A graph shows East Point's crime problem

Crime Stats in East Point, Ga, January 2014 to June 2014[/caption]

This chart was compiled by East Point resident Tommy Lee. It shows crime statistics in East Point during the first six months of the 2014.

HS principal updates community on teen shooting in East Point

The principal of Tri-Cities HS, Dan Sims, took to Facebook to inform the community about a shooting that happened off-campus, but still close to the school.

Jefferson Park Family. Sorry for the late notice. Just keeping you informed. This went home today to our parents:

Tri-Cities parents, this is Principal Dan Sims. This afternoon, we learned that one of our students was shot in the leg by an acquaintance during an altercation. This occurred off campus and after school hours. I wanted you to be aware since it happened not far from our school property lines. The student is expected to be OK, the parent has already been notified, and the suspect has been identified. Police are handling the situation swiftly. The suspect is not one of our students and the argument had nothing to do with our school. I wanted to share this with you since you will see it on the news or hear rumors.[mappress mapid="82"]

Here's the story from the AJC:

East Point police were searching Friday night for the man accused of shooting a teenager in the leg.

The suspect, whose name was not released, is accused of shooting Andrew Burnett in the thigh near the intersection of Norman Berry Drive and North Martin Street, according to Lt. Cliff Chandler.

Burnett, 17, a Tri-Cities High School student, was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, Chandler said.

Investigators believe Burnett and two other students had been involved in an altercation during the day, Chandler said.

The argument continued after school, when a female student allegedly called a relative to come to the area, police said. That relative, believed to be a former Tri-Cities student, is accused of shooting Burnett, Chandler said.

“Multiple individuals are expected to face multiple charges,” Chandler said.

 

[mappress mapid="82"]

Crime stats in East Point

Here's what reported crime looked like in East Point.

In July, authorities handled 507 major crimes. A year earlier, there were 488 during the same month.

March Crime in East Point

East Point - Authorities reported a total of 425 major crimes here in March.

That’s a 13 percent increase from March 2012.

Above is the March chart of the reported crimes.

And a comparison of 2012 monthly report to the current crime picture below.


 

Amnesty program begins this week for city court

EAST POINT - Nearly 70 people showed up last April to take advantage of the city's amensty program.

The city took in some $14,000 from people who wanted to clear up overdue fines, according to city officials.

East Point hopes people take advantage of this year's program again.

The six-day program starts today and wraps up on Monday, April 15, 2012. The municipal court will be open from 8 AM - 12  PM on Saturday, April 13, and 8 am - 6  pm Monday through Friday during the Amnesty period.

To avoid any additional collection charges or unwanted arrest, individuals should make use of the amnesty program, said city news release.

A person with  an outstanding ticket, the judge may waive additional “failure to appear” fines . Those who have had their licenses previously suspended may get a release from the Court Department upon payment of fines.

If you have an active probation with the City of East Point and a warrant has been issued for your arrest you are encouraged to contact the probation department to discuss your case during this amnesty period.

Following the program, the court will turn over responsibility for collection of all unpaid fines to a collection agency and warrants to the Police Department for service.

For more information call 404.559.6250 or check web site.

 

East Point cars targeted by thieves

EAST POINT - Stolen cars are a problem in the city.

The February crime report from the East Point Police Department shows a spike in stolen cars, in addition to an increase in crimes involving guns.

Reports of serious crimes in the city in February totaled 402, that's is a 33 percent increase compared to February 2012.

Stolen Cars

Police handled 79 reports of stolen automobiles in February, with six trucks/buses reported being stolen.

That is a 58 percent increase from February 2012.

Robberies

More residents are being held up too, particularly by people with guns.

In February, police investigated 22 reports of robbery.  That is a increase of 36 percent from a year ago.

But people using guns while committing the crime jumped 61 percent, from 5 incidents to 13.

Here is the comparison:



 

Social media now a police tool

EAST POINT - To track down the suspect of an armed robbery, city police used the newest tool in their arsenal: social media.

The gunman was caught on security tape, but there was no luck  in identifying the man, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt.  So, police posted the video on Facebook and the East Point Police Department's Youtube channell. A tip came with a name and the suspect was later identified in a line up.

That's the success Sgt. Allyn Glover, a veteran police officer, sees as the department embraces Facebook and other social media.

