East Cobb Public Safety Archives

Cobb Police Chief: ‘No room’ for racism, injustice or brutality

June 3, 2020 8:34 PMJune 2, 2020 9:42 AM by Wendy Parker

The Cobb Police Department issued the following statement Monday night from Chief Tim Cox: Cobb Police Chief Tim Cox

Over the past several days, metro Atlanta residents have seen civil unrest develop despite good citizens attempting to conduct peaceful protests. Due to such, Cobb County residents have expressed a certain level of anxiety due to the reports of violence from nearby areas. With the continued news coverage and numerous social media posts of civil unrest in the area, we understand the concerns being voiced by our residents and business owners. I’d like to take a moment to speak to our citizens and others in the metro area to help allay some fears or anxiety you may have.

The Cobb County Police Department remains committed to the safety and welfare of ALL the citizens it serves. The basic fundamental rights of each individual are at the core of our departmental values. Our Tenets of Conduct lay the foundation of our dedication to everyone we come into contact with on a daily basis. And at the core of all is that we treat all members of the community with respect. As such we have a very real, firm, and utterly unwavering disdain for all racism, injustice, or brutality. There is no room for such in our daily service to the citizens of Cobb and the many visitors we host.

Hand-in-hand with that dedication to respect all individuals is our commitment to protect our residents, business owners, and visitors. Cobb County Police officers are exceptionally well trained and equipped to safeguard the many wonderful people who choose to live, work, and visit this County. In response to current local events, not only have we implemented increased patrols in certain areas of the county, but we have also been in constant contact with city police departments and other law enforcement agencies within the county (as well as many others outside the county). This constant exchange of information has helped us all respond better to incidents quickly, many times before a serious issue can arise. And should the need arise we are prepared to provide mutual aid, sharing resources and manpower with one another.

We have also been in contact with civic leaders on a consistent basis. Long before any of the recent unrest, we worked hand in hand with local civic and community leaders to better our services to all our communities. We continue to do so now and we remain appreciative of all the support and feedback from the communities throughout Cobb County. The open dialogue we long ago established has continued through the current events and our commitment to continue to improve our relationships and services to Cobb County has not wavered.

We have had peaceful protests over the past few days in the County and adjoining cities. We have had open dialogue with organizers and participants. We respect all individuals and vow to protect them and their rights. We also vow to continue to keep the peace and maintain order in the process. I ask that the lines of communication remain open in both directions. If anyone has emergency information, please call 911 immediately. If you have information that is not an immediate emergency, call 770-499-3911. Be it here in Cobb or elsewhere, the safety of everyone is our top priority.

Cobb leaders to hold online forum on policing and racism Tuesday

June 3, 2020 8:34 PMJune 1, 2020 3:09 PM by Wendy Parker

Lisa Cupid, Cobb Board of Commissioners — *Cobb commissioner Lisa Cupid*

Cobb government, business and community leaders and elected officials will be appearing in an online forum Tuesday afternoon to discuss issues of policing and racism in the wake of protests and violence that has broken out around the country in the last week.

The forum is free and is open for the public to view starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, and you can sign up here.

As you’re registering, you can submit questions for the panelists to answer and discuss.

Cobb Police issues joint statement about planned protests

June 3, 2020 8:32 PMMay 30, 2020 10:42 PM by Wendy Parker

The Cobb Police Department issued a statement Saturday night with the Marietta Police Department and the Smyrna Police Department about planned protests in the county stemming from the death of a black man in police custody in Minnesota earlier this week.

The death of George Floyd, who was shown face down on the ground handcuffed, with a white officer kneeling on his neck for nearly 10 minutes, sparked violent protests in several major cities, including Minneapolis, where the incident took place.

Chick-fil-A Sprayberry supports public safety officers

May 12, 2020 7:17 AM by Wendy Parker

Chick-fil-A Sprayberry supports public safety officers

Information and photos from Krista Scott of the Chick-fil-A Sprayberry:

“Our restaurant recently provided nearly 50 boxed lunches to first responders in our local police precinct and firefighter stations. To date, we have donated hundreds of meals collectively to Wellstar Urgent Care Center staff, local Publix stores, and the Heritage Hospice center. This week we plan to take meals to the Marietta 911 Call Center.

