Former Grady Hospital Emergency Room Doctor Sentenced to Over 26 Years in Child Exploitation Case

DR. ADAM WAYNE LEBOWITZ, 50, of Decatur, Georgia, was sentenced July 12 by United States District Judge Richard W. Story on charges of producing child pornography and attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. LEBOWITZ was convicted of the charges by a jury on February 25, 2010, after a seven-day trial.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the sentence, “As a doctor, this defendant took an oath to ‘never do harm’ to anyone. He not only violated that oath, he sexually violated children and then published his violation on the Internet, victimizing the children each time the videos were viewed. His long term of incarceration ensures that he will no longer threaten another child.”

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Lamkin said, “Today's sentencing should remind us all that child predators come from all walks of life and efforts to offer profiles of such individuals to a concerned public are elusive at best for this very reason. The investigation and resulting successful prosecution of Mr. Lebowitz also serves as a good example of the need for parents to not only remain vigilant but to report suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities in order to protect their children from such predators.”

Coweta County Sheriff Michael Yeager said, “I appreciate a lot of hard work by many agencies to bring this case to a successful conclusion. Parents, get involved and stay involved with your children. Know where they are and who they are in contact with. As long as individuals like this continue to prey on our youth, law enforcement will be there to put them away, hopefully for a long time.”

LEBOWITZ was sentenced to 26 years and eight months in federal prison. He was also ordered to have no contact with victims in the case, and must register as a sex offender upon release from prison.

According to United States Attorney Yates, and the evidence presented in court at his trial: LEBOWITZ came to the attention of law enforcement officers at the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office on October 26, 2006, after a victim, a 15-year-old boy, received a series of e-mails and sexually graphic instant messages from LEBOWITZ. The victim’s mother contacted the sheriff’s office and reported these online messages sent by LEBOWITZ to her son. The sheriff's office then began an undercover investigation of LEBOWITZ that culminated in his arrest in the driveway of the victim’s home on November 2, 2006. Evidence at trial showed LEBOWITZ had multiple condoms and sexual lubricants inside his vehicle at the time of his arrest, and had planned to transport the victim to LEBOWITZ’s home in Decatur, Georgia.

Following the arrest, the sheriff’s office obtained and executed a search warrant of LEBOWITZ’s home. During the search, investigators seized three computers, two of which contained video recordings of LEBOWITZ engaged in sex acts with two young boys. Members of the FBI’s Safe Child Task Force identified the victims in the video recordings and contacted them. Both victims revealed that LEBOWITZ had recorded himself engaged in graphic sex acts with these victims when both were minors. An examination of LEBOWITZ’s computers, performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), revealed that LEBOWITZ had sent images from his recordings of the two young victims over the Internet. He was indicted on the charges on June 12, 2007, and a superseding indictment was filed on February 9, 2010.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by members of the FBI’s Safe Child Task Force, the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, the Clayton County Police Department, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), with valuable assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Computer Forensics Division. Assistance in this case was also provided by the Coweta County District Attorney’s Office.

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Former Grady Hospital Emergency Room Doctor Convicted of Child Exploitation Crimes

A federal jury today returned guilty verdicts against DR. ADAM WAYNE LEBOWITZ, 50, of Decatur, Georgia, on one count of producing child pornography and one count of attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. The jury found him not guilty on another count of producing child pornography.

Acting United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the verdicts, “If not for the diligence of a mother and her son, and the quick work of county and federal law enforcement, this doctor could still be preying upon young victims. As a doctor, this defendant was responsible for protecting the health and safety of children, but instead endangered the physical and emotional safety of children by exploiting them. He will no longer be able to do that behind the bars of a federal prison.”

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Greg Jones said, “Dr. Lebowitz had a bright career wherein he had committed himself to helping others. Dr. Lebowitz forfeited that career by instead engaging in acts that exploited minor children and further acts that, without law enforcement intervention, would have exploited and victimized a minor child. This is a very unfortunate case but one that should serve as an example to parents that predators come from all walks of life and that parents must remain vigilant in order to play a role in proactively protecting their children.”

Coweta County Sheriff Michael Yeager said, “The Coweta County Sheriff's Office appreciates the work of the U.S. Attorney's Office and all agencies involved in bringing this case forward. Hopefully a very long period of incarceration will follow so no one else will encounter this individual.”

Clayton County Police Chief Timothy Robinson said, “I am proud to have our agency working closely with the FBI and the Safe Child Task Force. Because of the hard work, dedication and collaboration of these agencies, another child predator is off of our streets. It is just another example of how communities benefit from Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces.”

