NCSO 2020
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
A MOMENT WITH CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
I have been so accustomed to patrolling the streets of Newton County on Halloween nights throughout the years, watching kids, with their parents or older siblings, as they went door-to-door “trick-or-treating,” and engaging in a host of other normal Halloween activities. However, this year was so very different due to the coronavirus pandemic situation. Halloween is supposed to be the creepiest holiday on the calendar in the United States, filled with both paranormal fears and sugary trick-or-treating delights; however, 2020 was not like most previous years. The coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc across the country, meaning that fears regarding new outbreaks constrained various conventional Halloween endeavors. Normally, neighborhoods across the nation would organize a considerable number of Halloween gatherings; streets would be closed to vehicular traffic and people would line the streets, holding parties. This year, however, many children were unable to dress up in costumes and go door-to-door “trick-or-treating,” the main Halloween activity for children and families, as well as numerous other traditional activities and events were either canceled or changed. These activities include trickor-treating, corn mazes, outdoor festivals, and indoor haunted houses. Large community events and outdoor festivals across the U.S. have also been canceled or changed.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts urged caution and care during this year’s holiday celebration, requesting that people avoid large parties and events and remain safe during “trick-or-treating.” The coronavirus pandemic has certainly altered the method in which people live; however, it did not deter them from enthusiastically getting into the spirit of Halloween to celebrate the holiday. This Halloween, Covid-19 forced numerous people to become creative; such as implementing procedures that adhered to social distancing guidelines, while still celebrating the holiday. In such a distressing period of social distancing and no contact, trick or treating became relatively difficult for many kids. Fortunately, a number of parents devised innovative ways to ensure their kids were not disappointed. Many people installed candy chutes at their homes that delivered treats from a safe distance to trick-ortreaters. Some used long sticks or other devices to safely deliver candy from a distance, while others threw candy near approaching children with hopes of it falling close by.
A survey conducted by the National Retail Federation revealed that only 62% of respondents had planned to distribute candy this year; down from 69% in 2019, and only 23% of people had planned to go trick-or-treating, down from 29% last Halloween.
SHERIFF BROWN The AP reported that U.S. sales of Halloween candy were up 13 percent over last year in the period ending September 6. According to experts, this was most likely because Americans had a desire to celebrate after so many months of worry and anxiety. While more than 148 million adults in the United States had planned to celebrate Halloween, participation was down 58% (from 70% in 2018 and 68% in 2019), with more than three-quarters of those saying that the virus had impacted their planned celebration. Homebound activities were the most popular: 53% of people decorated their homes, 46% carved a pumpkin, and 18% placed costumes on their pets. Plans for parties were down 10%, trick-or-treating was down 6%, and handing out candy and visiting a haunted house were both down 7%. Without a doubt, thus far, 2020 has been an unusually stressful year, which means that an abundance of this nation’s population was not in a festive mood this past Halloween. According to Information Builders, in 2019 Halloween spending was as follows: Costumes – $3.2 Billion Decorations - $2.7 Billion Spend on Candy: $2.6 Billion
Sheriff Ezell Brown Newton County, Georgia
Spent on Greeting Cards: $390 Million 69% of people distributed candy 49% decorated 47% dressed up 44% Carved pumpkins 32% Threw or Attended parties 29% Took children trick-or treating 22% went to a haunted house 17% Dressed their pets up 3% Participated in other nefarious activities 37% Started planning before Halloween
y r o t s i h Chris Kelley
Caitlin Jett
officer was appointed to sit by the Communications Officer stove fire and guard the prisioner at
The Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center have come a long way from its primitive and humble beginnings to reach the state of the art facility we have today. In the 1807 land lottery, the Creek Indians ceded their lands to the government and from the lands Jasper, Walton and Henry counties were formed. On December 24,1821, the state legislature used parts of the three counties to form a new county called Newton; named in honor of Revolutionary War hero Sgt. John Newton. The first brick building, located in the eastern part of the county in the community of Winton, was built using bricks shipped from England. The total cost of construction was the grand sum of $200. Because of this building, the area later became known as the Brick Store community. For many years, the Brick Store community served as the county seat, with the building being used for various things such as a stagecoach stop, store, home, classroom, and courtroom. Also, it served as a jail in the event someone was found guilty and sentenced. Without bars on the doors or windows, a court
Communicatons Officer night.
