The new playground at Central Park is now open! Sliding, climbing, swinging...it's fun for all ages! Central Park is located off Pennington Street. If you are headed south of the square, turn right on Pennington Street at the light at monticello/church/pennington streets. The address is 3171 Pennington Street, Covington, Georgia 30014. Please remember to practice social distancing when using the playground.
City Council met on Monday, October 5, 2020. To see the video from the 10/5 meeting, select the button below.
Covington-Newton County 911 made Back the Blue Baskets for the Law Enforcement agencies we dispatch for to show our support. Each shift at the Covington Police Department (CPD) and Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) were given a basket. We also delivered one to the Criminal Investigation Divisions at the CPD and NCSO. We are still in the process of delivering all of the baskets to the law enforcement agencies we serve.
CongrATULATIONS!
Amanda Leon (below left) and Carlisha Robinson (below right) completed the Georgia Public Safety Training Center Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training for 911 Telecommunicators. The Georgia Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training for 9-1-1 Telecommunicators is an interactive online learning course that is designed to present telecommunicators with advanced training in handling crisis calls involving consumers with mental illnesses, neurodevelopmental disabilities, and/or who are suicidal. Online components of this course include, but are not limited to, topics such as the CIT Memphis Model, stigma, mental health disorders, mental health resources, suicide intervention, de-escalation, effective telephone communications strategies, effective radio dispatch techniques, and telecommunicator self-care. Great job Amanda and Carlisha!
Total CAD Calls Received: 1,830
Total Agency Calls Generated: 2,052
Law Calls Generated: 1,579(76.94%)
- Covington Police Department: 511 (24.90%)
- Covington Marshal's Office: 0 (0.00%)
- Newton County Animal Control: 8 (0.38%)
- Newton County Sheriff's Office: 985 (48.00%)
- Oxford Police Department: 24 (1.16%)
- Porterdale Police Department: 51 (2.48%)
FIRE CALLS GENERATED: 179 (8.72%)
- Covington Fire Department: 54 (2.63%)
- Newton County Fire Department: 125 (6.09%)
Newton EMS Calls Generated: 294 (14.32%)
Severe Weather Chart from 10/10/20
CPD Open House & Kona Ice With Kids
On Friday, October 9, the Covington Police Department held an open house at the police station, located at 13183 Harland Drive, for the public to take a tour of the new facility. Then on Saturday, October 10, the CPD held a Kona Ice With Kids Day. Officers visited local neighborhood locations, including the Nelson Heights Community Center, Washington Street School and the Covington Housing Authority, and shared a Kona Ice with children living in those areas. The CPD would like to say a special thank you to the Citizens Police Academy Board Members who assisted with the open house (pictured below, second row). Thank you also to our Police Department Chaplains, Rev. Tim Price, Rev. Royeese Stowe and Rev. Russell Graves, for their help on both events.
PATROL
- On October 5, CPD patrol officers responded to the Super 8 Motel located on Alcovy Road in reference to a disturbance. Malik Abdullah Allah was subsequently arrested after he choked a male victim and tried to take him back to his room. Allah was taken to the NCSO and warrants were taken for false imprisonment and battery.
- On October 5, CPD Officer Yates made a traffic stop on a vehicle at McDonald's on Hwy. 142. The vehicle was possibly involved in a hit and run in the county. The driver, Kristopher Render, was subsequently arrested for DUI and other traffic charges. However, the jail would not accept him due to his level of intoxication. Render was then transported by EMS to Piedmont Newton for treatment.
- On October 6, CPD Officer Long responded to Gordy Street where a female stated that she had been on her way to work when she noticed that the brakes were not working properly. She had them inspected by a mechanic who advised her that the lines appeared to be cut. The female suspected her ex-fiancé of cutting the lines in response to an ongoing argument between the two.
- On October 7, CPD officers responded to a duplex on Peoples Street in reference to an argument and property damage. A female resident advised that someone from the neighboring duplex poured gasoline all over the shared porch area. The neighbor stated his female friend got mad and poured the gasoline. The male could not give information about the female’s whereabouts and could only give her first name.
- On October 8, CPD officers responded to a shoplifting at Walmart. A male suspect ran from and fought with Officer Justin Stott when he attempted to detain the male. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the county jail. He was charged with obstruction and shoplifting.
- On October 9, CPD officers investigated a suspicious vehicle on Hopkins Street. The driver was found to be intoxicated and charged with DUI and other traffic related charges. She was later released to her mother.
- On October 9, CPD officers responded to West Street for a domestic disturbance. A female was subsequently arrested for battery FVA and terroristic threats after spitting on and threatening a female victim. She was transported to the NCSO and warrants were taken.
