Cobb County Police Department

 

PCT IV PENS BULLETIN
May 2012

PUBLIC SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH
Now that warmer weather is here, outdoor projects and dreaded home maintenance to-do lists are looming large. Also looming large are the scam- artists looking to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners who in a moment of weakness agree to take them up on an offer that sounds too good to be true.

Gutter cleaning and repairs, tree removal, roof and driveway repairs, house painting are just a few of the services offered by travelling criminal groups often referred to by law enforcement as "travelers". Travelers are often of Scottish or Irish descent and generally target the elderly. They generally use fictitious names and have fraudulent identification. They are highly-trained and organized criminals who make their living by scamming people out of their hard earned money.

These groups defy the images normally conjured up when we think of criminals. They are often extremely polite, well dressed, and are masters at persuasion. They consider their criminal enterprise a true profession, are amazingly manipulative, and actually practice their sales pitch. They can also improvise their approach to fit any situation. Because these individuals are so good at what they do, your best defense is to firmly refuse any services offered and tell them to leave your property immediately.

Door-to-door sales as a legitimate way of promoting a business is quickly becoming a thing of the past as more companies embrace internet and social media sites as a way to market goods and services. If you should find yourself in need of a particular service, your safest bet is to seek out a referral from two or three trusted family members or neighbors.

It works to your advantage to be the one to initiate the conversation with a potential service provider. Ask to see a business license and proof that the company is bonded and insured. Compare rates with competitors and check to see if there is a local business address or satellite office. Check online to see if there have been complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau. Lastly, get a written estimate and never pay with cash.

And don’t forget, in unincorporated Cobb County, door-to-door solicitors are required to have a solicitor's permit issued by the Cobb County Business License Division which is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. This permit may be displayed on either shoulder of the solicitor’s clothing and must be visible to the customer. Each solicitor is required to have one, so don’t accept the excuse that the boss back at the office has it. If someone shows up at your door without this permit displayed, call 911 and let an officer check it out.
This is a sample permit:

CRIME TRENDS
We haven’t seen any substantive crime trends over the last month but are still experiencing the occasional "Entering Auto" at area fitness centers.
To limit your chance of becoming a victim, always lock purses, briefcases, or anything that could appear to a criminal to contain valuables, in the trunk of your vehicle before your arrive at a destination. Do not attempt to conceal purses or other items in the floorboard of your vehicle or under the seat.

WHAT YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS CAN DO
Summer vacation is approaching and school will be out very shortly. Now is a good time to remind teenagers of the criminal nature of many common “pranks”. It is also a good time to remind teens that once they turn 17 they will be charged as an adult and will be booked into jail with other adults, many of whom have extensive criminal histories.

Just this week, we experienced our first rash of mailbox bashing and a teen has already been charged. An additional teen is facing charges as an adult. Remind your teens that intentionally causing damage to someone else’s property is a crime. When the dollar amount of that damage exceeds $500.00, the crime becomes a felony.

Talk to your teens, even the ones you think would never do such a thing. Encourage them to stop and think about the potential ramifications of engaging in such activities as mail box bashing, egging and toilet papering someone’s home or car, or breaking windows on abandoned homes or businesses. Not everyone shares the same sense of humor and if the victim desires prosecution, the teen will be charged. A few minutes of fun is not worth a criminal record that can carry a lifetime of consequences.

RECENT ARREST IN PRECINCT IV
415 beat
On 5/8/12 at around 4:00 am, officers were checking the area of Forest Brooke Court in response to a citizen’s report of mailboxes being damaged. The officers got out on foot and canvassed the area. One male was located and arrested and the investigation is ongoing for additional suspects.
416 beat
On April 18, 2012 a residential burglary occurred at a residence on Burtz Drive while the victim was at home. The suspect entered through a rear door and stole the victim’s purse and contents. Prior to exiting the residence he was confronted by the victim who called 911. The suspect was located a short time later and after a foot pursuit he was taken into custody. He was also charged with Entering Auto at the homes of two of the victim’s neighbors.
417 beat
On 4/18/12 at approximately 11:27 AM, a home invasion occurred at 272 Lamplighter Lane. During the incident two of the residents received minor gunshot wounds. Within approximately three minutes, a Cobb County officer spotted the suspect's vehicle on Lower Roswell Road. Two suspects were detained immediately and a third was apprehended following a brief pursuit. The three males were charged with Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and multiple other charges.
In addition to the incidents noted above, the officers in Precinct 4 made approximately 100 arrests in April for a variety of offenses that include DUI, possession of drugs, including heroin and marijuana, and numerous traffic related charges. They also located several individuals with outstanding warrants. Each of these arrests goes a long way toward keeping East Cobb a safe place to live and work.
This concludes the May PENS Bulletin. Please continue to stay involved, stay vigilant, and help look out for your neighbors!




