Amanda Thomas and other residents in unincorporated portions of DeKalb County aren't too happy about the police response they say they've received amidst recent burglaries, auto thefts and other crimes.
"Anytime I call — no one ever comes," Thomas told East Atlanta Patch recently, adding two burglaries of her home has her contemplating moving away. "I just don't get it. What are we supposed to do? Start shooting everyone who messes with us? Will we get some help then?"
In recent weeks, several homeowners from unincorporated DeKalb communities, including Gresham Park, Piney Grove, and other neighborhoods, have reached out to Patch to express frustrations about their dealings with the DeKalb County police:
Find out what's happening in East Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- One Piney Grove resident told Patch his home alone was burglarized three times between Thanksgiving and Christmas of last year, and that his street was the target of multiple break-ins. On one occasion, the homeowner reported an officer asked him if he really expected them to solve the crimes.
- Two other homeowners reported officers came to their homes following burglaries and in one case, the officer told the homeowner DeKalb won't dust for fingerprints unless it's a homicide. In the other case, the homeowner, who pointed out the pipe used to break into his house, said the policeman told him they won't dust unless they can visually see fingerprints.
"We're training officers now to do that," Holmes told Patch, noting all officers won't get such training and they will be assigned to select precincts throughout the county.
With respect to residents complaints, he said he's more than happy to meet with anyone with a complaint to address those concerns and help residents establish neighborhood watch programs and other public safety initiatives.
"We'll meet with them, no problem," he said, adding he wants those with concerns about their interactions with officers or department policy to e-mail him directly at: daholmes@dekalbcountyga.gov.
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