Lavonia Crime Down in 2015, Says Police Chief

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Crime is down overall in Lavonia.

That’s according to Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle, who presented his Annual Report for 2015 to the Lavonia City Council and Mayor Ralph Owens earlier this month.

Carlisle said the lower crime rate is the result of a number of factors.

“It was a year of low crime in the City and I attribute that to the fine officers we have in the Department as well as the latest technology and standards in law enforcement that we use here in the City,” he said.

In 2015, Lavonia only had two robberies and both suspects, Carlisle said, were caught and are now in prison.

However, Carlisle said one area that has gone up is accidents.

“The Georgia State Patrol is working a large portion of our accidents now, but accidents were up significantly,” he said. “They are doing that at their request, which is greatly appreciated. DUI’s were up a little bit. Drug arrests were down just a tad, but that does not incorporate the drug task force, which does a phenomenal job.”

Carlisle did say there were no fatal accidents inside the Lavonia city limits last year.

On a more positive note, Carlisle said the Lavonia Police Department was involved in a number of community outreach projects, including raising $5,000 for a scholarship to one deserving Franklin County High School senior in memory of Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Cruz Thomas.

Also last year, the Lavonia Police Department began a new project in conjunction with the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office.

Carlisle said his officers are involved in a new cross training pilot program initiated by Northern Circuit D.A. Parks White.

“Parks asked that our investigators be cross trained with the investigators at his office to make for stronger cases,” Carlisle explained. “Parks understands that the way to win cases is to have a strong case.”

Finally, Carlisle said in 2015 he also hired one additional officer bringing the Lavonia Police force up to full staff.