Decatur Police: Suspicious Vehicle/Person Calls Rising

A Patch reader asked why there was so much Decatur police activity Monday night on Avery Street in Winnona Park. Patch asked Sgt. Jennifer Ross, the police spokeswoman, and this is her reply.

In response to your emails about police activity around Avery Street last night, there were no incidents or calls in the Avery/Winnona/Inman area last night.  The police activity in the Winnona Park neighborhood was the assigned zone officer conducting self-initiated park and walks on two occasions, once during the early evening and again in the early morning hours. 

This is typical daily patrol activity.  At times, the officers will park out in the open and leave their patrol cars visible while they walk a neighborhood, while other times, they  will park out of the way and traverse wood lines and paths for a more stealthy approach.  The officers conduct location checks and park and walks each shift. 

They choose the locations for these activities based on what shift and zone they are assigned as well as any recent problems occurring in a particular area.  Officers will also simply park in various locations and complete their reports in an effort to be more visible.  The department went to an in-car computer report writing system more than a decade ago for the purpose of cutting back on the time officers had to spend in the office to complete reports.  This is normal day to day activity. 

However, due to the heightened sense of awareness as a result of the recent spike in burglaries and robberies, it is getting noticed now more than ever, but the officers are not the only thing getting more attention.

In recent community meetings and speaking one on one with concerned residents, we have asked everyone to please pay attention to their surroundings and to call if they see anything unusual or suspicious.  The response has been incredible.

For example, in April 2013 officers responded to 226 incidents/calls for suspicious persons/activity/vehicles.  In May 2013, officers responded to 220 incidents/calls for suspicious persons/activity/vehicles.   In June 2013, officers responded to 248  incidents/calls for suspicious persons/activity/vehicles.  Yet, so far in July 2013, officers have responded to 342 incidents/calls for suspicious persons/activity/vehicles and the month isn’t over. 

We are receiving more calls than ever to report unknown persons or vehicles at a neighbor’s house or circling the neighborhood.  That kind of awareness on behalf of the residents coupled with the continued quick response of the officers is what makes a difference in communities taking a stance that crime is not welcome.  Vigilance and partnership is the key. 

The officers cannot effectively do their job without the community.  We are grateful every time someone sees something out of the norm and calls.  There is no way for officers to know what vehicles or which people are not the norm at each residence in our city, but neighbors do know.  So, if the suspicious person/vehicle call turns out to be a visiting relative or friend, pest control or plumber, you will know your neighbors are paying attention and looking out for each other.  And if the call turns out to be a would-be burglar, they too will know the neighbors are paying attention and looking out for each other and that is a win win situation.