According to Acting United States Attorney Yates, and the evidence presented in court: LEBOWITZ came to the attention of law enforcement officers at the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office on October 26, 2006, afer a victim, a 15-year-old boy, received a series of e-mails on the MySpace website, and sexually graphic instant messages on the AOL website, from LEBOWITZ. The victim’s mother contacted the sheriff’s office and reported these online messages sent by LEBOWITZ to her son. The sheriff's office then began an undercover investigation of LEBOWITZ that culminated in his arrest in the driveway of the victim’s home on November 2, 2006. Evidence at trial showed LEBOWITZ had planned to transport the victim to LEBOWITZ’s home in Decatur, Georgia, and had multiple condoms and sexual lubricants inside his vehicle at the time of his arrest.

Following the arrest, the sheriff’s office obtained and executed a warrant to search LEBOWITZ’s home. During the search, investigators seized three computers, two of which contained video recordings of LEBOWITZ engaged in sex acts with two young boys. Investigators discovered that these same video recordings were located on a VHS tape found inside his home during the search. Members of the FBI’s “Safe Child Task Force” identified the victims in the video recordings and contacted them. Both victims revealed that LEBOWITZ had recorded himself engaged in graphic sex acts with these victims when both were minors. An examination of LEBOWITZ’s computers, performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), revealed that LEBOWITZ had sent images from his recordings of the two young victims over the Internet. He was indicted on the charges on June 12, 2007, and a superseding indictment was filed on February 9, 2010.

A sentencing date for LEBOWITZ has not yet been set before United States District Judge Richard W. Story. LEBOWITZ faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment as to Count Two of producing pornography, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison up to a maximum sentence of life in prison on Count Three, the attempt to coerce a minor.

This case was investigated by members of the FBI’s “Safe Child Task Force,” the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, the Clayton County Police Department, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) with valuable assistance from U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Computer Forensics Division. Assistance in this case has also been provided by the Coweta County District Attorney’s Office.

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Oxendine: Is Your Home Safe? Fire Prevention Week is Oct 4 - 10

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) remind Georgians that Fire Prevention Week is October 4-10. The theme this year is, “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned!”

This year, Oxendine and fire personnel around the state will be spreading the word about ways to keep homes fire safe and prevent painful burns. Additionally, fire safety educators will be teaching local residents how to plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs.

The statistics are staggering. Each year roughly 100 people die as a result of home fires and burns in Georgia, and more than 200,000 individuals are seen in the nation’s emergency rooms for burn injuries.

“The most common types of burn injuries result from fire or flame burns, scalds and contact burns,” said Commissioner Oxendine. “Burns are painful and can result in serious scarring and even death. When we take extra caution in our homes to ensure that the curling iron is out of children’s reach or pot handles are turned away from the edge of the stove, such injuries are entirely preventable. Keeping our homes safe from fire and preventing devastating burn injuries is a healthy change we can make happen.”

By following simple safety rules, you can “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned.”

• Keep hot foods and liquids away from tables and counter edges so they cannot be pulled or knocked over.
• Have a 3-foot “kid-free” zone around the stove.
• Never hold a child in your arms while preparing hot food or drinking a hot beverage.
• Be careful when using things that get hot such as curling irons, oven, irons, lamps, heaters.
• Install tamper-resistant receptacles to prevent a child from sticking an object in the outlet.
• Never leave a child alone in a room with a lit candle, portable heater, lit fireplace or stove, or where a hot appliance might be in use.
• Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking.
• Set your hot water temperature no higher than 120 degrees.
• Install anti-scald valves on shower heads and faucets.

For more information on planned activities, please contact your local fire department or call Commissioner Oxendine's Fire Safety Education Division at 404-657-0831.
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Newnan Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzling More Than $1.2 Million from Wachovia Bank

Judy Yvette Rosser, 41, of Newnan, Georgia, was sentenced July 16 by United States District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. to serve over three years in federal prison on a charge of embezzling more than $1.2 million from Wachovia Bank.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, "This defendant, who was a trusted and long-time employee of Wachovia Bank with access to the bank's general ledger system, violated the trust that the bank had placed in her by embezzling more than $1.2 million of the bank's money over the past eight years. She will now face the consequences of her abuse of trust in federal prison. "

ROSSER was sentenced to three years, five months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,296,353 in restitution. On April 13, 2009, ROSSER pled guilty to a Criminal Information, which charged her with embezzlement by a bank employee.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: ROSSER was employed by Wachovia Bank for the past 22 years and worked at the bank's Atlanta Operations Center in Hapeville, Georgia, where her responsibilities included processing exception transactions, including suspense and expense items, within the bank's general ledger system. From August 2000 through January 2009, ROSSER electronically transferred a total of approximately $1.2 million of the bank's money into her personal checking account by creating and processing a complex series of fictitious debits and credits, which went undetected for over eight years.

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Fayette: PTC Police Hold Teen CERT "Summer Camp"

The Peachtree City Police Department will be hosting a Teen Community Emergency Response Team (TEEN CERT) “summer camp” the week of July 13 to July 17th.

