Sex Offenders Registry

                                                                             February 9, 2006

According to Sheriff Phil Summers, the 2005 annual crime report for Catoosa County has been compiled, and the data reflects that Catoosa County had a reduction in most categories of crime statistics from 2004. The data reflects January 1 through December 31, 2005, and focuses 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 six years of the current administration.

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 59,000 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 six years. The Sheriff’s report also reflects an approximate 74% 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 58,320 requests for assistance which was down from the previous year. The calls for assistance reflected an increase of 62% in the last five years. Approximately 3,818 individuals were arrested (up 18% from last year) which included 454 drug arrests and 213 drunk drivers arrested in Catoosa County.

The patrol division held a consistent average response time of 9 minutes in 2005 on all calls for service. This response time assures the citizens of Catoosa County will receive a quick response when assistance is needed.

The Court Services Division of the Sheriff’s Office noted an increase in their responsibilities, serving 5,333 civil papers and logging approximately 5,200 hours of courtroom security. The Sheriff’s Office is also responsible for many educational programs for the Catoosa County School System. More than 11,320 hours were spent in educational programs and school security in 2005. Programs such as D.A.R.E., School Resource Officer Program, and Canine Program have resulted in less crime, violence, and drug interaction on our school campuses in the past years. New drug programs for middle school and high school were introduced last year to increase drug education for students in Catoosa County. This 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.

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 76,840 calls for service in 2005 which was a decrease of 5,023 calls from 2004. This reflects 85% for law enforcement, 9% fire, and 6% ambulance calls.

The Sheriff’s Office continued programs such as Crime Stoppers, which at present reflects 142 arrests over the past 13 years with approximately $265,000 recovered in stolen property and more than $9 million in seized illegal contraband.

The Stocking Full of Love Christmas program provided toys for approximately 976 children in December 2005. The Food and Benevolence Service provided assistance for more than 770 people. 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 in Catoosa County.

In the area of finance, Catoosa County reported more than $2 million collected from courts, unanticipated revenues and condemnations in 2005. 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 nine 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.

Sheriff Summers stated that he is proud of the new Catoosa County Detention Center which was built for the future growth and is more financially efficient. We were able to reduce the 2003 Jail budget by approximately $300,000. The jail operation generated revenue from housing nonviolent offenders from other counties. In 2002, the cost of housing inmates in Catoosa County was $59.00 per day. In 2003, the cost reduced to $23.00 per day. In 2005, the average daily population in Catoosa County’s 248 bed facility was 220 inmates and cost approximately $32.00 per day to house each inmate.

Sheriff Summers shared his focus for the upcoming year by stating the Top Five Goals for 2005 for the Sheriff’s Office.

1. Continue to improve the operation of the Sheriff’s Office and Jail operation to support the tremendous growth of Catoosa County. We are experiencing an increase in population and crime. The Sheriff’s Operation is experiencing more challenges than ever before. We will continue to provide crime prevention programs and community efforts to reduce crime and provide a safe environment for citizens to live.
2. A new radio communication system for emergency services is another top priority for 2006. The current system is more than 20 years old and in need of updating. The S.P.L.OS.T. fund will provide most of the monies needed to move forward on this new system.
3. In 2006, we will implement a new courthouse security operation. After the recent tragedy in Atlanta we recognize the need for updating our current security system. Catoosa County will add additional personnel, electronic surveillance, identity points of entry for public, and utilize technology at entry locations to reduce the danger of weapons. These measures are needed to protect the public and courthouse employees who work and visit our courthouse each day.
4. Traffic complaints and congestion is a major concern of all citizens of our county. More than 21,000 traffic complaints were received in 2005. The Sheriff’s Office plans to continue its efforts to reduce accidents, injuries, and save lives on the highways of Catoosa County.
5. Finance will be a major focus for this year’s operation. The Sheriff’s budget increased this year, allowing the Sheriff to add four patrol officers, two detectives, and three deputies for court security. With the increase of demand and population, the additional personnel are desperately needed. It is my wish to provide continuous professional law enforcement in the most cost-effective way and to reduce the cost of operations to help to reduce the expense to the taxpayer.

Sheriff Summers expressed his appreciation to the employees in 911 and the Sheriff's Office for a job well done. The Sheriff's Office now has the ability to serve the citizens more efficiently and more cost effectively. We look forward to the new year in providing professional and courteous law enforcement for all of the citizens of our county.