Crime Down in Lavonia in 2013, Says Chief

Crime is down in Lavonia. 

That’s according to Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle in his annual report to the Lavonia City Council and mayor. 

During their regular meeting Monday night, Carlisle told the city council and mayor Ralph Owens that part of the reason is because of the tough new district attorney.

“We had a decrease in drug arrests from 2012 to 2013 and I was concerned about that, but when I got to looking at it, I realized that our new DA, Parks White, has put them in prison. So, they’re not here anymore,” Carlisle said. 

Carlisle said other drug dealers have moved out of the area.  Overall, Carlisle said 2013 was a better year with lower crime rates.

“Crime for the City of Lavonia is down,” he said. “We didn’t have any murders or rapes. We had only one armed robbery and that was at a local motel. Burglaries are also down. So, that’s something we’re real proud of.” 

Carlisle said his department is also proud of the amount of training officers underwent in 2013.   Altogether his officers received over 2,100 hours of ongoing law enforcement training in various areas.

“We had two that went through basic peace officer training this year. We lost two who both went to the drug task force. We had some training for the child passenger safety seats. Two officers went to field training officers’ school. And officer Daniel Carson went through training on conducting interviews with children who are victims of sexual assault,” Carlisle said. 

Additionally, Carlisle said another investigator continued crime scene investigation training. 

As for initiatives in 2013, Carlisle said his department led Franklin County school teachers and staff in active shooter training.

“Dr. O’Dell had us go into every school in Franklin County and demonstrate and do training on what happens when there is an active shooter and we were very honored to be able to do that,” Carlisle said.  

Capping off the year was the winning of a new, fully equipped SUV and a $10,000 equipment grant both from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.