The summer camp will be held daily from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The TEEN CERT Program educates young adults about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Prospective candidates must be between 14 and 17 years of age at the time of registration and a resident of Georgia. Applicants will be required to complete an enrollment form and applicable waivers. The application and waivers must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. A local check will be conducted to determine the background of the participants as a pre-condition to acceptance into the program.

There is no charge to attend this class; however, the class size will be limited to 14 participants. A meeting with the parents/legal guardians of those admitted into the program will be held prior to the first class.

More information about the TEEN CERT can be obtained by visiting the police department’s web site at www.ptcpolice.org (click on the CERT link) or by calling 770-487-8866.

Application forms are available online, or may be obtained from the library, city hall, police department and various other locations throughout the City.

The application deadline is June 30th, 2009.
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Fayette: Sheriff's Office Offers Internet Safety Courses

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office is pleased to announce several educational opportunities that will be available during the summer. The Sheriff's Office will be offering three courses pertaining to Internet Safety: Internet Safety for Parents, The New Hangout: Social Networking, and Internet Safety for Senior Citizens. All courses are free to the public; however, there are limited seating. If you are interested, contact Investigator Spencer at (770) 716-4999 Ext. 1906 or tspencer@fayettecountyga.gov to register for the course(s).

Course Dates/Times:

Internet Safety for Parents:
June 18, 2009 at 5:00 pm
June 29, 2009 at 6:30 pm
July 14, 2009 at 1:00 pm
July 14, 2009 at 4:00 pm

The New Hangout: Social Networking
June 18, 2009 at 6:30 pm
June 29, 2009 at 5:00 pm
July 14, 2009 at 2:30 pm
July 14, 2009 at 7:30 pm

Internet Safety for Senior Citizen's
June 18, 2009 at 1:30 pm
June 29, 2009 at 1:30 pm
July 14, 2009 at 10:30 am
July 14, 2009 at 6:00 pm

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Clayton State Office of Public Safety Adds Former Olympian Gregory Meghoo to Campus Police Force

Gregory Meghoo (Newnan) recently joined the Clayton State University Office of Public Safety police staff.

Prior to working for the University, Meghoo worked for the Fulton County School District and MARTA Police transit. Meghoo was also on the Jamaican 4x100 relay team that won the silver medal in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles… his team was defeated by a U.S. team anchored by Carl Lewis.

Meghoo is enthusiastic about his future with Clayton State University. He decided to come to Clayton State because he wanted a different experience in policing.

“I wanted to do something different, in a larger community,” he says. “Training in the University setting has been good because it’s a very mature setting.”

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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Piedmont Fayette Hospital Recognizes Local Emergency Medical Services Team

National EMS Week is May 17-23

On the heels of last week’s ceremony where Piedmont Healthcare thanked the Fayette County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team for their quick response and life-saving actions, Piedmont Fayette Hospital is now recognizing the hard work of their EMS partners during National EMS Week.

“National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide services of medicine's ‘front line,’” says Darrell Cutts, president and CEO of Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “During an emergency, they often play a critical role in saving a life, our community would be at a loss without them.”

Emergency Medical Services technicians are those dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care for patients with illnesses and injuries deemed as medical emergencies. EMS specialists range from first responders and ambulance teams to paramedics.

“Partnership with local Emergency Medical Services teams allows lives to be saved every day within record time,” says Cutts. “The transition from the scene of the emergency to the hospital is seamless and it’s incredible what these specialists can do in the time frame allotted to them.”

On Monday, May 4, Piedmont Healthcare representatives publicly thanked the professionals of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services (EMS) for their commitment to excellence and congratulated them on the record-breaking response time that saved the life of Ramzan Batliwala of Fayetteville.

As a token of their appreciation, physicians and staff from Piedmont Heart Institute, Piedmont Hospital and Piedmont Fayette Hospital signed and presented Fayette County EMS representatives with an oversized thank you card that read: “Thank you, Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services! Thank you for being an extension of the Piedmont Promise – to do everything in our power to make you well and keep you well. We appreciate your commitment to excellence in emergency medical services to the Fayette County community.”

