The City of Dalton and the Dalton Police Department are not affiliated with an organization that is sending letters to Dalton residents and soliciting donations. The letters, which have the message "Dalton City Council Members need to hear from you" printed on the front of the envelope window, are asking for money in exchange for having names placed on a petition to the mayor and vouncil related to policing.
The letters, which are printed and formatted in a manner that appears to be official, are being received by registered voters in Dalton this week. They are apparently being mailed out by an organization called the "National Police Association" from Stafford, Tx. The four-page letter suggests that Dalton is considering "defunding" local police and says the organization is "raising the alarm against abolishing quality of life policing in Dalton.” The letter then asks for recipients to return an attached form to have their name added to a petition and to include donations to the "National Police Association." The letter suggests that the donations will be used for pro-police media campaigns, but a statement at the end of the letter says that donations will also be used for "fundraising expenses" and "administrative costs" of the organization.
The City of Dalton is not considering any policy of "defunding" or eliminating the Dalton Police Department. It is also not necessary to pay money in order to have your name added to a petition sent to local governments. The "National Police Association" is not affiliated in any way with the City of Dalton and is not contacting residents on the City's behalf. The City of Dalton has never received a petition from this organization.
Anyone who wishes to be heard by the Dalton mayor and council is welcome to speak during public commentary at council meetings on the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., free of charge.