- On October 11, CPD officers responded to Piedmont Newton where a nurse stated a male was making threats towards the hospital. Warrants will be obtained for the male for terroristic threats.
Criminal Investigations Division (CID)
CID Sgt. Allan Seebaran examined Person Crimes and Property Crimes CID detectives worked for October 5, 2020 to October 11, 2020, and compared them with the previous two years. He found the following results:
PERSON CRIMES
From October 5 – October 11, 2018, there were eight reported person crimes; from October 5 – October 11, 2019, there were nine reported person crimes; and from October 5 – October 11, 2020, there were 11 reported person crimes.
- There was a 12% increase (from eight to nine) in reported person crimes from October 5 – October 11, 2018 to October 5 – October 11, 2019.
- There was a 22% increase (from nine to 11) in reported person crimes from October 5 – October 11 to October 5 – October 11, 2020.
- There was a 37% increase (from eight to 11) in reported person crimes from October 5 – October 11, 2018 to October 5 – October 11, 2020.
PROPERTY CRIMES
From October 5 – October 11, 2018, there were 14 reported property crimes; from October 5 – October 11, 2019, there were 26 reported property crimes; and from October 5 – October 11, 2020, there were 21 reported property crimes.
- There was an 86% increase (from 14 to 26) in reported property crimes from October 5 – October 11, 2018 to October 5 – October 11, 2019.
- There was a 19% decrease (from 26 to 21) in reported property crimes from October 5 – October 11, 2019 to October 5 – October 11, 2020.
- There was a 50% increase (from 14 to 21) in reported property crimes from October 5 – October 11, 2018 to October 5 – October 11, 2020.
SUPPORT SERVICES
The three police recruits successfully qualified and passed the firearms requirements of the Academy last week. This is a milestone as the firearms testing has a history of being intimidating and stressful to new recruits. Many have failed the academy by failing this class. Congratulations to the recruits for a job well done!
CPD had a great kickoff joining forces with the newly created Faith & Blue organization. Faith & Blue is a National organization that will be organizing Faith & Blue Weekends. The organization is based on the premise that strong communities are built on mutual respect and understanding. Law enforcement and faith institutions are key pillars of each community, and when these entities work together, neighborhoods thrive.
AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS
Quarterly awards and commendations were recently presented. Congratulations to the below recipients!
Officer Matt Holbrook-Patrol Division
Congratulations to Officer Matt Holbrook on being selected as the Covington Police Department's Patrol Division Employee of the Quarter. Officer Matt Holbrook is currently assigned to D team. Officer Holbrook is the senior officer on the team and is respected by his co-workers as an exemplary leader as he brings to them his experience and a wealth of knowledge on current laws and trends. Officer Holbrook is always willing to pass his expertise to the younger officers. He has also taken a prominent role in revamping the firearms training program here at the Covington Police Department. In the last couple of months, he made several felony cases, including trafficking narcotics cases, stolen firearms, felony family violence arrests and was the lead unit which led to the arrest of four subjects that had committed a drive by shooting in the Green Acres area. Thank you for your dedication to duty and desire to make your division and this department the best it can be Officer Holbrook!
Cheryl Vaughn - Support Services
Congratulations to Miss Cheryl Vaughn on her selection as the Covington Police Department's Support Services division Employee of the Quarter. Miss Vaughn, with the help of Donna Barlow, worked tirelessly in getting the Fuzz Run packets together and organized. Cheryl is always willing and ready to assist anyone and will stop and spend time to ensure the other person’s question is answered or their problem is solved. Her many accomplishments and hard work have been nothing short of spectacular. Thank you Cheryl for your dedication to duty and desire to make your division and this department the best it can be!
Detective Jeff Bruno - CID
Congratulations to Detective Jeff Bruno on his selection as the Covington Police Department's CID Employee of the Quarter. Detective Bruno is a hard working employee whose passion in solving a case or helping someone doesn’t go unnoticed. Detective Bruno is always willing to take on extra duties and give a lending hand to work other detective’s cases when needed or even help with their investigations. He is not afraid to share his experience and knowledge with anyone. Thank you Detective Bruno for your dedication to duty and desire to make your division and this department the best it can be.
Congratulations AND THANK YOU officer Partee on 35 Years (Plus Some) of Service!
Sgt. Vic Partee was awarded his 35-year commemorative badge by Chief Stacey Cotton for 35 years of service to the Covington Police Department. In November, he will have served 38 years in the CPD. The badge was a little delayed but Vic was all smiles to receive it!
Operations
A-SHIFT To the rescue
Battalion 2, Truck 22, Squad 21 and Engine 21 responded to an emergency on I-20 Eastbound before exit 92 due to an accident with no injuries. Upon arrival, they found a motorhome towing a van hanging off a waterway culvert and it was leaking a small amount of fuel into the water way. CFD units placed 19 pigs and 17 pads along the road and in the waterway to absorb the fuel being leaked.
