Unlocked Cars Targeted in Winnona Park
Decatur Metro | September 2, 2009DecaturWineandFoodDude sent in this note posted recently on the Winnona Park list serv…
Three car break-ins over the last week (two last night across from the school on Poplar) in Winnona Park. Cars were unlocked (judgment reserved), but still worthy to note. Nothing major taken, but appears to be some late night activity going on.
Hi, folks–
My car was one of the ones rifled through on Mon night/Tues morning. I intentionally leave it unlocked with nothing of value inside, going on the theory that if someone wants to see all the non-valuable things I have in my ancient Subaru, I’d rather they just open the door instead of busting out a window (that has happened to me, too, and I find the first option preferable). Taken from my car was 1) one of those “play-your-ipod-thru-the radio” gadgets (my bad–shouldn’t have been in there); 2) a handful of nickels and dimes; and 3) a half a can of cashews.
My feelings were a little bit hurt that they didn’t seem to care for my taste in music at all, but all the CDs in my car are dupes. And I had to laugh when I discovered that when they were done going through my stuff, they locked the car for me.
There were not two but three cars gone through on my street, and we all pretty much had the same experience. And the pattern is the same as what happened last week on Winnona Drive.
Decatur PD were great to work with. They came right over and took the time to lift a partial fingerprint from my car window in hopes that it might help find whoever’s been doing this.
Trading some nuts n’ crap for an unshattered (sha-dooby) window – very evolved, urbane thinking.
Rousting a homeless car from your car will only add to the satisfaction of doing the right thing – helping the homeless and cutting down on crime by just keeping your car unlocked.
That is a great strategy actually. I did the same before moving into Decatur when I lived in Candler Park. I had a Mustang GT convertible, and I didn’t wan them cutting through the convertible top. I left nothing of value, and the radio was barely hanging in the bracket and was of no worth.
It got rifled through several times. Kind of creepy, but no damage done. Interestingly enough no one tried to steal it though. There was never any evidence of trying to pop the ignition, although it wouldn’t have done any good because I had a hidden kill switch.
I think it was the squirrels getting back at you for you squirrel proof garden net.
I suggested to the officers that the real criminals in this scenario were Winnona Park’s notorious produce-stealing squirrels, but for some reason they didn’t seem as enthusiastic about that investigation. Guess I’m on my own!
wow they attempted prints! Atlanta PD wouldn’t even attempt prints when we had a home break-in. So glad I moved to Decatur!
Yes, hear, hear for Decatur PD. When my car window was smashed near Piedmont Park a couple of years ago, Atlanta PD didn’t even look for prints. They said they have about 5 or 6 of those types of break-ins a night and don’t ever catch anyone.
All Atlanta PD will do is give you a case number, usually over the phone, so you can file an insurance claim.
Yeah, and if you have a fender-bender in a parking lot (i.e., not on “public” property), they won’t generally even bother to do that. I got backed into at Highland Walk, and when my insurance company found out where it had happened (I was explaining why I didn’t have a case number), they told me I shouldn’t have even bothered calling APD. It’s pretty bad if even the insurance companies know a particular police department won’t respond to certain types of incidents.
I’ve never found Dekalb PD to be remotely responsive, either. Just be sure you’re not 5 inches outside the Decatur city limit when your car gets broken into.
But Decatur taxes are so high !!
Here’s a bit of just really, really impressive follow up. A short while ago I received a call from Sgt. Ross at the Decatur PD. The partial print they got is usable, and she wants me to come in and give them my fingerprints to eliminate the possibility that the print they got is mine before they go to the GBI database.
I can’t say enough how much I appreciate the effort they are making on this.
I’d also like to reiterate something Sgt Ross said, which is even if it’s a very minor thing like what we experienced, it’s important to report it to the police. It helps them know what they’re dealing with and hopefully stop it from happening.
Good advice from Sgt Ross. No matter how small an incident appears to be, it may be a part in a much bigger puzzle. Take advantage of the responsiveness and professionalism of the Decatur PD.
Sounds like solid police work on Decatur PD’s part, but you’d better hope they don’t send the prints to GBI. Then you’ll be dealing with incompetent techs matching your prints to prints on the other cars and getting you jammed up for all the break-ins.
I’m only half joking about this…
Apparently, another car was rifled through last night on Mimosa. Owner thinks the car was locked.
Nothing major taken. Report being filed.