A resident asked on Twitter about Decatur Police activity on Avery Street last night. DPD Sgt. Jennifer Ross was good enough to give this detailed update…
In response to your emails about police activity around Avery Street last night, there were no incidents or calls in the Avery/Winnona/Inman area last night. The police activity in the Winnona Park neighborhood was the assigned zone officer conducting self-initiated park and walks on two occasions, once during the early evening and again in the early morning hours. This is typical daily patrol activity. At times, the officers will park out in the open and leave their patrol cars visible while they walk a neighborhood, while other times, they will park out of the way and traverse wood lines and paths for a more stealthy approach. The officers conduct location checks and park and walks each shift. They choose the locations for these activities based on what shift and zone they are assigned as well as any recent problems occurring in a particular area. Officers will also simply park in various locations and complete their reports in an effort to be more visible. The department went to an in-car computer report writing system more than a decade ago for the purpose of cutting back on the time officers had to spend in the office to complete reports. This is normal day to day activity. However, due to the heightened sense of awareness as a result of the recent spike in burglaries and robberies, it is getting noticed now more than ever, but the officers are not the only thing getting more attention.
In recent community meetings and speaking one on one with concerned residents, we have asked everyone to please pay attention to their surroundings and to call if they see anything unusual or suspicious. The response has been incredible. For example, in April 2013 officers responded to 226 incidents/calls for suspicious persons/activity/vehicles. In May 2013, officers responded to 220 incidents/calls for suspicious persons/activity/vehicles. In June 2013, officers responded to 248 incidents/calls for suspicious persons/activity/vehicles. Yet, so far in July 2013, officers have responded to 342 incidents/calls for suspicious persons/activity/vehicles and the month isn’t over. We are receiving more calls than ever to report unknown persons or vehicles at a neighbor’s house or circling the neighborhood. That kind of awareness on behalf of the residents coupled with the continued quick response of the officers is what makes a difference in communities taking a stance that crime is not welcome. Vigilance and partnership is the key. The officers cannot effectively do their job without the community. We are grateful every time someone sees something out of the norm and calls. There is no way for officers to know what vehicles or which people are not the norm at each residence in our city, but neighbors do know. So, if the suspicious person/vehicle call turns out to be a visiting relative or friend, pest control or plumber, you will know your neighbors are paying attention and looking out for each other. And if the call turns out to be a would-be burglar, they too will know the neighbors are paying attention and looking out for each other and that is a win win situation.
stay vigilant….
http://decatur.patch.com/groups/editors-picks/p/decatur-woman-wakes-up-finds-robber-in-bedroom
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/crime-law/atlanta-police-phone-bandit-caught-after-crashing-/nYztm/
I also wondered if there was a Decatur connection when I read this–15 year old male with stolen gun, using stolen vehicle, taking cell phones. Not good. Even worse if there isn’t a Decatur connection–it means that there’s many more out there besides the ones we’ve already heard about.
The incident at the gas station at Ponce and Moreland last night was a little too close.
Yup, just a tad beyond the commute from Decatur to Paideia.
Even closer to Decatur was the murder Sunday at the Exxon Station at Memorial and Candler. Those perps have been caught.
I’ve reported at lease five of the usernames on DM for suspicious activity.
Yes, but did you have to insist on the full body cavity search? **rubs rear ruefully**
Yesterday I reported 64 cyclists for various infractions, like not having reflectors on their pedals, as required by Georgia law. I’m just doing my part.
really, people, DM is the most ridiculous/thoughtful blog evar.
this post being heavy on the former.
which is nice.
That was a Haiku, right?
No longer required…just sayin
I wish the city’s reporting system was a bit more interactive. In the middle of my two week vacation last year they closed my house watch ticket which left me concerned that they didn’t watch the house the whole time. And then about a month ago I reported the suspicious activity at the house (someone looking to case the house was suprised when we were home mid-day)…..they closed the ticket but I don’t get any details with regards to if anything was followed up on or done. They certainly never contacted me for details.
A few years ago I called bc there was an occupied car sitting a long time in a darkish spot across the street from my house. The police came, took the occupants away, and towed the car. I was particularly worried because our truck had recently been stolen from behind the McLendon Fellinis and it had some keys in it and the house address on some paperwork. The police dispatcher did tell me they didn’t have the keys, but would not give me any other details when I called. I think that must be s.o.p. but not sure why.
I see the same guy walking the same two dogs by our house twice a day. He’s been doing this ever since we moved in. He *acts* all friendly, but I can sense that he’s working some kind of angle, I just can’t figure it out.
He brought over eggs from his chickens a few weeks ago. I ate them with a pound of jimmy deen and got sleepy. I think he was waiting for me to lose consciousness and them come over and steal my stuff. I called Decatur Police supposedly they checked out both him and his alleged chickens but they are still there and I never see Decatur cops anywhere, except on Avery and Bucher, and sometimes Inman and maybe on Kirk, oh and I guess on Shadowmoor, and then on Candler, but other than that, they are no where to be found. Come on people, this is a freaking crisis!!!!
Perfectly executed. 😉
Tough crowd.
And it keeps coming. Apparently, a woman was shot during a carjacking early this morning, very close to Decatur High….
What is the source of this? Are you sure it wasn’t this incident from over 2 years ago?
http://decatur.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/two-people-shot-during-carjacking-in-decatur?a_dgi=aolshare_facebook
Yep! Sorry…it was linked to a recent story and I didn’t notice the different date. I apologize for the misinformation.
Yes, please share the source. A morning carjacking near Decatur High, if it occurred, has implications for the zillions of students, teachers, staff soon to be walking/cycling/driving to and from Decatur High and Renfroe, often solo.
Decatur Police have confirmed there were no carjackings or shootings in the city of Decatur last night or this morning.
Thanks for prompt clarification.
http://eastatlanta.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/glenwood-park-woman-carjacked-at-gunpoint