Chief Booker writes to DM and the community-at-large…

I am writing to our community today to share with you information in regards to our investigation into the carjacking/robbery that occurred on July 28, 2009. I wrote in my initial comment to the blog a few weeks ago that I hoped to be able to report the apprehension of the two individuals that were responsible. Your police department’s criminal investigations division has been working diligently in attempts to determine who committed this crime and I am proud to report the following:

The Decatur Police Department announces the arrest of one suspect in the recent carjacking incident on Adams Street. On Tuesday, August 19, 2009 members of the Decatur Police Department Criminal Investigation Division arrested 20 year old Kevias Jackson. Jackson was charged with Hijacking of a Motor Vehicle. An arrest warrant was obtained for a second individual, 18 year old Sharrod Willis. Both Willis and Jackson are residents of unincorporated DeKalb County. We are actively attempting to locate the second individual as we speak.

Like I reported before, our department at all levels takes crimes of this nature very seriously and I have to say that I am proud of the work the investigators have put forth to make this happen. It was just good old fashioned police work. Carjackings are very difficult to solve but our investigators helped to clear this case in a relatively short time.

Thanks for allowing me to post.

Chief Booker

Decatur Police Department

Nancy wrote in last night…

Today, August 18, my grandsons and I were in Scott Park behind the Rec center around noon when a young man was running through the play area apparently from the Police as a squad car streaked through the library driveway in pursuit. One of the nannies at the playground said he had a gun.  All parents and nannies made a run for the children’s reading room of the library. Word spread soon after that the man running had climbed into a treehouse on the property behind the playground and was apprehended by the DP.

She later followed up with this…

I called the police, but the person answering the phone could not tell me if the perp had a gun.

I’ve been trying to get confirmation of this by DPD, but have yet to hear back.  Will certainly let you know when I do.

UPDATE: Decatur PD has now confirmed that the suspect DID NOT have a gun.

The Chicago Tribune is the latest news agency to pick up Sugarland story.  Apparently Decatur CD has touched a nerve that stretches far beyond the city limits.

How much farther can it go?

I’m hoping it’ll escalate to the point were Wal-Mart feels compelled to say something.  I’m drooling with anticipation for a Decatur vs. Wal-Mart death-match.

Fred writes in…

I wanted to let you know that my campaign web site is now live. www.fredboykin.com Still have one or two final tweaks but you’re welcome to visit it and let the Decatur Metro readers know too.

I’m in Portland, OR for the rest of the week at the national Safe Routes to School conference. Decatur is doing a presentation on our Safe Routes program and there are 3 of us doing the presentation – Greg White, Asst. Director, Decatur Active Living Division, Oakhurst Elementary parent volunteer Beth Thompson, and myself.  Looking forward to it.

At the site you can read Fred’s bio, meet his campaign team, learn who has already endorsed him, make a donation, and find out how to volunteer.  Fred has also started a blog and in his first post gives an overview of his key issues and concerns for the city in the coming years.

Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight the great Fred Boykin cartoon character!  I can only imagine the bicycling-related hi-jinks he’ll be getting into!

Bo writes in…

Just happened. Two cars totalled, airbags deployed, looks like everyone’s ok though. Happened down at the “big bend” near the cemetery entrance. They need speed traps or something down there before someone else dies.

How fast do you normally drive along Commerce?

This alternate route around downtown with it’s shamelessly cliche name has become a traffic nightmare and a physical barrier for downtown.  The faster the city can make it one lane, instead of two, the better.  A narrowing might even make the Kroger more attractive to pedestrians….that is if the Kroger were attractive to anyone.