SHEILA MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Police Department and Spalding County Sheriff’s Office are each investigating separate shootings that took place late Sunday and early Monday. The first shooting, reported at approximately 10:20 p.m., occurred within the city limits, in the vicinity of 1318 Spellman Ave., resulting in the serious injury on one pedestrian, 26-year-old Darcy […]
Griffin Code Enforcement statistics indicate low ratio of citations to warnings
January 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA MATHEWS ::: Griffin’s Code Enforcement initiative doubling to four the number of officers enforcing city ordinances will begin Feb. 1. Citing the Broken Window theory, which is frequently associated with community oriented policing, officials have promoted the increased effort as a plan that will reduce crime. “If the first broken window in a building […]
Projected savings of Police Department restructuring examined
December 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Police Department restructuring plan proposed by City Manager Kenny Smith as a cost-saving measure has been approved by the Board of Commissioners. The plan, which calls for the elimination of several high-ranking officers’ positions, has sparked citizen outrage and outspoken commentary, with many wondering whether the savings justify the […]
GPD works to replace outdated patrol car video, audio with digital equipment
November 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Griffin Police Department will soon be installing new digital cameras in five police cars, replacing the systems currently in use. The city Board of Commissioners has unanimously approved the use of $15,125 – $14,139 in Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds along with $986 which will be transferred from the Federal Asset Forfeiture cash account […]
Zero tolerance does not equal standard disciplinary measures
September 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Originally printed in the Sept. 12 edition of The Grip In light of the recent rash of weapons brought to school by students, many in the Griffin-Spalding community are wondering what the phrase “zero tolerance” actually means in terms of policy and procedure within the school system. Student handbooks define zero […]
A tale of two knives, two different punishments
September 16, 2013 by 1 Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Originally printed in the September 12, 2013 edition of The Grip. Two children prepared for school on Tuesday, Sept. 3 by purposefully packing knives to take with them. Both were 12-year-old Griffin-Spalding students and were later caught with the knives, but the similarities of their situations end there. One incident occurred […]
New GPD bicycle patrol for downtown business district
July 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS::: The Griffin Police Department has implemented a new aspect to its Uniform Patrol Division in the form of a Bicycle Patrol. Comprised of eight officers, including two from each of the four shifts, the unit will initially patrol the downtown district, also known as Zone 5. According to Patrolman Larry Wright, who […]
The GRIP 