Frequently Asked Questions
How
do I dispose of a traffic citation?
What
happens when I have a wreck?
How can I start a Neighborhood Watch?
What is D.A.R.E.?
Traffic Citations are issued for a multitude of offenses under Georgia Law. When a Deputy Sheriff issues a citation a progression of events begin to the final disposition of the case. This process includes a court appearance in some cases. In other situations the person receiving the citation may mail the fine amount to the Probate Court and dispose of the case.
If you have received a citation and have questions concerning the proper procedure for disposing of the case you may contact the Whitfield County Probate Court at (706)275-7400. It is important that you make arrangements to have the case disposed of prior to the date that you are scheduled to appear in court or a warrant for your arrest may be issued by the judge.
Traffic
Accidents
The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office provides assistance to the citizens of the community by investigating and reporting traffic accidents. In most cases the accidents result in damage to the vehicles involved without serious personal injury. A Deputy Sheriff will respond to the location and document the accident for the parties involved and make proper arrangements for the removal of their damaged vehicles when the accident occurs on the public roadways.
When accidents occur on private property the Sheriff's Office will respond to the location and provide the parties involved with forms that the drivers complete for their insurance companies. If the individuals involved need assistance with the completion of the forms the Deputy will be glad to assist. When an accident on private property involves injury the Deputy will complete a different form and handle the investigation personally. The reason the agency gives forms to the involved parties on private property is due to the fact that very few traffic offenses pertain to private property. As a law enforcement element the department deals primarily with criminal offenses. If an accident occuring on private property does not fall under the jurisdiction of the the criminal traffic laws of the state the agency does not become involved.
In situations where the Deputy works the accident on the roadways of the county a standard state report is completed and forwarded to the Department of Public Safety in Atlanta. A copy of the officers completed report should be available in 4 business days from the time of the accident. The Deputy handling the case will provide all invovled parties with a case number and their name. After the 4 business days a copy of the report can be obtained at the Community Correctional Center located at 501 West Waugh Street in Dalton. The Records Section will make a copy for a charge of 50 cents per report to anyone requesting the information.
Neighborhood
Watch
Before you contact your local law enforcement agency, contact your neighbors. Send out a flyer, call, or visit your neighbors to get an idea as to what the main concerns in the neighborhood are in regard to crime and personal safety. Then contact your local law enforcement agency and check about setting up your first Neighborhood Watch meeting. In order for a group to be certified as a neighborhood watch, most agencies require a minimum of two initial meetings. After your two initial meetings, it is up to your neighborhood to elect a captain for your Neighborhood Watch. After you have established the core group of members and the area your watch will cover, you will receive your signs that will announce to would be criminals that your neighborhood is "on the watch." If you live in Whitfield County, Georgia, and would like to start a Neighborhood Watch, contact Lt. Wayne Mathis at the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 272-3273.
D.A.R.E.
D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. It is a 9 weeek (one hour per week) program for both fifth and sixth grade students taught by specially trained law enforcement officers. D.A.R.E. was created in Los Angeles, California in 1983, and revised in 2003. D.A.R.E.teaches pre-teens the skills necessary to resist drugs and violance. D.A.R.E. lessons focus on providing accurate information about drugs and alcohol, reaching students decision-making, and showing them how to resist peer pressure, alternatives to drug use and way to improve self-esteem.