Auto Thefts, Larcenies On The Increase In East Atlanta Patch Neighborhoods

A review of Alanta Police Department crime statistics show auto thefts and vehicle larcenies have increased in most of the neighborhoods of East Atlanta Patch in the first seven months of the year.

In some areas they exceed the citywide average.

Auto thefts for example, rose 11.3 percent citywide — 2,934 vehicles were reported stolen — through July 23, the most recent data available.

But in Atlanta Police Zone 6, which includes East Atlanta Village, Reynoldstown and Ormewood Park, car thefts jumped 22.4 percent for the same period, with 404 vehicles reported stolen.

In fact, that 22.4 percent increase represents the highest increase in the crime categories tracked among the three APD zones that cover East Atlanta Patch neighborhoods.

In contrast, auto thefts in Zone 3, which includes Grant Park and Peoplestown, rose 7.7 percent through July 23, with 666 vehicles reported stolen.

But robberies in Zone 3 soared 22.27 percent during the same period. That was more than three times the citywide average.

One bright spot for all three zones was a double-digit decline in non-residental burglaries. Those crimes have received a lot of attention in recent months because thieves had been targeting churches, strip centers and other businesses for .

Zone 5, which includes the Old Fourth Ward and the area around Georgia State University, had the second-largest decline — 35.5 percent.

Zone 6 reported the largest decline — 52.6 percent.

Citywide, non-residential burglaries fell 25.27 percent.

CRIMES SHOWING THE LARGEST INCREASES & DECLINES IN EACH ZONE:

Zone 3 (includes Grant Park, Peoplestown, Turner Field)

Zone 5 (includes Georgia State University, Old Fourth Ward)

Zone 6 (includes East Atlanta Village, Kirkwood, Edgewood, Candler Park, East Lake)