PCT IV PENS BULLETIN
March, 2012
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


PUBLIC SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH

Identity theft is a major problem that affects many people each year and often increases during tax season. With the April 17th deadline rapidly approaching, it is important to remain vigilant for attempts by criminals to obtain your personal information. A criminal who is able to obtain a person’s name, social security number, and other identifying information can file a fraudulent tax return in the victim’s name and collect the associated refund. Often the unsuspecting victim won’t find out until their own legitimate tax return is flagged for denial.

It is important that taxpayers protect their personal information. Anyone who believes his or her personal information has been stolen and used for fraudulent tax purposes should immediately contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490.

There are a couple of ways that criminals use to trick victims into revealing their personal or financial information online. The first one is Phishing and occurs when thieves use phony email or websites to contact potential victims often posing as the IRS. The email address used may only differ slightly from the legitimate sight and can easily be mistaken. A suspicious e-mail or an “IRS” Web address that does not begin with http://www.irs.gov should be forwarded to the IRS at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Spyware is another tool that identity thieves use to steal personal information. Spyware consists of computer software that gathers and reports information about a computer user without the user's knowledge or consent. It gets downloaded onto the taxpayer’s computer once he or she opens an email attachment or clicks a link sent by the thief. The best advice is to never open an attachment or click on a link that is sent by someone you do not know. Legitimate financial institutions generally will not contact you by email to confirm your personal information, username, or pass code. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email sent from your financial institution or the IRS, call them by the publicly listed phone number and not the one contained in the email to verify authenticity.

Whenever possible, use IRS direct deposit to avoid the chance that your tax refund check may get stolen from your mailbox.

CRIME TRENDS

During the last two weeks there have been two reported incidents that appear to be scams targeting the elderly. On March 3rd at approximately 3:30 PM, an elderly female was approached by a white male driving a white truck with amber lights on top. The male came to her door and offered to pave her driveway with “extra concrete he had left over from a job”. She agreed to let him do the work for an agreed upon price. Large damp piles of rocky concrete were dumped in the driveway. The concrete was obviously garbage that had been rinsed out of a dump truck. Although the scam was interrupted when the victim’s son arrived and no money was paid, a large mess was left behind.

The victim’s son confronted the males who then threatened him with what he believed to be a handgun before leaving. The driver of the white truck was a white male in his late 20s, 5’8” and 170 lbs. He was clean shaven with dark hair that was shaved on the sides and spiked on top similar to a “flat top” The other white male was in his early 30s, 5’10” and 200 lbs. He had short dark hair.

The vehicles were described as a large white truck likely a Chevy Silverado with amber lights on top and a red 90s model dually truck with a short wheel base and wooden rails along the bed which had been raised like a dump truck.

The second incident occurred on 3/10/12 at approximately 1700 hours. Three males who appeared Hispanic knocked on the front door of the 86 year old victim’s house located on Ebenezer Road off Sandy Plains Road and stated they were cleaning the exteriors of homes in the area. The men invited her outside to look at a test spot on her residence. While distracting the victim, one of the males entered her home and stole several jewelry items including her deceased husband’s gold wedding band.

The males were described as young, in their 20s-30s and clean cut. They spoke very good English. The vehicle according to a neighbor was described as a white truck with a short flat bed. There were unpainted wooden rails on at least 3 sides and possibly one on the tailgate that was folded down. The bed appeared to have lawn maintenance or possibly pressure washing equipment in it.

Please remind your family, friends, and neighbors that these types of criminal prey on the elderly. They appear very friendly and talkative which is all an attempt to distract and confuse potential victims.

If you are confronted by anyone who approaches and tries to sell a product or service who is not wearing a Cobb County issued Solicitor Permit, the best course of action is to say that you are not interested and demand that the individuals leave your property. Tell them you are calling the police and do not engage in any sort of conversation. Call 911 and have an officer respond to check the area.

In unincorporated Cobb County, door- to- door solicitors are required to have a solicitor permit issued by the Cobb County Business License Division which is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. This permit may be displayed on either shoulder of the solicitor’s clothing and must be visible to the customer. 
 
We are continuing to experience thefts from lockers and vehicles at area fitness centers. Thieves are stealing credit cards from unlocked lockers and going straight to retail stores to make a purchase before the victim even notices the cards are missing. There have also been a couple of incidents where the thief stole the keyless entry remote from the victim’s unlocked locker and then stole credit cards from the victim’s wallet that was in the car in the parking lot.