"To date the page has been nothing less than a success. I feel that keeping everyone informed on the goings on in our city can only result in better communication and more success stories," said Sgt. Glover, the social media guy at the department.  A 16-year veteran on the force,  he is currently assigned as to the Major Crimes Unit in the Criminal Investigations Division.

Law enforcement have embraced social media. Nearly nine out of 10 law enforcement agencies now use social media, a part of the arsenal as walking the beat. The International Association of Police Chiefs surveyed 600 agencies and more than half said social media had helped solve crime.

The city police joined joined Facebook in early 2012.  While others may share vacation pictures or funny videos, the police are using the social media to share news about crime and develop better community relations. The police department uses the page to issue news releases, along with photos and videos of suspects and remarks from the community.

Facebook is the most popular outreach with social media, according to the police association survey. As of February, some 283 follow the department's page. In the future, the department may weigh whether to join Twitter.  Already, an account has been reserved by the department, but it hasn't been activated, Glover said.

Other parts of city government are turning to social media to get the word out. The city of East Point has been on the site since 2010 used Facebook to share community information. It has 435 fans.

Sgt. Glover responded via email to questions about Facebook.

When did the department first start using Facebook and what prompted using it?

We have been using social media since early 2012. We wanted to find better ways of using today's technology and felt that social media was a great way to accomplish that. We brought the idea before the Interim Chief Chase and he embraced the idea of using social media to better communicate with other agencies and citizens.

What has been one of the surprises for the East Point Police Department about using Facebook?

We were already very familiar with social media. We are happy to say that so far there have been no real surprises.

What has been a success of using Facebook?

As recently as last week we were able to identify an armed robbery suspect after posting a video on our Facebook and Youtube pages. Cobb County Detectives contacted us with a tip on who they believed the suspect was and he was subsequently identified with the use of lineups.

Any hiccups that the department wasn't expecting and it'd caution other police departments to avoid?

To date the page has been nothing less than a success. I feel that keeping everyone informed on the goings on in our City can only result in better communication and more success stories.

Does the department use other social media?

We use Youtube as well to post our videos. The channel is EastPointPolice. We have reserved a Twitter account but it's not active yet.

How many people at the department are responsible for the site? And how often is it updated?

I am the sole administrator for the social media sites. I review all correspondence that comes to me and post as needed. Chief Chase also monitors and posts on occasion. I have a Smartphone that allows me to keep the page updated at all times.

Can people submit tips via Facebook or should that be done over the phone?

Yes. We recommend that the submissions be done through our Facebook email as opposed to an open post. But yes.

 

Tips about East Point crime could be valuable as police partner with Crime Stoppers Atlanta

EAST POINT - Law enforcement leaders here hope a new program with Crime Stoppers Atlanta leads to more tips to solve East Point crimes.

With this new initiative, people who offer tips about crime in East Point that ends with the arrest and indictment of alleged criminals can receive up to $2,000.

The information can be left anonymously by phone to the East Point police, a special tip line with Crime Stoppers Atlanta, online or by texting.

Crime Stoppers Atlanta received in 2012 more than 2,770 tips, leading ot the 171 arrests and 249 cases cleared. Some $102,000 was paid out, according to a news release.

How to leave an anonymous tip:

• Phone the East Point Police: 404.761.2177


• Crime Stopper Atlanta Tip line: 404.577.TIPS (8477)


• Online: crimestoppersatlanta.org


• Text: CRIMES (x274637)

 

Here's the news release:

East Point, January 22, 2013- Chief Woodrow Blue and the East Point Police Department has partnered with Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta in an effort to receive anonymous tips on crimes which have occurred in the City of East Point. A reward of up to $2,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for crimes occurring in the City of East Point.Any information on a case can be submitted anonymously to the East Point Police Department at 404-761-2177, Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS(8477), onlinewww.crimestoppersatlanta.org or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES(274637). Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000.

About Crime Stoppers Atlanta:
Launched in January 2007, Crime Stoppers Atlanta rallies and empowers citizens to take a stand against crime in their communities by providing an avenue for citizens to anonymously report information about criminal activity, or criminals’ whereabouts, and incentivizes them with monetary rewards if the information leads to an arrest and indictment. The information provided through Crime Stoppers Atlanta helps law enforcement officials in their investigations and can play a major role in the apprehension of criminals and in securing convictions.

Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization and does not receive any local, state, or federal funding. Donations are necessary for the continued success of the program. For more information or to donate to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta reward fund visitwww.crimestoppersatlanta.org.

According to Crime Stoppers, over 2,772 tips were received in 2012. One-Hundred and Seventy-One arrests were made and 249 cases were cleared due to the tips. The organization paid out over $102,000 dollars to tipsters in 2012.

Week in Review

The Jefferson Park Hub spotlighted these different stories this week:

• Police told the neighbors association to be on the look out for two men. Read it here.
• A new online tool that allows residents to report non-emergency issues. Read it here. 
• If you want a new exercise routine, a walking group has started. The group meets at the Tri-Cities High School before heading out on its routes. Read it here.

The Jefferson Park Hub is always looking neighborhood news. Please e-mail story ideas.

Crime report from January neighborhood meeting

 From Dustin Miles, the JPNA president:

From Tuesday's meeting:

We have not had any house burglaries in the past 45 days BUT we have had several car break ins.  The police know the 2 people who are committing the break ins and ask us to be on the look out.

• Black male, approximately 6 feet, 180 pounds, in his 40's.  Wears a black jacket, blue jeans and a skull cap.  Can be seen riding a bicycle around the neighborhood.

• Black male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, wears a dark jacket, blue jeans and a hat, probably in his 50' or 60's.  He walks door to door asking residents to give him money for his sick sister. 

The police have asked us to call them if we see either of these individuals.  The police also suggest that we leave nothing in our cars that can be visible....not even gloves on a seat.

'House check' program with East Point police, vacation safety tips

 

A representative from the East Point Police Department gave the dozen Jefferson Parkers at Tuesday's association meetings tips for the holiday season.

For one, packages delivered to a vacant home could bring trouble, said the officer. It would be better to either hold the mail or ask a neighbor to accept delivery.

He also talked about the ‘house check’ service done by the police. During a designated period of time, patrol officers randomly stop by the house to check that all is well. A check is done daily during each shift.

To sign up for the house check service, go here. Fill out the information. The police ask to be notified at least three days before you depart. 

Clay Davis, the outgoing association president, forwarded these tips:

THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it atfaketv.com.)

8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?






5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Ruining the season--UPDATE

UPDATE:

A good fellow is helping out our neighborhood store by replacing a portion of what some thugs stole:

According to the AJC:

But a local man, hearing about the store's situation, made a generous donation to the store.
Cynthia Inman, owner/operator of the store since 2000, told the AJC Sunday that Thomas Cole called her Saturday after news broke that someone walked away with the store's decorations.
Cole said to Inman over the phone, "‘I hear you guys are missing some lights down there. I have some lights I can give you. And can you use a nativity scene?"
"Give me?" is how Inman responded.
"I am just overwhelmed right now," said Inman via phone Sunday night. "This is what Christmas is all about."

Some jerks ran off with thousands of dollars worth of holiday decorations at the neighborhood Chik-fil-A.

The report from AJC:

Where’s Comet? Where's Cupid? Where's Donner and Blitzen ...

Somebody swiped Santa's eight tiny reindeer along with a majority of other Christmas decorations at the East Point Chick-fil-A at 1065 Cleveland Ave.

Sometime around midnight on Friday, two individuals took the decorations, which include the eight illuminating reindeer grazing on the back hill, six nets of Christmas lights, icicles and signs all used to bring some Christmas cheer to the neighborhood.

Read it all here: http://bit.ly/tfctR

The restaurant is a major supporter of JP events.

View Larger Map

Crime report: Quick thinking neighbors help catch bad guys

After a rash of car break-ins recently, there have been no reported car break-ins in Jefferson Park in the past month, Capt. Charles Pritchard of the East Point Police Department told Tuesday’s Jefferson Park Neighbors Association meeting.

That comes after nearly 18 around July and August, he said.

He couldn’t explain why the sudden stop, but it may have been helped by his arrest of a man in late September.

Pritchard said the suspect, who was riding a bike, was leaving the neighborhood early one morning near Harris Street and he followed him. Right in front of the police officer, the man attempted to break into a car.