“It is truly our pleasure serving our community during this time.”

Send Us Your News!

If you have Coronavirus-related event changes, business openings or closings to share with the public, e-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com.

Contact us at the same e-mail address for news about efforts to assist those in need, health care workers, first responders and others on the frontlines of combatting Coronavirus in East Cobb.

Police shoot man who allegedly attacked East Cobb Publix employee, officer

May 11, 2020 7:07 PMMay 10, 2020 2:15 PM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb Publix, Alabama Road Publix

UPDATED 5:20 P.M., SUNDAY

The GBI identified the suspect as Jeffery Thomas Moore, 22, of Woodstock.

According to a release the agency issued late Sunday afternoon, after the attack on a Publix employee, Moore was found by Cobb Police officers hiding in a yard at a residence on Bedell Road, near the supermarket shopping center.

Officers attempted to take him into custody using a taser after he resisted arrest, according to the GBI, which said that Moore was then shot by an officer.

The GBI said Moore got away from police and was apprehended in a heavily wooded area. The officer who was attacked has been released from the hospital.

Morris was previously taken to Wellstar Kennestone and later was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center on a felony charge of willful obstruction of a police officer and two misdemeanor charges each of simple assault and simple battery.

He was being detained on $5,000 bail.

The GBI said once its investigation is complete it will turn over its findings to the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.

ORIGINAL REPORT

Cobb Police said an officer shot a man they said was physically attacking employees of an East Cobb Publix store as they arrived for work Sunday morning.

In a release issued by Sgt. Wayne Delk, Cobb Police Public Information Officer, police were called to the scene at the Publix at 4750 Alabama Road around 7 a.m. Sunday. By the time officers arrived, according to Delk, the man had left the scene, but additional calls came from around the area of someone attacking people in nearby parking lots.

Police said officers located the suspect and he attacked them, injuring an officer. The man then fled on foot as they pursued him into a residential neighborhood, according to police.

Delk said there was a second confrontation between officers and the man in the neighbornood, during which an officer shot the man. However, according to police, the man was able to get away.

Delk said that following a search between officers from Cobb Police Precincts 4 and 1, Roswell Police, the Georgia State Patrol and the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, the suspect was taken into custody and sent to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where he was treated with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound below the waist.

Delk also said the officer who was attacked also was taken to Kennestone for a leg injury.

The suspect was not identified.

The area is near the Cobb-Fulton line, and close to the City of Roswell and the Sandy Plains Village shopping center, between Sandy Plains Road and Mabry Road in Northeast Cobb.

Because this is a officer-involved shooting, Cobb Police are not releasing further details. The case will be investigated by the Georgia Department of Investigation, according to Delk.

The GBI has not yet sent out any further information.

This story will be updated.

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UPDATE: Fundraiser for family of Eastvalley ES student tops $50K

April 23, 2020 1:42 PM by Wendy Parker

Mahoney family

A fundraiser begun by an Eastvalley Elementary School teacher to help the family of one of her students who was tragically killed over the weekend has netted more than $50,000.

A GoFundMe drive created by Jennifer Swafford indicates that a little more than $51,000 of a goal of $55,000 has been pledged thus far to aid the Mahoney family of East Cobb.

Blake Mahoney, age 11 (in the bowtie), died Sunday after a car hit him and the bicycle he was riding near his home on Lucky Drive.

Since then, friends, co-workers, and those who know the family through Eastvalley—where Blake’s mother Dawn is the school nurse—have sent in contributions.

“The generosity of people near and far is mind blowing!,” said Swafford, Blake’s 5th grade teacher this year. “Thank you for your love and support for the Mahoney family!”

One donor who pledged $500 wrote that “I donated because he was my best friend in school and I miss him so much and let him rest in piece. It was good meeting you Blake in this short time God bless you and your family.”

Also contributing were those who know the Mahoneys through the East Marietta National Little League, where Blake played baseball.