Lock purses and wallets in the trunk of your vehicle before you arrive at the fitness center and keep your cars keys with you when possible.

WHAT YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS CAN DO

We have had significant success with apprehending criminals because you called 911 to report suspicious behavior. You are the eyes and ears in your neighborhoods and you, more than anyone else, know who doesn’t belong. Call 911 anytime you see individuals on foot in your neighborhood that you don’t recognize or vehicles that drive slowly up and down the street or that are stopped with someone just sitting in the vehicle. Even if everything checks out at the time, we still have their information on record.

Don’t forget the basics of crime prevention when it comes to keeping your home secure. A security system with an audible alarm is a great deterrent to have. Be sure to set your alarm every time you leave the house. Make sure that your alarm service yard signs and window decals are visible from the street and replace them when they start to show age.

Be sure to keep windows, doors, and garage doors closed and locked when you are away. Purchase a timer for your exterior lighting or turn it on before you leave if you don’t plan to get back home until after dark.

Do not store large quantities of cash or jewelry in your home but instead use a safety deposit box at your bank. You may not avoid becoming a victim of a burglary but you can certainly minimize your loss.

Remove purses, briefcases, book bags, and anything that appears to contain valuables from your car at night and lock your doors. If you have a garage, park the car in the garage at night and close and lock the garage doors.

RECENT ARREST IN PRECINCT IV

412 beat
On 3/3/12, at around 1:00 AM, an officer was on patrol when he observed a male drive his vehicle behind the Tires Plus on Johnson Ferry Road. The officer apparently interrupted what was about to be a business burglary and after an investigation the male was charged with Possession of Burglary Tools and Loitering and Prowling.

412 beat
On 3/18/12 officers responded to an assault call on Innsbruck Lane and arrested a male who had cut an acquaintance with a sword which resulted in an injury that required 25 stitches.

414 beat
On 3/21/12 officers responded to a domestic dispute on Dewberry Trail and had to fight with an intoxicated male who they were trying to arrest for assaulting a family member.

In addition to the incidents noted above, the officers in Precinct 4 made approximately 130 arrests in February and over 60 this month so far for a variety of offenses that include DUI, possession of drugs including heroin and pain pills, and numerous traffic related charges. They also located several individuals with outstanding warrants. Each of these arrests goes a long way toward keeping East Cobb a safe place to live and work.

This concludes the March PENS Bulletin. Please continue to stay involved, stay vigilant, and help look out for your neighbors!

PCT IV PENS BULLETIN
January, 2012
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

PUBLIC SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH

We are already half way through January and although we have been fortunate to avoid severe weather thus far, most of winter is still ahead of us. I’m sure no one has forgotten that barely a year ago most of metro Atlanta, including Cobb, was brought to a weeklong standstill after snow and ice built up on roadways. Schools, government offices, and many private businesses were closed and grocery stores ran low on many basic items as roads and highways remained impassible for days.

Now is a good time to take inventory of emergency supplies to make sure you and your family have what they need in the event of a similar storm. Although interrupted utilities are usually restored rather quickly in this area, depending on the severity of the storm, you may go several days without electricity, water, or natural gas. Grocery stores and pharmacies may be forced to close or have interrupted supply chains, resulting in a shortage of basic necessities and prescription medications.

It is also important to remember that during a winter storm, emergency workers will be overwhelmed and response times will be severely delayed. By making a few preparations now and having an emergency kit on hand, you can help to ensure your family’s safety. The following items are of particular importance and can be stored in a couple of large plastic bins in the garage.

Water, a gallon per person/per day, at least a 3 day supply
Food, at least a 3 day supply of non perishable items and a can opener
Flashlight with extra batteries
First Aid Kit
Moist towelettes and gargage bags for personal sanitation
Infant formula and diapers if applicable

For a more comprehensive list of recommended supplies to keep on hand in the event of an emergency, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website at: http://www.ready.gov/document/family-supply-list  This supply list can be tailored to fit your family’s unique needs.

If you have a fireplace, keep plenty of firewood on hand as supplies will deplete rapidly at home improvement and grocery stores in anticipation of a storm. Remember to keep at least a week’s supply of prescription medications on hand as well.

If you use alternative means of cooking during a power outage it is imperative to remember that you should never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, or charcoal-burning device inside of your home, garage, basement, crawlspace, or any partially enclosed area. If you use one of these items place it outside and away from doors, windows, and vents to avoid carbon monoxide build up inside your home.

