Ellijay Police Department

Roads currently blocked inside the city due to trees and power lines: Highway 5 just north of the north entrance of McCutchen Old Tails Creek /Corbin Hill near the water tower. ... Letch Drive at Gartrell. Please avoid the areas and do not drive over or touch downed trees due to possibility of involvement with downed power lines. Citizens should not cut trees and limbs out of roadways unless certain the tree is uninvolved with power lines. Even if you think a power line is not energized, you should not approach it or anything it touches. Be patient as crews work to clear roadways. AEMC and Georgia Power are diligently working to restore power.

CREATIVE POST-COVID HALLOWEEN POST ON A POST We have heard from many how they are getting creative this Halloween and sticking to post-COVID safety guidelines. Here are 6 ideas we’ve found so far; 1) Harrison Park Walking Trail Halloween. On the 31st from 1PM to 4PM at Harrison park, participants can be seen, collect some candy, and socially distance at the same time. 2) Halloween themed scavenger hunt: Parents are having a scavenger hunt in the backyard by hiding candy o...r Halloween-themed packages with candy inside. 3) Halloween Party Indoors: Some are choosing to stay indoors by throwing on Halloween PJs and eating candy and watching scary movies. Of course you can add carving pumpkins to the mix. 4) Trunk-or-Treat. Many of our community faith based organizations are hosting Halloween events on Wednesday the 28th. Most have indicated that the trunk may or may not be a car truck, but an actual trunk or table with individually wrapped bags of candy that participants may pick up as they walk by. 5) Stick ‘em up: One family indicated their plan was to use tape to affix candy bags to pencils or sticks and plant them in their yard for the kiddos to walk by and pick. 6) The Candy Chute: The most creative we’ve found is this one where a family built a chute to deliver the goods and remain socially distanced. Check out their idea here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158054231120141&set=a.432190595140 We understand that many people have differing views about how we should respond to the COVID-19 situation. We ask that you not debate those views here. What we do ask is that everyone who is trick-or-treating this season be respectful of those who wish to reduce or eliminate contact with those outside their immediate family. If you do not wish to be visited by strangers asking for candy, we ask you to leave your porch light off. If you are trick-or-treating, we ask that you respect those who have left their lights off by not visiting them. We ask everyone, please follow the Governor’s guidelines on social distancing as well as the CDC’s guidelines about Halloween which can be found here; https://www.cdc.gov//2019-/daily-life-coping/holidays.html ... The last thing our school system needs, other than a bunch of kiddos jacked up on an annual sugar rush, is an uptick in positive cases. We would love to hear how you’re getting creative this season. Let us know in the comments below.

Thank you Easton for your zucchini and squash you brought to us today!

The Ellijay Police Department understands the issues and stances facing our populace today. These are uncertain and times which can be disconcerting and confusing for many people. We assure you, we are committed to upholding our oaths of protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States, the State of Georgia, as well as upholding the laws and ordinances of the State as well as the City of Ellijay. We understand we serve groups which vary in background, ideology..., race, religion, national origin and more. We are committed to holding ourselves to a high standard which ensures justice and equality for all. We also understand that there are many groups who, through a collective voice, stand up against oppression and injustice. We also stand for justice and equality and stand against any type of oppression. It is unfortunate that many peaceful demonstrations in the United States are being hijacked by individuals and/or groups who foster fear, violence, property damage, and wanton injury and destruction. When this occurs, the original message of the original demonstrators is lost, and becomes null and void. Last Friday, we listened to Ambassador Andrew Young address the situations in Atlanta. He was very involved in the Civil Rights Movement and worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He talked about how they worked with city officials in many locations to plan demonstrations in such a way as to maximize their message and prevent violence. They often planned the dates, times, and locations of demonstrations and trained demonstrators to maximize their message as well as safety to all. We have a city ordinance whereby the City grants permits to groups of more than 15 persons to lawfully gather and demonstrate upon City Property. This process is meant to serve to ensure safety of demonstrators, citizens, as well as officials and to help maximize the message of anyone wishing to exercise their 1st Amendment Rights. We represent and serve all citizens regardless of ideology. We ask that everyone know about this process and please allow us to work with you to help you maintain legitimacy for your message. Permit applications are available at City Hall or you may contact the police department directly. City Hall is 706-35-4711. The police department is 706-635-7430. We will expedite any and all requests. We truly appreciate your understanding. Chief Edward Lacey Ellijay Police Department 706-635-7430 706-635-4711

Many citizens have recently asked what I thought about the George Floyd case. Likewise, I have heard from friends in the LEO profession, both active and retired, who find themselves dealing with the same emotions and thoughts as I have been dealing with. Most of my fellow chiefs and sheriffs, as well as many police officers across this nation are publicly standing up for justice, as well as peace. They mainly speak to the citizens that they serve. I will do that, but the...Continue reading

This sweet girl wandered up to the Ellijay Police Department and interrupted a shift meeting this evening. She is a well mannered dog. Gilmer County Animal Control came and picked her up. Please contact Gilmer County Animal Control at 706-635-2166 for further information.

