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Burglaries on the rise in South FultonMon, 02/12/2007 - 9:30am
By: Ben Nelms
Any metropolitan area experiencing rapid growth will also see an increase in some types of criminal activity. The cities of south Fulton are no exception to that reality. But some of those crimes can be prevented if residents are watchful and report suspicious activity. Taken as a whole, Union City, Fairburn and Palmetto have increased in population more than 100 percent since the 2000 Census. Beyond those staggering figures, the number of people passing through those cities along I-85, U.S. Highway 29 and South Fulton Parkway also continues to increase. One of the crimes experienced in every American city, burglary, is no stranger to south Fulton cities. And though burglaries have not increased nearly as rapidly as the population, it is still a type of crime police face on a regular basis. Criminals, perhaps more than anyone, are well aware that a limited number of officers are on duty at any given hour of the day. That knowledge is used to help them plan and execute the crimes that cause so much pain and disruption in the lives of victims. Union City Police received reports of 298 burglaries in 2006. All but 14 of those were residential burglaries, split nearly evenly between single family and multi-family settings, said Union City Sgt. George Louth. Fairburn Police reported 184 burglaries during 2006, up from 161 during the previous year, according to Chief Charles Long. Further west in Palmetto, Detective John Cooper said his city had 40 burglaries last year, up from 34 in 2005. Police from each city said there are steps residents should be aware of to help prevent becoming a victim of those who would burglarize personal or business property. Louth said raw data from across metro Atlanta shows that auto theft is decreasing while thefts by criminals entering vehicles and stealing items is increasing. “It’s a 15 second crime,” Louth said, and one that can be offset if drivers make sure they do not leave valuable items in plain view on car seats or on the floor. Where residential burglaries are concerned, criminals are aware that homes are generally vacant during traditional work hours, said Long. Burglars are usually in and out of a residence in three to five minutes, making quick work of items such as cameras, cell phones, jewelry, lap top computers and anything that can be easily carried away. This is a change from years past where many of the contents of a home would be loaded into a van and hauled away. This more recent method of a quick strike is also correlated to the age of many of today’s burglars. Many of the break-ins are committed by teenagers looking for smaller, expensive items they can carry on foot, Cooper, Louth and Long all agreed. Officers from each city suggested that residents and neighborhoods maintain an awareness of individuals and vehicles in their area. Neighbors, much more than police, already have knowledge of the vehicles owned by those living closest to them, officers said. Residents might also consider establishing Neighborhood Watch groups as a way to enhance safety. Police will meet with and provide assistance for groups wanting to explore that approach. Another tip offered by police was to have the serial numbers of items such as electronics stored in a safe location in case that information is needed later. Residents should also be wary of individuals going from house to house soliciting yard and house work and should be aware of vehicles parked in the rear of homes or apartments. Residents might also consider leaving lights on, even during daytime hours, as another deterrent to burglars, they said. Business owners, as well as homeowners with alarm systems installed, should make sure the alarm is set and that the alarm company has up to date information that can be quickly relayed to police, Long said. Sometimes the difference between catching a burglar and missing him is a matter of minutes or seconds. Relatively new to the burglary scene is the theft of copper wire. The reason is simple economics, said Cooper. The escalating price of copper has made it a desirable target for burglars, especially in homes and businesses under construction. Perhaps as important as any advice police could provide involved placing a call when suspicious activity is noticed. In a society where fewer people want to get involved, there is hardly any more effective way to help prevent crime than when citizens take the time to pick up a phone and call in suspicious activity in their neighborhood, officers said. login to post comments
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