Make sure that carbon monoxide alarms are installed in central locations on every level of your home and near sleeping areas so that you will have advance notice if carbon monoxide build-up occurs. Check batteries on your smoke alarms and inspect fire extinguishers to make sure they are fully charged and easily accessible.

CRIME TRENDS

Over the long MLK holiday weekend, numerous business burglaries occurred along Johnson Ferry Road, Terrell Mill Road, Roswell Road, Providence Road, and Village Trace. The thieves appear to be targeting flat screen TVs and laptop computers as well as petty cash. If you own a business in the area, please take lap top computers home at night and be sure that all PC data is backed up to a portable hard drive that you take home with you. If you have video surveillance cameras, make sure they are operational and be sure to set the alarm.

We experienced numerous incidents of Entering Auto overnight between 1/10 and 1/11/12. Subdivisions along Paper Mill Road including Sibley Forest, Atlanta Country Club, and Gateside Place were targeted in addition to residences along Woodlawn Drive. Thieves entered numerous unlocked vehicles looking primarily for cash and credit cards. They also smashed the windows of vehicles that had purses or briefcases in view.

We also experience at least 3 Entering Autos overnight between 1/14 and 1/15 on Mainsail Drive in 413 beat. Items targeted include cash, electronics, gift cards, and CDs.

We are continuing to experience thefts from lockers at area fitness centers. Thieves are stealing credit cards from unlocked lockers and heading straight to retail stores to make a purchase before the victim even notices the cards are missing. There have also been a couple of incidents where the thief stole the keyless entry remote from the victim’s unlocked locker and then stole credit cards from the victim’s car in the parking lot.

Despite a recent arrest, we are still experiencing a substantial increase in the theft and dismantlement of commercial air conditioning units for the purpose of selling the copper and other recyclable materials. The current trend extends throughout the Sandy Plains and Shallowford Road areas. Both residential and commercial properties have the potential to fall prey to this type of criminal due to the difficulty in positively identifying the stolen items. As police departments in the metro Atlanta area continue to network with area recyclers in an attempt to combat thefts of recyclable metals, we have developed the ability to send out alerts to area recyclers when identifiable metals are stolen. To aid with the identification of metals such as the coils within an AC unit, it has been recommended to paint the coil a bright fluorescent color to help distinguish it from other units.

WHAT YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS CAN DO

We have had significant success with apprehending criminals because you called 911 to report suspicious behavior. You are the eyes and ears in your neighborhoods and you, more than anyone else, know who doesn’t belong. Call 911 anytime you see individuals on foot in your neighborhood that you don’t recognize or vehicles that drive slowly up and down the street or that are stopped with someone just sitting in the vehicle. Even if everything checks out at the time, we still have their information on record.

Don’t forget the basics of crime prevention when it comes to keeping your home secure. A security system with an audible alarm is a great deterrent to have. Be sure to set your alarm every time you leave the house. Make sure that your alarm service yard signs and window decals are visible from the street and replace them when they start to show age.

Be sure to keep windows, doors, and garage doors closed and locked when you are away. Purchase a timer for your exterior lighting or turn it on before you leave if you don’t plan to get back home until after dark.

Do not store large quantities of cash or jewelry in your home but instead use a safety deposit box at your bank. You may not avoid becoming a victim of a burglary but you can certainly minimize your loss.

Remove purses, briefcases, book bags, and anything that appears to contain valuables from your car at night and lock your doors. If you have a garage, park the car in the garage at night and close and lock the garage doors.

When at a fitness center, lock wallets and purses in the trunk of your car before you arrive at your destination (in case the thief is watching) and keep your car keys with you at all times.

RECENT ARREST IN PRECINCT IV

As a result of the investigation into the spike in AC thefts, a BOLO (Be On The Lookout) was disseminated to the Uniform officers of PCT IV with a vague picture of a possible suspect vehicle obtained from video surveillance. On 1/9/12, an officer located a suspicious male and a vehicle that matched the description in the area of Sandy Plains Road/Gordy Parkway, in the vicinity of the recent thefts. A follow up investigation from the assigned detective resulted in the arrest of a male from Canton, GA. He was initially charged with 2 counts of Theft by Taking and 2 counts of Criminal Damage to Property in the 2nd degree. The investigation continues in an effort to link him with numerous additional incidents of damage to A/C units and the theft of the copper from within.

On 1/18/12 at approximately 2:30 AM, a uniformed officer from PCT IV was on patrol in the area of Old Canton Road and Valencia Drive (413 beat) when he observed a suspicious vehicle occupied by 2 males and a female stopped on Valencia Drive. As he approached to investigate, one male fled the scene. The remaining occupants were detained for investigation. As a result, the male and female were each charged with 5 counts of Entering Auto for incidents that took place on Valencia Drive, Canton Hills Drive, and Old Canton Road. The remaining male has been identified and charges are forthcoming.

