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Posts Tagged ‘Decatur Police’

The Decatur Police Department has joined the other departments of the City in adopting cloud computing.  The change in technology roughly coincides with the return of the police to the Beacon Municipal Center.

The technology changeover went smoothly with no disruptions to dispatching or other emergency services.  Based on consultations between VC3 (the City’s cloud and technology provider), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Decatur Police Department, Decatur’s network remains compliant with criminal justice information services (CJIS) standards.

The cloud expansion demonstrates Decatur’s commitment to innovation and to providing employees with the most efficient tools for staff to work effectively.  Internal surveys indicate that 71 percent of City employees are somewhat or very satisfied with our cloud—they rate the best aspect of our cloud as the ability to “work from anywhere” whether at their desk or on-the-go from a mobile device.

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Residential burglary is a property crime but it feels like a personal violation to know someone has been in your home. We take burglary prevention and burglary investigations very seriously and want to share as much information as possible to help you make things more difficult for burglars.

Please take a few minutes and view this burglary prevention video which features an overview of current trends and methods seen in Decatur, tips from a former burglar to help you make your home a less desirable target and a look at what products and methods are available to reinforce common entry points to your home.

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Too Good To Be True

Thursday, July 17, 6:30 p.m.

Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St.

Lifelong Decatur Third Thursday series hosts a panel of experts on avoiding fraud and scams, especially those targeting older adults. Whether you are concerned for yourself or a loved one, learn steps to prevent being taken advantage of by investment scams, telemarketing schemes and other fraud, identity theft, and financial exploitation of older adults and other vulnerable individuals.

The panel includes Sgt. Jennifer Ross, Decatur Police Department Community Information and Education Officer; Jeanne Canavan, DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office; and Elder and Family Law attorney Donald S. Horace, Esq.

Think you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam? Here are some resources for help:

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From the Decatur Police Department’s Jennifer Ross: 

It is the time of year where I anxiously wait for October to arrive but we have many more weeks of “Hotlanta” temperatures ahead before my wish is granted so we wanted to send out a few hot weather reminders to help make sure those who are most vulnerable stay safe.

Hot Car 070814_blog

Never Leave Children, Seniors or Animals in Parked Vehicles. Nobody should be sitting in parked cars this time of year but children, seniors and animals are even more vulnerable. Just don’t do it.  Not even for a the few minutes it takes to run a quick errand. It does not take long for the temperature inside of a parked vehicle to become dangerous.  According to the National Weather Service, the inside of a vehicle can reach temperatures over 120 degrees in just 80 degree weather. I decided to check out the Decatur sun today and with the outside temperature at 87 degrees and a light rain shower, within just one hour the temperature inside of the car reached 106 degrees. While thankfully there has not been any incidents of children, seniors or pets left in vehicles with tragic outcomes in our community, we have responded to a few instances of children and pets in hot cars that were noticed and reported by concerned citizens before something tragic occurred.

Check On Your Senior Neighbors. This is a particularly dangerous time of year for seniors. Seniors worried about high electric bills too often forgo air conditioning which can lead to heat stroke or worse.  Please take a few minutes to check on senior neighbors and family members. Make sure they are drinking enough water and not staying in homes that are too hot for their health. Let them know about Georgia Power’s senior bill discount if they are at least 65 year of age and live on an income no more than $23,340.  They can also call 2-1-1 (United Way) to learn if there are any other financial aid programs that might help offset cooling costs.

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2013 Bike DerbySgt. Jennifer Ross with the Decatur Police Department shares the following: 

Do you want to have your bicycle registered with the police department in case it is lost or stolen?

If so, please stop by the Children’s Bike Rodeo Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Callaway parking lot, located at the corner of West Trinity Place and Commerce Drive in downtown Decatur. Decatur Police will record the identifying information for your bicycle, apply a decal and photograph your bicycle so that in the event it is stolen, the needed information will be on file. Also, in the event the bicycle is found, it can be reunited with its owner. The process takes just a few minutes. Even if you are not attending the bike rodeo, please bring your bicycles by and get them registered.

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Each May, during National Police Week, the U.S. recognizes the service and sacrifice of law enforcement and pays tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. We are joining the effort of many organizations nationwide dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community.

This year National Police Week is May 11-17, 2014. Please show your support by entering important information to help keep officers safe in the line of duty at www.smart911.com. Read a recent story about how Smart911 helped responding officers: http://bit.ly/1kCniZW

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Severe weather is expected to arrive in Decatur between 6 and 8 p.m. tonight and will last through Thursday. Tornadoes, flooding, severe thunderstorms and lightning are all possible during this time.

Here are things to do NOW to prepare for the inclement weather:

  • Make sure you have enough emergency food and water supplies to last for three days per person. If you have pets, make sure you have the necessary supplies to feed and care for them.
  • Register your phones for the Code Red Weather Warnings. This system will alert you to the dangers of severe weather and any other emergencies that require quick notification.
  • Create or update your Smart911 profile. Be sure to include any special medical concerns, especially if anyone in your household requires medical equipment that uses electricity.
  • Review your family’s emergency plan, and remind everyone where the safest place to shelter in your house is.
  • Charge all cell phones and put fresh batteries in emergency radios.
  • Download the FEMA smartphone app for additional tips and emergency information.

Remember:

  • Always remain calm.
  • Power outages or trees on power lines should be reported directly to Georgia Power at 1-888-891-0938.
  • The police non-emergency number is 404-373-6551.
  • Have a plan to check on any vulnerable neighbors (for example, seniors or those with medical conditions) during and after the storm.
  • When contacting loved ones, a text message is more likely to get through in an emergency situation than a phone call.

