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2008-08-28  JOHNS CREEK HERALD | Johns Creek PD looks to start Neighborhood Watch program
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| | by Jennifer Brock | |  |
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September 03, 2008
www.northfulton.com
JOHNS CREEK -- It's been four months since the Johns Creek Police Department started, and it seems police car presence has definitely been noticed on city streets.
Now, while the department is focusing on traffic enforcement and crime, the JCPD is also looking to start a Neighborhood Watch program for city residents.
Johns Creek Police Chief Ed Densmore discussed traffic enforcement, among other topics such as crime, the 911 system and police-community partnership programs during a Johns Creek Community Association [JCCA] meeting Aug. 26.
About three dozen homeowners attended the meeting, representing their JCCA member homeowner associations, and were able to ask the chief questions about the department.
Densmore said that while there were 14 traffic fatalities in the city last year, that number is down to three so far this year.
"Did we start traffic enforcement - yes - that's what [the residents] wanted," said Densmore. "It's not going to go away anytime soon."
As for crime in the nearly two-year-old city, Densmore said it's mostly residential and commercial burglaries.
One of the most popular crimes is stealing items from unlocked vehicles, said Densmore. He added that 59 percent of cars broken into in the city were unlocked.
Densmore said residents can do "little things" to help the police.
"If you see suspicious people, call us," he said. "You live in your neighborhoods so you know what's suspicious."
One JCCA meeting attendee asked the police chief if the department had enough officers to protect the city.
Densmore explained that the JCPD has 56 officers and he would like to add more.
"I want to get it so there's an officer for each neighborhood," he said.
Johns Creek Police Sgt. Debbie Kalish also told JCCA meeting attendees about the programs that the department is working on for the community.
The SHIELD program, a business watch program, has already kicked-off and Kalish has started organizing safety classes for businesses and their employees.
She said the department is starting to look at implementing a Neighborhood Watch program, called Police And Citizens Together [PACT], with a goal of having an officer for each neighborhood to act as a liaison.
"The whole concept for Neighborhood Watch is for everyone to be involved," said Kalish.
The PACT program would have two meetings a year where Kalish would meet with neighborhoods to answer questions about the program. Kalish said PACT needs 50 percent of participation from neighborhoods or the program will not be effective.
Some meeting attendees said it could be difficult to get half of its residents to come to a PACT meeting, but Kalish said she will work with neighborhoods to spread the word and implement the program.
"The whole goal is training [residents] and participating," said Kalish.
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Information You May Need
City of Johns Creek Phone Numbers
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: 404-730-7109
City Hall (Main): 678-512-3200
JCPD (Main): 678-474-1551
Administration/Records/Reports: 678-474-1600
Fire Safety & Education: 678-474-1618
Code Enforcement: 678-512-3305
Public Works: 678-512-3248
Community Services: 678-474-1587
includes PACT (Neighborhood Watch), SHIELD (Business Watch), Safety First for Children, Kid Escape, STOPPED Program.
JCPD Web site: www.johnscreekga.gov/police/police.html
JCPD phone numbers and e-mail addresses:
Traffic Unit: 678-474-1574; JCPDtraffic@johnscreekga.gov
Investigations: 678-474-1581;
JCPDinvestigations@johnscreekga.gov
Tip Line: 678-474-1610; JCPDtipline@johnscreekga.gov
Commendations: 678-474-1575;
JCPDcommendation@johnscreekga.gov
Complaints: 678-474-1600;
JCPDcomplaint@johnscreekga.gov
Crime Stats: 678-474-1575; JCPDstats@johnscreekga.gov |
Working with the Police
Johns Creek Police Department answers your questions
How do I know what number to call?
911 - if it IS an emergency - life threatening
404-730-7109 - if it is NOT an emergency - non-life threatening
678-474-1600 - for general information
What questions will I be asked or what do I need to tell the operator when I call?
You will be asked: What is the emergency? Where did this happen? When did it happen? Who is involved?
What kind of information is helpful to an officer looking for a vehicle or person?
Any information you can provide will be helpful. The following are examples:
Persons: race, sex, height, weight, hair color, clothing, hats, gloves, shoes, facial hair, distinguishing marks or tattoos, carrying a weapon or anything that can be used as a weapon, did they get out of or into a vehicle, etc.
Vehicles: color, make and model, number of doors, plate number, year, direction of travel, special markings (large tires, pin striping, tinted windows, decals, bumper stickers, dents or damage, etc.) | |
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