To learn more about Piedmont Fayette Hospital, please visit fayettehospital.org.
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Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola to Host Family Safety Day

Recognizing everyday heroes and promoting safety awareness

In an effort to educate the community and celebrate the work of our everyday heroes, the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola are partnering to recognize our Everyday Heroes with a celebration in Pemberton Place on May 30, 2009. With a special focus on child safety, the event will aim to educate families about various safety issues. The event will cover a wide range of displays and activities including:

· A fire engine, fire safety house, Striker rapid intervention vehicle and HERO unit
· Informational booths including an accident simulation booth, infant and child car seat information booth, smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector booths and interactive water safety program presented by Safe Kids Georgia
· Complimentary fire truck rides from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. courtesy of Red Hot Fire Truck Events, LLC and complimentary McGruff Safe Kids ID Kits provided by ADT
· Service personnel on-site including a horse-mounted officer, K-9 unit and more
· Giveaways include a limited number of first aid kits, flashlights, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms and samples of Coca-Cola products
· Appearances by Atlanta-area mascots including Deepo, Thrash (Atlanta Thrashers), Harry the Hawk and SkyHawk (Atlanta Hawks), Chopper (Gwinnett Braves), Star (WNBA Atlanta Dream) and special guest, McGruff the Crime Dog

In appreciation of their services, the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola will also offer discounted admission rates for service personnel, law enforcement and their families May 23 – 31.

Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Pemberton Place
Georgia Aquarium World of Coca-Cola
225 Baker St. NW 121 Baker St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30313 Atlanta, GA 30313

Starting May 23-31, show a service-oriented ID or badge (police, fire, EMS, HERO, etc.) at the Aquarium entrance, and purchase discounted tickets for personnel and family for only $20. Tickets may be purchased at the door, online at www.georgiaaquarium.org/heroes or by calling 404.581.4000.

Starting May 23-31, show a service-oriented ID or badge (police, fire, EMS, HERO, etc.) at the World of Coca-Cola Ticket Booth, and purchase up to six discounted tickets for family and friends. Discounted pricing is as follows: Adults (age 13-64) $13, Seniors (age 65+) $11, Youth (age 3-12) $8 and children age 2 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets may only be purchased at the ticket booth.
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Governor Perdue Honors Fallen Officers

Today Governor Sonny Perdue honored Georgia’s law enforcement officers that have died in the line of duty at the 2009 Peace Officer Memorial Day Ceremony at the Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. The training center features the Public Safety Memorial Wall, honoring the state’s fallen officers.

“As protectors and guardians, peace officers have a high and special calling,” Governor Perdue said. “While we appreciate their service every day, it is important to stop and reflect on those that have died while serving their fellow Georgians.”

This year’s officers that were recognized and added to the Public Safety Memorial Wall are:

David W. Gilstrap, Jr. - Oconee County Sheriff’s Office - died October 9, 2008 – Deputy Gilstrap was struck and killed by a vehicle, while directing traffic in a school zone.

Robert A. Griffin – Decatur County Sheriff’s Office - died May 1, 2008 – Deputy Griffin was responding to a call when he lost control of his vehicle and was killed in a single car accident.

Eric C. Barker - DeKalb County Police Department - died January 16, 2008 – Officer Barker was working a security job at the Glenwood Garden Apartments and was shot to death when he confronted several suspects for questioning.

Ricky L. Bryant, Jr. - DeKalb County Police Department – died January 16, 2008 – Officer Bryant was working a security job at the Glenwood Garden Apartments and was shot to death when he confronted several suspects for questioning.

William E. Hobbs – Georgia Department of Natural Resources - died July 21, 1967 – Ranger Hobbs was shot to death while assisting an Early County Deputy in apprehending a suspect.
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“Amigos Don't Let Amigos Drive Drunk”

Pick A Designated Driver Before Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo has become a big night-out on the Georgia social scene, especially for young adults. Fiesta plans north of the Border have become another ‘six-pack-tradition’ here on the all-American party calendar, just like on St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween.

This year the holiday falls on a Tuesday, so for some dedicated party-goers it means an entire weekend celebrating the consumption of adult beverages. And that can turn Cinco de Mayo into a high-risk holiday on our roadways for everyone, because of Georgians who drive drunk.

With those parties beginning Friday night, the Peachtree City Police Department is issuing this early warning to remind lawful motorists about a dangerous night-out because of alcohol- or drug-impaired drivers. To drunk drivers the message is simple: You drive impaired, you WILL go to jail. In Georgia it’s Operation Zero-Tolerance…. OVER THE LIMIT. UNDER ARREST!“

Let’s face it, about half the fatal crashes on our state’s roadways will be alcohol-related this Cinco de Mayo weekend,” says Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) Director Bob Dallas. “Impaired adults behaving badly have turned the Cinco de Mayo celebration into another deadly drinking and driving weekend… just like we’re seeing on St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween.” Unfortunately the drinking and driving deaths associated with the Cinco de Mayo holiday have become a predictable risk factor of American party culture for the last decade.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, starting each year on May 5th and running overnight into the early morning hours of May 6th, 43-percent of all highway fatalities were caused by drunk drivers. And since 1999, the NHTSA data shows those impaired drivers had blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of 0.08 percent and above.

