Matt Daniel for promotion to the rank of Preventions Division Coordinator. Daniel will replace retiring Captain Jeff Dugger next year in the Preventions Division and the promotion is timed to give Daniel time to learn his new position.

Matt Daniel joined the Dalton Fire Department in January 2003 and progressed to the rank of Firefighter 3. In that role, Daniel had the opportunity to supervise personnel and become a respected leader in the department.

Daniel’s promotion was approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote of the Public Safety Commission.

Below: Chief Pangle and Preventions Division Coordinator Matt Daniel

DFD Smoke Divers Honored

Chief Pangle also presented three firefighters to the Public Safety Commission in recognition of their recent completion of the prestigious Georgia Smoke Divers training program. Firefighters Justin Cole, Justin Salter, and Caleb Krout all earned certification as Smoke Divers.

The class was conducted November 12th-17th and was hosted at the City of Dalton Fire Department’s training center on Abutment Road. The course is a grueling six-day, 60 hour program designed for the experienced firefighter who desires realistic training in self-survival, firefighter rescue, advanced search & rescue, thermal imaging, emergency procedures, teamwork, discipline, team leadership, situational awareness and decision making as well as how to function within the elements of the Incident Command System.

The program condenses and replicates the extreme demands that may be placed on firefighters at any incident. Emphasis is placed on the day-to-day challenges firefighters face at structure fires, multiple-alarm fires, and multiple fires within a single shift. These same principles can be applied to the performance of duties at natural disasters, catastrophic events, and acts of terrorism. The course is a physically demanding and mentally challenging program. Its design allows each candidate to understand and manage their physical and mental limitations under safe but stressful realistic conditions. Coupled with constant situational awareness drills and forced decision making, the candidate gains condensed experience and therefore is able to operate more efficiently and safely at incidents. The program has a long history of improving the lives and careers of Georgia firefighters, as well as firefighters throughout the nation, through the emergence of servant leadership principles. The course is continually updated to stay on the leading edge of firefighting technology and firefighter safety while the core mission remains the same as was developed in 1978.

Below: Chief Pangle stands with Caleb Krout (Smoke Diver #1006), Justin Salter (Smoke Diver #1003), and Justin Cole (Smoke Diver #998)

The Dalton Public Safety Commission is comprised of Chairman William B. Weaver, Carlos Calderin, Terry Mathis, Keith Whitworth, and Kenneth E. Willis.

The Dalton Police Department has identified two persons of interest in the November 27^th investigation on Wrinkle Street. Meanwhile, the victim is now in stable condition at a hospital in Chattanooga and is expected to recover from his injuries. No arrests have been made in the case and the investigation is continuing.

The incident happened in an apartment at 408 Wrinkle Street at approximately 5:00 pm on Monday. Officers were dispatched to a report of a shooting and when they arrived they found 18 year old James M. Walton with gunshot wounds to his face and shoulder. He was immediately treated by EMS and was transported to Hamilton Medical Center and later taken to Chattanooga by helicopter. During the course of the evening, Dalton investigators were able to determine that the shooting was the result of a drug deal gone bad. The transaction involved marijuana, but the exact circumstances of what happened are still being investigated. Dalton investigators have identified two persons of interest in the case. At this time, the identities of those individuals are not being released to the public, but investigators believe they have identified everyone in the apartment at the time of the shooting. Investigators believe a handgun was used in the shooting.

The investigation of this case is still active. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please contact Detective Brian Shirley at 706-278-9085, extension 9189.

The Dalton Police Department has warrants for the arrest of Annise Timte Smith and Howard Terez Fuller, both from the Atlanta metro area, on charges related to a “quick change” scam that ripped off area stores of cash after the suspects tricked a cashier into giving an incorrect amount of change from a purchase. An investigation showed the pair tried the scam multiple times while in Dalton and they are suspected of perpetrating the same scam at other stores over a three day period, along the I-75 corridor between Atlanta and Illinois. Now investigators are looking for other businesses that may have been victimized.