On Wednesday a memorial sign was set up at the entrance of Sewell Park, with flowers being left behind.

“If your child learned something from Blake as his teammate we would love to hear about that as well,” the youth baseball organization said in a Facebook post. “The loss is immeasurable but so is the love left behind. Today let’s celebrate our love!”

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East Cobb boy, 11, killed after bicycle crashes into car

April 21, 2020 2:24 PMApril 20, 2020 11:23 AM by Wendy Parker

Blake Mahoney, East Cobb boy killed — *Photo: Blake Mahoney Memorial Fund GoFundMe page*

An 11-year-old boy riding his bicycle in his East Cobb neighborhood died Sunday afternoon after crashing into a car, according to Cobb Police.

Cobb Police Sgt. Wayne Delk said in a statement Monday morning that the crash happened at 5:06 p.m. on Lucky Drive, off Lower Roswell Road and between Holt Road and Old Sewell Road.

Delk said David Mondecar, 65, a Lucky Drive resident, was driving a red 2005 Volvo XC90 and was approaching a sharp left curve on that street when the boy was making a sharp right curve as he rode from the other direction.

Police said the crash happened when the front of Mondecar’s car collided with the bike.

The boy was pronounced dead at 5:40 p.m. Sunday after being taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Delk said, adding that Mondecar was not injured.

Police did not identify the victim, but social media postings in the community were mourning Blake Mahoney, whose family lives on Lucky Drive. He played in the East Marietta National Little League and was a student at Eastvalley Elementary School, where his mother is the school nurse.

A fund has been started in the school community to provide food for the family.

A GoFundMe also has been established by Jennifer Swafford, Blake’s 5th grade teacher at Eastvalley. The Blake Mahoney Memorial Fund also will help the family.

Blake was to have begun attending East Cobb Middle School this fall. His older brother Will is a student at Wheeler High School.

Delk said Cobb Police are continuing to investigate the crash and anyone with information should call 770-499-3987.

East Cobb boy killed

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Cobb outdoor burn ban to start April 10 due to shelter-in-place

April 4, 2020 2:15 PMApril 4, 2020 9:07 AM by Wendy Parker

The Cobb outdoor burn ban that runs from May 1-Sept. 30.each year has been moved up due to the statewide shelter-in-place order. The ban now will start next Friday, April 10.

Here’s more from the county:

Leaves, pine straw, and other yard debris may NOT be burned starting that date, and the Fire Marshal’s Office will also stop the issuance of Large Yard Waste and Bonfire permits during this time. Please note there is no ban on fire bowls, chimineas, or similar devices as long as clean wood (not pressure treated, and no varnish) is being burned.

More about outdoor burning from the Cobb Fire Marshal’s Office.

Cobb Police limiting certain call responses; closing some offices

March 18, 2020 7:00 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb Police said Wednesday that they’re making some policy changes as county government goes into “limited operations status” due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

A release issued by Cobb Police said that while they’ll still respond to calls from the public that require the presence of officers, those that don’t will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

“In such cases residents may, after making an initial 911 call, get a call back from a police supervisor or an officer to make a report over the phone,” Cobb Police spokesman Sgt. Wayne Delk said in the release.

He also said the police department’s record’s office will be open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at headquarters (140 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta).

The lobby also will stay open, but citizens are asked that if they need to get copies of accident or incident reports to use the department’s website or call 770-499-3900 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The department’s permit office is closed until further notice, and anyone wishing to or eligible to obtain an employment permit cannot get one until it reopens. Information is available by clicking here or by calling 770-499-3932 Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also closed is the Cobb Police evidence unit, which will reopen on April 7. For any items that may be needed due to an emergency (medication, currency, house/car keys, etc.) the number to call is 770-499-4128 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Precinct 4, two Cobb Police Coffee With a Cop sessions have been cancelled: Thursday at the Janice Overbeck Real Estate office, and on March 26 at The Art Place.

Driver in fatal East Cobb crash charged with vehicular homicide

March 5, 2020 12:25 PM by Wendy Parker

Alabama Road crash kills motorcyclist

UPDATE to the fatal crash involving a motorcyclist on Feb. 22 on Alabama Road in Northeast Cobb: The driver of the car who hit the bike turned herself in Wednesday after being charged with vehicular homicide.

