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.

'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.

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. 

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

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.

JP Neighorhood Association August meeting

A brief roundup of news from the August meeting:

• Here's a lesson in calling the East Point police: do it. No matter how small the issue. As one resident put, "I have them on speed dial." A topic that grabbed the attention of the 20 or so residents was a Pegg Road homeowner's story of dealing with what she called troublesome neighbors making life difficult with dogs and other general problems. A "complete nightmare" is how she actually put it. One step toward resolving the issues is calling the East Point Police Department and making officers aware of what is going on. The non-emergency phone number is 404.761.2177.
• The neighborhood association is hosting a friendly field day competition. Some 40 people have signed up for this fundraiser. Set aside Sept. 12, starting at 11 a.m. for fun and games. Prizes include gift certificates to area restaurants.

The next mixer for Jefferson Park is Saturday, 4 p.m., at the Brake Pad eatery in nearby College Park. Come out to mix and mingle with neighbors.

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."