The incidents in Dalton took place on October 9^th. After the Dalton Police Department issued a press release on October 12^th about a similar scam that took place at the Walnut Avenue Chick-fil-A, a manager from the Dollar General store at 2524 Cleveland Highway contacted police to report being ripped off by two black male suspects, one of whom resembled the suspect in the Chick-fil-A case. The two suspects also attempted the same scam at the Dollar General store at 101 West Walnut Avenue, but they were unsuccessful in fooling the cashier. Investigators determined that the Chick-fil-A incident and the Dollar General incidents were not related. In the Dollar General incidents, one suspect, later identified as Howard Terez Fuller, 27, of Decatur would act as a look-out while the second suspect, Annise Timte Smith, 29, of Lithonia would attempt to purchase a cheap piece of merchandise with a $100 bill. Smith would then engage the clerk in conversation either about applying for a job or flirting. As the clerk began counting out the change, Smith requested the $100 bill back saying he had exact change. In the case of the Cleveland Highway incident, the confused clerk was tricked into giving back the original bill and also the store’s money in the form of change. Smith and Fuller would then leave with their own money, the store’s money, and the merchandise.

While investigating these incidents, Dalton investigators saw a bulletin posted on a national crime intelligence service from police in Effingham, Illinois, alerting law enforcement that two men from the Atlanta area had been arrested there October 11^th after performing the same scam at five Dollar General stores in their area. After confirming that the men in custody in Illinois were also the men suspected in Dalton, DPD investigators canvassed Dollar General stores and other locations throughout the city and county and discovered that Fuller and Smith had visited eight Dollar General stores in our area on October 9^th and also two CVS pharmacies. They attempted the scam at five of the stores and were successful at the 2417 Airport Road Dollar General, the 2524 Cleveland Highway Dollar General, and the CVS at 2791 Cleveland Highway. In each case, they left with a small amount of merchandise, approximately $95 in the store’s money, and their original $100 bill. The pair traveled in a white 2012 Nissan Sentra.

The Dalton Police Department has a warrants for the arrest of Howard Fuller for fourteen counts of criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor, eighteen counts of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, and four counts of being party to a crime. The department also has warrants for Annise Smith’s arrest for two counts of theft by deception, two counts of theft by shoplifting, fourteen counts of criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor, and eighteen counts of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor. The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office also has warrants for the pair for the scam at a CVS pharmacy in the county. Both men bonded out in Illinois, and Fuller was later arrested in Rockdale County and is awaiting being brought to Whitfield County.

Because the pair traveled from Atlanta to the Effingham, Illinois area between October 9^th and their arrest on October 11^th, investigators believe that they could have pulled the same scam numerous times in other cities along the I-75 corridor. Dalton investigators are asking anyone who believes they may have been victims of the same scam, particularly at Dollar General and CVS stores, to contact Detective Brian Shirley at 706-278-9085, extension 9189.

Below: Annise Timte Smith (left) and Howard Terez Fuller (right)

Thanks to the members of the Carpet City Rotary Club for their generous support of our Shop With A Cop fundraising effort! This morning, the members of the club presented a $1,000 donation to the effort, which will help our officers take children in need shopping for Christmas gifts next month. The children will be selected by staff from Dalton Public Schools.

The fundraising effort so far has brought in approximately $7,500 to make the holiday season brighter for some kids in need. The bulk of that money was raised by officers in exchange for the right to grow beards in October. This month, officers have paid for the right to keep their beards with donations to the GreenHouse child advocacy center.

Thanks again to the Carpet City Rotary Club and everyone else who has donated to this cause!

Below: Sergeant Ricky Long (left) accepts a donation presented by Carpet City Rotary Club member (and DPD captain) Chip Whitfield

Last week, the DPD honored Lieutenant Barry Batchelor for his 30 years of service to the agency. Batchelor put in his last day of service to the agency on Friday, October 27th. Police Chief Jason Parker honored Lt. Batchelor with the presentation of a plaque commemorating his years of service at the monthly meeting of the Public Safety Commission, and the agency held a reception in his honor last Friday.