In addition to the featured arrests, the uniform division in PCT IV has made approximately 68 arrests so far this month for a variety of incidents including DUI, Violation of the GA Controlled Substance Act, Wanted Person Located, Underage Possession of Alcohol, and various drivers’ license offenses. All of these arrests go a long way toward keeping East Cobb a safe place to live and work.

This concludes the January PENS Bulletin. Please continue to stay involved, stay vigilant, and help keep your neighborhood safe!


PCT IV PENS BULLETIN
December 2011
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PUBLIC SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH

Christmas is in less than two weeks and the shopping season is in full swing. I would like to ask everyone to review the holiday shopping crime prevention tips from the November Bulletin and pass them on to your friends and family. Remember, it is very important to avoid leaving your gifts in the car between trips, especially those high dollar items such as flat screen TVs and gaming systems. It takes seconds for a thief to smash your car window and steal all your purchases! So plan your shopping accordingly and save those purchases for last.

For those who will be finishing up their holiday shopping online or who plan to wait till the beginning of 2012 in hopes of landing some great deals, I would like to provide you with some tips to help keep your online purchasing safe and secure. As with anything else in life, the old adage “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” holds true with online shopping. In your quest for the very best bargains, it is important to stick with companies that are tried and true, whether big box retail or smaller local establishments. 

   1. It is important to conduct your online shopping from a computer that is not shared, 
       ideally your home PC. It should have the most recent updates installed for anti-
       virus and spyware, spam filters, and a secure firewall.

   2. Pay with a credit card instead of a debit card. If someone does access your
       information illegally and decides to do a little shopping of their own, federal law
       generally limits your liability to $50. Avoid storing your credit card information
       online. Although very convenient, your personal information could be
       compromised if the site is breached.

   3. When you get ready to pay for your purchase, it is important to make sure the
       payment web page is encrypted.

Look for an “s” after the http in the web address of the payment page and a tiny
closed padlock in the address bar or on the lower right corner of the window.



For these and other online safety measures, be sure to visit; http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/online-shopping.aspx

I would also like to remind everyone to pay special attention to fire prevention during the holiday season. Live Christmas trees, lit candles, and loaded down electrical outlets pose additional fire hazards during this time of the year. If you have a live Christmas tree, it is very important to keep it well watered. Often a short in Christmas lights or an open flame from a candle will start a tree fire. Avoid placing your tree near a heat source such as a fireplace, space heater, or heat vent.

Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, broken bulbs, and broken or cracked sockets. Periodically check strands of light for signs that they are overheating as they should not be warm to touch. Avoid overloading electrical outlets, both indoor and outdoor, and make sure all exits are free from obstacles so that in the event of a fire, you and your family can get out quickly. For further information on holiday fire prevention tips, I encourage you to visit the website of the U.S. Fire Administration at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/holiday.shtm

CRIME TRENDS

With the continued rise in price for recyclable metals, we have seen a recent spike in the theft of commercial air conditioning units. Both residential and commercial properties have the potential to fall prey to this type of criminal due to the difficulty in positively identifying the stolen items. As police departments in the metro Atlanta area continue to network with area recyclers in an attempt to combat thefts of recyclable metals, we have developed the ability to send out alerts to area recyclers when identifiable metals are stolen. To aid with the identification of metals such as the coils within an AC unit, it has been recommended to paint the coil a bright fluorescent color to help distinguish it from other units.

Although vandalism of Christmas decorations often goes unreported to the police, I have received informal information that there has been an increase in this type of activity within certain neighborhoods in East Cobb. It is important that you remind your teens that damaging someone’s property is more than a prank, it is a crime and it comes with serious consequences. A teenager who has just turned 17 and who goes into someone’s yard and damages their decorations can be charged with a crime and be taken to jail. If the damage exceeds $500, which is not hard to do these days, the crime becomes a felony. Having a criminal record can make someone ineligible for scholarships and other types of financial aid and close the door to many potential jobs.

WHAT YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS CAN DO

We have had significant success with apprehending criminals because you called 911 to report suspicious behavior. You are the eyes and ears in your neighborhoods and you, more than anyone else, know who doesn’t belong. Call 911 anytime you see individuals on foot in your neighborhood that you don’t recognize or vehicles that drive slowly up and down the street or that are stopped with someone just sitting in the vehicle. Even if everything checks out at the time, we still have their information on record.

