Lavonia Police Change Lobby Hours

Some changes to the open door policy at the Lavonia Police Department lobby.

The lobby will now only be open during normal business hours from 7a to 3p. The change was announced Tuesday on the Department’s Facebook page.

Lavonia Police Chief Shane Edmisten said the change had to do with the drug drop-off box.

“People bring drugs in and drop them in there and we are concerned that when we’re not there, somebody could come in, tie a chain to that box and take off with it because at times, it does have quite a bit of drugs in it at times,” he said. “Our concern was that box because you’re technically leaving what could be construed as controlled substances right out in the open. So, that’s another reason we did it.”

The medication dropbox and the food pantry cabinet are still available but will need to be utilized during business hours only, which again are Monday – Friday from 7a to 3p.

The 24×7 open lobby policy was put in place last year in an effort to make the food pantry, drug drop-off box, and a special 911 phone line accessible to those who might need them regardless of the day or hour.

And while it might seem improbable that someone would try to remove the entire drug drop-off box, Chief Edmisten said it can happen.

“I worked a case one time where a guy stole an ATM with a backhoe. I said, ‘Why did you steal an ATM with a backhoe?’ and said, ‘They just left it sittin’ there in the parking lot and it’s full of money.’ So, that box is sitting there full of drugs and we just want to make sure it’s secured,” he explained.

Edmisten added that anyone with an emergency or a need to speak with an officer should call 911.

He said his officers are ALWAYS available to serve you 24 hours a day.