Officer James Weinmann

Torrential rain, winds gusting at an estimated 40 miles per hour and frequent visible lightning did not stop the grand opening and dedication of the East Point Police Department’s newest neighborhood precinct July 22, 2003.

More than 40 East Point police officers joined Mayor Patsy Jo Hilliard, members of the city council, representatives of the Georgia State Patrol and special guests for the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the facility to East Point Police Officer Christopher R. Betts.

Betts, 26, was killed in the line of duty Dec. 22. Another East Point officer, James Weinmann, 27, was severely injured in the incident. Also present at the dedication were Betts widow, Shannon, the couple’s 9 month old son, Trenton James, and Weinmann, who is still undergoing therapy for his injuries.

According to Capt. Patricia Boyce, media spokesperson for the East Point Police Department and manager of its Weed & Seed program, the Camp Creek MarketPlace precinct is the fifth established by the department’s Community Policing division.

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Located around the corner from the MarketPlace’s main outdoor atrium, the state-of-the-art police facility will provide closed-circuit television security throughout the shopping center, including the parking lot and loading areas behind most of the stores.

The precinct will be manned around the clock by a contingent of officers, Ms. Boyce said.