Thefts up 26% in F’ville
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 9:13am
Submitted by Ben Nelms
Submitted by Ben Nelms
Thefts are a growing problem in Fayetteville, bumping reports of major crimes in the city by 15 percent during 2011, according to Fayetteville Police Chief Steve Heaton.
Part I crimes are more serious and include murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Part I crimes for 2011 totaled 519, a 15 percent increase from 2010.
“The major reason for the increase in the number of Part I crimes from 2010 to 2011 were in larcenies,” Heaton said at the March 15 meeting of the Fayetteville City Council in the department’s annual report. “The incidents of larceny increased by 91, or 26 percent, from 2010 to 2011.”
The presentation provided a snapshot of the department’s activities that included areas such as accreditation, crime statistics, K-9 Unit activities and a host of community initiatives.
Heaton in the presentation noted that the department had been state certified since 1998 by the Ga. Association of Chiefs of Police and internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) since 2002. The department is one of 38 agencies in Georgia and 595 agencies nationwide that are internationally accredited, Heaton told the council.
Crime is something that is always on the minds of both police and the community. The annual report noted the number of Part I and Part II crimes that occurred during 2011.
Part II crimes include those such as forgery, fraud, embezzlement, vandalism and buying, selling or receiving stolen property. The department reported 504 Part II crimes during 2011, a decrease of the 555 that occurred in 2010.
Part II crimes during 2011 were at the lowest level since 1994 when 502 such crimes were reported. The high came in 1998 with 864 Part II crimes followed by 755 crimes in 1999 and 744 in 2003. In total, Part II crimes decreased 9 percent from 2010.
Detectives in the Criminal Investigations Division worked 790 cases in 2011 that included a mixture of Part I and Part II crimes and violations of city ordinances, Heaton said.
Heaton said the department’s K-9 Unit made approximately 2,155 citizen contacts during 2011 at various community events and projects. The unit was responsible for the apprehension of 21 suspects and was responsible for an additional 51 misdemeanor and eight felony drug arrests. The arrests during 2011 yielded several firearms, 238 grams of marijuana, 10 grams of cocaine, 264 grams of synthetic drugs and $37,000 in drug money.
Another aspect of the police department’s community outreach is the Fayetteville Police Explorers for young adults. The program saw 10 participants during 2011 and included training in areas such as search and arrest procedures, report writing, crime scene processing and firearms nomenclature and safety.
Last year also marked the 8th Annual Junior Police Academy, Heaton said. The 24 recruits went through the academy and received instruction in topic areas such as DUI laws, pull-overs, defensive tactics, crime scene processing and K-9 procedures.
Also in 2011, the department hosted its 8th annual Christmas with the Police where employees spent the day with seven families and 17 children.
“Christmas gifts were provided to each child. Steve B’s Pizza fed all the families and Dixieland opened the park for everyone to enjoy park rides for free,” Heaton said.
In all, the department during 2011 participated in 239 community projects. A sampling of those included self-defense classes, child safety courses, children’s choices and self-awareness classes, Neighborhood Watch programs and fraud seminars. Officers also taught classes to school children, Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups, churches, businesses and neighborhoods, said Heaton.
Also in 2011, Officer Keith Jojola was selected “Officer of the Year” and Lt. Debbie Chambers was selected “Employee of the Year.” Additionally said Heaton, 12 officers were awarded the Meritorious Conduct Award, Officer Zach Mittenzwei was awarded the “Life Saving Award” for his work on a medical call and 41 officers received the chief’s “Challenge Coin.”
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 5:50pm
#2
PTC cart paths
I lived in PTC in 2003. Crime and drugs on your cart paths were rampant at that time. Fayetteville was far more inviting. Just saying. I shop in both cities, as well as Atlanta. I've been in Fayette County for 9 years, and LA County for 63. Haven't been robbed yet, and feel much safer here!
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 5:39pm
#3
Newsboy
AMEN!!
