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Chief Turner: Hiram City remains comparatively safe but traffic and shoplifting strain police resources
Summary
Chief Turner told the council the police department is certified among the top agencies in the state, citing one homicide in five years and drops in aggravated assault, while calls for service increased ~37% and shoplifting/larceny and heavy commuter traffic are the department’s largest challenges.
Chief Turner delivered a five‑year overview of public safety to the Hiram City council, saying the department remains “one of the top 24% of the agencies in the state of Georgia” by certification standards while calls for service have climbed roughly 37% over five years.
Turner said the department has increased authorized sworn strength from 24 to 30 officers (the city is currently capping hiring at 30) and added that most new positions have been direct service officers rather than administrative staff. “We do have a permanent population of 5,025 residents,” Turner said, and added that an influx of daytime visitors and commuters multiplies the people the department must serve.
On crime counts, Turner said the city recorded one homicide in five years and a drop in aggravated assaults after closing a problem location. By contrast, property crimes—especially shoplifting and larceny—are the primary ongoing workload. “Where we get most of our time is in shoplifting larceny. The numbers are astounding,” he said. Turner noted some vehicle thefts are overdue rental cars or repossessions and recounted a small spate of arson three years ago limited to signs and dumpsters.
During a council question‑and‑answer session, Turner described steps to reduce burglaries—moving additional patrols into business districts and targeting repeat offenders—and confirmed the police participate in a regional drug task force that recently made large seizures. “We have gangs here and we have drugs here. Gangs are mostly centered in and around the school systems,” he said.
Council members pressed Turner on traffic and accident response: Turner criticized the local sheriff’s policy of not handling traffic accidents and said relying solely on Georgia State Patrol can produce long delays. He said the department focuses enforcement on reckless driving, DUI and distracted driving as the top three contributors to accidents.
Turner also described community‑engagement and recognition programs—officers of the year/quarter and commendations—and asked council to continue visible support for younger officers. The chief concluded by asking if council had additional needs; he said the department has the council’s support and stood ready to answer further questions.
The council followed with additional agenda items; the transcript does not record formal roll‑call votes tied specifically to the chief’s presentation.