Tornado sirens: What you need to know

Decatur has installed four outdoor sirens to warn the community when such a threat occurs. The sirens are located at Glennwood Academy, Winnona Park Elementary, Oakhurst Elementary and the City Schools Administration Building on Scott Boulevard.

What are Tornado Outdoor Warning Sirens?

They are alarms that will be sounded to alert citizens who are outdoors that a tornado may be imminent. They are not designed to be heard inside a home or other building.

Who decides to sound the sirens and when will I hear them?

Sirens will be sounded by personnel in Decatur’s Police Communications Center when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for the Decatur area or when a tornado is spotted by a member of public safety. The sirens will sound for three to five minutes.

What should I do when I hear the siren?

Take immediate cover. Go indoors to a safe room at ground level or below with as few windows as possible. Basements are usually the best option. If you are in a vehicle and see a tornado approaching, get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building. If a building is not available, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter. Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries. Stay in a safe place until the weather improves.

How will my family be alerted indoors and at night?

Everyone must take personal responsibility to monitor radio and television weather reports when severe weather occurs. In a crisis, the Emergency Alert System instantly interrupts radio and TV broadcasts to provide emergency information. The National Weather Service (NWS) uses the system to alert the public to emergency weather information and dangerous conditions. EAS warnings are also transmitted on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio. Since neither the sirens nor the media may alert you indoors at night, we recommend that households and businesses have a Weather Alert Radio, which sounds an alarm when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning. If you buy a radio, we strongly recommend you purchase one that is programmable with your local county code.

More information about tornado safety can be found at http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes

Rainfall Amt Forecast

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Sgt. Jennifer S. Ross, Community Information & Education Officer for the City of Decatur Police Department, shares the following information: 

On 04/20/14, Decatur Police responded to a residential burglary in the 100 block of Springdale Street.  The victim reported the burglary occurred between 9am-9 pm.  Entry was made by breaking a sliding glass door.  Electronics were taken.

On 04/22/14, Decatur Police responded to a residential burglary in the 500 block of Nelson Ferry Road.  The victim reported the burglary occurred between 12pm-7pm.  Entry was made by kicking in a rear door.  Electronics and bicycles were taken.  Based on the size and amount of items taken the suspect(s) were most likely in a vehicle.

No police department can function effectively without the concerned assistance of community members. There is no way for officers to know where approximately 20,000 residents live and who or what vehicles normally come and go from individual homes.  The police are dependent on you to call whenever you observe suspicious persons, activities or motor vehicles.

We sometimes fail to call the police simply because we are not aware of what seemingly innocent activities might be suspicious. Other times we may notice suspicious activity and be hesitant to call for fear of seeming nosey or rude. Sometimes we assume someone else saw or heard something and already called.  Call the police immediately about all suspicious activity and do it yourself, anonymously if you wish. You may have more information than another caller. Do not worry about bothering the police or being embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded. Officers can quickly check out a person who may end up being a repair worker or friend who stopped by unexpectedly and make sure everything is okay.  Think of what might have happened if you didn’t call.

HOW DO I IDENTIFY A SUSPICIOUS PERSON AS SUSPICIOUS?

People aren’t suspicious, behavior is.  Although we say “suspicious person” or “suspicious vehicle”, it is in fact the behavior that is suspicious.

–       Do you see someone you do not recognize loitering on a neighbor’s property or going to/coming from the side or rear of the house?

–       Do you see a vehicle in your neighbor’s driveway, especially backed-in, that you do not recognize or at a time when nobody is usually home? 

–       Do you see person(s) going door to door, especially if they go to the side or rear of the house?

–       Do you see someone waiting or loitering near a neighbor’s house, looking around as though they are trying to check to see if anyone is watching them?

–       Do you hear glass breaking or the striking, banging noise caused by a door being kicked in?

–       Do you see the same unknown vehicle circulating the area, driving slowly, stopping in front of your neighbor’s houses?

REMINDER: The Decatur Police Department will be hosting a burglary prevention presentation to provide an accurate overview of trends and methods seen in Decatur, show you what products and methods are available to reinforce common entry points and to provide prevention tips from a former burglar to help you make your home a less desirable target.

When: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 from 6:30-8:00pm

Where: Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030

There is NO COST to attend. To reserve a seat for the presentation, click here or contact Sgt. Jennifer S. Ross at 678-553-6613.

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Sgt. Jennifer S. Ross with the Decatur Police Department shares the following:

On 4-16-14, Decatur Police were made aware of what appears to be a fraudulent auto dealer website.  The website http://dealerplatform.com/autocenter claims their auto center to be physically located at 700 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. That address does not exist. The site offers an on-line finance application and once approved you are to travel to the auto center to complete the purchase of a vehicle.

It is possible the purpose behind the site is to obtain the personal information required to complete the on-line finance application which puts you at risk for becoming the victim of identity fraud. Please use caution when completing online applications and confirm the physical location of the business. Best practice is to complete finance paperwork upon visiting the seller.  For more information on fraud prevention and scam alerts, please visit the Federal Trade Commission website.

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Help your Decatur Fire and Police Department continue to provide efficient and effective services by registering your fire and security alarms. Alarm registration information in the Decatur database will be used only by public safety.

Please provide information about the owner, property, key holder, and alarm company. Public safety does not need passwords or codes. Sign up online here.

 

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