Crime report

East Point police Capt. Charles Pritchard updated residents about crime around Jefferson Park at this week's association meeting and offered some hints about preventing crime during the Thanksgiving to Christmas season.

Reported crime:

• alleged burglary of a vacant neighborhood home. No address given. Detectives are still investigating, but it appears people kicked in a door and stole copper piping and other items.
• there was a car broken into recently on Jefferson Terrace. 

About the upcoming holidays, Capt. Pritchard cautioned that "crime just spikes in every area."

He suggested:

• Don't load up your arms when leaving a store to get to your car. Take a couple trips.
  
• Put bags in the car so they are not easily seen.
• Remove cell phones,  computers, anything of value from cars, especially overnight. Park your car in your driveway because it gives police more authority to question someone who maybe looking inside it. 

One of the best crime-fighting tools is neighbors looking out for each other, he said. (If you doubt it, read about these great neighbors.)

Get to know people who live around you. Capt Pritchard joked when he said you don't need to invite them over for coffee or be their best friends, but get to know their cars, their family, so if something or someone seems out of place, you know to call the police.

And if you are going away for some time for vacation, you may want to sign up for the East Point Police Department's house check program.

From the Web site:

As a service to the citizens of the City of East Point, the East Point Police Department offers free house and business checks.  Officers will periodically check the exterior of your home or business while you are away.  This service helps to deter potential burglars and provides for additional security while your house or business is unoccupied.