Comments on: Decatur Police Release Updated Advisory on Recent Robberies

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 01:22:13 +0000

I agree with sugarmama. Decatur is such a great city and this ruins it. If people stop walking, scared to be out, etc…this city is going to go down quick, including the schools. I know we need to be aware but I think we need the police to be more present as well, especially at night.

By: glockenspieler

glockenspieler — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:25:30 +0000

I would like everyone to also keep some perspective (I’m not referring to anyone to be clear). We have had a number of incidents but generally speaking, the Decatur area is not under siege, and we should as the poster says, keep calm and carry on.

Clearly this is a good reminder to check those doors, windows and gates, and make sure you lock your car when you head into the store, but we should also continue to happily enjoy the weather and the opportunity to walk around the city, even at night (I walked to Java Monkey quite late the other night to get some coffee, without fear but also without headphones on).

One of the biggest factors in people’s fear of crime turns out not to be crime rate but how publicized individual crimes are. Indeed, in many areas of the country there is growing fear about crime at the same time that the crime rate falls.

Frankly, that cheeseburger and beer that I am about to eat is likely to cause me more harm than the criminals in Decatur. (But to be honest, I’m going to eat it anyway…)

By: smalltowngal

smalltowngal — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:30:11 +0000

By: Iteral, not literal

Iteral, not literal — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:02:24 +0000

As the weather improves, I think we all need to spend MORE time out and about in our neighborhoods. Walking in groups, socializing on street corners, OWNING our little corners of this town. As has been said, there are only so many police, so many places they can be at once.
Turn on and leave on your outside lights, pay attention to what goes on around you and make use of those great front porches. Nosy neighbors are the best form of security!

By: boogaloo

boogaloo — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:10:29 +0000

The ONA is willing to re-institute the OWL (Oakhurst Watch Local Safety) committee once again as a way to aid the DPD. It will take a dedicated volunteer to help organize and recruit but the precedent and model is there. If you are interested in speaking further I would suggest you reach out to the ONA and it can be an agenda topic for next months meeting where there is always DPD representation.