Decatur City Commission Addresses Recent Increase in Crime Occurring in Decatur and Throughout Atlanta
Decatur Metro | July 3, 2013The City just sent out this statement…
The City of Decatur Police Department is in the process of investigating a series of 13 day time burglaries that occurred from May 30 – June 26 that appear to be related. The majority of the burglaries occurred in and around S. Candler Street including parts of the Oakhurst and Winnona Park neighborhoods. The burglaries seem to be related to a significantly higher number of similar incidents in DeKalb County and the City of Atlanta. All three jurisdictions are working on a coordinated approach and together have made one arrest, detained five juvenile perpetrators, recovered a stolen vehicle, and recovered stolen property.
The Decatur Police Department is also in the process of investigating an attempted robbery and two robberies that occurred in Oakhurst on July 1 & 2 and a car theft that occurred on Swanton Way in downtown Decatur on July 3 that resulted in the vehicle crashing at Kirk Rd. and South Candler Street. A 15-year-old suspect is currently in custody.
According to information obtained from the witnesses and the victims, both the burglaries and the robberies are being committed by juveniles. Decatur Police Chief Mike Booker said that there is no indication that the juveniles are Decatur residents. He added that these appear to be crimes of opportunity with no regular pattern but that they do share common characteristics in terms of items stolen and the number and age of the suspects involved.
Chief Booker stated that “We are meeting and comparing information on a daily basis with both DeKalb County and City of Atlanta officers working the cases.” He added “that in addition to the regular patrol shifts of five officers, the City has called in additional off-duty police officers and re-directed the four special unit officers to assignments related to addressing the current situation.” Officers are using marked and unmarked cars and implementing periodic roadblocks throughout the city. Additional uniformed city staff, including firefighters, are assisting in the patrol of city parks, neighborhoods, and the business districts. In addition to responding to all burglaries and processing all latent prints, the police are using the GBI sketch artist and anticipate the release of at least one sketch very soon.
Decatur Mayor Jim Baskett said, “We want to assure the community that resolving these incidents are a top priority for the City Commission, the Police Department and all City staff. We are confident that they are utilizing every available resource to catch the perpetrators.”
Mayor Baskett continued, “The police regularly issue community advisories and update them as more information is available for release. We encourage the community to read those advisories and follow the suggested safety precautions.” Advisories are also posted on the City of Decatur website at www.decaturga.com.
Chief Booker and other police staff members will attend the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association Meeting on Monday, July 8 at 7 p.m. at The Solarium, 321W. Hill Street and the Winnona Park Neighbors Meeting on Tuesday, July 9 at 7 p.m. at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street. They are also available to attend other neighborhood association meetings. Call 404-373-6551 if you would like to request they attend your meeting.
The Decatur Police encourage the community to call if they see any suspicious activity. The non-emergency number is 404-373-6551. If you believe you are witnessing a crime, or have an emergency, dial 911.
Thanks for this. I appreciate our responsive City leaders and police. They have my support until they demonstrate that they don’t deserve it, and I don’t see that happening.
This has been going on for a while. Too bad it’s had to hit crisis time before any apparent extra action.
Well, I’ve seen fairly consistent on-going attention from the city. I’m curious what specifically you see that they haven’t done that they realistically should have done.
‘Crisis’? I don’t think this is a crisis. Let’s not get all drama queen about it….
When did the “extra action” actually commence? Could it be that there have been intensified, multi-jurisdictional investigative activities which have not been publicized for tactical reasons? As far as I’m concerned, there is no excuse for our not having heard from City leadership before now. But I don’t think the Commission’s silence necessarily indicates the police department hasn’t been on the ball. (I recognize the possibility that you and/or others know things I don’t.)
Glock, you obv. haven’t been hit yet. I have, three times in 9 months.
If these are primarily juveniles, how about some outreach to some parents, who are failing at the job of teaching right vs wrong?
You assume the parent(s) have some control over the kids, which I doubt. If they don’t respect the likes of strangers, then don’t expect them to respect their parents.
What kind of outreach do you envision the City of Decatur leadership could undertake to target parents of delinquent juveniles in Kirkwood and/or elsewhere?
Given that Kirkwood is in Atlanta (right?), an entirely different jurisdiction in so many ways, I’m not sure what we can do from the City of Decatur side. We are so lucky in Decatur to have a long-standing Decatur Rec that ties together youth sports, recreation, camps, and after school programs, crossing income levels and neighborhoods, so well that it is woven into the fabric of our community. Kirkwood youth probably have access to the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and church groups but I’m not sure that those institutions have permeated the community in the same way that the partnerships between Decatur Rec/COD and CSD have. There are proven successful anti-gang and neighborhood empowerment movements that have successfully driven violence out of neighborhoods in other cities. But not sure that the political will and financial support exist in these times to initiate and sustain those kind of efforts. It’s too bad because I’m not convinced that relying on law enforcement and arming ourselves will be enough to address 15 year olds with guns on crime sprees coming in from neighboring areas. It may divert crime from one street to another or from one home to another but won’t necessarily prevent it happening in our community.
I’ve decided it may be best to look out for each other instead of assigning blame. I for one am going to sit on my front porch on my iPad & wait for them to come by. I’m ready!
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The DM effect.
Enough already!
I’m tired of the excuses for these criminals. We live in a country where we have freedom & opportunity. You make choices and there should be no excuse for choosing to endanger children or steal from others.
These young men should take advantage of the FREE education they have been provided. Take advantage of the opportunities this country gives you.
Whether you grew up with a silver spoon in Connecticut, see Aaron Hernandez, or in the inner city in a single family home there is no excuses for these criminal acts. Stop telling us why they are doing this.
Lets work together to put an end to this!
I like your style, Rob. I seriously want to coordinate groups of people walking the neighborhoods, at least at night. Yes, many of these happened during the day, but it would at least send a message to those trolling the neighborhoods looking to size them up. Don’t rely on others to do what you want done.
We have freedom, indeed, but we are a LONG way from having equal opportunity. Recognizing that does not constitute making excuses for criminal behavior.
Don’t worry. School will start again soon and these little punks will be the government school system’s problem again.