DAHLONEGA - The North Georgia College & State University Department of Public Safety has been named the Appalachian Trail Traffic Enforcement Network (ATTEN) Agency of the Year, in recognition of the department's efforts to provide safer Georgia roadways.
"We strive to enforce the mission of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety," said Chief of Police Mike Stapleton. "This level of dedication does more than protect our students and citizens, which is our first priority; it also facilitates information sharing between departments and helps us build stronger relationships with the community."
ATTEN is made up of 23 departments and agencies that hold jurisdiction within the seven north Georgia counties of Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Pickens, Towns, and Union. There are 16 total regional traffic enforcement networks in Georgia, including ATTEN.
The award was presented at the annual "Quad Network" meeting attended by members of the Mountain Area Traffic Enforcement Network, the Northeast Traffic Enforcement Network, the Piedmont Area Traffic Enforcement Network, and ATTEN.
"The award is for this office's overall efforts in supporting ATTEN," Stapleton said. "That includes the numbers and statistics we turn in as well as participation in meetings, road checks, training exercises, and various other events."
Stapleton added that the support of the university's administration has been instrumental in the success of the Department of Public Safety, most notably the efforts of President Bonita Jacobs and Mac McConnell, vice president for business and finance.
"We are also grateful to Officer Diane Kimmel, who spearheaded the efforts," Stapleton said.
In April, North Georgia's Department of Public Safety was awarded the 2011 Agency DUI Hero from MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), and in 2011 received the Above and Beyond Award from the Board of Regents.
Thursday
June 5th, 2025
3:28PM
