Officers respond to a high number of fireworks calls

Over the July 4th weekend, Dothan Police officers responded to a high number of calls involving fireworks. Nearly 1 in 12 calls for service involved fireworks.

Many of these reports involved persons launching fireworks with intent to damage property or in a manner meant to injure persons.

Officers investigating fireworks complaints were targets of firework mortars intentionally fired at officers and their vehicles clearly intending to injure officers or damage their vehicles.

Use of fireworks inside of the city limits is both dangerous and illegal.

The video below contains a sample of calls and activity that officers faced over the weekend.

Results of Operation “Clean Sweep”

Over the last several months, the Dothan Police Department had responded to numerous shots fired calls, individuals who were shot, and homicides.  The problem with gun violence in certain areas of the City of Dothan was so bad it demanded action.

Between September 17 through September 19, the Dothan Police Department tasked a special group of officers and investigators as well as Federal and State partners with a focused, sectored patrol in order to combat the use of guns to commit acts of violence.  For three days, the officers focused their attention on areas that, by the crime data, were high crime areas for gun violence.  The US Marshal’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force went to apprehend violent offenders who had not been caught for crimes involving gun violence to include one subject arrested for Capital Murder.

In three days of sectored patrol, Officers with the detail arrested 73 individuals for 103 different crimes.  These crimes ranged from Possession of Marijuana to Capital Murder.  Along with individuals arrested, officers seized 31 guns.

Emergency health rules have force of law

The Dothan Police Department’s Patrol Division has responded to a number of party complaints over the weekend which violate the rules regarding gatherings promulgated by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) in the past week.

All non-work-related gatherings of 25 or more persons, or non-work-related gatherings of any size that cannot maintain a consistent six-foot distance between persons, are prohibited.
State Health Officer Order as Amended

These responses not only divert resources from our regular duties, but they put both the participants of the gatherings and the law enforcement officers and their families at risk of contracting coronavirus via a completely preventable route of infection.

We want to remind everyone that our community is under orders from the ADPH to refrain from participating in non-work related gatherings of 25 or more people in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

These rules have the effect of state law under Title 22-2-14 of the Code of Alabama 1975. The Dothan Police Department will enforce these rules as they are promulgated by ADPH.

Any person who knowingly violates or fails or refuses to obey or comply with any rule or regulation adopted and promulgated by the State Board of Health of this state shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than $25.00 nor more than $500.00 and, if the violation or failure or refusal to obey or comply with such rule or regulation is a continuing one, each day’s violation, or failure or refusal shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punished accordingly.
§ 22-2-14 Code of Alabama, 1975

Your cooperation is appreciated in this matter.

Dothan Police Officer Dragged By An Impaired Driver

On the evening of March 5, 2020, the Dothan Police Department received multiple calls reporting a possible impaired driver traveling on Ross Clark Circle dragging the rear bumper with no headlights on.  An officer made contact with the vehicle and driver in a parking lot in the 2600 block of Ross Clark Circle.  The officer observed the driver passed out in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.  The officer woke the driver up and obtained her identification.  She was identified as 37 year old female, Jennifer Linsey Viveiros.  When the officer obtained the identification, Viveiros attempted to leave the parking lot by starting the vehicle and putting it in drive.  The officer attempted to stop her by trying to take the key from the vehicle and putting it into park.  During this time, Viveiros was able to get the vehicle in drive and accelerated forward dragging the officer and almost striking other vehicles in the parking lot.  Viveiros then put the vehicle in reverse and drug the officer backwards before putting the vehicle in drive and accelerating forward a second time, still dragging the officer.  Viveiros then struck a buggy corral in the parking lot, ejecting the officer from the vehicle.

Viveiros got back on Ross Clark Circle and continued to travel south, sill with no headlights on.  A concerned citizen who witnessed this incident followed Viveiros’ vehicle and continued to update the communication center on her location until  other officers were able to get Viveiros stopped in the 2200 block of Ross Clark Circle.  Viveiros then refused to get out of her vehicle again.  A K9 was utilized to apprehend Viveiros and she was taken into custody.  Viveiros and the officer were both taken to Southeast Health.  Viveiros was treated for a K9 bite and evaluated for impairment.  The officer was treated for minor injuries and released.

Viveiros was charged with one count of assault second degree with more charges pending as the investigation continues. Her bond for the assault second degree is $15,000.00.

All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Updated on 3/6/2020 at 7:33 am — an earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the location of the incident as the 2900 block of Ross Clark Cir it should be the 2600 block.

Two Dothan Police Officers Bitten During Arrest

The Dothan Police were dispatched to 1300 blk of West Main for a disorderly/trespassing call. Once officers arrived, they began to struggle with Steven Lawrence (38) of Dothan. During the struggle, two Dothan Police Officers were bitten  and assaulted while trying  to take Lawrence into custody. Both officers received treatment and were released from  South East Health. Lawrence will be charged with 2 counts of Assault 2nd  and will be held on no bond.

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Car Burglary Streak Ended with Capture

The Dothan Police made an arrest last night of a Dothan man Lasharie Roberts (30)  and charged him with 3 counts of Unlawful Breaking and Entering  of Motor Vehicle. Roberts is also a suspect in several more in the Westgate Park area   and more charges  are to follow. He is being held on a $30,000 bond.

All persons are innocent until proven guilty  in a court law.

Dothan Police Assaulted

Two Dothan Police Officers were assaulted last night while performing a traffic stop in the 2100 blk of Montgomery Hwy. The driver attempted to throw narcotics in the back seat of his car. As officers tried to place Brandon Rashawn McGhee in handcuffs he began to fight and throw punches at both officers. Both officers received minor injuries and Brandon McGee fled the scene on foot.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Brandon McGhee please call the Dothan Police at (334) 615-3000.

Easy Like Sunday Morning!

This morning, a little after 8:30 a.m. an alert DPD patrolman performed a traffic stop in the 800 block of Chickasaw Street. The driver led officers to a backyard where another person was found sitting in a parked car. Additional officers arrived and conducted an investigation which led to the discovery of an assortment of illegal drugs.

The original driver had a warrant for his arrest and the second subject was found in possession of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Crack-Cocaine, Marijuana packaged for sale, and an assortment of pills. He was charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree, and Unlawful Possession of four other Controlled Substances.

Local deaf community recognizes officer

On Saturday, September 28, 2019, members of our local deaf community presented our own Lieutenant Rachel David with an appreciation award. The presentation was made at the Deaf Awareness Picnic held at Eastgate Park in conjunction with Deaf Awareness Month. The event was attended by approximately 100 people.

Ms. Gwen, a member of Dothan’s deaf community, cited Lt. David’s passionate involvement in helping bridge communication barriers faced by the deaf when dealing with law enforcement. Lt. David’s commitment in attending American Sign Language classes offered at the Dothan, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) was recognized.

Ms. Gwen pointed out that Lt. David regularly helps members of the deaf community even when she is off duty.

Found property

The chest in this photograph was located on Ross Clark Circle by patrol. It contains photographs and family documents we believe are sentimental to someone. If you recognize this chest please come to the front desk of the Dothan Police Department Monday through Friday to claim. You will need to be able to identify the names on documents contained within as proof of rightful ownership. Thanks for sharing.

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