Latest news with #AustellPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Austell police welcome Cobb County's first-ever female chief
The Austell Police Department has announced the appointment of a new police chief. The city council voted unanimously to name Shameta Jones-Harrell as the new chief. She's the first female chief of police in the history of Cobb County. 'We are so proud of her and we know that she will do a phenomenal job in this role,' the department posted on Facebook. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Governor's office said it will start issuing special tax refund checks this week PHOTOS: 'Itsy-Bitsy, Teenie-Tiny' town is Georgia's third most visited Midtown Taco Mac abruptly closes, second location to do so in as many months [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Austell police working to engage with community through series of public events
The Austell Police Department is working to bridge gaps between law enforcement and the community. Right now, officers at the department are a part of a little more than 60 community engagement events and programs in the county. Some have been around for a while. Others are fairly new. 'It is so important for our police department to connect positively with the people in our community and the community that they serve,' Quintasha Swanson with the Austell Police Department said. When Austell police officers aren't fighting crime, they say they are finding ways to engage with the community. 'We do things like National Night Out, which will be coming up in August. We do our Faith in Blue. We recently, in December, did Toys for Tots,' Swanson said. TRENDING STORIES: Victims, suspect identified in Walmart employee shootings that left 2 dead, 1 injured Delta passengers on 2 flights to Atlanta stuck on tarmac for hours after being diverted Convicted murderer mistakenly released from Clayton jail back in custody Swanson was the brains behind Popsicles with Police. 'These are the types of things that we have to continue to do to make sure we are bridging that gap between police and community,' Swanson said. The department held the third annual Popsicles with Police event earlier this week. 'It was actually my idea a few years ago under our former Chief Scott Hamilton, and he loved it so much, so we are going to keep it going,' Swanson said. Through music, games, and ice cream, children and youth have the ability to view police beyond the badge. For parents, it's an opportunity to learn more about the men and women who patrol their neighborhoods. The event expanded this year to provide families access to resources they may need. 'We wanted to connect them with any and all resources that we have locally because we don't have the public transportation right here, so we wanted to make sure we bring the resources to the community = Those resources were provided through a number of vendors, including WellStar. Austell PD said it is working on introducing new community engagement programs to this area.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Driver charged after Austell police find car in river
AUSTELL, Ga. - A driver is facing charges after police say they left their car in a river in Austell. The Austell Police Department shared pictures of the vehicle in the river on their Facebook page. What we know According to authorities, officers were called to the 100 block of Maxham Road on Sunday night after reports of an accident. The caller told officers that a car had left the roadway and went down an embankment into the river. When officers arrived at the scene, they climbed down the 50-foot embankment and discovered that no one was inside the vehicle. After confirming the scene was safe, the officers got to work identifying the driver. Police charged the driver with driving while unlicensed and failure to report an accident. What they're saying "Fortunately, the driver's irresponsible choices in this incident did not result in serious injury to themselves or innocent bystanders," the Austell Police Department wrote. The Source Information for this story came from a Facebook post by the Austell Police Department.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Unoccupied car found in embankment in Austell, driver charged
The Austell Police Department is investigating a car being found in an embankment in a river. Police say around 7:45 p.m., they responded to an accident at 131 Maxham Road. Officers received a 911 call informing them a vehicle had left the roadway and was down an embankment in the river. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When they arrived on scene, they traveled down the 50-foot embankment to attempt to rescue someone who may have been inside of the car. Once they made it to the vehicle, they found the car unoccupied. Officers secured the scene and ensured it was safe. Shortly thereafter, officers conducted a thorough investigation which led to the identification of the driver. TRENDING STORIES: GA parents charged with murder in connection to 6-week-old baby's death GA deputy dies after health-related issues Man poses at 'courier' in attempt to swindle elderly GA couple out of money Police charged the driver with driving while unlicensed and failure to report an accident. The driver, nor anyone else was injured due to the 'irresponsible choices' made by the driver, police said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Austell police chief resigns, plans to spend time with family
Austell Police Chief Scott Hamilton announced his resignation Thursday. Hamilton was the City of Austell's first African American police chief, and leaves the position after serving in it for two-and-a-half years. Before that, he spent decades on the force, including time at the Cobb County Police Department. While chief of the Austell Police Department, Hamilton and his staff worked to to have the department receive its first certification in its history, a process that is still underway. City of Austell officials said they will miss Hamilton but are excited for his next chapter, whatever it may be. 'First, I would like to thank God, my Lord and Savior, for with him, all things are possible. I would like to thank Mayor Ollie Clemons, Austell City Council, and the loyal citizens of Austell for allowing me to be their Police Chief for the past 2 1/2 years. I've decided to step down as the Police Chief,' Hamilton said in a statement. 'It has been my responsibility to ensure that the safety and quality of life for the citizens of Austell is preserved. I also have a responsibility to my staff to provide an environment for career development, training, and education. I feel I have completed both of those tasks. My command staff is fully prepared to continue the journey we have started to ensure Austell PD is one of the best police departments in the state.' As far as what he'll be doing once he's out of office, Hamilton said he felt 'it's time to spend some quality time with my family and make some decisions about the next chapter.' The city has not yet announced who will lead the department next in the interim, or if an executive search is already underway. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Student from East Point went unnoticed for hours after entering Apalachee High School 'A legacy of dedication:' Community mourns sudden death of Duluth officer DeKalb acupuncture business being investigated after sexual assaults reported [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
