Joe sends along this announcement…

• Community Meeting: For a safer North Decatur Road
• Sept. 26, 2013 7:00 PM
• North Decatur Presbyterian Church 611 Medlock Rd, Decatur, GA (at the corner of Medlock Rd. & N. Decatur)

You know how dangerous N. Decatur Rd. is, now is your chance to let the County and the City of Decatur know. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and Bike Emory will present the results of the Road Safety Audit that was conducted on N. Decatur Rd. from Church Street to Clifton Rd. to study and improve bicycle and pedestrian safety on N. Decatur.

Our DeKalb County Commissioner, Jeff Rader; County Traffic Engineering staff; City of Decatur Commissioner Fred Boykin; Decatur’s Director of Design, Environment and Construction; and PEDS will be present to answer questions.

Updates and ways to get involved will be provided on the CHCA website (http://clairmontheights.org) and the MANA website (www.medlockpark.org)

Decaturish has the story this morning on “What was the story behind that orderly procession of police cars following a vehicle that was moving briskly down one of our local roadways?”  Here’s the beginning of the story…

Around 10:45 Monday morning, a Decatur Police officer was patrolling the 500 block of Church Street when the officer received an alert from the vehicle’s automatic license plate reader. (Editor’s note: Did you know they have those now? I didn’t.) The license plate reader told the officer that he had just passed a stolen vehicle headed south from his current location, a 2013 Dodge Charger with Indiana plates.

From Decatur PD…

On Friday, August 30, 2013, the Decatur Police Department responded to and began investigating three armed robberies of students as they left the Decatur High School football game.  Investigators have identified and arrested three suspects in these cases.

[edited: though some of news outlets have published the suspects names, we will not.  They include one16 year old and two 17 year olds.]

The Decatur Police Department would like to thank the Marta Police Department, Atlanta Police Department and DeKalb County Police Department for all of the assistance we have received over the past three weeks.

The Decatur Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a fourth suspect.  If you recognize this suspect or have any information, please contact the Decatur Police Department at  or Crime Stoppers at 404/577-TIPS (8477).

From Decatur Police…

On 09/17/13 at approximately 12:25 am, Decatur Police responded to an attempted robbery. The victim stated at approximately 11:30 pm (09/16/13) he exited the East Lake Marta station and was walking through the parking lot to the intersection of East Lake Drive and Park Place when he noticed a male following him and trying to get closer. Upon reaching the intersection, the suspect ran up to him and repeatedly said “Give me you phone!”. The suspect held his hand in the waistband of his pants insinuating he had a weapon. The victim put his phone in his pocket and refused. The suspect withdrew his hand from his waistband, stretched out his arm and with his fingers mimicked having a gun and again demanded the phone. The victim could see the suspect did not have a gun in his hand and “bowed up” at the suspect who then turned and fled on foot back toward the East Lake Marta station. The victim continued walking home and called police. No weapon was seen. The victim was not injured. No items were taken. The suspect was described as a black male, 19-23 years old, approximately 5’6 and 140 lbs, no noticeable facial hair, hair in dreds approximately 3” long, wearing a white crew neck t-shirt, jeans and black shoes.

This out from CSD this morning…

Dear Decatur Families,

This Friday, September 20, there is a home varsity football game beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Because the safety and security of our students, guests and fans are our top priority, the following will be in place for this Friday’s football game at Decatur High School:

• To assure the safety of all guests, Decatur High School is requesting that all individuals refrain from carrying bags or purses into athletic events. At times, we realize this may be out of one’s control. Please know that all individuals, bags and purses may be subject to inspection prior to entry into events. Persons not complying with this request shall be denied entry. Due to the time it takes to search, and the impact it will have on lines, we ask that individuals not carry bags or purses into athletic events.

• Increased lighting is in the process of being added at the front and back of the campus. If Georgia Power is not able to install it by Sept. 20th, the Decatur Police Department will have its Airlight Truck in place in the upper lot and its Command Trailer in the gravel area between the upper and lower lot. Please understand that in the event of an emergency in the city, these vehicles may be required elsewhere.

• The Decatur Police Department has increased its staff for the event, and the school system has hired additional security personnel from the DeKalb Marshals’ office.

• Band students will follow a specific dismissal procedure, which will be shared with band parents.

At our safety meeting on Sept. 5, other ideas were suggested by attendees.The school system is continuing to investigate other options. I commit to letting you know what changes to expect when attending our campus and events.

Thank you for your ongoing support,

Lauri McKain, Principal

Decatur High School