HomeFront PageCrime in East Atlanta

Crime in East Atlanta

By Henry Bryant
After two murders – one involving an armed robbery and an additional shooting – in East Atlanta during the month of May, residents there have become more concerned than usual. There also have been the usual car break-ins in the area – although maybe with a little springtime increase in frequency and number. Representatives from Neighborhood Planning Unit-W and the East Atlanta Community Association have swung into action, getting the facts of the cases and reaching out to police and elected officials about the crimes and what might be done to improve the situation. In this they have worked closely with Major Meadows of Zone 6 as well as Council Member Archibong, who has also been busy reaching out to Police Chief Turner for immediate solutions above what was already in place. The June EACA meeting was devoted to a discussion of Public Safety in the neighborhood.
NPU-W Chairman Ed Gilgor, who has been one of the leaders of the community effort gave us this background info:
Two murders is obviously two too many.  However, it is critical that people understand the following things about these heinous crimes:
1) There was no relationship between these crimes.
2) The first killing involved a business dispute over an illicit transaction (Metropolitan Avenue).
3) The second killing was another robbery (which is a serious crime in and of itself) and the likely reason for the killing was some form of non-compliance or perceived non-compliance (Flat Shoals at May Avenues).
4) The police presence in East Atlanta has been greatly enhanced (obviously we cannot give out details as that would almost certainly filter down to the criminals).
5) Chief Turner has authorized Major Meadows to expend overtime funds in order to get the number of officers he needs out and about.
6) We are working to make sure that all streets surrounding the business district are adequately lit.
Gilgor also provided us with this list of things that we all can do to keep the neighborhood and ourselves safer. He says, “At the same time, I think it is equally important to stress this is not the first, nor will it be the last, time we have seen a surge in crime.”
What can citizens do:
1) If you see a car sitting on a street with people inside it for an extended period (say 5 minutes) and they are not interacting with anyone on the street, CALL 911!  Let the police figure out if there is anything illicit happening.
2) Report all non-functioning street lights: http://www.georgiapower.com/business/outdoor-lighting/report-outage.cshtml?mnuopco=gpc&mnuType=res
3) Keep all lights in front of your house on so as to maximally illuminate the street.
4) Consider installing motion detector lights so as to cover your driveway and front walkways.
5) Call the police anytime you see something suspicious.
6) If you are walking after dark, walk with a flashlight and be alert.
7) If you come upon a police officer on patrol, thank them for being here.  It makes a difference for them when they know that their presence is appreciated and not resented.
8) Contact the mayor at mkreed@atlantaga.gov and ask him what he is doing to help get more police onto Atlanta’s streets and why he has not been seen so far in East Atlanta.
What to do if you are accosted by a robber:
1) Do not make direct eye contact with the robber.
2) Comply with all instructions, except refuse to get into a vehicle.
3) Do not attempt to bargain with them or ask if you can please keep your Costco card (you can always get another one).
4) Do not argue with them.
5) Do nothing to antagonize them.
6) Go to the nearest house and immediately ask to use the phone to call the police and report the crime immediately!  DO NOT WAIT!  SECONDS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
7) Write down whatever you can remember about the robber (clothing, tattoos, scars, other identifying marks, vehicle, or weapon).

Recent

AdvertisementAd: ScreenFixing, We're here because you broke something. Phone: 404-969-6FIX, 1267 Glenwood Ave SE, Atlanta Ga 30316, http://screenfixing.comAd for Cuong Nhu Martial Arts, Sung Ming Shu | 465 Boulevard S.E. Atlanta, GA 30312 Suite 202A | 404-525-4707 | sungmingshu@gmail.com
AdvertisementAd for Kawata Piano Studio, phone 617-767-9176, web: https://www.kawatapianostudio.com

More from Author

Calendar March-April 2023

CALENDAR Community Meetings GPNA (Grant Park Neighborhood Association). 3rd Tuesday of every month, 7:30pm-9:00pm....

Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land Acquires Conservation Easement

By Amanda Leesburg Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (SE Trust), a...

Spring Blooms at Oakland with Family-Friendly Events!

Visitors enjoying last year's Illumine event Photo courtesy of Historic Oakland Foundation By...

EAV Farmer’s Market Springing Back

By Katie Kriner East Atlanta Village (EAV) Farmers Market is a-springin' back...