Cobb Police Sgt. Wayne Delk said Thursday that Genesis Lugo, 21, of Woodstock, also has been charged with a failure to yield.

They’re both second-degree misdemeanor charges, and Lugo was released from the Cobb County Adult Detention Center after paying a $2,970 bail, according to Cobb Sheriff’s Office records.

According to those records, Lugo was booked shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday and was released around 11:30 p.m.

Police said that at 4:25 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 18-year-old Cameron S. Clason, of Woodstock was heading west on Alabama Road when his black 2009 Suzuki SV650 motorcycle collided with a gray 2001 Nissan Altima making a left turn from eastbound Alabama Road to Old Mountain Park Road, according to police.

Clason was later pronounced dead at North Fulton Hospital. Lugo, the driver of the Nissan, not did not require medical attention at the scene.

The crash was the second of three in as many days that took the lives of motorists in East Cobb, following a Feb. 21 incident at Johnson Ferry Road and Powers Drive that killed a nearby resident.

On Feb. 23, a 91-year-old man died after he was trying to turn left on Davis Road from Sandy Plains Road southbound.

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Cobb public health officials issue coronavirus statement

March 16, 2020 7:44 PMMarch 3, 2020 7:04 PM by Wendy Parker

As the first cases of coronavirus in Georgia were revealed, the Cobb and Douglas Public Health Department has issued a statement about the outbreak. Cobb coronavirus statement

The alert was issued prior to a late-night press conference Monday by Gov. Brian Kemp confirming two cases of COVID-19 in Fulton County.

They’re a father and son, and one of them had traveled back recently from Milan, Italy, which is experiencing an outbreak of the virus.

During the press conference, state health officials said the two individuals were in home quarantine and in communication with their doctor.

More than 90,000 people have contracted coronavirus, a highly contagious illness, in nearly 80 countries around the world. More than 3,000 deaths have been reported, mostly in China.

The only deaths thus far in the U.S. have been in Washington State, where on Tuesday a ninth fatality was confirmed.

The Cobb/Douglas statement contains a basic explanation of the virus, along with preventative measures, such as thorough hand-washing, and that all testing is being done by the state at this time.

The statement said coronavirus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and that symptoms appear between two and 14 days after exposure. They include:

runny nose
headache
cough
shortness of breath
fever
a general feeling of being unwell.

Here’s more about the local response, as the number of cases is expected to grow:

Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) is preparing internally, as well as with the state and the CDC to slow or prevent community spread. We are working with our partners, including the local governments, healthcare organizations, businesses, first responders, and local school districts to ensure our community is prepared for a potential COVID-19 outbreak.
We are reaching out to our county Boards of Health, emergency management agencies, chambers of commerce, and other partners who may need our guidance and are sending them guidance on how to prepare their organizations.
CDPH staff receive frequent updates from the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health. These updates include information on the current situation abroad and in the U.S., testing, surveillance, quarantine, and more. This helps shape our local response.
CDPH has a previously-developed pandemic influenza plan that can serve as a template for responding to other outbreaks of severe respiratory disease, like COVID-19. We are reviewing our plan and are also prepared to implement specific COVID-19 guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health and the CDC as the situation evolves.

The Cobb County School District last week sent out a notice about the coronavirus, including a statement from the Georgia Department of Public Health, as well as an updated FAQ Tuesday following the confirmation of the Georgia cases:

The District will continue to stay in constant communication with Georgia Department of Health officials and will follow their guidance every step of the way in order to keep our students and staff safe. Our schools continue to remind students and staff on how to prevent the spread of illness including hand washing, covering mouths when they cough, and keeping their hands away from their face. Parents are urged to keep students at home if they have any symptoms of sickness.

Should a staff member or student become ill, Cobb Schools already has a reporting protocol in place regarding infectious diseases, which is part of the District’s Infectious Disease Response Plan. The District will use guidance from public health officials to update and apply the plan to respond to COVID-19.

