#CrimePrevention | AM 1180 Radio

July 30, 2026

Summerville Man Reports Losing More Than $10,000 In Vacation Rental Scam

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #CrimePrevention, #northwestgeorgia, #ScamAlert, #summervillega, #SummervillePoliceDepartment, #VacationRentalScam, #VRBO, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

A Summerville man reported losing more than $10,000 after falling victim to an apparent vacation rental scam, according to the Summerville Police Department.

Police say 48-year-old Brian Dover reported on July 27 that he and his wife had been communicating with someone claiming to be the owner of a vacation rental property listed on VRBO.

According to the incident report, Dover said he made an initial payment of $10,000, followed by another $500 transfer for the rental. He then traveled to Panama City Beach, Florida, to stay at the property, where he discovered the transaction was fraudulent.

The incident occurred at Dover’s residence on Back Penn Road in Summerville. The case remains under investigation by the Summerville Police Department.

Authorities remind residents to use caution when booking vacation rentals online. Travelers should verify property listings through legitimate rental platforms, avoid sending money outside of official payment systems, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

July 24, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Launches New PSA Encouraging Public To Report Human Trafficking

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #CrimePrevention, #GRACECommission, #HumanTrafficking, #MartyKemp, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #SeeSomethingSendSomething, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, GBI, georgia 0

Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp and Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey have released a new public service announcement encouraging Georgians to help combat human trafficking by using the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

April 3, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Lawmakers Pass Animal Cruelty Database Bill

Local News, Local News Items #AnimalCruelty, #AnimalProtection, #AnimalWelfare, #CrimePrevention, #georgianews, #Legislation, #PetSafety, #PublicSafety, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Georgia lawmakers have approved legislation that would create a statewide animal cruelty database aimed at protecting pets and preventing repeat abuse.

The bill, known as Senate Bill 587, requires the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia to build and maintain a publicly searchable registry of individuals convicted of certain animal cruelty offenses.

Under the proposal, courts would be required to submit conviction and sentencing information, and the database would be updated regularly and available to the public at no cost.

Supporters say the registry will help animal shelters, rescue groups, and even private citizens screen potential pet adopters and avoid placing animals in dangerous situations.

The measure passed both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly and now heads to the governor’s desk, where it could soon become law if signed.

March 14, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Sheriff Schrader Joins National Warning About “764” Threat Targeting Children Online

Local News, Local News Items #764, #Chattooga, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountySheriffsOffice, #ChildExploitationAwareness, #ChildSafety, #CommunityAlert, #CrimePrevention, #CyberSafety, #DigitalSafety, #ExtremistGroup, #FamilySafety, #GamingSafety, #InternetSafety, #LawEnforcement, #MarkSchrader, #OnlineSafety, #OnlineThreats, #ParentAlert, #ParentWarning, #ProtectChildren, #ProtectKidsOnline, #PublicSafety, #SextortionAwareness, #SheriffMarkSchrader, #SheriffsOffice, #SocialMediaSafety, #wzqznews, #YouthSafety 0

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is joining law enforcement agencies across the country in warning parents about a violent online extremist network known as “764,” which authorities say targets minors through social media, gaming platforms, and private chat features.

February 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Walker County Residents Warned About Jury Duty Phone Scam

Local News, Local News Items #CommunityAlert, #ConsumerProtection, #CourtScam, #CrimePrevention, #FraudAlert, #georgianews, #ImpersonationScam, #JuryDutyScam, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PhoneScam, #PublicSafety, #ScamAlert, #StaySafe, #WalkerCounty, #WalkerCountyGA, #wzqznews 0

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Residents in Walker County are being warned about a phone scam involving callers who falsely claim someone has missed a court date or failed to report for jury duty.