What do those numbers mean to you? In Georgia, on average, a dozen people will die as a result of alcohol-related crashes during the Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Across the country, nearly 40 times a day, someone in America will die in an alcohol-related crash. That’s one DUI victim every 39 minutes. And if you think you’re immune, think again. That data shows three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives. That’s how hundreds of thousands are injured in alcohol-related highway crashes each year, many of them right here in Georgia.

So this Cinco de Mayo, the Peachtree City Police Department is issuing a plea to party responsibly. Real amigos should remember to designate a sober driver in advance – Before the Cinco de Mayo festivities begin. Whether meeting a few friends after work or hitting the holiday party circuit, ‘amigos don’t let amigos drive drunk’.

What should you do to protect your family on the highway this Cinco de Mayo weekend? Your best protection against a deadly encounter with one of these drunk drivers is… a buckled safety belt.

If you have a Cinco de Mayo party, make these safety tips part of your guide to being a great host!

Make sure your guests have Designated sober Drivers.
Never serve alcohol to guests under 21-years-of-age.
Serve plenty of food…. and include soft drinks, juice, and water.
Stop serving alcohol before the party ends. Start serving coffee and dessert instead.
Take car keys from anyone who even thinks about driving impaired.

In Georgia every year, one-of-every-three crash fatalities is alcohol-related…. and every one of those alcohol-related deaths could have been prevented.

If you attend a Cinco de Mayo party at your favorite restaurant or bar, plan an exit strategy before you leave for home:

Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give them your car keys.
Volunteer to be the Designated Driver or offer to be one next time out.
Before you party, program local cab company numbers in your cell phone so a safe ride is just a call away.
Pace yourself. Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks. Eat during the evening; load up on the chips and salsa and other appetizers, and then enjoy your other favorite Mexican foods during the evening;
Never let a friend out of sight if you think they’re about to drive impaired.

Remember, Georgia enforces DUI laws for those who drive drunk. “Be responsible about your own limits,” said Peachtree City Police Chief H. C. “Skip” Clark II. “Impaired driving is no accident – nor is it a victimless crime. GOHS supports Mothers Against Drunk Driving in their reminder that the perfect end to a perfect Cinco de Mayo celebration is a safe and sober ride home.”

The Georgia State Patrol reminds drivers in Georgia to report ALL impaired drivers with a free cell phone call to the nearest Georgia State Patrol post by calling: Star G-S-P (*477) on Interstates. If you observe an impaired driver in Peachtree City, Fayette County, simply call 911.

The Peachtree City Police Department has several programs in place in regards to traffic safety, such as educational programs at schools, road safety checkpoints, and saturation patrols. The City of Peachtree City has set up an on-line based system for traffic safety concerns, programs, and educational materials which can be accessed at www.peachtree-city.org/traffic. For more information on impaired driving prevention see www.madd.org , or www.StopImpairedDriving.org, or visit www.gahighwaysafety.org . Additional traffic concern questions or comments can be made by email at traffic@peachtree-city.org or by calling 770-487-8866 and requesting to speak to any member of the Community Response Team (C.R.T.).
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Gwinnett: Emergency Managers Seek Input on Hazards

The public is invited to help plan ways to respond to both natural and manmade hazards in the Gwinnett area. A public meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, will offer an overview of the planning process and give the public an opportunity to offer recommendations.

Emergency Services Coordinator Greg Swanson said, “This will be a multi-jurisdictional plan to identify local hazards, assess the risks and plan ways to reduce loss of life and property damage in emergency situations. We welcome any and all input from our residents to help keep everyone safe.”

The final plan will eventually be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for review and approval. The public meeting will be held in Conference Room C on the second floor of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. For more information, please call (770) 513-5060.
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Amber Alert: 6 year old, Macon area

The state of Georgia issued the Amber Alert Friday evening (04-24) after the boy was reportedly abducted in Macon earlier Friday. The child was last seen between 11 Am and 12 PM at Rice Elementary school.

The child is believed to be in extreme danger.

Shawn Clark JR a Black male, 6 years old, 3' tall with black hair and brown eyes and weighs 45 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white colored shirt, blue jeans with paint on the back pockets, blue jacket with a design.

The suspect is Shawn Clark SR, a black male, 32 years old with black hair and brown eyes.

The suspect vehicle is a gold Chevrolet Tahoe SUV with Georgia tag number ACR4829.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Macon Police Department at 478-751-7500 or dial 911. More information may be available at http://codeamber.c.topica.com/maam2hYabPPCFbLmA6JbafpLR8/

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America's Most Wanted on Fox

Here's what you'll see on this weekend's show?

