Check out the new Fayette Sheriff website!

I ran into Sheriff Hannah tonight at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Expo. And no, I didn't run into him with my car or knock him down! I was at the Expo table for the Clothes Less Traveled Thrift Shop as he was making the rounds. We chatted for a few minutes about a number of Fayette issues, one of them being the new website the Sheriff's office has been working on.

When I got home, unpacked, and settled in, I popped over to see what it looked like. I spent more time than I intended wandering around the new site. I was impressed. It's not 100% complete yet, but the information links kept me clicking!

I checked my neighborhood to see if there were any sex offenders nearby. Nope.

Then I popped over to the link titled "Crime Mapping". I was able to put in my address and find out where crimes had occurred around my home. I got nosy and expanded the viewing area to see the kind of things going on outside my immediate area. I'll be clicking that link again!

I looked under the "Records Section" to see crime statistics and then clicked on a few others under the heading just to see what kind of information was offered. Good to know it's there in case I need it some day.

Of course I looked at Fayette County's Most Wanted Fugitives. Didn't recognize anyone...

There are some areas that are currently being worked on (Kids Page, Fiscal Information and others), but they're coming.

Oh, and I also signed up under the "Community Notifications" tab to get alerts from the Sheriff's office. I'm already getting them for Peachtree City and Tyrone so was happy to discover I could add the areas outside the cities. It's great info and I highly encourage everyone in Fayette County to sign up. They can text alerts and / or email them to you.

It looks like this is going to be the kind of site you'll want to stop by and "visit" more than once. They have links to quite a few state and local agencies, contact info in the event you want to call the Sheriff's Dept., employment opportunities, crime prevention tips... the list is long.

Be sure to click on "Office of the Sheriff" and then click "History of the Office of Sheriff". It's interesting reading.

I think the website is going to be a valuable resource for Fayette residents. Go take a peek.

www.FayetteSheriff.org

- jmd
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Fayette County School Bus Driver Takes Top 10 in Safety Competition

Imagine steering a school bus in and out of five cones set at a close proximity and then doing it again, backwards, without stopping or bumping the markers. This and other grueling tests is what Michael Dixon, driver of bus #259, had to successfully complete to place in the top 10 at the annual Georgia School Bus Roade-o competition in Warner Robins.

A total of 44 drivers from across Georgia participated in the state event after winning their local school bus safety competitions. Dixon placed eighth among the Georgia drivers.

Contestants compete in three separate tests over a two-day period to demonstrate their knowledge of driving skills and safety: a written exam covering state laws and policies, a pre-trip inspection that includes finding five mechanical defects and maneuvering a skills course of seven obstacles, such as serpentine mentioned at the beginning of this article.

The overall purpose of the competition is to reinforce safe driving skills and practices among drivers. Safety competitions have proven to be one of the most effective instructional tools to improve a person’s driving skills.

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Annual July 4th Fireworks Safety Zone and Regulations

The Peachtree City Fire Department has released a map showing the 700-800 feet safety zone established for the annual July 4th fireworks show over Lake Peachtree.

View the map here.

In order to ensure a safe environment for residents viewing the fireworks presentation, a buffer of 700-800 feet in all directions from the area of discharge must be maintained. All safe areas will be marked by red or yellow security tape, placed in the area by July 3rd. Even though much of the Picnic Park area is affected, the All Children’s Playground will remain open for play until 8 pm. At that time, all persons must be cleared from the area, since this is in the safety zone and no patrons can view fireworks from that area, to prepare for the show which begins at dusk. The safe zone is based on the requirements of the fireworks contractor.

The Fire Department reminds residents that no consumer fireworks are allowed to be used, sold or possessed on any city-owned or controlled property.

For more information please contact the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542 or visit our website at www.ptcrecreation.org or on the City website at www.peachtree-city.org.

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Golf Cart Safety Especially Important In Busy Summer Months

Now that school is out, Peachtree City’s paths are seeing more use than ever. Peachtree City Public Information Officer Betsy Tyler is reminding golf cart owners of the rules of the path for Peachtree City's signature vehicle.

Tyler said, “Golf carts are a way of life in Peachtree City, and they are certainly a lot of fun. However, cart owners and operators need to remember that these vehicles share the paths with pedestrians and bicyclists, and can cause serious injuries if drivers are not careful.”

Peachtree City has several rules to help keep all path users safe:
• All passengers of a golf cart must remain seated while the cart is in motion – it is very easy to throw a standing passenger from a cart by suddenly starting or stopping the vehicle, or hitting a bump in the path or street.
• No one may sit in the driver’s lap while the cart is in motion – children could become crushed between the driver and the steering wheel in an accident.
• Young children should sit flat in the seat and wear safety helmets to avoid injury from falling or being thrown from the cart.
• All operators must abide by all traffic regulations applicable to vehicular traffic.
• Golf cart drivers should slow down when approaching other path users, curves, and intersections.
• Golf cart drivers should use caution when crossing any street or driveway, stopping the cart if an auto is approaching.
• Golf cart drivers are required to use a horn or other audible signal when approaching pedestrians from behind -- electric carts are very quiet and can injure pedestrians.
• Where cart paths exist they must be used instead of parallel city streets (excluding private golf course paths).
• Carts driven at night must be equipped with functional headlights and tail lights.
• Carts are not allowed on or across Hwy 54, Hwy 74, Peachtree Pkwy, or Crosstown Road except at authorized crossings.

Tyler added, “Drivers need to pay attention and use caution at all times because owners can be held both criminally and civilly liable for injuries caused by their carts.”

The City also strongly encourages golf cart owners to obtain separate liability insurance. Tyler said homeowner policies often do not cover carts taken off property, making accidents especially expensive.

Another potential cost to cart owners can come from allowing under-age drivers to operate carts.

In Peachtree City, golf carts may only be driven by:
• Those 16 and over, whether or not they have a license (unless license has been suspended or revoked)
• 15-year olds with a valid learners permit may drive alone, or if unaccompanied by a parent/grandparent, or person 18 or older, they may drive accompanied by up to one other person who must be at least 15 years old, or may be accompanied by up to 3 immediate family members.
• 15-years old with NO learners permit must be accompanied in the front seat by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian, or a person age 18 or older with a valid drivers license.
• Children age 12, 13 & 14 must be accompanied in the front seat by a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian.
• No person under 12 years of age may drive a cart.

Tyler reminds residents that fines for under-age drivers are very steep, ranging from $350 for a first offense to $1,321 and loss of registration for a third offense within two years. Tyler said, “Violations on a golf cart can also affect a teenager’s ability to obtain a drivers license.”

Tyler said, "Using caution on the paths and following the rules will help every to have a safe and fun summer."

The City posts complete path rules on its web site, www.peachtree-city.org, and on the street and path map available for purchase at City Hall.