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PAGE 16A BARROW NEWS-JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 Barrow Spotlight: Statham Police Meet and Greet ATTENDS POLICE MEET AND GREET Judge Mike Strickland and his wife Mace Strickland attended the Police Meet and Greet at the Statham Community Center Friday evening. VISITS REECE Shown are Jeremy Reece, assistant chief, and Jaryon Simmons, 4, at the Police Meet and Greet. SHAKES HANDS Senator Frank Ginn shook hands with Statham patrol officer Kale Duffle at the Police Meet and Greet Friday. TURNOUT OF SUPPORT More than 50 visitors attended the Police Meet and Greet in Statham. WITH GRANDFATHER Rosalee Johnston, 2, hands a cup to her grandfa ther Allan Johnston at the Police Meet and Greet in Statham Friday. Johnston is Statham’s chief of police. Blood drive planned Sept. 19 The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 12 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, in Hedges Hall at St. Mat thew Catholic Church. The church is located at 25 Wilkins Road SW, Winder. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor key work stmattcc or call 1-800- RED CROSS. A photo identification is required. Everyone donat ing blood or platelets with the American Red Cross during the month of September will receive a free haircut coupon from Sport Clips. RECEIVES GIFTS Jeremy Reece, assistant chief; Kale Duffle, patrol officer; Marc Lofton, patrol officer; and Johny Wood, K9 handler, received gift cards and cups as gifts of appreciation. This event occured one day before Officer Lofton was injured while attempting to make an arrest. See story on page 1A in today’s edition. ALL SMILES Addison Lofton, 8, Julia Maddox, 7, and McKinley Lofton, 6, were all smiles at the Police Meet and Greet at the Statham Community Center Friday. JOHNSTON SPEAKS Allan Johnston, Statham chief of police, addresses the crowd. Citizens able to ‘meet and greet’ Statham officers Photos and Story By Wesleigh Sagon The City of Statham invited its citizens to a “Police Meet and Greet” at the Statham Community Center Friday evening. “This event was to rec ognize and show appre ciation to our local offi cers,” said Tracie Pollard. “Officers have had a lot of bad publicity lately and we want them to know we appreciate them.” Statham’s chief of police, Allan Johnston, said: “It’s a good feeling to meet people on these kind of terms rather than having to meet them at their worst, when they have had a cri sis happen or we have to intervene. We have a lot of interaction with the public when we are out and about at stores and different plac es and it’s nice to be able to sit and talk with area residents. Building rap port with the community is important because without that rapport you don’t get the input that you need a lot of the times when you are looking for something that may solve a crime. It is good for us too, because of the negative atmosphere that has been over the last months, with the officers being targeted. It is tough to get over that because it carries over even when you are off duty.” Johnston added “a lot of people don’t see beyond that wall outside their house and don’t realize that there is actual crime going on in Statham. We always encourage folks to come out and visit with us and see what we do.” 50 Buy one, ■■ AO/ 0 OFF on all gallon! of Royal, 1 ClarktKeniington,* save Valspa^ Aspire' or Valspar* Optimu! 1 ' \nn interior and exterior paint |P * * an emeu at ■ n4| I 1A1I 1 nUvnlfftl 8AM - 5PM . SAVE $10°o Ace Rewards Members INSTANTLY* »tmi« i o art / — 1 Cabot. 1 y i c abot RED HOT BUY Buy one, get one FREE *52M62? , secscw.. ^^Oual Sis 1 0 € STAKLEY SALE *5.99 .$2 Spray Paint ♦ Primer MoMconaitMM i«T7»e# $3S? Stanley* Tools & Accessories 2107472.2170918.23189. 2391753.25426 2116564 UnM 2 each at this price *Sale pricing value Wednesday, August 31 - Monday September 5 The Helpful Hardware 8. lumbar Folks...Shea 1947 itCE Hardware & mMMMCenter 186 W. ATHENS ST. • WINDER, GA. • (770) 867-3925 275 U.S. HWY. 78 • LOGANVILLE, GA • (770) 466-1991 www.hillsace.com Buy Like A Local. 4 Counties, 4 Zip Codes litTBIokzyi Buy Local Braselton Georgia Frame Shop 2095 Hwy 211 • Braselton Only In Braselton BUY LOCAL BE LOCAL