Statham Police Increasing Traffic Enforcement

Effective immediately, the is increasing traffic enforcement.

The increase comes in response to numerous complaints about high-speed traffic in town and officers’ observations of more serious traffic violations.

Violators who are stopped will be issued either a written warning or a citation for any violations.

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The Statham Police Department issued seven citations last week.

On July 18, an officer responded to 1490 Bethlehem Road, the site of the U.S. Army Reserve Training Center, regarding a theft. Upon arrival, the officer met with a complainant who said some time between Friday, July 16, and Monday, July 18, someone took a mini-backhoe from the work site. 

On July 19, an officer was dispatched to the ice machine on Jefferson Street near Atlanta Highway regarding a report of several suspicious individuals. The officer confronted the individuals and was told they had been at the ice machine for some time because they had put all their money in the machine and were short a nickel. They went on to say they had been looking on the ground for the change. A warrant check on the individuals revealed that Jimmy Ray Moore of Franklin, N.C., was wanted for probation violation out of Cleveland. Moore was arrested and transported to the Barrow County Jail for the outstanding warrant.

On July 20, an officer responded to a residence on Whispering Oaks Drive in reference to a reported burglary. The officer met with the resident, who said that while she was at work someone broke into her home. The investigation revealed someone had entered through the rear door of the residence and took numerous pieces of costume jewelry and three handguns. 

On July 22, an officer responded to a residence on Coleman Drive regarding a burglary. The complainant told the officer he had a .22 caliber Marlin rifle stored in his work shed and he could not locate the weapon. The complainant said he had last seen the rifle 30 days prior to him reporting it missing. 

On July 22, a Statham officer made a traffic stop on Atlanta Highway. The driver told the officer he had no insurance on the vehicle and a tag check revealed the registration for the vehicle was suspended. The vehicle was impounded and the driver was issued citations for no insurance and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration. 

On July 24, an officer responded to a reported tenant dispute on Butterfly Lane. The officer spoke with the property owner, who said the previous tenant had returned to the property after she moved out and dug up some plants. The officer spoke with the tenant and she refused to return the plants claiming they belonged to her. The officer issued the former tenant a notice of prohibited entry.