DPH has also issued guidance about the coronavirus, which was first diagnosed in December in Wuhan, China.

The federal Centers for Disease Control has issued its highest alerts for China and Iran, recommending against non-essential travel there, and that entry by foreign nationals from those countries has been suspended.

U.S. travelers are being advised against non-essential trips to South Korea and Italy, and older adults or those with chronic medical conditions not visit Japan.

More CDC coronavirus information can be found here.

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91-year-old man dies after Sunday crash on Sandy Plains Road

February 24, 2020 12:05 PM by Wendy Parker

Sandy Plains Road crash

Cobb Police said a 91-year-old man died Sunday after his car crashed with another on Sandy Plains Road, near the entrance of Mountain View Elementary School.

John A. Spadafora, of Marietta, was pronounced dead at WellStar Kennestone Hospital, according to a release from Cobb Police Monday.

Police said Spadafora was driving a black Mazda truck south on Sandy Plains Road at 5:38 p.m. Sunday, attempting to make a left turn onto Davis Road, when it collided with a gray Infiniti.

Sgt. Wayne Delk, a Cobb Police spokesman, said Spadafora was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, but that his condition worsened and he died Sunday night.

The driver of the Infiniti, John Hamm, 42, of Roswell, also was hospitalized at Kennestone but does not have life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Cobb Police said the crash remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call 770-499-3987.

The incident was the third fatal crash of the weekend in East Cobb.

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18-year-old motorcyclist killed following Alabama Road crash

February 23, 2020 4:50 PM by Wendy Parker

Alabama Road crash kills motorcyclist

Cobb Police said an 18-year-old motorcyclist was killed Saturday after he was hit by a car on Alabama Road near the Fulton County line in Northeast Cobb.

Sgt. Wayne Delk of Cobb Police said in a release Sunday that Cameron S. Clason, of Woodstock, was pronounced dead after being taken to North Fulton Hospital.

Clason was heading westbound on Alabama Road at 4:25 p.m. Saturday when his black 2009 Suzuki SV650 motorcycle collided with a gray 2001 Nissan Altima making a left turn from eastbound Alabama Road to Old Mountain Park Road, according to police.

Police said Genesis L. Lugo, 21, of Woodstock, the driver of the Nissan, not did not require medical attention at the scene.

Delk said the crash remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call 770-499-3987.

The incident was the second fatal crash of the weekend in East Cobb. On Friday night, a 61-year-old man, Robert Higginbotham, was killed when his car was struck by another at the intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Powers Road (click link below).

East Cobb man killed in crash at Johnson Ferry/Powers Road

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East Cobb man killed in crash at Johnson Ferry/Powers Road

February 23, 2020 4:53 PMFebruary 23, 2020 3:08 PM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb man killed Johnson Ferry crash

An East Cobb man was killed after a late Friday car crash at the intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Powers Road that also injured another person.

Cobb Police said Rob Higginbotham, 61, of a nearby East Cobb address, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The collision took place at 11:19 p.m. on Friday and involved two white Mercedes Benz cars, police said.

A Mercedes SL550 driven by Higginbotham was attempting a left turn onto Powers from a northbound Johnson Ferry lane, when it was struck by a Mercedes C300, traveling south on Johnson Ferry, police said.

Police said Higginbotham was ejected from his car and that Colin W. Outz, 19, of Marietta, the driver of the other car, was taken to WellStone Kennestone Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident was first reported by WSB-TV, which talked to eyewitnesses who said that stretch of Johnson Ferry—between Lower Roswell Road and Paper Mill Road—has had numerous high-speed crashes.

Cobb Police said the crash remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call 770-499-3987.

The incident was the second fatal crash of the weekend in East Cobb. On Saturday afternoon, an 18-year-old motorcyclist died after he was hit by a car at the intersection of Alabama Road and Old Mountain Park Road, near the Cobb-Fulton line (see link below).

Motorcyclist, 18, dies after crash on Alabama Road

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Police seek witnesses to Canton Road Connector crashes

February 18, 2020 5:24 PM by Wendy Parker

Marietta Police are looking for witnesses to chain-reaction crashes Monday night on the Canton Road Connector at Cobb Parkway North that seriously injured two drivers.

