Grant Park - Thursday, April 17, 2014
PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATES
Last weekend Zone 6 officers arrested a juvenile in a house on Lester Avenue (just to the east of Boulevard and south of Grant Park). In the course of debriefing the juvenile, he admitted to two additional burglaries; one here in Grant Park and one on Mercer St in Ormewood.
There are several important issues to discuss:
First and most important, neighbors observed this juvenile checking out houses and called 911 when he went behind a nearby house. Officers responded quickly and made the arrest.
Second, the victim here in Grant Park hired this juvenile to do some yard work. He worked for about 5 minutes and wanted to enter her home to use the bathroom. She said no and then he told the homeowner he would go home and change his shoes. He came back later and stole her laptop when she was gone.
Grant Park Security Patrol Officers advise that we do not hire anyone we do not know.
At the Mercer Street burglary, the juvenile kicked in the front door while the homeowner was working in the backyard. He ran off with her cellphone.
The victim had an APP called "go prey" on the phone. This APP takes a photo of the person holding the phone when the phone is sent a text. So the juvenile took a picture of himself while he was trying to use the phone. This makes arrest and prosecution easy.
OUR OFFICERS ADVISE THAT WE USE AVAILABLE APPS FOR TRACKING AND RECORDING ON OUR ELECTRONICS.
Here is an additional resource with information you may find helpful:
The juvenile was taken to jail and we'll do what we can to track his case. He lives on Washington Street south of Turner field so he wanders far and wide to commit these crimes. Officers think he's working with a couple of other juveniles so they are looking for them too.
TRESTLE TREE APARTMENTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT. There have been numerous social media discussions regarding the issues with the Trestle Tree complex. NPU and neighborhood reps have had several meetings with the new owners and management. We are working toward a "good neighbor contract" which will include:
1. Security, off duty APD officers (we are asking for a log sheet of actions); cameras linked to city monitoring; gate access with key card.
2. Accountability, identify problem tenants (and their children) begin eviction proceedings.
3. Quarterly meetings at a convenient time for all neighbors. Once renovations are completed the landlord will recruit tenants to serve on an HOA board to represent the community.
4. Mentoring for juveniles and children, after school and summertime programs. Parenting classes and other life skills classes.
GPNA is planning on putting sunbursts on the Trestletree Buildings that are in Grant Park to help foster a sense of community.
On April 23 at the NPU-W public safety meeting we will have an update on the project. This will be at Martha Brown Church on Moreland Ave at 6:30. This is the monthly safety meeting prior to the general NPU meeting.
Our GPSP officers are working closely with the burglary investigators on these cases. While patrolling here they are watching out for these juveniles. If you are not a member of GPSP, please visit
grantparksecuritypatrol.org to learn more about the mission of this important patrol. More members equals more patrol hours plus a safer community.
