Cornelius Considers Imposing Fine for False Police Calls

Cornelius police are considering a new alarm ordinance after almost 90% of police calls in 2012 have turned out to be false alarms.

Leaders in the town are looking into passing an ordinance that would issue a fine when a location makes a certain number of false alarms, though the fine amount and number of false alarms has yet to be determined.

The ordinance is presented in a effort to maximize efficiency for Cornelius Police, who spend an average of a half-hour per call to respond and determine its authenticity.  False alarms bog down the department and reduce the manpower available for real crimes. Approximately 30 our of this year's 30,000 alarm calls have been legitimate, according to Cornelius Commissioner Chuck Travis.

By freeing up the force from false alarms, it increases chances of success during a real alarm, which Cornelius police are trying to improve with the town's recent wave of break-ins.

Also in an effort increase efficiency, Cornelius has budgeted for license plate scanners to be installed in patrol cars and several traffic cameras to be installed in town. The traffic camera will have the ability to search for a suspect when needed and the license plate scanners allow police to increase productivity by drastically reducing the amount of time it takes to read a license plate.

Massage Therapist Arrested for Sexual Battery

Joe Martin

A massage therapist from Mooresville, NC is charged with sexual battery after a woman told police Joe Neal Martin, 61, touched her inappropriately during a recent visit to a Cornelius alternative care center.

Cornelius police said Martin is a massage therapist at the Center for Holistic Care which offers natural medicine and alternative treatment programs for various conditions.

A woman reported to police that Martin had inappropriately touched her during a recent visit, said police, who arrested Martin at the Center for Holistic Care.

Joe Martin is in the Mecklenburg jail on a $600 bond. Anyone with information about this incident or any others is asked to call Cornelius Police Department at 704-892-7773.