Batchelor joined the Dalton Police Department as a patrol officer in January 1988. During his time on patrol, he served as a Field Training Officer and also as an accident reconstruction specialist as a member of the department’s Traffic Unit. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1996 and served as a shift supervisor and later as the agency’s training coordinator. In 2013, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned as a patrol district and shift commander.

Since November 2014, Batchelor has served as the agency’s property and evidence custodian.

He was also an active leader in the community and he graduated in 2005 from Leadership Dalton Whitfield. Lt. Batchelor and his wife, Marcia, have five children and three grandchildren with another on the way. In retirement, they plan to move to Utah. The DPD thanks Lt. Batchelor for his years of service to the agency and our community. Congratulations on your retirement!

Below: Lt. Barry Batchelor (center) poses with his wife Marcia and Chief Jason Parker at last week’s meeting of the Dalton Public Safety Commission

UPDATE (4:15 pm) After further investigation, the warrants for Aron Richard Reed have been dismissed and he has been released from custody in Louisiana. Further investigation of inconsistencies in the story led to an interview of the mother of the child, Jenneffer Luke, and investigators determined that she lied about the kidnapping taking place in Dalton, Georgia. Ms. Luke told a Dalton investigator that Reed did fail to return the child to her custody in Bradley County, Tennessee in the summer but was told by authorities that she would have to pursue it as a civil matter. After learning that the laws in Georgia would likely lead to criminal charges for Reed, she apparently decided to report the crime here. Dalton police will be seeking warrants against Ms. Luke for felony false statements and misdemeanor false report of a crime at a later date. At this time, Phoenix Luke is safe and with his father in Louisiana.

UPDATE: (1:00 pm) Aron Reed has been located in Shreveport, Louisiana and arrested. Phoenix Reed was also located and is safe and sound.

The Dalton Police Department is investigating the kidnapping of one-year old Phoenix Reed and investigators are asking for information from the public about the whereabouts of the child’s father, Aron Richard Reed. Investigators do not believe that the child is in any danger. Investigators say that Reed failed to return the child to the child’s mother after taking the child for an overnight visit. It is possible that Reed has taken the child to Louisiana. Warrants have been issued for his arrest.

Reed, 28, was given permission by the child’s mother, Jenneffer Luke, to take Phoenix for an overnight visitation to a residence in Cleveland, Tennessee where he said he was staying with friends on October 21^st. When he failed to return the next day, Luke contacted him through Facebook and Reed told her that he had been kicked out of the residence in Cleveland and that he had to take the child to Louisiana where he has a girlfriend and family. Reed then deleted his Facebook account. He does not have a phone number. Luke did not report the kidnapping to police until November 2^nd, saying that she was told by friends that the issue would be a civil issue and that she would need to contact a lawyer and not police. She was told by an attorney to contact police and reported the issue.

Aron Reed is a white male, standing approximately 5’9” tall and weighing 160 pounds. Dalton investigators have obtained warrants for his arrest for kidnapping and interference with child custody.

The Dalton Police Department is looking for a woman who took a man’s prescription medications that were mistakenly left behind in a shopping cart in a parking lot on Tuesday. The woman was recorded by store surveillance.

The incident happened at approximately 7:30 pm at the Kroger on West Walnut Avenue. The victim had several prescriptions filled and also bought groceries. After loading his groceries into his car, he mistakenly left his bag with his prescriptions behind in the basket and put his cart in the cart return. Shortly after, the woman was recorded walking out to her gold Toyota Sequoyah SUV and loading her groceries. When she returned her cart, the woman walked over to the victim’s shopping cart and took the prescription bag that was left behind. She then drove away in her car.

The white pharmacy bag contained prescription bottles of latuda, omeprazole, acetaminophen, and levothyroxine. The medications were valued at a total of $1,227.45. The woman who took the bag was white and appeared to be elderly, with white hair and wearing a blue shirt or coat. A picture of the woman is included below.

Anyone who recognizes this woman is asked to please contact Officer Justin Smith at 706-278-9085, extension 9573 or by email at [email protected].

Below: The woman who was recorded taking a man’s forgotten pharmacy bag