Although it would often leak badly, the building weathered many storms during it’s years of service. Even with the passage of time, the old Brick Store is still standing today as a great monument of a bygone, but not forgotten era of Newton County. The first sheriff, Lemuel Wynne, was appointed to the office on January 25, 1822 and he took the oath of office on March 15, 1822. The first jail in Covington burned while still under construction. Soon after, a second jail was built just off the square behind the historic courthouse. It was known as a calaboose and was similar to the one room calaboose that still stands in Porterdale. The jail was used for many years until it was deemed unfit to house inmates. In August of 1901, work had begun on a new jail located on the corner of Stallings Street and Court Place, which was later renamed Hunter Street. The building was considered state of the art at the time with a construction cost
Caitlin Jett
Webmaster
of around $10,000. The first sheriff to occupy the new structure was Samuel Hay. The jail had a capacity of 40 inmates. The sheriff lived on the premises and in the summer had a vegetable garden to provide meals for the inmates. In 1985, deputies did not have assigned units so everyone shared a “pool car” . Depending on the shift, there were two to four deputies on patrol, and the cars ran twenty-four hours a day, stopping only when they needed to be serviced. At the time, Captain Morris Jones was in charge of the patrol division and Lt. Garland Curtis was in charge of the jail. The Sheriff’s Office operated its own dispatch center and when manpower was short, officer Tommy Lee Thomason split his duties working two nights in the jail and two nights on the radio. Other detention officers were Sgt. Raydene Thomason, Sgt. Minnie Kate Wilborn, Gwen Hightower and several others. Some of the patrol deputies were Lt. Ezell Brown, Deputy Henry Goss, Sgt. Cleo Banks, Deputy Darrell Henderson, and Sgt. Jimmy Byrd. Vivian Ramsey was the dayshift radio operator.
Webmaster
Christopher Kelley Editorial
general information The goal of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is “to be recognized as the kind of professional organization that values, respects, and honors the rights and dignity of the entire community. Through an abundance of collaborative efforts, the NCSO is committed to improving life in every aspect for its citizens, businesses, schools, colleges/universities and visitors.” The Newton County Sheriff's Office is located at 15151 Alcovy Road in Covington, Georgia. From I-20, take Exit 92 onto Alcovy Road and travel north on Alcovy Road for approximately one mile and cross over Highway 142. The Sheriff's Office will be on the left. The administrative office hours for the Newton County Sheriff's Office are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding county holidays. The Newton County Jail is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
-
contact numbers
General Information Sheriff’s Secretary Jail Information Jail Fax Investigations Investigation Fax Patrol Unit Traffic Unit Warrant Unit
-
-
678-625-1403 678-625-1401 678-625-1420 678-625-1450 678-625-1412 678-625-1451 678-625-1410 678-625-1469 678-625-1411
social media
-
@newtonsheriffga Featured Photo: Sheriff Ezell Brown loads boxes of food into vehicles during the food giveaway at Grace United Methodist Church on Oct. 27, 2020.
CHAPLAIN
WALDEN
SAVES VETERAN’S
LIFE
In September 2020, Newton County Sheriff ’s Office “I am honored and delighted to take this opportuniChaplain James Walden was in the right place at the right ty to extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to time to save the life of a United States Marine Corps Chaplain James Walden for being in the right place at the veteran, who called himself “PFC Milligan” in a letter right time and taking the time to offer words of encouraddressed to Sheriff Ezell Brown on Sept. 23, 2020. agement to a stranger that resulted in saving the life of Milligan was traveling through Newton County, Geor- a man who has served our country,” said Sheriff Brown. gia, with his wife when they stopped at a local restaurant, “Many people throughout America, unfortunately, expewhere they happen to come across Chaplain Walden and rience PTSD; therefore, I want to thank Chaplain Walden his wife. for his kindness, compassion, dedication, expertise, and In the letter, Milligan recalled Chaplain Walden’s words valuable service, not only to the men and women of the of inspiration and comfort, as well as the prayer he gave Newton County Sheriff ’s Office and the citizens of Newwhen he joined the couple on an outdoor bench. He deton County but also to those throughout the United States clared Chaplain Walden saved his life because of America.” the compassion shown to him diminished the Sheriff Brown added, “I would also thoughts of suicide caused like to thank PFC Milby PTSD. Chaplain Walden “I want to thank Chaplain Walden for his kindness, ligan for his years of informed Milligan that he service in the United compassion, dedication, expertise, and valuable had saved the life of at least States Marine Corps. service, not only to the men and women of the five other veterans recently, Your contribution to Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of who were experiencing a our country is no small similar medical condition Newton County but also to those throughout the feat, and you are greatly and had thoughts of suicide. United States of America,” Said Sheriff Ezell Brown. appreciated.”