Read Now

Calendar March-April 2023

CALENDAR Community Meetings GPNA (Grant Park Neighborhood Association). 3rd Tuesday of every month, 7:30pm-9:00pm. Check www.grantpark.org for details. SAND (South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development). 2nd Thursday of every month, 7:30pm, Ormewood Church Fellowship Hall, corner of Woodland & Delaware Avenues. EACA (East Atlanta Community Association). 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7:00pm. See www.eaca.net for details. EABA (East Atlanta Business Association)...

Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land Acquires Conservation Easement

By Amanda Leesburg Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (SE Trust), a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, acquires, conserves, and utilizes natural land for its mission of Conservation, Recreation and Community. SE Trust is proud to announce the creation and filing of a perpetual Conservation Easement for Tapestry Greenspace in...

Spring Blooms at Oakland with Family-Friendly Events!

Visitors enjoying last year's Illumine event Photo courtesy of Historic Oakland Foundation By Angie Wynne March and April are filled with fun, family-friendly opportunities to experience spring at Oakland Cemetery. Phoenix Flies, Atlanta Preservation Center’s annual celebration of historic sites, comes to Oakland on March 17 for an exciting “Geology in...

EAV Farmer’s Market Springing Back

By Katie Kriner East Atlanta Village (EAV) Farmers Market is a-springin' back up on Thursday, March 30, from 4:00pm-8:00pm. It will continue every Thursday 'til mid-November.  All your favorite farmers and vendors are back, as well some new faces,  live music, market chef with free samples, good vibes, all the...

Phoenix Flies Launches March 4

By Atlanta Preservation Staff Phoenix Flies 2023 celebrates 20 years that the Atlanta Preservation Center has brought together organizations and individuals from the community to demonstrate the value of Atlanta’s historic built environment. From museums to adaptive reuse projects, to neighborhood tours to public libraries, this year’s 90...

EACA Monthly Meeting Minutes – Thursday, February 14, 2023

Call to Order / Start Meeting Recording 7:00pm. January 10, 2023, Meeting Minutes approved. January 2023 Treasurer Report approved. Key January Events Recap – Chase Miller: About 30 people came to the MLK day of service to work at Branan Towers and two Neighbor in Need homes. We...

SAND Update – February 2023

By Kate Champion, SAND president SAND’s February 9 meeting was held in person with special guests, Council Members Liliana Bakhtiari and Jason Winston. You can find the questions asked and answered in the article below.  Several items of business were presented. The Ormewood Park Makers Festival will be held Saturday,...

GPNA Monthly Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Call to Order–7:30pm. President’s Introduction. 2023 GPNA Goals: Website refresh - GPNA will finalize and implement the rebranded GPNA website. Sign toppers - GPNA will finalize neighborhood sign toppers project and implementation. Legacy neighbors outreach & support - GPNA will continue building on success from 2022. Community engagement -...

Madison Theater Participates in the GA Trust Historic Theater Tour 

Photo by Elena Kaplan Friends of the Madison Theater (left to right) include Stephanie Cherry-Farmer, Bill Gould, Jennifer Murray. Photo by Jenny Murry Stephanie Cherry-Farmer in front of the Madison Theater By Jenny Murray On February 11, the Madison Theater in East Atlanta was included in an “Historic Theaters Expedition”...

EACA Re-Launches the Friends of Brownwood Park Group

Photo by Patrick Cousins Park Pride, EACA and community leaders gather at Brownwood Park for a walk-through in January 2023. Left to Right: Michael Halicki, Executive Director of Park Pride; Ellen Bruenderman, Director of Community Services at Park Pride; Chase Miller, EACA President; Justin Cutler, City of Atlanta...

Council Member Liliana Bakhtiari Directs One Million Discretionary Dollars to Park Pride

By Nicholas Cappon Today, the Atlanta City Council adopted 23-O-1074, authorizing a contribution of $2.8 million in district-specific funds to Park Pride, with $1 million directly to park improvements and upgrades in Council District 5. “The health and vitality of a community can be measured by the growth and...

Legacy Neighbor Spotlight: James and Lillian Rowland

By Dee Dee Abbott Imagine buying a house in Grant Park for $450 down with a monthly payment of $57. This real estate reverie was a real estate reality for James Rowland. When James and his wife Lillian moved to Grant Park in 1965, there were only three other...