George Swanson

Name:
Swanson, George Hadden

Date of Booking:
10/01/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Panhandling

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at approximately 1254 hours, I was dispatched after receiving multiple complaints about a person asking for money at the intersection of MLK Blvd and N Broad St, Rome, GA 30161.

While en route, a Sheriff Deputy in the area advised that the person was George Swanson per the description provided. The complainants had told us that George was actively going from car to car and asking people for money without their express consent. Major Blair, who was in the area, spotted him and warned him not to panhandle, to which he agreed and said he was gonna leave.

I stayed in the area for a few minutes and pulled into the parking lot of Five Points Plaza when I saw George actively approaching the doors of the commercial stores. He walked over to the two gentlemen who were in the parking lot, trying to get into their car, and made contact with them. After George left, I went to talk to them and asked if George had asked them for money. The person agreed to being asked for money and said he was there with his friend to get some lunch, but the restaurant was closed. This incident was recorded through my patrol vehicle.

I made contact with George at the entrance of Take 5 Car Wash (1140 N Broad St, Rome, GA 30161) and told him that he would be placed under arrest. He was handcuffed, checked for a proper fit, and double-locked in the back and searched in person. 3x $1.00 bills were found in his pocket.

He was transported and booked at the Floyd County Jail for the offense of City Ordinance Sec 14-23 Panhandling. While in Jail, George told me that he couldn’t believe he got arrested for the three dollars he received from the people.

[End of Narrative]