Albuquerque, New Mexico …WESLEY WILLIAMS CAPTURE… An airing of AMW has helped solve one of New Mexico’s biggest murder mysteries. Police are charging Wesley Williams with a murder that went unsolved for nine years: the shooting death of Sandra Jean Brady, whose unidentified body was discovered buried in the desert outside Albuquerque.
http://www.amw.com/captures/brief.cfm?id=62701

Nationwide…GANG TECC Most Wanted…With the rise in gang-related violence becoming a problem nationwide, America’s Most Wanted is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Gang TECC unit to announce a new “Most Wanted” list containing the worst of the worst gang bangers in the country. In addition to the announcement in the broadcast, information about the twelve fugitives will be unveiled on AMW.com this Saturday, April, 25th at 9 p.m. ET.

Florida…Julio Bonachea… Julio Bonachea is wanted for violent home invasions, armed robberies, attempted murder and for escaping from prisons in two different countries. Authorities across the state of Florida -- and overseas -- need your help to find him.

Stone Mountain, Georgia …DERRICK YANCEY…Authorities say former DeKalb County Sheriff's Deputy Derrick Yancey murdered his wife and another man, and then fled. He hasn't been seen since he cut off his ankle monitoring device. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=64701

Woodstock, Ontario…Victoria Stafford MISSING… Police in Canada have released a composite sketch of the woman seen on surveillance video with abducted 8-year-old Tori Stafford. While authorities have been searching local waterways and canvassing neighborhoods near Tori's home, cops say that the search for the little girl has expanded beyond Woodstock, Ontario.
http://www.amw.com/missing_children/brief.cfm?id=64826

Albuquerque, New Mexico…Mystery Beneath the Mesa… When an Albuquerque resident and her dog went for a walk on the city's West side, the stroll took a grotesque turn when they found a human bone. The discovery would eventually lead investigators to what has become the nation's largest crime scene, spreading out over 100 acres. So far, the remains of eleven women and one unborn child have been unearthed from the desert, and cops have no leads to who might be responsible.
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Fayette Sheriff's TNT Makes Drug Busts in Multiple Counties

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) executed four Search Warrants simultaneously in the Shiloh mobile home community that resulted in the arrest of six persons. TNT with the assistance of the Sheriff’s office Swat team, CID, K-9 Unit, Hawk one helicopter, and uniformed patrol officers executed the warrants at 7am on Friday April 10, 2009.

The warrants were executed at 425 Sagebrush Trail Peachtree City, 429 Sagebrush Trail Peachtree City, 431 Sagebrush Trail Peachtree City, and 106 Shiloh Drive Peachtree City, Ga. As a result of the search warrants Justin M. Caldwell, 20, of Senoia, Ga., was charged with Possession of a Schedule II Drug, Possession of a Schedule IV Drug, and Possession of a Dangerous Drug. Kerry Allison Lynch, 26, of Peachtree City, Ga. was charged with Possession of a Schedule IV Drug, and Possession of a Dangerous Drug. Jack Daniel Wright, 28, of Sharpsburg, Ga. was charged with Possession of marijuana. Katherine Anne Hinson, 21, of Peachtree City, Ga. was charged with Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of a Schedule IV Drug. Amanda Kelly Smith, 21, of Peachtree City, Ga. was charged Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of a Schedule IV Drug. Brandy Lee Brooks, 30, of Peachtree City, GA. was charged with Possession of Marijuana.

In a second incident TNT Agents arrested two persons as a result of a Buy/Bust operation on Wednesday, April 08, 2009. Nikki Marie Huckaby, 28, of Luthersville, Ga. and Michael Allen Almond, 28, of Gay, Ga. were taken into custody without incident after the two sold a quarter ounce of Methamphetamine (ICE) to an undercover agent for $445.00. During a search of their vehicle Agents recovered 10 xanax pills. Both are charged with Sale of Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Schedule IV Drug. Huckaby faces an additional charge of Possession of Methamphetamine after Agents recovered a gram of ICE from her person.

All of the persons arrested are currently incarcerated at the Fayette County Jail. Other Arrests are expected as a result of the Shiloh Investigation.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team is a multi-agency unit under the command of the Sheriff of Fayette County. The unit consists of members of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Tyrone Police Department, Fayetteville Police Department and Peachtree City Police Department.
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Renowned Child Protection Advocates Ed Smart and Erin Runnion Invite Parents to Child Protection Forum

WHAT: Ed Smart, father of abduction survivor Elizabeth Smart and a nationally-recognized child protection advocate, along with Erin Runnion, surviving parent of abducted and murdered child Samantha Runnion, will conduct a free open forum for parents Wednesday, April 1 at the Gwinnett Convention Center.

Sponsored by Keep Georgia Safe, a non-profit organization that provides safety and crime prevention training and operates the only wireless network that sends all three Georgia emergency alerts for missing or dangerous persons, Smart and Runnion will be in Atlanta debuting It Takes a Community, a revolutionary children’s safety partnership comprised of national leading children’s safety initiatives unified to protect our children and families, to the east coast for the first time. Steve Daley, founder and executive director of radKIDS©, Inc., and a leading national children’s safety expert, will lead in the instruction. The April 1 open forum is for anyone interested in learning more about safety education and violence prevention for children from three of the nation’s leading experts, free of charge.

