MPSA Mailbag 1/29/2010
What the neighbors are telling us – as always, mailbag items do not necessarily represent the position of the MPSA…
Day Laborers – While out on erands late this morning, I was on PDL Avenue and saw a violent brawl (kicking and punching – looked like 2 guys down) among the day laborers at Lakeview Avenue. While trying to maneuver over to make a 911 call I saw blue lights in the rearview mirror, so I turned around to see 2 APD cars and a bike (yours, Coooper?), and at least 2 or 3 in handcuffs among the crowd of probably close to 20. Then I spied the 2 Sembler security guys standing and watching – so they must have been the 911 callers.
So went on to Ponce Kroger and saw another squad car in their parking lot talking. Then after Krogering I drove west on PDL just to see the scene – and there was NOT ONE day laborer in sight, either at the east stop lite entrance to the center or at Lakeview. Someone sure as hell cleaned out the whole pack of them.
MPSA Note: this, and other information we receive is sent to the INS at <atliceduty@dhs.gov>, you may send your stories and pictures to us or directly to INS with a copy to us.
E-mail to city council copied to MPSA - I am writing today to express concern over the continued crime issue that is facing this city. Sometime between 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26 two units in the building which I live were broken into [Glen Iris Drive]. The units were broken into during broad daylight in a very secure building. We are equipped with cameras and other many safety/security precautions. The persons who committed this crime gained access through a gated parking garage and through a secured key-access door. This kind of deliberate crime is alarming. Had the owners been home at the time I believe someone would have been seriously harmed.
What is being done to protect citizens and address the crime facing this city? I don’t feel safe in my own house any more and that is concerning. I also worry that little will be done to follow-up on this event. It truly seems as if the city does not have a handle on the issue of crime as reports of such incidents are increasing. I would hope that more will be done soon before someone is seriously hurt.
Psychopath on the Streets
Last year, a woman was brutally attacked in her car, by a female street person, as she waited at a traffic light in Midtown. Police apprehended the subject quickly, and booked her into the Fulton County jail. During a routine check of jail logs, we found that she was released from the Fulton County jail on 1/15/10, and that jail records show that charges were dismissed due to a prosecutor’s motion. We immediately contacted the victim, she told us that she was never contacted and wonders what the prosecutor actually said to get the charges dismissed.
The victim has also seen her walking along 10th Street; we wish to draw attention to her profile sheet with mugshot. If anyone sees her we could use better photos. As was the case with Ricky Love and some others, our concern is that someone will have to get hurt before we can expect any long-term solutions with this individual. It is unfortunate for the mentally ill, and for Midtown residents, that we have to deal with them on the streets.
- Profile sheet with mugshot: http://www.midtownponce.org/news/profile169.pdf
Car Break-ins
We wish to re-emphasize not leaving things in vehicles. Fulton County does not provide adequate jail space and other resources for law enforcement, and street criminals take advantage of this de-facto decriminalization of relatively lesser crimes like car break-ins. For street criminals, there are no consequences to speak of, except the hassle of being transported to jail and walking right back to where the police picked them up. This situation will worsen considerably once Fulton County decimates its criminal justice budget. Also, once your car has been broken into, your vehicle has established a reputation among street criminals and you can expect to be re-burglarized in the near future – one victim in the neighborhood has had a laptop stolen from his car three times.
Census Workers (e-mail from Major Williams)
Major Williams sent us the following information regarding Census workers that will soon come knocking on our doors:
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions.
However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.
Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
Remember, no matter what they ask, you really only need to tell them how many people live at your address.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, you don’t have to answer anything at all about your financial situation.
The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
And remember, the census bureau has decided not to work with ACORN on gathering this information. No ACORN worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Safe Package Delivery – updated info
We have made provisions for you to have safe delivery of your packages at two convenient locations – if you are not home during the day we urge you to order and receive packages using one of three safer methods: Use one of these safe locations listed below, have packages sent to your work address, or use a mailbox service.
1. Richard’s L&M Service Mart – Argonne & 6th.
2. Urban Body Studio, at 730 Ponce de Leon Place, Suite A (enter in the rear of the building). An agreement giving your name, address and phone number, must be signed in order to participate in this service. Update: If no agreement has been signed, Urban Body will return the packages left there.
Sponsors
Many thanks for our community sponsors! While the majority of our funding comes from residents and small businesses, a significant portion of our neighborhood patrol funds comes from the following sponsors:
