Crime Report
The following reports are gleaned from our APD Zone 6 (http://www.atlantapd.org/zone6.aspx) crime stats for the 2012 weeks of 28 and 29 (7/8 thru 7/21). Again, I state that these reports are not meant to scare anyone, but to make you aware of what happens around us everyday and to raise your level of awareness and alertness. The emphasis is on our VaHi Beat 601, but with news from around the Zone as it applies to us.
Aggravated Assault – No reported incidents in Beat 601
Auto Theft – One vehicle stolen from Frederica Street
Auto Theft Recovery – No reported recoveries from Beat 601
Residential Burglary – No reported incidents in Beat 601
However there were at least 3 such incidents in the next week not on this report. These were daytime break-ins. Lock ALL doors and windows at your house before going to work in the daytime.
Commercial Burglary – No reported incidents in Beat 601
Residential Robbery – No reported incidents in Beat 601
Commercial Robbery – No reported incidents in Beat 601
However at the SunTrust Bank in East Atlanta on Flat Shoals Avenue a would-be robber gave the teller a note stating “Give me yo money $500” – the teller requested he fill out a withdrawal slip for that amount from his account. The wannabe robber left the bank with a withdrawal slip in his hand. No weapon reportedly shown.
Larceny From Vehicle – OK – here is where we have a BIG problem, not only here but all over Zone 6. Vehicles here were entered on Frederica Street, PDL Avenue, PDL Place, North Highland Avenue (4) and Greenwood Avenue (3). When filing a report for a break-in at the North Highland Avenue parking lot behind the American Roadhouse, Officer Bowser noted that out-of-the-area license plates are being singled out as opposed to local license plates, as these are more likely to have things to steal.
To give you an idea as to how BIG this problem is – in the two weeks of this report Zone 6 investigated 125 such break-ins!!! I would venture to guess that 75% (and probably more) of these incidents could have been prevented if there were no visible items left for stealing from these vehicles. If anyone has a fantastic idea as to how to curb these thefts by making more drivers aware – let me know. Yeah, we could have big signs all over the neighborhood stating that you have to park at your own risk since you are in a high crime area – but there has to be a better way to reach careless and unthinking drivers. The break-in incidents seem to be fewer in the parking lot behind the Post Office since owner Scott Stern let me put up a Clean Car Campaign banner at the back of that lot. Don’t know whether it is just luck or if folks really are reading that banner. These banners are about $100 if anyone else wants one for their off-street parking area – let me know.
Larceny Other – Two bicycles were stolen from a common area at a Greenwood Avenue apartment complex. Bikes need to be HIDDEN when not in use – not just propped up alongside the house. Yeah – your backyard or common area at condo/apartment complexes should be off-limits to unwanted visitors, but that is not the case anymore.
An unwatched purse was taken at a North Highland Avenue bar by another patron – with an arrest made. Another unwatched open-top purse at Noche had the billfold taken out.
Pedestrian Robbery – Two male pedestrians were walking away from Piedmont Park on Park Drive (west of Monroe) at 3 p.m. when another male pedestrian tried to take the backpack from one. A scuffle ensued as the victim fought back and he was cut on the wrist with a broken beer bottle. The perp fled on foot and the victims sought aid from a Monroe Drive resident who administered first aid and then called 911. The victim was taken to Grady for treatment. Thanks to the Monroe Drive resident who took care of these victims.
Nearby in L5P a purse was snatched at 5:30 a.m. in front of the Moreland Avenue Starbucks – the perp escaped in the darkness. An iPad was stolen from a bench-sitter at the Carter Center, and another purse was snatched from a Glen Iris Drive resident as she was walking to her apartment at 6:30 p.m. Two Masquerade patrons were robbed at gunpoint at 11:30 p.m. behind the PDL Avenue Kroger store.