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Fairburn cops offer safety tips

By BEN NELMS
bnelms@TheCitizenNews.com

The recently formed Fairburn Neighborhood Association is already making an impact in its community. The meeting Sunday at City Hall featured a presentation by Fairburn Police officers Bob Justus and Eric Mischel on safety and security issues facing residents.

Justus shared information on family security and safety, home invasion, home security and provided residents with a home security checklist. He covered a variety of measures residents can use to reduce the possibility of becoming victimized and things residents can do if they find themselves of victim of crime. Whether using techniques to help prevent crimes such as burglary and home invasion or in the event that residents become the victim, a healthy awareness of one’s surroundings and what is occurring in it can make a crucial difference.

“Never stop thinking,” Justus told residents. “There’s always the possibility of becoming a victim, so stay aware and stay smart. And if you ever become a victim, become a good witness so you can become less a victim.

Justus provided residents with suggestions on preparing a family security plan, confrontations with criminals, crime scenes and anti-victimization measures to take when visiting shopping centers, hotels and motels and ATM machines. He cautioned residents, for example, against counting money obtained from the machine while in plain view of others. Justus also advised residents to use ATM machines located inside convenience stores and gas stations rather than in more secluded, poorly lit areas.

“You need to ask yourself if where you’re at is conducive with you keeping your money,” he said. “And if somebody approaches you and demands the money, give it to them. You need to understand that the person has already decided they are willing to have a physical confrontation. So give them the money. Money can be replaced. But be a good witness. Look at them, get a good description of the person, the vehicle they’re in and the direction they leave in. Then call us.”

Justus also provided residents with on a number of aspects of home invasion and home security. Information on home invasion included family survival tips, the things to do and not to do if becoming the victim of home invasion, developing a home security plan and, most importantly, maintaining an awareness and keeping a cool head, even under dire circumstances. Advice on home security included burglary prevention, lighting and alarm systems, effective doors and locks, the advantages of home and yard maintenance as a deterrent to burglaries, the benefits of having home safe and the advantages of neighborhood awareness.

“Burglars will find the easiest person to take something from. Security is all about making your home one they don’t want to visit,” Justus emphasized. “A little bit of thinking can prevent a whole lot of victimization. So never stop thinking.”

Justus said he or Mischel or other Fairburn officers would come to a residence, if requested, to provide an assessment of home safety needs and precautionary measures.

Those interested in obtaining a copy of the information provided at the meeting or to arrange a home safety assessment should contact Fairburn Police at 770-964-1441.

Also at the meeting, Fairburn Neighborhood Association coordinator Barkley Russell told residents that the group is expecting to hold a candidate’s forum later this year for the upcoming elections. She urged residents to speak with their neighbors about the need starting a Neighborhood Watch program in their areas or expanding the current initiative. She also announced that the newly formed organization is in need of residents to serve on a steering committee.

Fairburn Neighborhood Association meets the second Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. at Fairburn City Hall.