Battalion 2 contacted EMA and advised them of the situation and the amount of fuel, approx. 2 gallons, that had leaked into the waterway. Engine 21 deployed a hand line as the wrecker service stabilized and removed the vehicle from the culvert.
Once the vehicle was removed from the culvert, Engine 21 was released and returned back to service. Truck 22 and Squad 21 assisted the wrecker service and vehicle owner with the lifting of the vehicle with airbags to change the tire where the vehicle was towable. Once the vehicle was stabilized, it was then turned over to the owner, the scene was secured, the pigs and pads were collected by K2 towing, and command was terminated. All units were placed in service.
Accreditation
- Approved purchase orders and invoices in BSA
- Compiled and submitted weekly report for CFD
- Final preparations for week of Strategic Planning facilitation meetings
- October 6-9: CFD welcomed community members to an hour and a half meeting to offer their expectations and concerns to their fire department. (pictured below)
- Additionally, approximately half of the department participated in three days of strategic planning, reviewing community feedback while also creating goals and objectives and critical tasks for the Covington Fire Department’s 5 year strategic plan. This process was facilitated by two members of the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Fire Marshal
- FMO Fuqua working on suppression
- Completed three plan reviews
- Completed one fire protection system inspection
- Completed five compliance inspections
- Completed two annual inspections
- Issued five burn permits
- Two members of FMO participated in 3-day strategic planning meetings
TRAINING
The Division Chief of Training, along with approximately half of the department, participated in the strategic planning process. This meeting qualifies as training hours and the Division Chief of Training is responsible for logging those hours in the appropriate category.
Division Chief Garner also performed temperature checks to all participants, external and internal (pictured above).
October 4-10, 2020 was Public Natural Gas Week (PNGW). It is a nationwide observance to showcase our public natural gas system and the benefits of public natural gas. It's also a time to honor the work and importance of locally-owned public natural gas systems. There are approximately 1,000 public natural gas utilities, including the City of Covington, in the United States. Most are small and comprised of a few hundred to a few thousand customers. Despite their size, they have a huge impact on the communities they serve by providing an irreplaceable function of offering clean, affordable and efficient natural gas.
- Responded to one emergency leak call.
- Completed two check meter requests.
- Completed twenty-seven CP readings
- Completed three inspections and unlock requests.
- Replaced two ERT’s.
- Painted seventy-two meters.
- Installed two new services.
- Inserted one service.
- Repaired one leak.
- Flagged three services for installs.
- Brant Sweat completed and passed welding re-qualification test.
- Mike Jewell attended MGAG virtual meeting for elections.
A crew of six personnel left early for Welsh, Louisiana on Saturday, October 10 to help with power restoration in the aftermath of Hurricane Delta. However, they were redirected by Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) to the town of Gueydan, Louisiana on Sunday instead of Welsh. The City of Albany and the City of Cairo also have crews providing assistance in Gueydan, LA.
- Completed 20 lighting service orders
- Installed six LED lights
- Completed six permanent and three temporary power service orders
- Disconnected/reconnected two services for maintenance
- Replaced two single phase primary poles
- Disconnected/reconnected a service for tree removal
- Installed two overhead single phase transformers
- Completed two three-phase service upgrades
- Completed 11 right-of-way service orders
- Installed ten underground services
- Completed six outage/trouble calls
- Set ten poles and pulled in 2400’ of single phase primary
- Replaced two broken poles and six spans of three-phase primary on 10/10 from tornado damage
- Sent four line personnel and two right-of-way personnel to Gueydan, Louisiana on Saturday, October 10, for storm restoration after Hurricane Delta
Pictured: Working on a pole in Gueydan, LA
ACCOUNTING
- The accounting department attended the annual Georgia Government Finance Officers Association (GGFOA) conference, learning from industry leaders about the most current governmental accounting trends and regulations. Chief Cotton presented a session at the 35th Annual GGFOA conference on entitled “How Bright is Your Badge? Strategies for Being Prepared for the Next Step.” Ashlan Troutman moderated his session.
- Staff entered 318 invoices for payment to vendors
- The city issued 136 checks for 328 invoices
- Accounting department entered 11 journal entries to record transactions of the city
- Staff sent eight invoices to customers for miscellaneous transactions
- The city issued 308 payroll checks to employees for bi-weekly payroll
CUSTOMER SERVICE
October 5-9 was Customer Service Appreciation Week. We are so grateful for each of our customer service representatives and their contribution to the city. Thank you Deanie, Tiffany, Sarah, Rudy, Susan, Aveka and Maria!