Public Service Notice for the Ellijay Area: Road Delays due to GDOT maintenance of roadway The Georgia Department of Transportation is conducting highway maintenance on US76 / State Route 282. They are milling and resurfacing the roadway. This will last until possibly May 1, 2020. The length of time depends upon the weather. ... Motorists who are participating in Necessary Travel for Essential Functions should expect delays at the intersection of 282 and South Main Street (locally known as the "Dairy Queen Intersection" from 0700 AM until 6PM everyday this week. Motorists who are not sheltering in place are strongly encouraged to use alternative routes. When they are finished at this intersection, GDOT will be continuing their roadwork from "The Dairy Queen Intersection" to "The Hardee's Intersection". For those of you who immediately know where those two intersections are by reference of their colloquial names; we know you already avoid malfunction junction like the plague, so this will be nothing new to you. But get the word out that in a week or so the First Ave., Hardee's Intersection will be more messed up than usual. The moral of the story? Practice distancing of Hwy 282 and Industrial Blvd up to First Ave. for the next two weeks unless you've been teleworking from home so much that you're just longing for commuting in congested traffic. If that's the case, you've probably got more going on than worrying about traffic. As always, Practice Social Distancing, and be safe.

IMPORTANT UPDATE Please make a note that on Tuesday, April 7th at 0900 AM the Georgia National Guard will be coming to Parkside Ellijay Nursing Home to assist staff with training measures on sanitation and cleaning methods. Knowing our community, especially our online community, we wanted to preemptively get this information out so no one will be alarmed. ... Please help us get the word out... the right word. We still expect some people may see them and may be alarmed, start asking many questions and even making up their own stories for the sake of sadistic internet entertainment (go figure, right?). All is well. There is no curfew. No one is taking over. No martial law. Just citizen warriors coming to assist local folks with training and information. Thank you. EPD

GEORGIA SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER As you are most likely aware, the Governor signed an executive order yesterday regarding "Shelter in Place". As we did not receive any communications regarding this order nor see the order itself until it went public after 5PM on April 2, 2020; we are adjusting to this new situation just as everyone else. You may get a copy of the order here: https://gov.georgia.gov//2020-executive-/04022001/download ...Continue reading

STATE OF EMERGENCY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS As you can imagine, we are inundated with questions about the City of Ellijay's declaration of State of Emergency. We cannot answer all of them. We cannot man Facebook and Messenger constantly. In an attempt to clarify a few things we have compiled a list of FAQs here in image format.

MARCH 25, 2020 - CITY OF ELLIJAY PASSES STATE OF EMERGENCY RESOLUTION - EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY Below you will find a basic synopsis of the State of Emergency ordinance passed by resolution of the City Council. This is merely a synopsis and does not supersede the actual resolution. DURATION: 14 days from this date. Mayor may extend the resolution for an additional 14 days upon obtaining advice and consent of the Council, if necessary.... Public Gatherings upon City owned and/or controlled property is prohibited. A public gathering is defined as an organized gathering or assembly of ten (10) or more persons at a specific location. Nothing in this ordinance prohibits the use of sidewalks or designated pedestrian areas of parks for walking or other exercise if they are not participating in an organized gathering. There is no change to the City’s curfew ordinance at this time. Certain deadlines for fees are tolled for a period which extends 15 days past the state of emergency. Restaurants and other eating and dining establishments where food is served must cease offering dine-in services. Restaurants may continue to prepare and offer food to customers via delivery, drive-through or take-out services. Patrons, employees and contractors of these restaurants must maintain a social distance of 6 feet. Restaurants who are currently licensed for consumption of alcohol on premises may sell unopened bottles or cans of beer or wine for take-out consumption off-premises. Certain businesses which require or foster prolonged physical proximity of individuals or which are used for entertainment purposes must close and remain closed. This includes social clubs, gyms, fitness centers, pools, amusement facilities, bowling alleys, pool halls, theaters, massage parlors, nail salons, and any facility used for the purposes of entertainment, grooming, social gathering, etc. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other businesses which are not covered in the section above may remain open. However, they must post signage on entrance doors informing customers to maintain a 6 foot social distance and may not have more than 10 persons gathered at one time. All public and private gatherings of more than ten people which occur outside of a household or living unit is prohibited. However, nothing in this ordinance prohibits persons from carrying on any business which is certified as essential by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency which is designated as critical infrastructure or the provision of health services. The official resolution will be posted on the City website first thing Thursday morning (26th). We will be following up with a FAQ about this resolution in a future post. Chief Lacey

The City of Ellijay has scheduled a special called council meeting for Wednesday the 25th at 6pm. It is available to attend through Zoom Meetings conference - video on smartphone, tablet, PC, Mac, or by audio telephone. Here are the details: URL To join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/8677973741... Meeting ID: 867 797 3741 One tap mobile +16468769923, Dial by your location +1 646 876 9923 US Or +1 312 626 6799 US

A MESSAGE FROM THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY REGARDING COVID-19 The Appalachian Trail, given its ever-increasing popularity over the past weeks, is no longer a viable space to practice social distancing. Friend of ATC, we value your health and safety....Continue reading

The City of Ellijay Announces the following closings: City Council Meeting regularly scheduled for 03/16/2020 Municipal Court scheduled for 03/17/2020... Municipal Court is closed due to an order from the Supreme Court of Georgia issued on March 14, 2020 declaring a state of Judicial Emergency. This order is to terminate on April 13, 2020. City Council Meeting is cancelled in response to requests by State and Federal authorities to assist in the "Flattening the Curve" strategy. Preventative measures being taken are necessary to prevent a spike which would overwhelm our healthcare industry and other resources. Remember: Risk factors are still extremely low. Practice social distancing, safe hygiene, and get your information from trusted news sources rather than social media. We expect everything to return to 'normal' very soon. Chief Lacey