The cornerstones of the It Takes a Community initiative include the radKIDS© Personal
Empowerment Safety Education Program, The PRIDE Neighborhood Child Protection Program and The National Child ID Kit. radKIDS©, a revolutionary hands-on educational program that provides techniques and skills for children on how to recognize, avoid, resist and escape dangerous situations, abduction and harm, is recognized as the national leader in safety education and violence prevention for children.

Ed Smart, father of abduction survivor Elizabeth Smart, is the national spokesperson for radKIDS©. Ed has been instrumental in bringing world-wide attention to the power of this hands-on educational model for children on national news and television programs such as the Oprah Winfrey Show. Erin Runnion, surviving parent of abducted and murdered child Samantha Runnion, is founder and director of The Joyful Child Foundation that trains instructors in its PRIDE program – a neighborhood child protection course for communities.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 1
7 P.M.

WHERE: Gwinnett Convention Center
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, Georgia 30097

WHO: Meet Ed Smart, Erin Runnion, Steve Daley, Keep Georgia Safe founder and chairman Gary Martin Hays and executive director Mary Ellen Fulkus.

WHY: Nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each year, and in 40 percent of stereotypical kidnapping cases, the child was killed. More than 800,000 children are determined to be victims of child abuse and neglect. That is one child every 35 seconds.

Keep Georgia Safe has a two-pronged approach to crime prevention: 1) Proactive: Safety education and, 2) Reactive: Alert System Network. As the only organization that sends out all three of Georgia's emergency alerts, the Keep Georgia Safe Wireless Network uses a text platform to notify opt-in wireless subscribers at no charge when the GBI issues any of its three emergency alerts: Levi’s Call: Georgia’s AMBER Alert for an abducted or missing child, Mattie’s Call: elderly or disabled missing person alert and Kimberly’s Call: dangerous fugitive alert.

How: For more information, go to www.keepgeorgiasafe.org or call 770-934-8000.
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Amber Alert: 7 mo. old

The State of Georgia issued the Amber Alert on Saturday afternoon (03-28) after the child was reportedly abducted in Grovetown late Friday. The suspect also reportedly abducted the child's mother, 27-year-old Shashawna Odell following an armed robbery. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. According to Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris, the sheriff's office has issued two felony kidnapping warrants against Mr. Grier.

Christopher Grier is a black male, 7 months old, 1' 6" tall and weighs 20 pounds. He has brown hair and eyes.

The suspect is Christopher Bernard Grier, a 30 year oild Black male, 5' 10", 230 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

The suspect vehicle is a gray Dodge Neon with a paper tag reading "Auto Credit Sales and Rental".

Anyone with information is asked to call the Grovetown Department of Public Safety at 706-863-1222, or the Columbia County Sheriff's Office at 706-541-2800 or dial 911.

More information may be available at http://codeamber.c.topica.com/maamXR6abPaSsbLmA6JbafpLR8/
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Governor Perdue Commends Passage of Super Speeder Legislation

Increased fines will slow drivers, fund trauma network

Governor Sonny Perdue today commended the final passage of “Super Speeder” legislation, HB 160, by the General Assembly. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Jim Cole and will help reduce traumatic automobile accidents and provide funds for trauma care in the state. The legislation passed the House 113-53 and passed the Senate 42-10.

“I commend the General Assembly for passing legislation to discourage reckless driving and increase funding for trauma care in Georgia,” said Governor Perdue. “The Super Speeder bill will make our roads safer and save lives.”

In 2007, traffic accidents on Georgia’s roadways caused more than 1,600 fatalities. The overall cost of accidents totals $7.8 billion a year. The Super Speeder legislation will generate approximately $23 million in Fiscal Year 2010, which Governor Perdue recommended be spent to improve the state’s trauma care network. This is the second infusion of state funds by Governor Perdue into the trauma network. In the Amended 08 budget, the Governor recommended $53 million for the state’s first-ever investment into improving trauma care in Georgia. The General Assembly eventually appropriated an additional $5 million for a total of $58 million in the Amended 08 budget.

“I want to thank the Senate for giving their favorable consideration to HB 160,” said Rep. Cole. “This bill sends a strong message that Georgia is serious about slowing people down to make our highways and byways safer for our citizens, visitors and future generations of drivers. I was honored to carry this bill for Governor Perdue and his team.”

Super Speeder legislation discourages trauma-causing behavior by increasing fines for dangerous drivers. The legislation adds an additional $200 fine for driving over 85 mph anywhere in the state and for driving 75 mph or more on a two lane road. Super Speeders will also increase driver’s license reinstatement fees for drivers committing a second and third offense for violations that result in a suspended license and for other negligent behaviors.
Senator Bill Heath, the Governor’s Senior Administration Floor Leader, carried HB 160 in the Senate.