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 1:22pm
#4
@ newsboy
I don't live in Fayetteville, but I used to shop in Fayetteville. Over the years I have stopped. I stopped shopping at the Banks Town shopping center when that woman was carjacked while nursing her baby in the backseat...remember that? She discreetly called 911 and was rescued. I stopped going to tinseltown when it was fecaltown (remember that?). I stopped letting my kids go to the movies after reading about the kid that took a potshot at a cop. Remember when that happened? I stopped going to Kohls when the check out girl was caught stealing from me. Walmart??? hahahaha!! Waaaaay too many horror stories about carjacking, muggings, pickpocketing, etc. Why risk it? I go to PTC, Griffin, or Newnan. No one should have to acquiesce to shopping under the conditions that exist at the Pavillion and other Fayetteville shopping centers (ie; never let your guard down).
Sat, 03/31/2012 - 10:41pm
#5
right, it's "hate"
Besides the "stats" that indicate a disturbing trend upwards(26% increase...DUH) that you seemingly fail to acknowledge, let me clue in you in some more. You seem to take some glee about the PTC Target getting robbed, so....
In the last few years in Fayetteville, here's a few I can recall right off the top of my head:
The RBC bank has been held up twice by armed robbers
The BOA at Banks Station was held up by armed robbers
A kid on his bike at the same BOA ATM was attacked by armed robbers...for $10
A Kroger employee at Banks Station was hit over the head with a brick and robbed
Some armed robber/lunatic at WalGreens at Banks Station had a standoff with the PD
The Verizon store was held up by armed robbers
The Lane Bryant store was held up by armed robbers
Attempted robbery in Wal-Mart parking lot with shots fired by the perps after two seniors wouldn't give up their money to the scum
those are just off the top of my head and I know there are more.
These events rarely occurred in years past and don't occur with anything like the same frequency in PTC. You can keep your head buried in the sand and ignore reality, but the facts state the above as well as the increasing crime rate. The only hate I see is people hate crime, especially violent crime.
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 5:34pm
#6
Armed Robbers
Don't hear of many who are not armed now days. If this was only happening in Fayette County, moving would make sense to some. If our percentage of increase was 70% as in some other cities, counties of comparable size, that be cause for even greater concern. What we need to do is to work with law enforcement, business owners and our neighbors to let criminals know the residents of Fayette County are working to decrease crime. If you hate crime so much, join us in combating it. It seems like you celebrate it. Hope I'm wrong.
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 11:14am
#7
NUK_1 Change
Couldn't agree with you more on this NUK_1, some people are just too frightened to admit that things are changing. Some (most) will simply move away from it leaving behind DeKalb County and Clayton.
It's true, people want to live in a safe place where they can peacefully raise their families without worry about getting killed on a daily basis. Government can't protect us, so we muct protect ourselves, usually by moving away from the crime, not fighting it.
So goes Fayette, leaving behind a sea of people that move here wanting a better life and getting something quite different.
Sat, 03/31/2012 - 10:10pm
#8
//
//
Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:43pm
#9
Free and very afraid
This is the land of the free and the brave...at least it use to be.
In Fayette County, it has become the land of the free and very, very afraid for some. Afraid to shop at the Pavillion?? That is silly.
Fri, 03/30/2012 - 9:03am
#10
Take a lesson from the South Africans.
Stores at the Pavillion should pitch in and hire an armed security guard to stand at attention, facing the parking lot, holding a semi-automatic rifle. Or, have an officer write the license number of each car entering and exiting the parking lot.
Here's another thought: new have online maps listing sex offenders, so why not a map listing all criminals. Since arrests are already public record, how about a map-based database that shows where each criminal lives, from DUI convictions, to shoplifters, to abusers, to druggies. And those who don't like it can perhaps not do crime.
Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:39pm
#11
Lessons
One doesn't have to go all the way to South Africa for this lesson. Beverly Hills, CA (Rodeo Road) has had armed guards at their stores for years. (And lots of off duty policemen undercover inside the stores) It's the economy and the so-called ease of getting something for nothing. The perpetrators in California are a diverse group of citizens - including some prominent movie stars! To think you don't need this kind of protection in PTC or Fayetteville is not realistic. I'm thrilled to see the guards at the banks - and use the ATM's inside the grocery stores when necessary.
