VaHi Safety Team Report weeks 24 and 25 (7/7/2015 - 7/20/2015)

Candarius Nalls (aka Candarius Jones) Update

As some may recall, last year there were numerous burglaries that took place while residents were at home asleep. On 10/2/14 a homeowner on Elkmont came face to face with the burglar. With fingerprints APD was able to arrest Candarius Nalls. This past week Nalls was release from Fulton Jail after pleading guilty.

Unfortunately this individual was arrested during a time when the Fulton County District Attorney did not have a CourtWatch coordinator appointed, so this case fell through the cracks without the community being able to offer input to the judge. The prosecutor recommended a sentence of five years with one to serve in custody. However, Judge Shoob decided to release Nalls with time served (approximately nine months), and to treat him as a first offender since this was his first felony conviction here in Fulton County. We hope that Mr. Nalls has learned his lesson and will not be seen in the neighborhood again.

Canine Flu

This is a bit off the beaten path for our safety reports, but dog owners should be aware that a new and highly contagious strain of canine flu is circulating in the Atlanta area. Most vets have diagnosed at least a few cases and have stated that the canine flu vaccine does not work for this strain. The virus is airborne and can be contracted from surfaces, shared water bowls, and through dog to dog contact. It can not be transmitted from dogs to humans. Like human viruses, this canine virus is most dangerous to the very young and the elderly. Boarding / daycare facilities and veterinary clinics are taking extreme precautions to avoid spreading the virus and are urging that owners avoid dog parks, and other places where their dog might encounter another sick dog. Dogs are contagious for at least two days before showing symptoms. If you have questions, you should check with your own veterinarian for advice.

Crime Statistics

The following information is taken from our APD Zone 6 report (http://atlantapd.org/Zone6.aspx).

It includes information from the Virginia-Highland Beat 601 reported incidents along with relevant reports from other nearby beats. Keep in mind that not all incidents are reported. A map showing the location of beats 601 – 612 within Zone 6 can be found at this link http://boundaries.atlantapd.org/Map-Zone6-Beats.aspx. This information is not shared to scare anyone, but to let you know what happens around us every day so you can be alert and aware.

Homicide None reported in Beat 601 or Zone 6. So far this year there have been six homicides in Zone 6. To put that in perspective, there had been thirty nine homicides throughout the city as of the end of May.

Rape None reported in Beat 601 or Zone 6

Residential Robbery None reported in Beat 601. Nearby in Old Fourth Ward there was one residential robbery by a known suspect and another attempted robbery where the suspects were scared off when the victim was able to call out to neighbors.

Pedestrian Robbery None reported in Beat 601. Nearby in Old Fourth Ward there were two pedestrian robberies with arrests made in both cases. Also a purse snatch was attempted between the parking deck and main entrance to Atlanta Medical Center, but the victim was able to hang on to her bag and refused to give the suspect any money. He was later arrested nearby and it was determined he was 12 years old. Also in Old Fourth Ward there was a carjacking at 655 Highland Avenue near Glen Iris.

On Edgewood Ave. in Sweet Auburn an attempted carjacking netted the suspects a hand gun. The victim stated that he was stopped at the traffic light and saw two men pacing back and forth, so he pulled out his gun and placed it on the passenger seat where the window was partially rolled down. When someone shouting on the other side of the street distracted him, one of the men reached into the car, opened the door and climbed in. When the suspect realized he was sitting on a Glock 19 firearm, he grabbed it and he and the other man fled.

Commercial Robbery None reported in Beat 601.

Aggravated Assault None reported for Beat 601. Elsewhere in the zone there were 8 aggravated assaults including two drive-by shootings in the Edgewood neighborhood that resulted in no injuries. Again to put this in perspective, as of the end of May 2015, year-to-date there have been 1,216 aggravated assaults citywide.

Commercial Burglary None reported in Beat 601, however cash was stolen from the office of the popular Porter Beer Bar in Little Five Points. Entry was made through a rear door that was open for deliveries. Also The Clothing Warehouse in L5P had a side door pried open and clothing and jewelry was stolen.

Residential Burglary None reported in Beat 601. Elsewhere in the zone there were 17 residential burglaries.

Larceny From Vehicle  Again this period we experienced eight auto break-ins. All around the zone there were seventy eight. Ours occurred on Lanier, Hudson, Los Angeles, N. Highland, Highland View, Virginia and Ponce de Leon Ave. Thieves made off with the usual haul of back packs, handbags, camping gear, tools, laptops, and two hand guns. Again, broken windows were the main manner of entry.

Other Larcenies Two reported in Beat 601. An unsecured bicycle was stolen from an apartment building on Ponce de Leon Ave, and a woman on Briarcliff Court had items stolen by individuals who were helping to clean her apartment.

Auto Theft one reported in Beat 601. On 6/7/15 a 1993 Chevrolet was stolen from the driveway at 977 Highland View. Throughout the zone there were 25 vehicles stolen during the two week period.

Stay Safe!

Kay Stephenson