According to Sheriff Phil Summers, the 2007 annual crime report for Catoosa County has been compiled, Sheriff Summers stated we are proud that crimes against persons and property crimes have remained consistently less than in 1990.

 

Another highlight for 2007 was the successful implementation of the new 800 MHz radio system for Emergency Services. The new radio system has improved the communication for Catoosa County and is a tremendous benefit to Emergency Services.

 

This year the report reflects a decrease in major crimes and a slight increase in property crimes.

 

In the major complaint category of traffic and domestic violence calls for service increased, reflecting 26,802 and 2,176 complaints respectively. The date reflects January through December 31, 2007, and focused on total crime in Catoosa County with a specific emphasis on crime against persons.

 

The main goals and objectives of the Sheriff’s Office are to prevent crime while working diligently through community policing and community programs. The following report reflects the seven categories documented by the State of Georgia involving murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft by taking, and motor vehicle theft and is compared to the crime statistics from 1990 which was the last year of the former administration. In addition, the report compares the last five years of the current administration.

 

   Crime

 1990

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Murder

    2

2

    5

3

2

2

Rape

   10

2

    9

4

8

6

Robbery

   29

10

  13

13

8

8

Agg. Assault

   55

50

  54

70

49

15

Burglary

  322

223

226

201

191

220

Theft by Taking

  708

538

868

667

655

694

Motor Veh. Theft

  101

  108

  143

184

94

84
 

Sheriff Summers stated a great emphasis has been placed on crime prevention in Catoosa County. Much of this success reflects the efforts of community policing and the visibility of patrol units in Catoosa County. The report reveals success considering Catoosa County’s population is now over 63,000 compared to an approximate 42,000 in 1990. Normally an increase in crime follows an increase in population; however, Catoosa County law enforcement has been successful in maintaining low crime percentages during a period of tremendous growth. In addition, the Catoosa County’s Criminal Investigations Division (C.I.D.) has maintained a 98% conviction rate on crimes prosecuted by the Sheriff’s Office for the last 17 years. The Sheriff’s report also reflects an approximate 75% clearance rate of major crimes in Catoosa County. This compares to the national average which reflects a 45% clearance rate in major crimes. Catoosa County has not only experienced a low crime rate, but has maintained one of the highest clearance rates involving major crimes in the nation.

 

The Sheriff’s Office responded to 64,644 requests for assistance which reflected an increase from the previous year. Approximately 3,806 individuals were arrested which included 347 drug arrests and 431 drunk drivers arrested in Catoosa County.

 

The patrol division held a consistent average response time of 10 minutes in 2007 on all calls for service. This response time assures the citizens of Catoosa County will receive a quick response when assistance is needed.

 

In 2007, the Sheriff’s Office noted an increase in the top two complaint categories. Traffic complaints have continued to increase as population and businesses have continued to grow in our county. Traffic complaints increased in 2007 from approximately 19,421 to 26,802 or 38%.

 

The Sheriff’s Office increased traffic enforcement in 2001 with the introduction of a speed reduction team after increased complaints of traffic problems in Catoosa County. In 2005, Catoosa County reports a reduction of accidents, injuries, and fatalities for the first time in eight years. In 2006 and 2007, the numbers have reduced once again reflecting a reduction in all categories. Sheriff Summers credits the increased efforts in speed reduction for reducing accidents, injuries, and saving lives in Catoosa County.

 

Domestic dispute complaints also were up in 2007. In 2006, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 1,570 civil dispute calls. In the past year 2,176 domestic complaints were filed which reflected an increase of 39%.

 

The Court Services Division of the Sheriff’s Office noted an increase in their responsibilities, receiving 4,577 civil papers and logging approximately 14,000 hours of courtroom security. The Sheriff’s Office is also responsible for many educational programs for the Catoosa County School System. More than 11,000 hours were spent in educational programs and school security in 2007. Programs such as Drug Education, School Resource Officer Program, and the Canine Program have resulted in less crime, violence, and drug interaction on our school campuses in the past years. This was the third year the drug program for elementary students changed from the D.A.R.E. Program to C.H.A.M.P.S.(Choosing Healthy Activities & Methods Promoting Safety). The new program teaches on a variety of problems children face day-to-day, including drugs. Teachers have expressed their approval of the new program presented by the Sheriff’s Office.