Fri, 03/30/2012 - 12:32pm
#12
Safest City with Thefts up 26%
Love how the articles are next to eachother on here. We need to have armed guards at the entrance to the Pavillion and anyone with a Clayton or Henry County tag be turned away or weapons removed and required to pull their pants up before entering. *sarcasm inserted*
Seriously, I avoid the Pavillion and shop in PTC when I need something.
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 11:17pm
#13
Pants on the ground
Some places have passed laws against sagging pants. I think Fayette county should pass a similar law. Require a shirt and no "pants on the ground" in public places in Fayette. I don't want to see anyone's underwear!! Maybe the thugs will go elsewhere if they can't dress (or undress) the way they want here.
Mon, 04/02/2012 - 11:12am
#14
Pants on the Ground
As far as I know, the schools don't allow it. On week days, seems like that would be a good reason for law enforcement to stop a teenager (Must be ditching). Good idea if it's legal. Fayette County can have teens who are fashionable without looking like thugs. IMHO
Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:32pm
#15
RKS
Try it some day. The posting of the decline of the Pavilion has been greatly exaggerated. The clientele at the two locations are not that different today.
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 5:18pm
#16
DM: Uh yeah, it's a lot different
I'm not talking about race either. When I went recently to the WalMart in Newnan instead of PTC, I was alarmed at the bug-eyed, bow-legged people I saw there.
The Pavilion has lost stores such as Barnes and Noble and World Market and is in decline, IMO. There's a certain criminal element that now only has there to go since Abandoned Mall in Union City started its rapid decline several years ago to the empty shell it is now. That element comes in all colors, shapes and sizes. Since the Pavilion is close to an area that has deteriorated quite a lot, that's where they head.
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 10:59am
#17
Pavilion Lawlessness
I see this everyday, healthy but apparently lazy people that park in handicap spots without the proper signage. I wish the FPD would start writing tickets for that offense.
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 8:47pm
#18
Cyclist you mentioned something near to my heart
I report them. Call the police or Sheriff's office. It is a $500.00 fine. They will be there. It is a win win to call. People shouldn't park in those spaces and the depts collect a nice fine from people who certainly deserve it.
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 6:07pm
#19
Cyclist
We enjoyed the Pavilion this morning along with others in Fayetteville who go there after church. Pastors must have done a good job this morning. Smiles and 'good mornings' all over the place! (A crowded ABC)
NO armed robbers in sight. Citizens of all sizes, shapes and colors- enjoying the day, good service, and good food.
The Longhorn and Olive Garden are also filled daily with these Fayetteville citizens -as well as many of the other restaurants on Glenn. (oops, I met a couple of my friends from PTC the other day for lunch in Fayetteville.). I've enjoyed the same ambiance when ' doing lunch' in PTC. Keep your eyes open, don't act like a victim, and don't let fear and/or ignorance spoil your enjoyment of Fayette County. Cy, thanks for keeping your eyes open! :-)
Sun, 04/01/2012 - 7:23pm
#20
Davids mom
The boss and I have been to all the eateries including "This is it".
One thing though, when the boss needs to make a night run to Wally World, I go with her. If I'm on the road she waits till the next day.
Mon, 04/02/2012 - 10:51am
#21
Cyclist
Wisdom keeps us safe! We, in 2012, must use it no matter where we live. (The sides at This Is It keeps the kitchen cool and the husband full!)
If you live in Fayetteville and want to waste gas at $4 a gallon to drive all the way to PTC to shop, go ahead! Just better hope masked armed robbers don't attempt to rob the PTC Target -- AGAIN! -- on the day you're there! The stupidity of some Fayette Countians is astounding sometimes. Wake up and realize you live in a REAL world where crime does, on very rare occasions, happen. But it doesn't happen NEARLY as often as you WISH it did ...and especially at the Pavilion! The crime stats clearly show that.
Turning away all cars with Henry and Clayton tags? Yeah right ... why not just stand out on Hwy. 85 in white hoods burning crosses?
Fortunately, the vast majority of my friends and family who live in Fayetteville understand that the hate needs to stop somewhere. And it's stopping here. Our schools aren't the only places where people of all colors are learning to get along; churches have also opened their doors and arms to newcomers of all colors and stripes, and I couldn't be prouder! The fewer bigots in Fayette County, the better Fayette County will be.