Poulan, Georgia

Poulan
City
Poulan City Hall and Police Station
Poulan City Hall and Police Station
Location in Worth County and the state of Georgia
Location in Worth County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 31°30′49″N 83°47′28″W / 31.51361°N 83.79111°W / 31.51361; -83.79111
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyWorth
Area
[1]
 • Total
1.67 sq mi (4.33 km2)
 • Land1.67 sq mi (4.33 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
381 ft (116 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
760
 • Density454.2/sq mi (175.36/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
31781
Area code229
FIPS code13-62496[2]
GNIS feature ID0321100[3]
Websitewww.cityofpoulan.com

Poulan is a city in Worth County, Georgia, United States. The population was 709 in 2026[4]. Poulan is part of the Albany, Georgia metropolitan area.

Poulan is notable for its police department's speed trap tactics from 2006 to 2024,and reported criminal activity[5][6][7][8][9] by city and police leadership.

History

The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Poulan as a town in 1889.[10] The city was named for Judge W. A. Poulan.[11] The remnants of what was once a bank and pharmacy are still standing on Broad Street.[12] Poulan is also home to the only two historical registered properties in Worth County; the Poulan Library and Possum Poke.[12] Poulan was settled in 1877 along the Brunswick and Albany railroad.[12]

Controversy

Library, on the National Register of Historic Places

In December 2007, then Police Chief Angie Schlosser, was fired from the Poulan Police Department after the city claimed she had performed an illegal background investigation into a city council member.[13] Schlosser was never charged with a crime, and no outside investigation was conducted.[14]

In September 2012, then Poulan Mayor, Dustin Grubbs, was arrested in Dougherty County and charged with felony possession of various narcotic prescription pills including oxycodone, oxycontin, and two different mixtures of Vicodin in different dosages[15]. Grubbs remained the Mayor of Poulan until his death in October 2020.[16]

In August 2017, Rosemary Jones, a police officer employed by Poulan Police, was arrested and charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with two counts of felony cruelty to children in the first degree, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count of felony false imprisonment.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23] She was retained by the Poulan Police Department, and promoted to Major[24].

In April 2022, officers reported their own findings of corruption by the Police Chief, Larry Whisenant, including theft, firearms violations, and falsified reports to both the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Tift Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office. Both officers were terminated after they reported their evidence and investigation[8][9].

The Poulan Police Department has been featured in numerous articles by investigative journalists, most notably for its speed trap tactics and criminal activity since 2009. In 2009, Poulan's small police force generated nearly $900,000 from fines and fees, a number comparable to a city 30 times its size and due to the charges and fees being more than most cities. The per capita revenue from fines and fees is $1,019.15.[25].[26][27][28] Larry Whisenant, the current Poulan Police Chief has never been investigated or prosecuted, despite multiple former officers and investigative journalists detailing incidents of criminal activity. The City of Poulan posted a photo on their website showcasing the relationship that Larry Whisenant has with the Georgia Governor's Office, specifically GA Governor Brian Kemp.[24]

Speed trap

The city attorney; former Albany, Georgia mayor Tommy Coleman[29] has repeatedly defended the enforcement tactics, as well as the Worth County Sheriff and Warwick Police Departments[30]. Worth County officials (including a member of the County Commission) and City of Poulan officials, admitted that Poulan required the revenue from speed related citations because their tax base was so small[31].

Between 2008 and 2012, Poulan is estimated to have received $1,676,402.80 (a per-capita amount of $2,012.49) from their Police Department's tactics inside the Poulan city limits on U.S. Route 82 (GA State Route 520).[32] Residents of Poulan have publicly voiced their concern over their police department's tactics multiple times with department leadership specifically denying quotas for summons and citations for traffic related offenses.[33][34][24][35][36][37].

COVID-19

During the COVID-19 epidemic, Worth County Sheriff Don Whitaker deputized members of the Poulan Police Department so that county ordinances specifically related to COVID-19 regulations could be enforced by Poulan Police Officers inside the city limits of Poulan, GA.[38]

Geography

Poulan is located at 31°30′49″N 83°47′28″W / 31.51361°N 83.79111°W / 31.51361; -83.79111 (31.513739, -83.791041).[39] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.3 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900474—
191065237.6%
1920586−10.1%
19306114.3%
19406709.7%
195075011.9%
1960736−1.9%
19707664.1%
19808186.8%
199096217.6%
2000946−1.7%
2010851−10.0%
2020760−10.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[40]
1850-1870[41] 1870-1880[42]
1890-1910[43] 1920-1930[44]
1940[45] 1950[46] 1960[47]
1970[48] 1980[49] 1990[50]
2000[51] 2010[52]

As of the census[39] of 2000, there were 946 people, 365 households, and 273 families residing in the city. By 2020, its population declined to 760. By 2026, is population declined to 709[4].

