VaHi Safety Team Report: May 7, 2013
May 7, 2013
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By: John Wolfinger
Apple Pickings
Thanks to the unfortunate incident involving the CNN newsperson having her cell phone snatched from her hands on Piedmont Avenue in Midtown – this whole nation-wide plague of cell phone snatchings has really driven home the point that it is not prudent for pedestrians to display personal electronics while out in public. Thanks to David Eckoff for finding the following links on this subject: https://www.facebook.com/CarolCNN/posts/559664884078130 http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/cnn-anchor-robbed-piedmont-avenue/nXg3f/ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/09/iphone-thefts-apple-picking-on-the-rise/
This has led Mayor Reed to make the following statements: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/22175531/mayor-vows-to.
This is all well and good, but until ALL citizens choose to not walk and talk and keep their cell phones hidden in their clothing- this is going to be somewhat an exercise in frustration. Crime prevention begins with each of us and our actions.
To give you an idea of the demand for stolen phones, in the time period of 4/7 to 4/20 in just Zone 6 alone there were 9 phones snatched from pedestrians, one taken from the hand of a driver stopped at a red lite, 7 phones taken from bars or stores (including one taken from a child with unwary parents at a sidewalk cafe table), as well as 11 phones taken from vehicle break-ins.
If you know of folks who walk and talk, and subsequently are completely unaware of their surroundings, PLEASE tell them of this danger – regardless of what neighborhood or city they are in. We have had very few of these incidents in VaHi – but not because there is a shortage of phones to be snatched here. Amazingly enough also, there have been no reports lately of such thefts on the BeltLine and this is good.
The Recent Zone 2 Buckhead Area Carjackings
This story at http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/police-investigate-string-carjackings/nXfY5/. Heed the words from Major Hobbs as to what to do if this “bumping” happens to you.
A Suspicious Person In The Neighborhood
There were postings on the neighborhood message boards recently about a w/m who resembles the suspect wanted in a Fayette County rape incident. Read the story and see an artist’s sketch at http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/22081775/authorities-seek-rape-suspect-in-fayette-county. All of the reported sightings have this person on foot. If you see this person, make a 911 call with a detailed description of him including race, hair color, clothing including footwear, and which way he was heading. Also make sure that you reference your concern by citing the Fayette County incident so that the 911 operator will better understand why you are calling. We are a long way from Fayette County, but people can get around.
Yet Another Way To Get Into Your Home
Recently a Morningside home was burglarized when a young w/m knocked on the victim’s front door asking about tree maintenance. When the victim followed the suspect to her backyard, leaving the front door unlocked, an accomplice entered to steal. Be very wary of such strangers at your door wanting to do work – just tell them thru your unopened door you are not interested and to please leave. Do respond to a door knock though, so the thieves will not think the house is unoccupied at the time.
The following reports are gleaned from our APD Zone 6 (http://atlantapd.org/Zone6.aspx) crime stats for the 2013 weeks of 15 and 16 (4/7 to 4/20) for our VaHi Beat 601, along with news from around the Zone as it affects us. Again, I state, these reports are not meant to scare anyone, but to make you aware of what happens around us everyday, and to raise your awareness.
Aggravated Assault – No reported incidents from Beat 601.
Auto Theft – A 1991 Buick Roadmaster was stolen from Barnett Street and later recovered in bad shape on Conley Road, SE. This was the 2nd older vehicle to be stolen from the same victim in less than a year.
Commercial Burglary – No reported incidents from Beat 601.
Residential Burglary – A North Highland Avenue residence was entered on 4/7 via a pried open rear window with jewelry taken.
A Lanier Boulevard home was entered on 4/8 by breaking a window next to a door and then reaching in to open the window – the thief then reached in and took a visible laptop. The victim made a posting on the area message boards stating ” The open laptop with a glowing screen was visible from very far away. So it was pretty bold to break in at such a visible area (this was at 5 a.m.), but the laptop would have been enticing to someone looking for an easy target.” Take heed and move visible electronics away from windows.
Commercial Robbery – No reported incidents from Beat 601.
Residential Robbery – No reported incidents from Beat 601.
Pedestrian Robbery – No reported incidents from Beat 601.
Larceny From Vehicle – Vehicles were entered on Virginia Avenue (2), North Highland Avenue (3), St. Charles Avenue, Lanier Boulevard and Kanuga Street. One of the Virginia Avenue incidents resulted in the arrest of Stan Spradlin and Ben Elder (both career criminals) thanx to a suspicious activity 911 call. Thanx to the person who made this 911 call.
Larceny Other – A UPS package was taken from a Virginia Avenue porch. PLEASE arrange with Intown Hardware, CityStorage or Urban Body (PDL Place) to have your intended packages delivered to their safe address. This is a free neighborhood program and is such an easy way to insure you get the packages you ordered.
A bicycle was stolen from a North Highland Avenue condo building storage room. Real Chow Baby had a six person party walk out without paying – how low!
Our PDL Avenue Publix and Kroger stores caught 2 shoplifters, the Edgewood Target store caught 7 non-paying visitors, and the Publix and Walgreen stores on Piedmont @ North Avenues caught 7 shoplifters.
Our former Zone 6 Community Prosecutor, Paul Arena-Camarillo, has been reassigned to major crimes prosecution, and our former CourtWatch coordinator, Janet Martin, has not been replaced yet – so it is difficult for the time being knowing about when criminal hearings are being held. But, I hope to find out when Spradlin and Elder will have their hearings so we can CourtWatch them.
Remember the Clean Car Campaign and keep ALL parked cars cleaned out at ALL times!!!!!!
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