Kanisha Thompson, 25, of Lapine, Ala., and Connie Hawkins, 51, of Euharlee, Ga., were both taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Police said the incidents took place at 10:15 p.m.

They said Thompson was driving a 2011 BMW 328i and Hawkins was behind the wheel of a 2008 Buick Enclave when their cars crashed at the intersection. Police said 911 dispatchers initially reported only minor injuries, and that after the crash, both drivers left their vehicles.

Shortly after that crash, and before first responders arrived at the scene, two other vehicles approached the intersection, according to police.

Police said the cars from the original wreck and their drivers were still standing in the road, and that visibility in the area was poor.

Police said Samy Nolasco, 21, of Rome, was driving a 2001 Nissan Frontier northbound on Cobb Parkway. The truck hit the BMW, which then struck Thompson and Hawkins, according to police, who said the Nissan also hit a 2014 Ford Explorer driven by Jabari Mckenzie, 27, of Kennesaw.

Marietta Police are asking anyone with information to contact Investigator Samimi at 770-794-5384.

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East Cobb traffic alert: Sandy Plains Road closed due to gas leak

February 5, 2020 4:35 PM by Wendy Parker

Sandy Plains Road closed

Cobb Police just issued a notice that a stretch of Sandy Plains Road near Scufflegrit Road is closed because of a gas leak.

The portion of Sandy Plains that is shut down in both directions is between Broussard Way and Rosebriar Drive, both residential streets, and the closure could last for several hours.

Police and fire crews are on the scene. The closest alternates are Canton Road and the Canton Road Connector to the west and Scufflegrit Road and Piedmont Road to the east.

Roundabout opens at Post Oak Tritt Road and Hembree Road

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St. Ann Catholic to hold Cobb emergency preparedness training classes

February 3, 2020 4:36 PMFebruary 3, 2020 12:32 PM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

There are two Cobb County Community Emergency Response Team training opportunities in February and residents are encouraged to sign up now.

Cobb Senior Services Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs Street, MariettaClasses will be held from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on three consecutive Wednesdays (must attend all three classes), Feb. 5, 12 and 19.To register, contact Tracy Shehab at tracy.shehad@cobbcounty.org.

St. Ann’s Catholic Church, La Salette Hall, 4905 Roswell Road, MariettaClasses will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on three consecutive Saturdays (must attend all three classes), Feb. 22, 29 and March 7.To register contact Linda Walsh, RN at LWalshRN@st-ann.org or call 770-552-6400 ext. 6019.

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Cobb Police Coffee With a Cop meetings coming in Precinct 4

February 10, 2020 12:39 PMJanuary 30, 2020 9:55 AM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information about several upcoming Cobb Police Coffee With a Cop meetings, where the public is invited to bring questions and discuss crime and public safety issues with Precinct 4 community officer Nathalie Jegg:

Tuesday, February 11, 10:00 AM to noon at IHOP, 3130 Johnson Ferry Road
Tuesday, February 186:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Starbucks, 2424 Roswell Road
Monday, May 4 10:00 AM to noon at Jacobs Java 1350 Terrell Mill Road

Upcoming major/public events for Cobb Police Community Affairs:

Ride with the Blue Charity Motorcycle Ride on Sunday, April 19 at Jim Miller Park time TBA (for more info contact Officer Granell at, Raymond.Granell-Reyes@cobbcounty.org)
Copz, Kidz, & Chicken event at Zaxby’s, 2981 Delk Road, April 22 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A portion of the proceeds to benefit Brumby Elementary School to pay down outstanding school lunch debts (for more info contact Officer Jegg at Nathalie.Jegg@cobbcounty.org)

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Cobb public safety step-and-grade plan approved unanimously

January 28, 2020 10:24 PM by Wendy Parker

Susan Hampton, Cobb public safety advocates — *Susan Hampton*

Cobb public safety personnel will be receiving a new salary structure that becomes effective in March.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 Tuesday night to implement a step-and-grade plan that will provide for incremental pay boosts, based on years of service and other factors.

