Department of Public Safety-Marshal Bureau

 
535 Seaboard Avenue
Hiram, Georgia 30141

(Located at Fire Station #2:  approximately 1 block behind Home Depot)

Office: 770-222-1160
Fax: 770-222-7131

Administrative Office Hours

Monday-Friday: 8am – 5pm

Closed on county-recognized holidays

“Crime rates have been associated with community deterioration:  disorder, poverty, alienation, disassociation, and fear of crime.  For example, neighborhoods with a high percentage of deserted houses…experience high crime rates; abandoned buildings serve as a ‘magnet for crime.’  Areas in which houses are in poor repair, boarded-up and burned out…are also the location of the highest violence rates and gun crime. 

As neighborhood quality decreases, the probability that residents will develop problems sharply increases.  Crime and violence may also take the form of a ‘slow epidemic,’ with a period, depending on the neighborhood, of onset, peak, and decline.  Violence and crime have been found to spread and then contract in a pattern similar to a contagious disease epidemic.

In neighborhoods where people help one another, residents are less likely to fear crime and be afraid of becoming a crime victim.  In contrast, those living in disorganized neighborhoods suffer social and physical incivilities-rowdy youth, trash and litter, graffiti, abandoned storefronts, burned-out buildings, littered lots, stranger…noise…dirt and stench.”

Quotes taken from Criminology, 9^th Edition, by Larry J. Siegel, ©2006.  Used with permission from Thomson Learning, Inc.

Mission Statement

·        As a law enforcement agency, to fairly and efficiently investigate and enforce those County ordinances applicable to unincorporated Paulding County that fall within the scope of the Marshal Bureau. Such enforcement may be through education, warning, citation or arrest.

·        To regulate the malt beverage, wine, and liquor by the drink licensing for establishments within unincorporated Paulding County.

·        To regulate the vehicle for hire (taxi cab) industry.

·        To assist in portions of the County’s response to disasters and large-scale emergencies.

·        To provide security functions at official meetings involving the Board of Commissioners, or at other official meetings of Paulding County Government at the Board of Commissioners’ instruction.

·        To conduct all background investigations for Department of Public Safety job applicants.

What We Do

Primarily, The Marshal Bureau enforces state criminal laws and local county ordinances- usually those ordinances dealing with business licensing, quality of life issues (junk vehicles, litter, grass) and the regulation of alcohol and vehicle for hire (taxi cab) licensing.

Our Main Operational Objectives

• Answer complaints concerning county ordinance violations
• Serve citations to ordinance violators who fail to correct violations
• Work with other County departments to investigate county ordinance violations and assist them in taking appropriate measures to correct adverse situations

What You Can Do

Become familiar with and comply with the County ordinances listed under Links and Forms, "Common Questions/Problems & Who to Contact for Assistance."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I see the County ordinances?

The County ordinances are available for review and/or purchase by obtaining a certified copy from the County Commissioners’ Office. You can also check and see ordinances at www.municode.com.  We have placed specific code sections of some of the most frequently enforced ordinances in the below Links and Forms, "Common Questions/Problems & Who to Contact for Assistance."  The entire Code of Ordinances can be viewed by clicking on "Code of Ordinances" or the above link.

How do I report a county ordinance violation?

Except in the case of a noise ordinance violation, complaints about violations occurring on public property (such as a public roadway) can be taken via telephone, without the use of a complaint form. All complaints concerning violations that are occurring on private property must be lodged by filling out and signing a complaint form. Since the complaint must be signed by the complainant, complaints concerning violations that are occurring on private property cannot be taken over the telephone. You can, however, call to inquire about specific ordinances and what constitutes an ordinance violation. You can also call to ask for a blank complaint form and one will be mailed, emailed or faxed to you. You can also download the Complaint Form below under the Links and Forms section.  You can then fill out the complaint form and either mail the form to the Marshals or drop the form off at the Marshal’s office during business hours. Because a live signature is required on the complaint form, completed original complaint forms must be mailed to or dropped off at the Marshal’s office and cannot be faxed or emailed to the Marshal’s office.

For more information see the below “How to File a Complaint” under the Links and Forms section.

Why can’t I file a complaint anonymously?

We do not accept anonymous complaints for several reasons:

·        It reduces the instances where people try to anonymously harass (sometimes repeatedly) an ex-friend, neighbor or relative.

·        Having a named complainant helps add validity to the complaint and allows the officers to contact someone if further information is needed on follow up.  It also identifies a third-party witness available for court to testify directly to the judge about the violation(s) they witness and its impact.

·         It allows us to contact the complainant to let them know the progress of the case. Otherwise, weeks may go by and the complainant may believe that nothing is being done, even though the officers have already taken some action.

·        It allows us to contact complainants in instances where no violation(s) are found so that we can explain an ordinance to the complainant and explain why what they thought was a violation was actually not a violation.

Why does a violator usually get time to correct an ordinance violation before a citation is issued?

One of our goals is to ensure compliance with county ordinances. Giving a violator a reasonable amount of time to correct a violation before a citation is given allows the violator sufficient time to correct most violations.  It also demonstrates to a judge, if a citation is issued, that the violator had the ordinance explained to them and was afforded sufficient opportunity to correct the violation- even if they were not initially aware they were violating a county ordinance.  Repeat offenders are typically issued a citation immediately.

What can be done about a noisy neighbor?

Paulding County has a noise ordinance that begins at 10 p.m. and remains in effect until 8:00 a.m. You may review the noise ordinance and how to file a complaint concerning a noise ordinance violation by clicking on “Noise Complaint Packet” under Links and Forms.

Can someone be cited or arrested for County ordinance violations?

All County ordinances are subject to citation and some violations are subject to physical arrest where the violator would have to post a cash bond to be released.

How do I apply for a permit to sell or  serve alcohol at my business?

You can review the county ordinance for both on and off premise sales regarding alcoholic beverages in the below Links and Forms section under Code of Ordinances.  You can also download and complete a Malt Beverage and Wine & Liquor by the Drink application packet.  This packet must be submitted in person to the Marshal's Office.

How do I apply to license and permit my taxi business?

You can review the county ordinance for vehicles for hire in the below Links and Forms section under Code of Ordinances.  You can also download a Vehicle For Hire (Taxi Cab) application packet.  This packet must be submitted in person to the Marshal's Office.

Links and Forms

Code of Ordinances - Paulding County

Common Questions/Problems & Who to Contact for Assistance - (Link Will Soon Be Available)

How to File a Complaint

Complaint Form (Only for violations enforced by Marshal)

Noise Complaint Packet

Malt Beverage and Wine & Liquor by the Drink application packet

Vehicle For Hire (Taxi Cab) application packet

Department of Public Safety Marshal Bureau 770-222-1160 marshal@paulding.gov