Total transactions completed by Customer Service Representatives : 2,038
UTILITY BILLING / METER READING
- 3,835 bills processed
- 170 work orders completed
- Seven meter/ert changes
- 178 non-pay disconnects
- 166 reconnects
PURCHASING
• Total purchase orders issued – current month - 143
• Total purchase orders issued – current budget year - 1,215
CURRENT/UPCOMING RFP'S/BIDS
- WRF Evaluation RFP: Under Review
- Conyers Street Gym RFP: Out for bid
- Annual concert series RFP: Out for bid
- Recreational Programming Partner RFP: Out for bid
- HVAC System: Out for bid
MUNICIPAL COURT
- There were no in-person court sessions during this week.
- 34 new citations were processed and filed in the court.
- A total of $5,5640.00 in fines and fees were collected from mail and web payments and in-person counter payments.
- Two warrant dismissals were verified that warrant removal was completed accurately.
- There were five open record requests, four certified disposition requests and one DDS suspension withdrawal processed.
- A total of 147 separate case files for the week were scanned into Courtware Software.
- A total of 109 cases were disposed of.
- The office has received 145 emails and sent 72 emails from internal and external customers.
- Telephone customers =137 calls made and received
- Mailed out 70+ packets with solicitor’s recommendation for entering a plea.
- Meeting with judge and solicitor regarding mandated court guidelines
• Attended October 5, 2020 City Council meeting
• Prepared October 5 meeting summary and minutes
• Attended October 6 Safety Committee meeting
• Fielded 40 phone calls
Upcoming Events
- Diversity & Inclusion Training (October-November) TBA
- Work Glove Luncheon – Tuesday, October 20, 2020 from 11:30-1:00
Last Week's Tasks & Events
- Brainstormed and developed plan for the “Work Glove Luncheon”
- Worked with actuaries and attorneys on Defined Benefit Plan amendments
- Audited pay data submitted for pension
- Reviewed benefit bills and invoices
- Published the Quarterly Report for New Hires, Promotions and Retirements
- Assistant City Manager internal interviews
- Mediated personnel issues
- Brainstorming ideas on upcoming training
Ongoing Events
- Providing quality customer care to our employees and retirees
- Reviewing applications for vacant positions
- Scanning of HR files
- Monitoring the coronavirus pandemic and listening to professionals about proper return to work protocols
- Coordinating the Diversity & Inclusion Training event – instructors; venue; tables; chairs; etc.
- Handling FMLA, Worker’s Compensation and COVID-19 claims
- Scheduling and conducting interviews for vacant position and compiling appropriate documents
- Preparing for upcoming Assistant City Manager interview process
- Auditing all Employee Benefits – invoicing accuracy, vendor satisfaction, etc.
- Posting new positions as vacancies arise
Current Job Postings
- Police Officer
- 911 Communication Tech
- Electric Line Worker
- Planning & Zoning Manager
- Ordered Wildlife Study for Dried Indian Creek through Central Park
- Completed Central Park play area
- Attended monthly Cricket Frog Trail construction meeting
- Discussed the engineers' drawings for the street crossing on the western leg of the Cricket Frog Trail
- Finalized agreement for property acquisition for the southern end of the connector trail through Central Park
- Discussed acquisition plans for property at the north end of the connector trail through Central Park
- Construction of the Central Park playground continued and finished
- Finalized the agreements for two private events at Legion Field
- Reviewed bylaws for the Covington Redevelopment Authority
- Researched potential billboard options at request of 501C6 board
- Attended and presented billboard information to 501C6 board
- Continued working on museum aspects of Welcome Center
- Provided quick overview of Welcome Center to Covington Garden Club volunteers who will be designing outdoor planters
- Worked on exterior signage for Welcome Center
- Compiled Weekly Report
- Worked on ice rink logo
- Updated social media and website
- Created content and took pictures for new website
- Met with Finance Department to discuss CARES Act spending
- Attended Chamber of Commerce Build-A-Business Event
- Ordered supplies for Saturday Sideline Sale
This is a repeat of last week's halloween advisements but with the holiday quickly approaching, we want our citizens to have as much information as possible about safely navigating Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- If trick or treating, participate in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard).
- Carve or decorate pumpkins with members of your household and display them. If you want to carve pumpkins with neighbors or friends, do it outside at a safe distance.
- Have a virtual Halloween costume contest or attend a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart.
- Have a Halloween movie night with people you live with or have an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart.
- Go to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than 6 feet apart.
“Normal” Halloween activities such as traditional trick-or-treating, indoor haunted houses, crowded Halloween parties indoors and going on hayrides with people not from your family are considered high risk activities and should be avoided. For complete information on the CDC's suggested Halloween guidelines, please select the button below.