Want to Prevent Crime? Get Plugged In

There has been an uptick in crime in the last few weeks and statistically, as temperatures rise, so do crime incidents.

One way to combat crime is to be as plugged in as possible through phone trees, social media and joining and supporting local neighborhood watch groups and financially supporting security patrols. The most successful neighborhood patrols are the ones were membership and funding remain strong and steady, even when crime stats drop.

Here are some local resources for East Atlanta Patch communities:

Atlanta Police Contacts:

• Emergencies: 911
• Non-emergency Zone 3: 404.624.0674 (includes Summerhill, Peoplestown, Woodland Hills, Chosewood Park, Lakewood Heights, South Atlanta, Thomasville Heights)
• Non-emergency Zone 5: 404.658.7054/7830 (includes Downtown, Georgia State University area)
• Non-emergency Zone 6: 404.371.5002 (includes East Atlanta, Grant Park, Inman Park, Candler Park, Ormewood Park, Kirkwood, Old Fourth Ward, Cabbagetown)
• Crime Stoppers Atlanta: 404.577.TIPS (8477)
• APD also has an alerts sign-up page where you can receive alerts to your mobile phone and or e-mail regarding crime citywide or by specific zones. You can sign up here.

The city of Atlanta has an Emergency Alert System for residents, too. Sign up here.

Neighborhood Patrol Resources:

• East Atlanta Security Patrol: http://patrol.eaca.net/
• Grant Park Security Patrol: http://grantpark.org/security-patrol
• Inman Park Security Patrol: http://inmanpark.org/association/inman-park-security-patrol/
• Kirkwood: http://www.kirkwoodsecuritypatrol.org/Home
• Lake Claire: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lakeclaireneighborhoodwatch/
• Old Fourth Ward Patrol: http://www.o4wpatrol.org/
• Trolley Patrol (serves Benteen Park, Boulevard Heights, Custer/McDonough/Guice, North Ormewood Park, Ormewood Park and Woodland Hills): http://sandatlanta.org/item/87505

Social Media:

• Atlanta Police on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/atlanta_police
• Crime Stoppers Atlanta on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/StopCrimeATL
• Several neighborhoods have their own Twitter handles — Peoplestown, for example — they use to disseminate information. Check to see for your individual neighborhood's Twitter handle.
• Many neighborhoods, such as Old Fourth Ward or Cabbagetown, issue alerts via Facebook about crime and general community events. Check to see for your individual neighborhood's page or pages.