NATIONAL FAITH AND BLUE WEEKEND
On Oct. 9-12, 2020, Sheriff Ezell Brown and local faithbased organizations partnered together for National Faith and Blue Weekend (NFBW), which was observed nationwide on Oct. 9-12, 2020. Sheriff Brown and local faith-based organizations hosted a virtual forum the weekend to begin the process of discussing how they can all work together in making a positive difference within the Newton County community. On Oct. 9, 2020, Sheriff Brown attended the National Faith and Blue Press Conference at the Georgia State Capitol, alongside other law enforcement agencies across the State. On Oct. 10, 2020, Rev. M. Edwin Beckham, of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Covington, blessed the Newton County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit as part of the National Faith and Blue Weekend. Newton County Deputy Ezekiel Walker and Cpl. Tremelle Riley were blessed alongside their dogs, Bolt (Walker) and Tom-Tom (Riley). “I want to offer my sincere gratitude to Reverend M. Edwin Beckham for taking the time to bless the Newton County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit,” said Sheriff Ezell Brown. “We are honored to receive this gift of blessing. I look forward to continuing to work together with Reverend Beckham, as well as other local faith-based organizations, to make a positive difference within our community.” Rev. Beckham gave the following prayer and blessing: We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of
mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers. We thank you especially for the pets and other animals in our lives, both those we currently enjoy and those we have loved but see no longer. As you take care of us, so we ask for strength to care for our animals – and all living creatures – who trust us to take care of them. We praise you for all these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for posterity. Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your Name, now and forever. Amen. [Canine Name], fellow creature, friend and companion; may God your Creator and Preserver, bless, defend, and keep you this day and for ever. Amen. The NFBW is an initiative that builds bridges between communities. It is an extension of the One Congregation One Precinct initiative (OneCOP) program, from the Atlanta-based social change organization, MovementForward, Inc. The NFBW is organized jointly by the United States Department of Justice of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), MovementForward, Inc.’s OneCOP initiative, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and other national law enforcement groups. It is sponsored by FirstNet Built with AT&T along with the Motorola Solutions Foundation and Wrap Technologies.
OCTOBER 9-12, 2020
H.E.A.T.
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) has announced that the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is one of 21 law enforcement agencies in Georgia to receive a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant for the 2021 grant season; referred to as a H.E.A.T. grant. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office award totals $60,509.12. The goal of the H.E.A.T. program is to combat crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving and speeding, while also increasing seatbelt use and educating the public about traffic safety and the dangers of DUI. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office H.E.A.T Unit will utilize the grant from GOHS to develop and implement strategies to reduce local traffic crashes, due to aggressive and dangerous driving behaviors. GOHS H.E.A.T. grants are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “The loss of one life on our roads is one too many, and the fact almost all fatal traffic crashes can be prevented is one reason why we are awarding this grant,” the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole said. “The target of zero traffic deaths in our nation is achievable, and we will continue to help develop and implement educational messages and enforcement campaigns, aimed at bringing our state one step closer to that goal.”
Totaling $6.7 million for 2021, H.E.A.T. grants fund specialized traffic enforcement activities in counties throughout the state. The program is designed to assist Georgia jurisdictions that experience the highest rates of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities with grants, awarded based on impaired driving and speeding data. “I am grateful and extremely delighted to receive this Georgia Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for the 2021 grant season,” said Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown. “This grant will immensely assist the Newton County Sheriff’s Office in its efforts to make the highways in Newton County safer, especially as the holiday season rapidly approaches.” As law enforcement partners in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over DUI and Click It or Ticket seatbelt campaigns, the Newton
County Sheriff’s Office will also conduct mobilizations throughout the year in coordination with GOHS’s year-round waves of high visibility patrols, concentrated patrols, and multi-jurisdictional sobriety checkpoints. The grant will continue through September of 2021. For additional information concerning the H.E.A.T. program or any other GOHS campaign, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org or call 404-656-6996.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office received a donation of miscellaneous school supply items to be used for future events from Walmart, located on 10300 Industrial Blvd. NE. in Covington, on Oct. 13, 2020. The Sheriff’s Office would like to send our sincere gratitude to Jerry Fleming, store manager, and his staff for this kind gesture!
On Oct. 23, 2020, Helen Skelton, on behalf of the Red Oak Methodist Church, donated bags of candy to be distributed during future events held by Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office wants to thank Pastor Dr. Royeese Stowe and the members of Red Oak Methodist Church for their generous donation! The address of Red Oak Methodist Church is 15105 Highway 36, Covington,
THANK YOU! Zaxby’s Michaela Carter, area marketing director, and Patrick Strickland, director of training, donated chicken sandwiches to Newton County deputies and administrative staff on Oct. 28, 2020. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office wants to thank the management team and staff at Zaxby’s, located at 6243 Turner Lake Road NW. in Covington, for their generous donation!
ARBOR LAKE RENOVATIONS RIBBON-CUTTING On Oct. 6, 2020, Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office attended the ribbon-cutting for the newly-renovated Arbor Lake Apartments, located at 431 Kirkland Road in Covington. The cost of the renovation was an estimated $11 million and included upgrades for the indoor gym and playground.