Don’t forget the basics of crime prevention when it comes to keeping your home secure. A security system with an audible alarm is a great deterrent to have. Be sure to set your alarm every time you leave the house. Make sure that your alarm service yard signs and window decals are visible from the street and replace them when they start to show age.

Be sure to keep windows, doors, and garage doors closed and locked when you are away. Purchase a timer for your exterior lighting or turn it on before you leave if you don’t plan to get back home until after dark.

Do not store large quantities of cash or jewelry in your home but instead use a safety deposit box at your bank. You may not avoid becoming a victim of a burglary but you can certainly minimize your loss.

RECENT ARREST IN PRECINCT IV

416 beat
On November 28th officers were dispatched to a woman who was trying to submit a forged prescription at the Walgreens on Delk Road. As the officer approached her, she struck his police vehicle with her Chevy Tahoe, and knocked it out of the way. She then jumped a curb, drove down an embankment and across a sidewalk in her efforts to avoid arrest. She then turned onto Powers Ferry Road, lost control of her vehicle and crashed into the entrance sign of an apartment complex, where she fled on foot. A detective in the area spotted the woman as she was calling a ride and after a brief foot chase she was taken into custody.

In addition to the arrest highlighted above, uniform officers continue to make numerous arrest for drug offenses, DUI and driver’s license violations, and numerous other charges, all of which help keep East Cobb safe.

This concludes the December PENS Bulletin. Please continue to stay involved, stay vigilant, and have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season!


PCT IV PENS BULLETIN
November 2011
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PUBLIC SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH

Thanksgiving is just a week away and the holiday shopping season will officially begin. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is often the busiest shopping day of the year. Shoppers will be out in full force and so will the thieves. And although there will also be an increased law enforcement presence, we simply cannot be everywhere at once. The intent is not to frighten you into staying home to do all your shopping online, but instead to educate you with simple steps you can take that will reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

The thefts of items from your vehicle almost always increase this time of year. Thieves target the parking lots at malls and retail establishments looking for high yield with little investment. But again, a little planning goes a long way toward reducing your chances of becoming a victim. Try to choose well lit parking spaces in areas closer to the main entrances and exits, even if it means you have to circle the parking lot a couple of times. Pay attention to anyone who appears to be loitering in the parking lot and report suspicious behavior, first by calling 911, and then by notifying mall or store security where available. Limit the number of trips you make to the car in any one shopping expedition. If you have to leave packages in your car, unload them into the trunk and keep your windows up and doors locked.

Shop for high dollar items last, especially electronics, and don’t make any stops on the way home.

Once you make your purchase whether it is a flat screen television, iPad, or that new PS3 for the kids, take the items home and immediately unload the car. Many times thieves will sit in the parking lots of electronic and computer stores and watch while you load your car with your new purchases. They follow you to your next destination and while you are inside finishing your shopping or grabbing dinner, they are outside unloading your vehicle, usually in mere seconds.

Other crimes such as purse snatching and wallet thefts may increase this time of year. Criminals know that shoppers will likely carry numerous credit cards and often be tired and distracted. These crimes are largely opportunistic, meaning that the suspect commits the crime because they have a chance to, and not because they planned to. The good news is there are things you can do to reduce the chances of becoming the victim of these types of crime that are quite simple and don’t require any special skills or training.

Do not place your purse in the shopping cart. At some point you will become distracted, leaving it an easy target Carry a purse with a long strap so you can wear it across your body, virtually eliminating the chance of having it stolen and at the same time reducing shoulder fatigue. Keep your purse zipped, and limit the number of credit cards you carry with you, taking only the ones you know you will need. In the event your wallet is stolen, the thief will have less to work with and you will have fewer cards to cancel.

Stay aware of your surroundings as you shop, walk to and from your car, and even as you return home after a long day of shopping. Look around as you are walking, and even occasionally glance behind you to send the message that you are aware of what is going on around you, and don’t be afraid to make eye contact with people. Minimize distractions such as talking on the cell phone while you are walking in parking lots and parking decks. Walk with a purpose and exude confidence, even when you are tired and don’t feel like it. And whenever possible, shop with an adult companion.

Before you head back to your car, make sure your car keys are available so that you won’t need to dig through your purse while loaded down with packages. If someone approaches in a parking lot to ask you for the time, for money, or any other reason, do not stop. Instead keep a steady pace and tell them firmly that you are not interested. This is often a ploy to distract you so that your belongings can be stolen or to engage you in some type of scam. If your cell phone rings, ignore it. That is what caller ID is for; you can return the call after you have unloaded your packages and are sitting down with locked car doors.