Details of the plan were revealed last week as a “next step” toward increasing salary and benefits for Cobb public safety workers. Commissioners last year approved a seven-percent raise and a one-time bonus after coming under pressure from public safety personnel and community activists.

“This is a step forward,” South Cobb commissioner Lisa Cupid said before the vote. “It is not a panacea.”

The new plan kicks in March 22, and all qualified personnel in Cobb police, fire and sheriff’s departments will move up a step at that time.

The additional funding will come to $5.7 million for the current fiscal year 2020, which goes through the end of September.

The step-and-grade plan would increase starting pay for entry-level police officers, sheriff’s deputies and firefighters from $41,000 a year to $46,000.

Salaries for the highest police officer and firefighter positions would range from $67,290 to $103,626. For rank-and-file sheriff’s deputies, that top-end range would be $48,435 to $74,590.

Unlike other step-and-grade pay models—including the Cobb County School District—the Cobb public safety raises would not be automatic, and would have to go before commissioners during the annual budget process.

East Cobb commissioner Bob Ott was absent from the meeting.

“We still have work to do, but a lot has been done in the past 11 months,” said Susan Hampton of East Cobb, an advocate with the Cobb County Public Safety Foundation.

She urged commissioners to “never allow public safety to be removed as the No. 1 priority in future budgets.”

But another public safety advocate, Kimberly Peace Hill, was irate, saying “this scale does nothing for retention.”

She told commissioners that “if you’re going to do this, don’t drop the ball. Give them [public safety employees] a commitment.”

Cobb Sheriff Neil Warren, whose department is understaffed, said the step-and-grade plan “is outstanding. It’s long overdue.”

The commissioners’ comments were brief, with East Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell pledging that “as long as I’m in this seat, [public safety] will be my No. 1 priority.”

North Cobb commissioner Keli Gambrill voted for the measure, but wondered how the plan will be financed in the long haul since the county brings in $21 million less in property tax revenues ($392 million) than it pays for county employee salaries ($414 million).

She wanted future public safety raises to be tied to additional revenues from the state tag and ad valorem tax, the source of most of the funding for the step-and-grade costs.

“I hope our actions over the last year will show we are moving in the right direction.” Cupid said.

East Cobb resident earns Cobb Chamber public service award

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East Cobb resident earns Cobb Chamber’s public service award

January 27, 2020 2:38 PMJanuary 27, 2020 12:15 PM by Wendy Parker

Susan Hampton, Cobb Chamber public service award — *Susan Hampton with outgoing Cobb Chamber of Commerce president Mitch Rhoden. (Cobb C of C photo)*

At its annual gala dinner Saturday, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce presented East Cobb resident Susan Hampton with its Mack Henderson Public Service Award, given to “someone who is outstanding in their commitment and dedication to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Cobb County.”

Hampton has organized the East Cobb Business Association’s appreciation events for Cobb Police Precinct 4 officers and Cobb Fire personnel, and is part of the newly formed Cobb County Public Safety Foundation.

Over the last year, she has been outspoken in favor of better pay and benefits for Cobb public safety workers.

In being presented the award Saturday, the Chamber called Hampton a “tireless advocate for Cobb’s public safety personnel. Whether it’s acting as a vocal supporter for higher wages or organizing an appreciation event for local law enforcement, this award winner devotes her volunteer efforts to the community she serves.”

Hampton also is active with the Cobb County Coalition of Business Associations, “working with the coalition’s founders and other committed volunteers continuing the legacy of Barbara Hickey, lending her hand whenever it is needed,” according to the Chamber’s presentation.

The Cobb Chamber also honored former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson at the gala dinner. The Republican from East Cobb was presented with the Chamber’s Senator Johnny H. Isakson Leadership Award, which has been renamed in his honor.

The Chamber has dedicated the 10th floor of its new offices at 1100 Circle 75 Parkway in Isakson’s name.

Sen. Johnny Isakson, Cobb chamber — *Retired U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson speaks at the Cobb Chamber gala dinner Saturday. (Cobb C of C photo)*

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