NCSO IN THE GRACE UNITED METHODIST FOOD GIVEAWAY
On Oct. 27, 2020, Sheriff Ezell Brown assisted Rev. Dr. Robert Crawford of Grace United Methodist Church and Dr. Olivia Ware with providing an estimated 500 boxes of food to local families in Newton County, Georgia. Sheriff Brown announced the food giveaway during a Facebook Live, on the Newton County Sheriff’s Office page, with Rev. Dr. Crawford. He stated, “Dr. Crawford is a living example of what being a servant is all about. He ensures all citizens throughout this county are fed.” The food giveaway was held at Grace United Methodist Church, located at 3145 Washington Street SW. in Covington.
ABIDING GRACE LUTHERAN FALL FESTIVAL
On Oct. 11, 2020, Sheriff Ezell Brown, Cpl. Joseph Lightsey, Deputy Susan Young, and Deputy Michael Gregg attended a fall festival hosted by Pastor Jonathan Scharf and the Abiding Grace Lutheran Church, located at 5500 Highway 212 in Covington. Deputies Susan Young and Michael Gregg joined Sheriff Brown in the festival’s cakewalk, where winners received their choice of cake or cupcakes. Later, Sheriff Brown participated in a pie-eating contest alongside five other contestants, including Pastor Scharf.
COMMUNITY BRICKSTONE COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
On Oct. 10, 2020, Sheriff Ezell Brown, Deputy Susan Young, Deputy Tim Smith, and Deputy Michael Gregg answered questions about the Newton County Sheriff’s Office Neighborhood Watch Program during the Brickstone Homeowners’ Association meeting. Sheriff Brown and his deputies assisted the Brickstone commu-
nity, located off Salem Road and Cowan Road in Covington, by addressing their concerns regarding safety and crime prevention. The Sheriff’s Office has been committed to promoting its Neighborhood Watch Program through the Newton County community for several years. Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime
prevention programs in the United States, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer. For those interested in having a representative from the Sheriff’s Office give a presentation to their neighborhood, please contact 678-625-1400 for more details.
ANNUAL ENCLAVE AGAINST VIOLENCE BALLOON RELEASE On Oct. 3, 2020, Sheriff Ezell Brown and Deputy Favel Edwards attended the annual Enclave Against Violence Balloon Release at The Enclave at Gross Lake, located at 100 Gross Lake Parkway in Covington. The balloon release was hosted by the The Enclave’s Homeowners Association. Prior to the balloon release, Sheriff Brown acknowledged the community’s hardwork in helping reduce the crime rate within Newton County.
SHERIFF BROWN PARTICIPATES IN 5K RUN AND WALK
On Oct. 17, 2020, Sheriff Ezell Brown, Deputy Susan Young, and Deputy Tim Smith provided traffic control during a 5K run held in the Lochwolde Subdivision, located off Glengarry Chase in Covington. The 5K run was an event hosted by the subdivision to help bring camaraderie and unity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Oct. 17, 2020, Sheriff Ezell Brown, Deputy Michael Gregg, and Deputy Tim Smith provided traffic control during a Breast Cancer Awareness 5K walk held at Creekview Heights, located off Kirkland Road in Covington. The purpose of the walk was to bring awareness and show support to local families affected by breast cancer. After the walk, Sheriff Brown shared a heartfelt story about how breast cancer impacted his family.
CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES
Four months ago, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office held an expansion groundbreaking for its headquarters, located at 15151 Alcovy Road in Covington; since then, there has been visible progress made on the expansion project. Barnsley Construction Group, the project contractor, recently set the foundation and erected the walls for the additional 7,000 square feet of administrative space and 3,000 square feet of training space. The expansion project, budgeted at $2.9 million, was funded by the 2017 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and has the expected completion time of five months, dependent upon weather conditions.
14TH ANNUAL SEX OFFENDER COMPLIANCE CHECK On Oct. 31, 2020, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Community Supervision conducted residence verifications of registered sex offenders that were under supervised release. The teams were assigned zones throughout Newton County to ensure the sex offenders were home and in compliance according to their terms of parole or probation. The Sheriff’s Office is mandated by law to register sex offenders, and to keep the public informed of where registered sex offenders reside, work, and attend institutions of higher education. The Sheriff’s Office conducts residence verifications checks periodically and arrest sex offenders that are in violation of the laws. For information about registered sex offenders in your community, you may log on to the Newton County Sheriff’s website at www.newtoncountyga. org/sex_offender.
WELCOME
aboard Mark Hudson Detention Officer
Sheriff Brown and the Newton County Sheriff ’s Office welcome you!
COMMITMENT loyalty sacrifice dedication www . newtonsheriffga . org