A person who walks with confidence and remains aware of their surroundings and free of distractions deters criminals. The very nature of a criminal’s chosen profession indicates that they don’t want to work hard at anything, not even crime.

CRIME TRENDS

Theft from vehicles (Entering Autos) in parks, recreational areas, and fitness center parking lots continues to be a problem. It is very important to either keep your purse or wallet with you or to lock it in the trunk of your vehicle before you arrive at your destination. Do not try to hide it under a seat or coat as the thieves know all these tricks.

WHAT YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS CAN DO

We have had significant success with apprehending criminals because you called 911 to report suspicious behavior. You are the eyes and ears in your neighborhoods and you, more than anyone else, know who doesn’t belong. Call 911 anytime you see individuals on foot in your neighborhood that you don’t recognize. Everyone knows the difference between someone out for a walk and someone who is loitering around. Don’t assume they are “just high school kids” or someone with something to sell. Many of the burglars we arrest are juveniles skipping school. And often people who come to your door claiming they have something to sell are just looking for an opportunity to steal.

As a reminder, if someone knocks at your door that you don’t recognize, DO NOT IGNORE THEM! This is often a ploy to see if anyone is home before they go to the back door and kick it in. Simply yell through the door that you are not interested and that you are calling 911. Then go ahead and place the call because if they aren’t successful at your house, your neighbor’s house may be the next place they try.

RECENT ARREST IN PRECINCT IV

412 beat
On 11/16/11 Canine officers were conducting a track in an attempt to locate a driver who fled on foot from the scene of a traffic accident. During this track one of the canines alerted to the presence of drugs at a house on Hembree Road. A search warrant was later conducted at the residence and it was discovered that marijuana was being grown inside. More than 190 plants were confiscated in addition to illegal prescription narcotics. Both residents were arrested and charged with multiple counts of Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act in addition to Manufacturing Marijuana within 1000 Feet of a School.

416 beat
On 11/10/11, a witness called 911 to report 2 suspicious males on foot looking around a house on Meadowbrook Lane. Responding officers located the males and found them to be in possession of a brick, (for breaking out windows) and other items commonly used to break into homes. Both were arrested and charged with Loitering and Prowling and Possession of Burglary Tools. Good job to the officers and to the witness who called 911!

416 beat
On 11/16/11, a witness called 911 to report 3 males looking into cars at Bellingham Apartments, 1625 Roswell Road. Upon arrival the officers located the males in the area and a foot pursuit ensued. The males were caught and after an investigation, it was determined that in addition to breaking into cars, they had also climbed up to a second story balcony and stolen the resident’s bicycle and his child’s bike. Good job to the officers and special thanks to the witness who called 911!

In addition to the arrests highlighted above, uniform officers also made over 90 arrests so far this month for drug offenses, DUI and driver’s license violations, and numerous other charges, all of which help keep East Cobb safe.

This concludes the November PENS Bulletin. Please continue to stay involved, stay vigilant, and have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

PCT IV PENS BULLETIN
October 2011     
_____________________________________________________________________________ 
    

PUBLIC SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH

It is officially fall and Halloween is less than two weeks away. With that in mind I would like to remind everyone of some basic safety practices to follow to help keep your kids safe as they go trick or treating.

Of utmost importance is visibility and there are several inexpensive ways to help make sure your child can be seen. Glow bands that can be worn as both bracelets and necklaces are a fun way to brighten up a child’s costume. Flashlights, light up shoes, and reflective tape around the sleeves and on the back of the costume will also increase visibility.

If your children are young you will likely accompany them but even then with all of the excitement, children can be unpredictable. Monitor them closely so that they don’t dash across streets and into the paths of vehicles. Encourage them to stay together, walk on the side of the road facing traffic, and out of courtesy and to avoid falls, use the driveways instead of cutting through yards.

There are many families that do not live in subdivisions or live in subdivisions that are very spread out. In such cases, parents will often drive their children through neighborhoods stopping every few houses to let their kids out. The combination of large numbers of young, excited pedestrians and additional vehicular traffic can present an obviously dangerous situation. Consider posting signs at the entrance to your subdivision asking people as a courtesy to park their vehicles and walk with the kids from house to house. This will go a long way toward creating a safer environment for everyone. Lastly, since not everyone wishes to participate in Halloween, respect the wishes of those who have their lights turned off and don’t go to their door.

For the older kids who might be old enough to trick or treat without an adult, discuss what streets they will be visiting and set a specific time for them to be home. Make sure they keep a cell phone on them and remind them to never enter anyone’s home or vehicle. They should only visit well lit houses that are handing out candy near the front of the house, and should never go around to the rear of someone’s home for any reason. Encourage your kids to trust their instincts and if a situation doesn’t feel right, get out of it.