Pritchard arrested the man, who had “tools of crimes” with him, including a pruning shears and a multi-tool pocket knife.

Pritchard said one arrest doesn’t explain the sudden drop, but it may have helped. Other steps by the police, including increased patrols late at night, may also have discouraged the crime. He encouraged people to be vigilant in locking car doors.

In other crime news, Pritchard reported two break-ins that happened around the same time on Oct. 7th where police made a few arrests thanks to neighbors looking out for each other.

Here’s what happened: 

A woman spotted three men breaking into a neighbor’s home at 2728 Winburn Terrace. The woman went out to confront them and they ran away (Pritchard does not encourage confronting people. Call 9-1-1.) The woman then quickly called the authorities and two of the men were arrested. The third got away, but was identified.

Shortly afterwards, another resident spotted men coming out of a vacant home on Acadia Street. She called the police, but because officers were responding to the Winburn Terrace incident, officers were a few minutes delayed. The resident jumped in to a family car to follow the suspects until police officers could respond. Within a few moments, the police tracked down the cars with the suspects and the neighbor.

Pritchard commend the women for being good neighbors and notifying the police. Without that action, the criminals would likely not have been arrested, he said. 

However, he urged people that the best way to help police is to call the emergency number, not to confront thugs themselves.



View Crime report in a larger map

A slice of East Point life

From pollution to the number of homeowners, an award-winning Web site grabbed tidbits of information about East Point in a friendly format.

Take a look.

What gives you pause?

Source: This We Know

http://www.thisweknow.org/l/GA/East_Point

East Point crime numbers bump up

Crime in East Point increased about 13 percent in 2008 led by more car thefts, burglary and property crime, according to new federal crime statistics.

The crime rate in the city increased 11 percent with 82 crimes per 1,000 residents.

  Or if you like bigger numbers: 8,240 crimes per 100,000 residents

Meanwhile, violent crime in the city fell about 6 percent, led by a drop in aggravated assault and forcible rape.

The crime rate in 2007 was 74 crimes per 1,000 residents.
    Or if you like bigger numbers: 7,415 crimes per 100,000 residents

The numbers are from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program.  Here is the link. Or here to go right to Georgia crime numbers.

More information later:


Breaking down the numbers to specific types of crime:

Reported violent crime per 100,000 people:   

• 2008: 971 
• 2007: 1,047

 Reported property crime per 100,000 people:

• 2008: 7,269   
• 2007: 6,368

According to the AJC, East Point has the fourth highest crime rate per 100,000 persons in Metro Atlanta.

Crime nearby

Authorities got involved with two incidents in and around the neighborhood Friday morning.

Some possible criminal activity from Atlanta spilled into East Point when a car pulled into the police department substation on Cleveland Avenue.

City Councilmen Lance Rhodes supplied details:

At approximately 9 a.m. this morning, a car entered the Cleveland Avenue police office parking lot. There were two individuals in the car that had been shoot. The individuals drove from Atlanta into East Point and it is believed they were involved in some criminal activity. The Atlanta Police Department is handling the investigation. This incident did not involve East Point.

The second activity, an ongoing problem, involved smash-and-grabs from parked cars.
Neighborhood Association President Clay Davis:

I just wantd to let yo know that it looks live we've been hit with another series of car break-ins. There has been at least one on East Woodland and one on Winburn Dr. In both cases, windows were broken out of the cars some time overnight and before early morning.

Prevention is the key. Don't keep valuables in the car. Call the police if you see anything or anyone that acting odd or if you get a sense that something just isn't right.

Fighting Crime

East Point residents joined with local police in a creative way to fight crime.

The community t took part in the National Night Out Tuesday, Aug. 4, to bring together the community and the women and men who keep it safe.

The organizers put on a series of activities and games for young people. At the end of the events, youngsters could to take home back-to-school supplies, book-bags, and other items. For parents, they got the chance to register to win gifts certificates from local restaurants.

During the activities, emergency workers promoted safety tips, from drug-free awareness, and how to be safe away from home to gun safety and fire prevention

Participating in the Night Out were East Point neighborhood watch members, business owners, Target Stores representatives, East Point firefighters and police and city officials .

Held annually across the country, National Night Out focuses attention on crime and drug prevention awareness. It improves neighborhood spirit and partnerships with police and resident. The events "send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back."