  

Sheriff Summers also reflected on the operation of Catoosa County’s Super Enhanced 911 System. The system provides operators with telephone number identification, address identification, and Computer Assisted Dispatch (C.A.D.) as well as total mapping capabilities which assists operators in pinpointing the residence where a call originated. All of this allows emergency services a quicker response time and the ability to locate an individual in the event of an emergency. Catoosa County 911 received 103,912 calls for service in 2007 which was an increase of 15,399 calls from 2006. This reflects 89% for law enforcement, 6% fire, and 3% ambulance calls. With the introduction of the new 800 MHz radio system, the 911 Center has more ability than ever before. Now the 911 Center and Emergency personnel can talk directly with Hamilton County and Chattanooga. No longer is the state line a burden for Emergency personnel.

 

The Sheriff’s Office continued programs such as Crime Stoppers, which at present reflects 151 arrests over the past 15 years with approximately $280,000 recovered in stolen property and more than $9 million in seized illegal contraband.

 

The Stocking Full of Love Christmas program provided toys for approximately 1,011 children in December 2007. Last year reflected the best year ever with more than $70,000 in toys and monetary donations. The Food and Benevolence Service provided assistance for more than 750 families. The Senior Citizens call and visitation program provided daily telephone calls and weekly personal contacts with senior citizens in Catoosa County. In addition, the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office worked with Partnership 2000 providing education and financial assistance for students within the Catoosa County School System and establishing better relations between law enforcement, teachers, and students. The Catoosa County Neighborhood Watch Program provides crime prevention information to help reduce crime in neighborhoods had another busy year in 2007.

 

In the area of finance, Catoosa County reported more than $2 million collected from courts, unanticipated revenues and condemnations in 2007. These funds include state and federal grants which assist the Sheriff’s Office in providing more law enforcement for the citizens of Catoosa County. In the past ten years, the Sheriff’s Office has received more than $3 million grant dollars. Generating funds and applying for grants has greatly assisted the department in reducing the high cost of law enforcement. Last year the Sheriff’s Office reduced cost and completed the year under budget approximately $200,000.

 

In 2005, the average daily population at the Catoosa County Detention Center was 220 inmates. This past year the average population decreased to 190 inmates per day. The reduction occurred when the Georgia State prison system adopted new policies of moving inmates in a more timely fashion to state facilities. This has helped the Detention Center in operating more financially efficient.

 

Sheriff Summers shared his focus for the upcoming new year of 2007.

 

1)      To improve the new 800 MHz radio system for Catoosa Emergency Services. Catoosa has elected to join Chattanooga/Hamilton County’s current radio system which will improve local communication and was the most cost effective measure. We anticipate a major federal grant this year of over six million dollars to improve the Catoosa County radio system and will add Walker and Dade County to complete a true regional radio system for the Northwest Georgia area.

 

2)      Continue to reduce traffic congestion and complaints in our county. Traffic complaints are still a major concern of all citizens of Catoosa County. We will continue traffic enforcement to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities in our county.

        

3)      Our top priority will continue to focus on crime and drug activity in Catoosa County. We were pleased with our efforts last year and pledge to work aggressively to improve in 2008. We will continue to provide school and community oriented programs to help educate the public as a means of reducing drug activity and crime in our county.

 

4)      Finance will be a major priority for this year’s operation. With the increase in demand for services, we will continue to provide quality services at the most cost effective means available. I plan to work diligently to operate efficiently to help reduce the expense to the taxpayers of our county.   

 

5)      We are currently working to identify the three areas to improve in each department of the Sheriff’s Office. We plan to focus on these areas to improve the overall operation of the Sheriff’s Office and improve the service to the citizens of Catoosa County.

 

Sheriff Summers expressed his appreciation to his employees for a job well done. I look forward to the new year in providing professional, courteous law enforcement to all citizens of Catoosa County.