Discussing Halloween safety tips with your children presents a good opportunity to introduce or reinforce “stranger danger” concepts. There is a foundation that many of you may have heard of named Family Watchdog http://www.familywatchdog.us/  that provides a wealth of safety tips specifically focused on children including a list of registered sex offenders. You can enter your address to receive mapped results of sex offenders in your area that includes their address, photo, and the type of crime they were convicted of. You can also sign up to receive alerts when an offender moves near you or moves away.

This information is provided to you to increase awareness of potential dangers and to provide visual reinforcement to your children that these criminals are real and they live among us. It also affords the opportunity to show your children that sex offenders do not look like the “boogie man”. They come in all shapes and sizes, all races and ages, and can be male or female. But as the website states, this information is not provided so that citizens can initiate contact with offenders for the purpose of harassment or to try to get them to move away.

CRIME TRENDS

We are still experiencing Entering Autos at parks and recreational venues. On October 14^th there were at least 3 Entering Auto incidents that took place at Harrison Park Tennis Complex located at 2560 Sandy Plains Road. On October 15th, there were at least 3 Entering Auto incidents that took place at East Cobb Park located at 3322 Roswell Road.

In most of these incidents, the items were left on the floor or in plain view. In at least one of the incidents, the perpetrator smashed the window to access the trunk release and stole the victim's purse shortly after she arrived. This would indicate that the suspect was likely conducting surveillance of the parking lot and observed the victim placing her purse in the trunk.

WHAT YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS CAN DO

Please remind everyone to remove their purse, wallet, laptop, briefcase, or anything that appears to contain valuables and place it in the trunk of their vehicle BEFORE arriving at your destination. Do not attempt to hide these items in the floorboard, under the seat or under a jacket. The thieves know all of these tricks.

To limit the amount of the loss in the event that a purse or wallet is stolen, consider carrying only those credit cards that you are likely to use. Remember, parks and sports complexes are often targeted because thieves know that most people don't carry their valuables around while exercising.

You are the eyes and ears in your neighborhoods. If you see anything that looks out of place, call 911 and let an officer investigate. It is not a bother, it is our job. As you will see documented below, tips from you help us solve these cases. Take note of the race, age, and gender of the occupants and any clothing descriptions you can remember. Focus on details of the vehicle such as body style, color, tag number if you can get it, and condition of the vehicle  Look for obvious dents, scrapes, broken windows, or bumper stickers. The more details you get, the easier it is for the responding officer to locate.

RECENT ARRESTS IN PRECINCT IV

414 Beat
On September 16th a burglary occurred at 1625 Roswell Road. The suspect forced entry through the lower level rear window of the apartment. A screen was cut and window fan unit was pushed in to gain entry. The female victim, who was at home alone when the suspect entered, screamed and the suspect then fled through the window. A subsequent K9 track led to the discovery of the suspect’s clothing and latex gloves along the path. A suspect was developed by Sgt. Nelson and in a subsequent interview he admitted to the burglary and was charged accordingly.

415 beat
On September 13th, Officer Goodman responded to reports of Entering Auto at the Longhorn’s at 4721 Lower Roswell Road. No suspect information was available so in the following days, he set up surveillance in a nearby parking lot, watching for suspicious behavior. On September 28th, Officer Goodman observed a male exit a Jeep Cherokee and then attempt to break into a vehicle while another male acted as a lookout. He made contact with the suspects and after further investigation was able to charge them with multiple counts of Entering Auto and return property to some of the victims. The males were also found to have a firearm in their possession as well as marijuana.

416 beat
On October 11^th between 6:00 and 7:15 AM, an observant citizen contacted police regarding a suspicious male on Ashton Woods Drive in her neighborhood. Police responded to the area but were not initially able to locate him.  Officer Goodman met with the complainant and was provided a good description of the male. He also met with two victims whose cars had been entered.

On October 13^th, Officer Goodman was dispatched to reports of Entering Autos on Lucky Drive, not far from the previous incidents.  He met with the complainant and obtained information that a suspicious person had been seen leaving the area. The description was very similar to the one provided for Ashton Woods Drive.  Officer Goodman began searching the area for the suspicious male and located him on a bicycle on Lower Roswell Road near Old Sewell Road. The male attempted to flee but Officer Goodman was able to apprehend him. A 49 year old male of Marietta, Georgia was charged with 3 counts of Entering Auto. Additional charges are pending. I would like to commend the diligent officer as well as the observant citizen who contacted police.

This concludes the October PENS Bulletins. Please continue to stay involved, stay vigilant, and stay safe!