Month: August 2012

Decatur Police Statement Regarding Child Molestation Incident at Decatur Library

Here’s the official statement from Deputy Police Chief Keith Lee…

On August 30, 2012 at approximately 4:37pm, Decatur Police responded to the Decatur Library and Decatur Marta station due to a fight in progress/child molestation call where a parent and bystanders had tried to detain a child molestation suspect who fled the library to the Decatur Marta station. Library security and several bystanders pursued the suspect to the Decatur Marta Station and guided police officers arriving in the area. Marta Police and Decatur Police pursued the suspect who jumped down into the tracks and continued to flee into the tunnel. Decatur, Marta and Dekalb K9 officers actively searched the tunnel and covered possible exit points until the suspect was located and taken into custody.

Investigation revealed the suspect exposed his genitalia to a male child and then touched the child with his exposed genitalia. The suspect, 19-year-old Johnta Mackenzie Baker, was charged with child molestation and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. Additional charges are pending on behalf of Marta Police. This incident was resolved quickly not only due to the tireless determination and cooperation of officers from three police departments but because of the commendable efforts of a parent, a security officer and concerned citizens.

Now that it has been verified that a child was a victim in this crime, posts related to this incident have been closed to comment.

Emory Point Map Released

Looking to get a sense for the new Emory Point development on Clifton Road that opens this fall?  I found this on the Clairmont Heights Civic Association site this morning.  Thought it might be of interest!

Indecent Exposure Incident at Decatur Library Leads to Lengthy Foot Chase and Arrest

Read the update in this case HERE.

Many folks are asking about police activity around Decatur Square and the Decatur Library yesterday afternoon.

Around 4:30pm yesterday, there was an indecent exposure incident at the Decatur Library, which led to a “lengthy foot chase”, according to Decatur Police.  Eyewitnesses at the library report that some people in library chased the suspect down Sycamore Street, and when they came back empty-handed, reported that the suspect had run into the MARTA station.   According to Deputy Police Chief Keith Lee the suspect is now in custody.

Some have reported that the suspect ran into the MARTA tunnels to escape.  Still trying to confirm/deny that piece of info.  Stay tuned.

Photo of Decatur Police outside MARTA tunnel courtesy of dw

Free-For-All Friday 8/31/12

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.

Comments close on Monday.

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This week’s FFAF is brought to you by Kick in the Fit…

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Do You Have Annexation Questions?

Deanne wrote in with some questions she had about the annexation discussion currently going on inside the walls of city hall and I wondered whether this might be a good opportunity to open up the floor to other outstanding questions you have about the city commission’s current push to evaluate whether Decatur should annex anymore property along its borders.

For now, here are Deanne’s questions…

1) Will the folks in the residential corridors next to the commercial properties have a vote? And do they only have to “win” 1 route to Suburban Plaza to take it?
2) What are City’s reasons for considering [annexing] UMCH [United Methodist Children’s Home]?
I know that two Decatur residents are currently doing a detailed analysis of the financial implications of the different parcels under consideration for annexation, so we’ll soon have that piece.  But for now, what else would you like clarified and/or detailed?
If the city commissioners or staff can’t answer your questions here, I’ll compile them and send them along in an email.

Car Crashes Into Light Pole Outside Dancing Goats

Greg sends in this pic of an accident outside of Dancing Goats early this afternoon.

Bradley reported in…

Car crash at Dancing Goats. Blocked lanes. Fire, police.  Why they need to have a helicopter overhead I don’t know.