Precinct 5 PENS June 2019
Welcome to this month’s PENS, Police Email Notification System bulletin. This monthly bulletin is brought to you from the Cobb County Police, Precinct 5 Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU5) and is designed to keep you aware of safety alerts and crime trends in your area and measures you can take to keep you and your family safe.
Public Safety Topic of the Month
The increase in the popularity of home security video systems not only helps the individual home owner with the security of their property, but it can contribute to the safety and security of the neighborhood. The Ring Neighborhood App links together participating neighbors’ systems into a network that allows that participates to post videos of suspicious activity for others to view. This helps keep the neighborhood aware of any criminal activity that is afoot. These videos can also be viewed by detectives investigating these incidents and identify suspects. The app also allows police to map clusters of criminal activity so officers can concentrate patrols in these areas.
The more homeowners that participate in the Ring Neighborhood App the greater chance we all have in deterring crime and keeping our community safe. Please see the included links for more information about the Ring Neighborhood App.
- How well the Ring Neighborhood App works when you partner with the Police Department
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Tips and Help for uploading and sharing videos and photos to your neighborhood
Can the Police Department log in and look at my cameras in my home?
Absolutely not. Ring has gone to great lengths to ensure their customers' privacy. The only video Law Enforcement can see are the ones you share to the Neighborhood App or share directly with them.
What is the benefit for me and my neighborhood?
Unfortunately, Police Officers don’t know who is a stranger in every neighborhood but you do! Sharing photos and video allows detectives to link suspects to crimes, but more importantly prevent a crime before it happens.
How much does the Neighborhood App cost?
Absolutely nothing! Ring saw the importance of creating a bridge between you, your neighbors and the police. They then created the app so everyone could come together and share information to build safer neighborhoods.
How do I get the Neighborhood App?
You can download the app from the Apple App Store for free or from Google Play for free.
I don’t use Ring products can I still use this app?
Yes! Once you have the app you can upload video or still photos from your handheld device. You can upload Ring video, Nest, Arlo, or Smartphone pictures and video straight from your device.
Current Crime Trends
Entering Autos
Ladies and Gentlemen, our current crime trends continue to be Entering Autos. The bulk of the Entering Autos are taking place overnight and early in the morning. The majority of all the Entering Autos have been UNLOCKED vehicles with valuables including guns left inside. PLEASE remove all valuables especially guns from your vehicles every time you park and leave the vehicle. Also, double check that ALL vehicle doors are locked.
We have recently had some Entering Autos at County Parks and Aquatic Centers. The offenders have been “punching” the locks out to gain access to the vehicles. If you can, take valuables with you or leave them at home prior to visiting the parks and aquatic centers. Also, keep an eye out for people loitering in the parking lots and waiting for people to leave. If you suspect suspicious activity please call 911.
If you observe someone breaking into vehicles do not approach them and immediately call 911. From a safe place provide 911 with an accurate description of the suspects, involved vehicles, and what direction the suspect is going. NO property is worth getting hurt over.
What You Can Do
Burglary Prevention
- Lock your doors, including the one from the garage
- Keep garage doors closed-check before bed every night
- Motion sensor activated lighting
- Surveillance cameras
Entering Auto Prevention
- Lock your vehicles and remove items of value and items that appear to contain valuables.
- If you can’t keep them with you, secure your valuables in the trunk before reaching your location.
- Keep your vehicle locked and your purse or wallet on your person while fueling at the gas station.
Postal Theft
- Anti-Theft mailboxes with a special locking system
- Security Cameras
- Do not raise the mail flag
- Do not send cash, checks, or anything that has credit card information
Remember to CALL 911 to report any suspicious persons or activity. If you see something, say something!
Cobb County Camera Registry
The Cobb County Police Camera Registration program is a police/community video partnership that operates on a voluntary basis with homeowners, neighborhoods and business owners who own private video surveillance systems. We encourage both businesses and residents to register their cameras online by completing the form below.
This program is intended to let our officers know where cameras are active in the county in case a crime occurs. It is not intended for active surveillance, and officers will not have direct access to homeowners' cameras. Those who register a camera will be contacted if a crime occurs in the vicinity of that camera.
Information provided by residents and businesses will be maintained in a secure database.
If you have not already signed up to receive the monthly PENS updates, please subscribe. Feel free to forward this e-mail to your HOA members and local businesses.
PENS is also sending out bulletins and alerts through its partnership with Nextdoor.com. Discover if your neighborhood is already signed up so you may join. If not, they will provide you with the necessary information.
Stay Safe,
Det. Lieutenant J.B Wade
Det. Sergeant W.R. Pettitt
Det. Sergeant R.E. Hecksher
Criminal Investigation Unit Pct. 5
4640 Dallas Highway
Powder Springs, GA 30127
(770) 499-4578