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Alpharetta police find fertile ground in Garden State By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta Police Department is seeking to bolster its ranks in a second out-ofstate recruitment effort July 12-14 in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. The effort is led by Police Capt. Jakai Braithwaite, who said the initiative follows a successful first run last year, which yielded the department nine new officers. All but one of the nine is still with the department. Rather than the traditional hiring scenario of candidates traveling to job locations, Braithwaite said the department opts to bring the necessary equipment and resources to the applicants. “When I think about myself when I was right out of undergrad, 23-24 years old, didn’t have any money, by the time I was done with this process, I might have flown out here three to five times,” Braithwaite said. “So how do we take that expense off the table?” Braithwaite, a New Jersey native, said he oversaw the department’s recruitment efforts last year. Through connections in his home state, Braithwaite identified a demand for police careers in the area and a logistical opportunity. In the police hiring event, applicants participate in the State of Georgia standard physical agility test and virtual panel interviews. Those interested in working for the 911 Center complete a
County investigates use of force allegation ► PAGE 3
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Roswell approves task force makeup for Canton Street promenade plan By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA POLICE DEPARTMENT/PROVIDED
Capt. Jakai Braithwaite speaks to prospective Alpharetta Police Department recruits at a 2022 hiring event in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. The department is returning to the city July 12-14 to expand its reach. pre-qualification phone call and dispatch preparatory exam, as well as data processing and decision-making tests. “The testing, which is designed to present challenges unique to each job function, are great opportunities for candidates to showcase their abilities and determination,” Braithwaite said. Other required tests, such as the
psychological screening, are conducted virtually, and candidates can be evaluated at home. One Alpharetta officer built a mobile training unit that can be transported to New Jersey for applicants to complete the physical tests. Through Braithwaite’s
Alpharetta to study runoff at Log Cabin
Roswell Inc in limbo over ’24 city funding
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See POLICE, Page 10
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ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell City Council approved a framework for the seven-member temporary taskforce that will advise on a proposal for a pedestrian promenade on Canton Street. At a special-called meeting June 21, the council weighed the qualifications for those serving on the panel, their responsibilities and a timeline for recommendations. The proposal to close Canton Street to cars, making it a pedestrian “promenade” on summer weekends, has drawn fire from some residents and business owners. The street closure would extend from Ga. 9 to East Alley. The city introduced the plan on Facebook in May, and it has since drawn opposition from some who cite concerns over parking, revenue impacts and public intoxication. City officials, residents and business owners agreed at a May 19 City Council workshop to form two separate Canton Street task forces to study the proposal: The city task force will aim to provide formal recommendations on the proposal to the mayor and council. A separate, shop owners’ task force hopes to come up with its own plan for Canton Street,
See CANTON, Page 11