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ "Poulan". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  4. ^ a b "Poulan, Georgia Population 2026". World Population Review. 2026-03-25. Retrieved 2026-03-30.
  5. ^ Simmons, Andria (2014-10-22). "Some rural Georgia towns policing for profit". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on 2020-01-13. Retrieved 13 January 2020. Take the example of Poulan (pronounced PO-lan), where officials claim to have seen the error of their ways. The town of 833 took in $1.67 million in ticket revenue between 2008 and 2012, but the income has fallen steadily since then....In the case of Poulan, GDOT raised the limit after receiving numerous complaints about it being a speed trap, Dale said.
  6. ^ "'Speed Trap' sign stirs up Poulan area". walb.com. 2014-08-05. Archived from the original on 2020-01-13.
  7. ^ Smith, Romney (17 July 2013). "FOX 31 investigates: Are there speed traps in Poulan?". WFXL. Archived from the original on 2020-01-13. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  8. ^ a b Pierrotti, Andy (October 9, 2024). "Pressured to write tickets | Former officers speak out". www.atlantanewsfirst.com. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  9. ^ a b Masters, John. Blue Line Rogue:Corruption in Georgia. Double Duck Productions, 2024 (1st Edition), 2025 (2nd and 3rd Editions).
  10. ^ Acts Passed by the General Assembly of Georgia. J. Johnston. 1899. p. 265.
  11. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 180. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
  12. ^ a b c "City of Poulan". City of Poulan. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  13. ^ "Poulan police chief fired". www.walb.com. December 12, 2007. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  14. ^ "Poulan police chief fired". www.walb.com. 2007-12-07. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  15. ^ Wallace, Jim (2012-09-07). "Poulan Mayor arrested on drug charges". walb.com. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  16. ^ "Poulan mayor dies". walb.com. 2020-10-12. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  17. ^ "GBI Arrests Couple on Child Abuse Charges in Worth County". gbi.georgia.gov. Archived from the original on October 31, 2017. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  18. ^ Miller, Dave (2017-08-22). "Police officer couple arrested for child abuse". walb.com. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  19. ^ undefined. "South Georgia couple, both police officers, charged with child abuse". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  20. ^ "Married police officers arrested for abusing adopted children". Crime Online. 2017-08-23. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  21. ^ "Police officer couple arrested for mistreating adopted kids". N.Y. Post. 2017-08-22. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  22. ^ "Police officers charged with mistreating their children". Washington Times. August 24, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  23. ^ "Couple who are both police accused of mistreating children". AP News. Associated Press. 2017-08-22. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  24. ^ a b c "Poulan Police Department". City of Poulan. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  25. ^ "Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Office of Research: 2009 Municipal Revenues from Fines, Forfeitures and Court Fees as a Percentage of Own Source Revenues" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  26. ^ Worsley, Jamie (2023-12-28). "WALB Investigates two towns some refer to as 'speed traps'". walb.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  27. ^ "Some rural Georgia towns policing for profit". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  28. ^ Pierrotti, Andy (2024-07-22). "Nearly 73% of this city's budget comes from traffic tickets". atlantanewsfirst.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  29. ^ Staff reports (2021-07-22). "Tommy, Flin Coleman join Atlanta-based Drew Eckl & Farnham law firm". Albany Herald. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  30. ^ Smith, Romney (2013-07-17). "FOX 31 investigates: Are there speed traps in Poulan?". WFXL. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  31. ^ Worsley, Jamie (2024-07-25). "Warwick city attorney says, 'People aren't going to believe this'". www.walb.com. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  32. ^ "Database: Georgia's biggest ticket traps". ajc. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  33. ^ "'Speed Trap' sign stirs up Poulan area". walb.com. 2014-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  34. ^ "'Speed Trap' sign may return to Poulan". walb.com. 2014-08-16. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  35. ^ Valenzuela, Aaryn (2015-02-12). "Poulan man's speed trap sign stolen". walb.com. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  36. ^ Worsley, Jamie (2023-12-28). "WALB Investigates two towns some refer to as 'speed traps'". walb.com. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  37. ^ "2018 Georgia Code :: Title 40 - Motor Vehicles and Traffic :: Chapter 14 - Use of Speed Detection Devices and Red Light Cameras :: Article 2 - Speed Detection Devices :: § 40-14-11. Investigations by commissioner of public safety; issuance of order suspending or revoking permit; ratio of speeding fines to agency's budget". Justia Law. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  38. ^ "Covid-19 Resource - Worth County, GA". worthga.com. March 25, 2020. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  39. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  40. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  41. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1870.
  42. ^ "1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  43. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  44. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930. pp. 251–256.
  45. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  46. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  47. ^ "1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1960.
  48. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1970.
  49. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  50. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1990.
  51. ^ "2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  52. ^ "2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2010.
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