VaHi Safety Team Report: January 27, 2015
APD Crime Story
Interesting story about the changes in crime incidents here in the city over the past few years at http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2014/jan/10/atlanta-police-foundation/police-foundation-target/. I have heard many APD police folks state over the years though that a reduction in crime incidents is not of importance to someone who has just been the victim of a crime. Yes, we still have crime, as we are a big city in the middle of a very big metro area. But the lower rates help to show that APD is seeing success in using modern and innovative crime fighting techniques such as the video integration center that monitors over 3,400 public and private cameras city-wide, predictive policing software to point out hot spots for extra patrols, alarm registry to cut down on false alarm calls (have you registered your alarm system at www.crywolf.us/atlantaga?), and Google mapping for quicker response time (http://googleforwork.blogspot.com/2014/05/atlanta-police-department-makes-city.html).
Deceptive Sales Techniques for Home Alarm Systems
This video comes courtesy of an alarm system company (ADT), and I am not advocating this particular firm at all – but wanted you to see how some alarm companies try to sell their systems and services. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmwSjoufBrk.
The following reports are taken from our APD Zone 6 (http://atlantapd.org/Zone6.aspx) VaHi Beat 601 reported incidents for the 2015 weeks 2 and 3 (1/4-1/17). These reports are not meant to scare anyone, but to let you know what happens around us everyday – so you can be alert and aware.
Aggravated Assault: No reported incidents from Beat 601.
Auto Theft: In the parking lot of the Briarcliff Summit – there were attempts to steal a 1998 Dodge Caravan and a 2008 Chrysler. A witness saw 5 young males at these cars and they fled on foot west on PDL Avenue. Both cars were damaged though.
Commercial Burglary: No reported incidents from Beat 601.
Residential Burglary: No reported incidents from Beat 601.
Commercial Robbery: No reported incidents from Beat 601.
Residential Robbery: No reported incidents from Beat 601.
Pedestrian Robbery: No reported incidents from Beat 601. However, at the Edgewood Retail District on 1/11 there was yet another car-jacking with the victim reporting that a male appeared and pointed a pistol at her stating “give me the keys and your money”, she wisely gave him the keys and he took off with her car and her purse that was in the car.
Larceny From Vehicle: Vehicles were entered on Cooledge Ave. (GPS), PDL Avenue (book bag, pistol, laptop,I-Pod and purse), PDL Avenue (bag and contents), PDL Avenue (car battery from front seat), PDL Avenue (2 backpacks, I-Pad, computer bag,and a wifi device), Amsterdam Avenue (backpack, I-Pad, laptop,kindle and clothing), Los Angeles Avenue (book bag), Briarcliff Tr. (license plate), PDL Avenue (I-Pad, clothing, flashlight, pistol and radio speaker), PDL Place (spare tire and license plate decal).
Zone-wide for this time period there were 74 reported such incidents with 4 more hand weapons added to the arsenal on the streets. Also – of note, there were 5 catalytic converters sawed off. If you have a vehicle built high off the ground – be careful where you park, as you are a candidate for catalytic converter theft.
Larceny Other: An unidentified North Highland Ave. store reported $955 in deposits missing. An entire a/c unit was taken from a Drewry Street residence. A cell phone was taken from an unwatched purse at the Drunken Unicorn club on PDL Avenue. At the Druid Hills Presbyterian Church 14 checks totaling $7100 were taken from a mailbox – 3 of these checks were cashed to unknown persons.
Stay alert and remember the Clean Car Campaign that states that ALL parked cars are to be cleaned out at ALL times.