“This legislation will slow down reckless drivers and prevent life-threatening accidents, while providing additional funding for trauma care,” said Sen. Bill Heath. “Simply put, this bill saves lives.”

Bob Dallas, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, praised the bill. “Nearly one fourth of fatal crashes involve excessive speeds,” said Dallas. “Reduced speeds allow more reaction time for drivers and lead to less severe crashes, both of which will make our highways safer.”
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The City of Newnan Fire Department Attends Bomb Threat Creditability Training at GEMA

The city of Newnan Fire department sent fifteen members of their team to Bomb Threat Training at GEMA.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) presented "Managing School Bomb Threats," a free class for education and law enforcement professionals. Topics covered planning for a bomb threat, how to identify a credible threat, search techniques, and adjudication of a bomb threat suspect. The seminar included with an explosives demonstration.

With the right tools and training, authorities can properly evaluate the threat and determine the best course of action, says Newnan Fire Chief Whitley.

GEMA School Safety Unit provides services that help schools have a safe and secure school year. GEMA’s school safety coordinators offer training and technical assistance to educators, emergency management and public safety personnel. This includes site surveys, classes on weapons screening, school bus safety, gangs bullying, exercise design, bomb threat management and school crises. For more information on GEMAS’s School Safety Unit visit www.gema.ga.gov or call 1-800-TRY-GEMA. For more information on specific risks within the city limits and how to prepare for them, contact Newnan Fire Department at 770-253-1851.
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Obama Considers Deploying National Guard to U.S.-Mexico Border

As President Barack Obama considers deploying National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to control escalating violence, Arizona's governor has requested about 250 more National Guard troops on its border with Mexico, and the Texas governor is considering a similar action.

"We're going to examine whether, and if, National Guard deployments would make sense and in what circumstances they would make sense as part of this overall review of our border situation," Obama told reporters yesterday, according to media reports. The White House does not release transcripts of media roundtable sessions.

"I haven't drawn any conclusions yet," reporters said Obama told them. "I don't have a particular tipping point in mind."

While emphasizing that he does not want to "militarize" the border, Obama called it "unacceptable if you've got drug gangs crossing our borders and killing our citizens."

The president noted that Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Mexico last week to meet with his Mexican counterparts about the situation and to discuss additional support the United States could provide.

Meanwhile, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates requesting 250 more National Guard soldiers to be posted along the 350-mile Arizona-Mexico border.

Although Brewer has the authority to call up the troops, she asked Gates to mobilize them as part of the federally funded Joint Counter Narco-terrorism Task Force. That force currently includes about 150 Army and Air National Guard members.

"Arizona communities and citizens are negatively affected by the impacts of the illegal drug trade and related border violence, and enforcement agencies in all jurisdictions are stretched as they attempt to address the enormity of the problems," Brewer said. "The support these additional soldiers can provide to law enforcement agency operations would prove invaluable."

In neighboring Texas, Gov. Rick Perry has expressed the need for more troops or border agents along its border with Mexico. Perry reiterated at a ceremony last week the need for more help to disrupt operations of the Mexican Mafia, Texas Syndicate, Barrio Azteca, MS-13 and other violent transnational gangs.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters today it's too soon to know if additional military support will be granted.

The last major federal National Guard mission along the U.S.-Mexico border was Operation Jump Start. The two-year mission, from June 2006 to July 2008, dispatched as many as 6,000 National Guard members to Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas to make the border more secure for legal immigration and commerce until the U.S. Border Patrol could boost its own ranks.

Guard members did not serve in a direct law-enforcement role, but provided vital reinforcement to the Border Patrol. Their missions included engineering, aviation, entry identification teams, and a wide range of technical, logistical and administrative support.

By the time the mission ended in July, more than 30,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen from across the nation had participated.

Whitman emphasized that the proposed border mission, if ultimately approved, would have a very different purpose and timeline than Operation Jump Start.

In the meantime, the United States is exploring other ways it can help Mexico deal with escalating violence, he said. "We continue to offer Mexico assistance in any number of ways," he told reporters.

The Merida Initiative, for example, provides Mexico and several other countries funding to counter drug trafficking, and the U.S. military has a strong military-to-military partnership with Mexico. The United States also is providing Mexico foreign military financing for five helicopters, a maritime surveillance aircraft and handheld scanners used for detection purposes, Whitman said.

"The U.S. government as a whole is concerned about the escalating violence and its effect on public security as well as the Southwest U.S. border," he said. "I think that what you are seeing is a recognition of the problem that is facing the Mexican government, and as good neighbors, the United States is looking at any number of ways in which we might be able to render some additional assistance."

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
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