This is the festive time of year, the Holiday Season, and, and most of us are concentrating on Holiday parties, last minute shopping, decorations, holiday gift giving and holiday trips. Safety and security are not normally high on our “to do” list.

Unfortunately, this is also a busy season for thieves, too. Packages delivered to our front porches are ripe for the taking. Gifts left in our cars while shopping and homes left unattended while we are on holiday trips are invitations for thieves. Even Holiday mail is tempting to thieves looking for money gifts and end of year financial statements and bills which can be used for identity theft. While we want everyone to enjoy the Season, we want it to be a safe and secure season. Here
are some tips to help make this a truly joyous season:

• If you are not going to me home for a scheduled package delivery, have it delivered to a neighbor who will be home, or to one of the area businesses which have volunteered to receive packages at no charge.
• Practice “Clean Car” discipline. Don’t leave anything visible in your car as an invitation to thieves. Lock your cars and park them in well-lit areas. If you’re going on a trip, notify your neighborhood Security Patrol and ask for periodic checks of your home. Make sure your security alarms are activated and doors and windows locked.
• Check your mail every day and do not leave mail in mail boxes overnight. If you’ll be out of town, ask a neighbor to pick to your mail for you. If gone for an extended time, have the Post Office put your mail on hold until you return.
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially in parking lots and leaving parties.
• If you see something suspicious, report it to the police.

Have a Happy, Safe and Secure Holiday Season!

Jim Hardy
NPU-F Public Safety Chair

Just a quick reminder that Zone 6 will be accepting donations of new and unwrapped toys for children in our community through next Friday December 14th. Toys may be dropped off at the home of John Wolfinger (1054 Vance Avenue). John will deliver all gifts to APD Zone headquarters at 2025 Hosea L. Williams Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30317.

You can also donate money and store cards which will be used by APD staff to shop for gifts. Our own Officer Sweet will meet you to collect financial donations and provide a receipt. Just call him at 404-450-4054.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department is accepting new and gently used winter coats to distribute to those in need. You can drop off your donation at any AFRD fire station including our own Fire Station #19. 

As we have written before, there is a big problem in our city with unsecured firearms being stolen from vehicles. Police have told us that often, when a car window is broken but nothing was in sight or stolen, the thieves are looking for hand guns. Apparently they find them often enough that it is worth breaking into many cars on the off chance that they will find one under the seat or in the glove box or console.

What most of us did not know is how many guns are lost by or stolen from police officers. Since 2010 fifty-five guns have been lost or stolen from APD officers. Chief Shields is taking steps to hold her officers to a higher standard. Going forward officers will be charged $500 for any weapon that goes missing. Thank you Chief for holding your own accountable. 

Read more in the AJC.
 

The Virginia-Highland Security Patrol (AKA FBAC for Fight Back Against Crime) will be launching a new, modernized version of our website in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned for additional information as we roll out additional features on the new site. Many thanks to the talented guys at ITCS.cloud who are donating their time so we can continue to keep overhead to a minimum. 

Looking for a gift that benefits the whole family? Give them the gift of safety and join our neighborhood patrol. Click to Join.