VaHi Safety Team Report: June 16, 2014
The Terrible Road Rage Incident in Piedmont Heights
I would think that by now, most everyone in the metro area is familiar with the road rage incident on Flagler Avenue in Piedmont Heights that has left cyclist Greg Germani in critical condition at Grady Hospital – but it bears repeating. The details are at http://www.decaturish.com/2014/06/apd-releases-video-vehicle-hit-cyclist/. This video came from a Flagler Avenue’s home security camera – thanks to this resident for coming forward with this tell-all tape. Thanks to my friend Susan Kanellos, the Piedmont Heights neighborhood watch chair, for recruiting folks to create a dedicated Crimestoppers reward fund for info as to the red Dodge Nitro and it’s driver. https://fundly.com/reward-fund-for-the-greg-germani-case Yes, these Crimestoppers rewards do serve as a carrot to find folks who will report anonymous info on a crime. www.crimestoppersatlanta.org/OurImpact-24 Someone, somewhere knows about this driver and his vehicle and I hope that the reward fund will bring them to make a report to Crimestoppers.
Upcoming Citizen’s Fire Academy
Details of this wonderfully informative (and eye-opening) training session from AFR is at www.atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=672&recordid=2868. It’s been a while since this program has been offered and as a graduate from a few years ago – this is well worth the time spent to learn about what all is required to be a firefighter. My most memorable moment of this training was when I conquered my fear of heights long enough to climb up to the top of a 150 foot ladder on the back of a fire truck. The night we did this exercise was windy and let me tell you – that ladder sways in the wind!
APD Tackles Our Repeat Offender Problem
This article has some very revealing figures as to how many of our city’s crimes are committed by 481 repeat offenders. www.atlantaintownpaper.com/2014/06/481-atlanta-police-targeting-repeat-offenders/
In Memorium – APD Captain Michael J. Giugliano
Unfortunately, Captain Mike only lived long enough to collect but one of his retirement checks before succumbing to cancer. I got to know him when he was our 2nd in command here in Zone 6 – a great cop and a real gentleman. http://www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=1s000171319166
National Night Out – August 5th
Even though I am not planning a neighborhood-wide event for this police/safety awareness event – if there are individual Street Captains who would like to have smaller events please let me know and I will send you the registration papers. www.natw.org/about/ This evening is a good excuse to have a block party and help to strengthen our community crime awareness spirit.
The following reports are taken from our APD Zone 6 (http://atlantapd.org/Zone6.aspx) VaHi Beat 601 reported incidents for the 2014 weeks 21 and 22 (5/18-5/31). These reports are not meant to scare anyone, but to raise your level of awareness as to what happens around us everyday.
Aggravated Assault: No reported incidents in Beat 601
Auto Theft: Vehicles were taken from Amsterdam Avenue (2007 Chevy Malibu) which was recovered on Elkmont Drive – Virginia Avenue (2003 Chevy Impala) – Greenwood Avenue (1996 Honda Accord).
Commercial Burglary: No reported incidents in Beat 601.
Residential Burglary: No reported incidents in Beat 601.
Commercial Robbery: No reported incidents in Beat 601.
Residential Robbery: No reported incidents in Beat 601.
Pedestrian Robbery: No reported incidents in Beat 601.
Larceny From Vehicle: OK – here is our neighborhood downfall. Lanier Boulevard (backpack, Ipad, laptop), Vance Avenue (Ipad, Iphone, chargers,briefcase), PDL Place (bag, watch), PDL Place (catalytic converter), North Highland Avenue( laptop), Virginia Avenue (duffle bag, clothing,backpack), St. Charles Avenue (owner’s manual), Los Angeles Avenue (gym bag,clothing), Virginia Avenue (gym bag, clothing), Los Angeles Avenue (laptop).
In this time period there were 71 such reported incidents all over Zone 6 with 28 laptops, books, pads, etc taken and three handguns added to the arsenal already on the streets, as well as 2 catalytic converters sawed off. PLEASE – remind your friends and neighbors of the Clean Car Campaign – ALL parked cars to be cleaned out at ALL times. I always feel sorry for those folks who adhere to these rules and still have their car broken into, just because these thieves are here in the neighborhood. These no-theft intrusions still need to be reported via 911 just to let Zone 6 know where the thieves have been.
Larceny Other: A bicycle was taken from a North Highland Avenue garage (not mentioned as to whether the garage door was locked or open). A locked bicycle was taken from Virginia Avenue. An unwatched cell phone was taken from a table at a PDL Avenue restaurant.
Around the Zone in this time period – this one takes the cake! In the Edgewood Retail District parking lot near Best Buy, the suspect agreed to meet the victim to sell him cell phones – the victim gave the suspect $4000 in cash and he ran and (you guessed it) got away!!! Also – at the Edgewood Target store – shoplifters took $3000 worth of “Crest White Strips” in one fell swoop. Why??
Enjoy summer and stay safe. Be sure to let your Street Captain and trusted neighbors know of your vacation plans so they can watch your house. If you are a member of FBAC (www.fbacvahi.com) – be sure to let them know when you are away so your house can be on their walk around checklist. This member service from FBAC is a real comfort when you are away to have a uniformed Officer checking for you.