Decatur Police also sent out this list of tips addressing the common question of where to go if you believe you are being followed…

There has been much discussion about where to go in Decatur if you feel as though you are being followed.  With the police department currently being under construction, it is not as easy as it used to be.  The location that is staffed 24-hours is the Communications Center that is currently located at 314-C Church Street with the entrance just to the right of the Big Peach Running Company on East Trinity Place.  The office location in the basement of 250 East Ponce de Leon Avenue is not staffed 24-hours and the officers are typically out on the road.

There are not any 24-hour gas stations within the city but depending on where you are, there are 24-hour gas stations at North Decatur Road and Clairemont Avenue; North Decatur Road and Scott Boulevard; North Decatur Road and Dekalb Industrial Boulevard; QT on Lawrenceville Hwy just before Hwy 78; Hosea Williams Boulevard and Howard Street; Columbia Drive and Memorial Drive and Candler Road and Memorial Drive.

There is also the front desk at the Marriott on Clairemont Avenue, Fire Station 1 on East Trinity Place, Fire Station 2 on West Hill Street and an excellent suggestion on Decatur Metro of the emergency rooms at DeKalb Medical or Emory Hospital.

However, if you are in the city and feel that you are being followed, we recommend you keep driving on main roads, call the non-emergency number (404/373-6551) and stay on the line with the communications officer and update your location so we can have an officer sent to you.  If you are not in the city, try to locate a police station/officer, well-lit populated business or call 911 and request assistance.

At this point, you know what these are and where they come from.  From Sgt. Jennifer Ross…

On Monday, July 8, 2013 at approximately 3pm, a Decatur officer in an unmarked vehicle observed a dark grey Dodge Ram pick-up being driven by a black male in his mid-teens backing into a driveway in the 300 block of Second Avenue.  The officer circled back to check on the vehicle and residence due to recent burglaries and the vehicle was gone. While checking the residence, which was secured with no signs of a break-in, the officer observed the vehicle drive back by and flee the area at a high rate of speed upon seeing the officer.  A pursuit was not initiated. It was determined a vehicle fitting that description had recently been reported stolen to the DeKalb County Police Department. A grey 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 displaying GA tag #BTP0473, with a large gold “GT” logo sticker on the center of the tailgate.  The house and driveway were not obscured and there was a very vocal dog inside of the house.

At approximately 7pm, a caller reported arriving home in the 200 block of East Lake Drive and hearing a faint audible alarm that he found was coming from his neighbor’s house.  Officers discovered the rear French doors forced open and a large television missing.  The rear driveway was obscured by the house.  The owners have a dog that was not home at the time.

On Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at approximately 11:20 pm, a Decatur officer was stationary in the rear of the new neighborhood on Clarke Hill Street off Midway Road when he observed a green Hyundai Santa Fe occupied by two black males who appeared to be in their mid-late teens entering the complex. They abruptly fled the area upon seeing the police.  A pursuit was not initiated.  Officers located the vehicle crashed and unoccupied on a nearby side street.  The vehicle was previously reported stolen to the DeKalb County Police Department.

The 11Alive folks asked to spread the word…

“11Alive will be LIVE in Decatur, July 19th from 4:30am to 7am for our morning show. As of right now, our anchors, Ted Halland Karyn Greer, our weatherman Chesley McNeil, and our traffic report, Elle Duncan, will be out there all morning long. We will be in Decatur Square.

We want to show the best of what Decatur has to offer and we’d love for every individual and\or group to come out. Everyone will be able to be in the crowd in live shots behind the anchors therefore, we encourage homemade signs expressing pride for the city and\or your organization.

We are requesting that people are there from 4:45am to 7am. It will be a fun time!”

From a new Tomorrow’s News Today post answering the question “Where are they now?” regarding the Suburban Plaza shake up to make ready for Walmart…

Big Lots, a tenant that has been in the center for as long as I can remember, will be staying despite the Walmart entrance.  Apparently the redevelopment will not affect their space and they are happy to be staying and look forward to the increased (foot) traffic the Walmart will bring.  Suburban Lanes Bowling, one of the original tenants from 1954, is located on the lower level on the center, and is scheduled to remain in place and be part of the new Suburban Plaza.